NATIONAL:
1. Pandurang Khankhoje (1883-1967)
Why in news – LS Speaker Om Birla would unveil a statue of the freedom fighter Khankhoje during his visit to Mexico.
Key Points –
• He would also unveil statues of Swami Vivekananda.
• He was currently in Canada for the 65th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference.
About Khankhoje –
• He was a Maharashtra-born (Wardha) freedom fighter and agriculturalist.
• He sought refuge in Mexico due to his association with Ghadar Party.
• He was an ardent admirer of the French Revolution and of the American War of Independence.
• He was one of the founding members of the Ghadar Party (1914).
2. Football CoA Dissolved
Why in news - The Supreme Court dissolved the Committee of Administrators (CoA) appointed to look after the daily affairs of AIFF.
Key Points –
• It paved the way for FIFA to lift suspension imposed on AIFF.
• CoA was a 3-member body headed by Sunando Dhar.
3. Mystery Paddy Dwarfing
Why in news - Scientists tracked the cause of paddy dwarfing in Punjab and Haryana.
Key Points –
• IARI has undertaken electron microscopy analysis and DNA isolation through PCR (polymerase chain reaction) technique.
• Reason for dwarfing - Either grassy stunt virus or phytoplasma bacteria.
• Vector - Brown plant hopper.
4. Tomato Flu
Why in news - India has recorded cases of tomato flu in Kerala.
Key Points –
• It was first identified in Kerala's Kollam district on May 6, 2022.
• Symptoms - rashes, skin irritation and dehydration.
• It could be an after-effect of chikungunya or dengue fever in children.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. IS Bomber Detained
Why in news – Russia has detained an Islamic State (IS) suicide bomber planning to target a key Indian politician.
Key Points –
• He was detained by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB).
• Mouthpiece of Islamic State Khurasan Province (ISKP) - Al Azaim Foundation.
2. Soviet-Era Obelisk
Why in news – Latvia to tear down a Soviet-era monument that commemorates the Red Army's victory over Nazi Germany.
Key Points –
• It has an 80-meter (260-foot) concrete spire with a Soviet star on top.
• It was built in 1985 while Latvia (Capital-Riga) was still part of the Soviet Union.
• Last week, Estonia (capital-Tallinn) removed a Soviet-era monument.
3. Unveiling of Bust of Mahatma Gandhi
Why in news – EAM S Jaishankar has unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Paraguay.
Key Points –
• He also visited the historic Casa de la Independencia from where Paraguay 's Independence movement started.
• S Jaishankar is on a visit to Paraguay and Argentina.
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus
Why in news – Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launched India’s first indigenously developed Hydrogen fuel cell bus in Pune.
Key Points –
• It was developed by KPIT-CSIR.
• He also inaugurated the Bisphenol-A pilot plant in CSIR-NCL.
• 12-14% of CO2 emissions and particulate emissions come from diesel-powered heavy commercial vehicles.
2. Monkeypox Test Kit
Why in news – India’s first indigenously-developed RT-PCR kit for testing Monkeypox was launched at the Andhra Pradesh Medtech Zone (AMTZ).
Key Points –
• Name - Transasia-Erba monkeypox RT-PCR kit.
• It was developed by Transasia Bio-Medicals.
• It was unveiled by Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Kumar Sood.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Night Safari
Why in news – India’s first night safari to come up in Lucknow.
Key Points –
• It would be developed in 350 acres in the Kukrail forest area.
• There are 13-day safaris in the country but no night safari.
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. Silk Mark Expo
Why in news – Union Minister Darshana Jardosh inaugurated the Silk Mark Expo in New Delhi.
Key Points –
• It was organized by the Silk Mark Organisation of India under Central Silk Board (Hq - Bangalore).
• Silk mark scheme was launched for generic promotion of Silk and building brand equity of Indian Silk at home and abroad.
IMPORTANT DATES:
1. World Senior Citizen’s Day 2022
Why in news – It is celebrated on August 21 to highlight the contribution of elderly individuals to humankind.
Key Points –
• It was instituted by Ronald Reagan in 1988.
SECURITY:
1. Ulchi Freedom Shield Exercise
Why in news – USA and South Korea began their biggest combined military training.
Key Points –
• Duration – Aug 22 to Sept 1, 2022.
• Location – Paju, South Korea.
AGREEMENTS:
1. Seafarer Pact
Why in news – India and Iran signed bilateral seafarer pact amid Chabahar Port talks.
Key Points –
• Sarbananda Sonowal is on a 4-day visit to Iran to review the progress of the Shahid Behesti terminal of Chabahar Port.
• Behesti terminal is a crucial cog in the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
• Chabahar Port is currently operated by state-owned India Ports Global.
RESIGNATIONS:
1. Anthony Fauci
Why in news – Dr. Anthony Fauci would step down from his positions as director of NIAID and chief medical adviser to Joe Biden.
Key Points –
• NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
• He has been the NIAID director since 1984.
• In 2020, he was the face of the US government’s efforts to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.
BIHAR:
1. Low Rainfall in Bihar
Why in news - Monsoon has lost its way due to which there was less rain in Jharkhand and Bihar.
Key Points –
• The Monsoon low pressure and high pressure forming in the Bay of Bengal is moving westwards through the southern part of the state.
• All the five monsoon systems formed in this season left Chhattisgarh, touching the southern part of the state.
2. Rubber Dam on Falgu River
Why in news – Honourable CM inspected the state's 1st rubber dam being built in the Falgu River.
Key Points –
• It has been constructed by the Water Resources Department at a cost of Rs 266 crores.
• Construction started in September 2020.
2. Patna to Pakistan on Bicycle
Why in news – Govindam alias Naksh has returned after traveling 1700 km from Patna to Pakistan.
Key Points –
• This journey was named “Burn Fat-Save Fuel”.
• He travelled from Patna to Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan in a month.
• He started the journey on June 14.
POINTERS:
• Which airline overtook SpiceJet to become India's second largest domestic airline – Vistara.
• Who has released a report titled 'Good Governance, Efficiency and Soundness of Indian Banks' - Reserve Bank of India.
• Who has announced its exit from the European Union's 'advanced surveillance' framework – Greece.
• How many villages in India have been declared ODF plus villages in India - 1,01,462.
• Who became the first Indian woman wrestler to be crowned U-20 world champion - Antim Panghal.
• Which state became the first in India to implement blockchain technology in the agricultural sector – Jharkhand.
• Which state will take a loan of Rs 4000 crore from the Asian Development Bank for the establishment of a medical college – Maharashtra.
• What is the name of BIMSTEC Secretary General who arrived in Delhi on a four-day official visit - Tenzin Lekphel.
• Who has been appointed by HDFC Bank for its campaign 'Vigil Aunty' which promotes safe banking habits among citizens - Anuradha Menon.
• Which international airport is named after Shaheed Bhagat Singh – Chandigarh International Airport.