NATIONAL:
1. World Record in Singing Patriotic Songs
Why in news – On August 13, 1 crore children in Rajasthan set a world record by singing patriotic songs collectively.
Key Points –
• They set a world record under the World Book of Records, London.
• The function was held at Sawai Man Singh Stadium, Jaipur.
• Songs sung - Vande Mataram, Jana Gana Mana, Hum Honge Kaamyaab, Jhanda Uncha Rahe Hamara, Jhanki Hindustan ki and Saare Jahan Se Achcha.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Omicron Vaccine
Why in news – UK becomes world's first country to approve vaccine against both Omicron & original COVID strain.
Key Points –
• The “bivalent” vaccine has been made by US drugmaker Moderna.
• It produced a strong immune response against both Omicron (BA.1) and the original 2020 virus.
• In early 2020, the UK became the first country to roll out a COVID vaccination drive.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission (NIPAM)
Why in news - NIPAM has achieved the target of imparting Intellectual Property (IP) basic training to 1 million students.
Key Points –
• The target was achieved on July 31, 2022. (Deadline – August 15, 2022).
• NIPAM was launched in Dec 2021.
• Aim of NIPAM - To inculcate the spirit of creativity and innovation to students of higher education (classes 8 to 12).
• Implementing Agency - Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM), M/o Commerce and Industry.
• IPR types - Patents, Copyright, Industrial design, Trademarks, Plant variety rights, trade, GI, and trade secrets.
2. Manthan Manch
Why in news - The Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) has announced the launch of Manthan Manch.
Key Points –
• Aim – For collaboration between the industry and research institutes to implement technology-based social impact innovations.
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. Saline Water LED lamps “Roshni”
Why in news - Union Minister Jitendra Singh launched India’s first saline water LED lamps called “Roshni”.
Key Points –
• It uses seawater to power LED lamps.
• SAGAR ANVESHIKA – It is a Coastal Research Vessel operated and used by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) Chennai.
• It will also boost UJALA (launch 2015) for the distribution of LED bulbs across the country.
RANKS & INDICES:
1. Digital Currency Ownership
Why in news dddddddddddddddddddddd– In 2021, developing countries accounted for 15 of the top 20 economies in cryptocurrency ownership.
Key Points –
• Top 5 - Ukraine (12.7%), Russia (11.9%), Venezuela (10.3%), Singapore (9.4%), Kenya (8.5%).
• India Rank – 7th (7.3%).
• Report name - All that glitters is not gold: The high cost of leaving cryptocurrencies unregulated.
• The report was released by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. Pre-Summit of Tiger Range Countries (TRCs)
Why in news – India has hosted the Pre-Summit meeting of TRCs in New Delhi on Aug 10, 2022.
Key Points –
• The meeting was attended by 12 tiger range countries except for China and Indonesia.
• The TRC summit is scheduled to be held at Vladivostok, Russia on September 5, 2022.
• The 4th Asia Ministerial Conference on “Tiger Conservation culminated” held at Kuala Lumpur.
• 13 TRC - India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand, Vietnam, China and Indonesia.
• India has 52 tiger reserves across 18 states and accounts for nearly 70% of the global wild tiger population.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Agasthyamalai Elephant Sanctuary
Why in news – Tamil Nadu got its 5th elephant reserve at Agasthyamalai in Tirunelveli district.
Key Points –
• In the last 3 years, Dandeli Elephant Reserve (Karnataka), Singphan Elephant Reserve (Nagaland) and Lemru Elephant Reserve (Chhattisgarh) have been notified.
• India has 31 elephant reserves.
• A total of 76,508 sq km across 14 states in the country are under elephant reserves.
AWARDS:
1. Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) Awards 2022
Why in news – The 13th IIFM awards held in Melbourne, Australia on August 12.
Key Points –
• Best Film: 83
• Best Director: Shoojit Sircar (Sardar Udham) and Aparna Sen (The Rapist)
• Best Actor: Ranveer Singh (83)
• Best Actress: Shefali Shah (Jalsa)
• Best Series: Mumbai Diaries 26/11
• Leadership in Cinema Award: Abhishek Bachchan.
FESTIVALS:
1. Navroz 2022
Why in news – Parsi New Year, Navroz, is being celebrated this year on August 16.
Key Points –
• Navroz celebration is believed to date back to the time when Prophet Zarathustra founded Zoroastrianism.
• Navroz marks the first day of Farvardin, the first month in the Zoroastrian calendar.
SPORTS:
1. UEFA Super Cup 2022
Why in news – Real Madrid beat Eintracht Frankfurt in the finals to win the 2022 UEFA Super Cup for 5th time.
Key Points –
• It is an annual football match for the winners of the two main European club competitions, i.e. the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.
• Venue - Helsinki, Finland.
2. FIFA suspended AIFF
Why in news – FIFA suspended the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) due to “undue influence from third parties”.
Key Points –
• India has also been stripped of the right to host the 2022 Under-17 Women's World Cup in October.
• This is the 1st time that the AIFF has been suspended by FIFA in its 85-year history.
• The ban will be lifted once the Indian administration regains full control of AIFF’s daily affairs.
STATES/UTs:
1. Village Defense Guard Scheme
Why in news – J&K government has approved the “Village Defense Guard Scheme 2022” to prevent incidents of terrorist acts.
Key Points –
• It came into effect from August 15, 2022.
• It aims to organize a small group of volunteer armed citizens with a view to inculcate a sense of self service.