NATIONAL:
1. Hemant Soren May Be Disqualified
Why in news - The Election Commission (EC) recommended the disqualification of Jharkhand’s CM Hemant Soren as MLA.
Key Points –
• Reason – He was guilty of misusing his position to allot a stone mining lease to himself in 2021.
• Recommendation was made to Jharkhand Governor Ramesh Bais under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
• According to Section 9A of the Representation of the People Act 1951, disqualification under this section will last as long as the contract is in force.
2. PM’s Security Breach
Why in news - The Supreme Court committee has submitted report on the security breach during PM Modi’s visit to Punjab.
Key Points –
• It has faulted the then Ferozepur SSP Harmandeep Singh Hans for failing to augment security despite having time and sufficient forces.
• On Jan 5, 2022, PM Modi’s cavalcade ran into a blockade by protesters en route.
• The committee was headed by former SC judge Justice Indu Malhotra.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. India Votes Against Russia
Why in news - In a first, India voted against Russia in UNSC during procedural vote on Ukraine on Aug 24, 2022.
Key Points –
• Russian Ambassador to UN Vassily A Nebenzia voted against Volodymyr Zelenskyy participation in the meeting by video tele-conference.
• India allowed meeting through tele-conference.
2. Indian Embassy in Paraguay
Why in news - External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar inaugurated the new Indian Embassy in Asuncion in Paraguay.
Key Points –
• S Jaishankar is the first Indian Foreign Minister to visit Paraguay.
• The Indian Embassy in Paraguay began functioning from January 2022.
ECONOMY:
1. Samsonite’s Largest Plant
Why in news - Samsonite plans to have its largest manufacturing unit in India by expanding the capacity of its factory in Nashik (MH).
Key Points –
• Samsonite is global luggage manufacturer and retailer.
• Two other units of the company are in Belgium and Hungary in Europe.
• It is working on “China Plus One” strategy to deal with supply chain disruptions.
2. Asia's First Paper Factory Reopened
Why in news - On Aug 23, 2022, Mahendra Nath Pandey inaugurated Asia's first paper mill NEPA Limited at Burhanpur (MP).
Key Points –
• It has been revived after 7 years.
• Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru dedicated it to the nation on April 26, 1959.
• On February 21, 1989, the company's name was changed to Nepa Limited.
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. Joint Rivers Commission (JRC)
Why in news - The 38th meeting of the ministerial-level JRC of India and Bangladesh held in Delhi on Aug 25, 2022.
Key Points –
• Both have finalized the text of MoU on interim water sharing of Kushiyara river.
• The two sides were led by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (India) and Zaheed Farooque (Bangladesh).
• India and Bangladesh share 54 rivers. E.g., Ganges, Teesta, Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla, Dudhkumar and Kushiyara.
2. National Labour Conference
Why in news – PM Modi addressed the conference of Labour Ministers of all states and UTs via video conference.
Key Points –
• Social security cover to workers - PM Shram-Yogi Maandhan Yojana, PM Suraksha Bima Yojana, PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana.
• Venue – Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.
• 29 labour laws have been converted into four “simple labour codes”.
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2022
Why in news – PM Modi addressed the finale of the Smart India Hackathon 2022 on Aug 25, 2022.
Key Points –
• IIT Guwahati hosted SIH 2022 grand finale.
• SIH (Launch -2017) is a nationwide initiative to provide students a platform to offer out-of-the-box ideas to solve problems in governance.
• Every year SIH has two editions- SIH Software and SIH Hardware.
• In 2022, Smart India Hackathon-Junior has also been introduced for school students.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. World’s First H2 Train Fleet
Why in news – A fleet of 14 trains powered entirely by hydrogen is launched in Germany.
Key Points –
• Germany has inaugurated a railway line powered entirely by hydrogen.
• The fleet was provided by French industrial giant Alstom.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. UNESCO Peace Prize 2022
Why in news – Angela Merkel has been awarded the prize for "her efforts to welcome refugees".
Key Points –
• The honour is officially called Felix Houphouet-Boigny-UNESCO Peace Prize.
IMPORTANT DATES:
1. World Water Week
Why in news – World Water Week is observed in the last week of August every year.
Key Points –
• Theme - “Seeing the unseen: The value of water”,
• Aim - to draw the attention of the world to the water crisis and the sustainable use of water.
• A conference is organised every year by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI).
AGREEMENTS:
1. UNESCO and Royal Enfield
Why in news – UNESCO and Royal Enfield have come together to promote and safeguard the intangible cultural heritage of India.
Key Points –
• It would begin with the Himalayas.
2. Promotion of Palm Oil
Why in news – Godrej Agrovet has signed an MoU with Assam, Manipur and Tripura to promote palm oil growth in the area.
Key Points –
• It is as per the National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm initiative (NMEO-OP).
• Centre has launched NMEO-OP (Aug 2021) to increase the palm oil area to 10 lakh hectare by 2025–26 and 16.7 lakh hectare by 2029–30.
• Special emphasis - North-East and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• Planned investment in NMEO-OP - Rs 11,040 crores.
BOOKS & AUTHORS:
1. “New India: Selected Writings 2014-19”
Why in news – Former VP Venkaiah Naidu released a book titled “New India: Selected Writings 2014-19”.
Key Points –
• It contains articles penned by Arun Jaitley.
• The book has been published by Juggernaut.
SPORTS:
1. Khelo India Women’s Judo Tournament
Why in news – The 1st Khelo India Women’s Judo tournament is scheduled to be held across four zones in India, starting Aug 27, 2022.
Key Points –
• It is an initiative by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
• Budget - Rs 1.74 Crore.
• Venue:
A. SAI centre Guwahati, Assam
B. VKN Menon Stadium, Thrissur, Kerala
C. Pestle Wood School, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
D. Sardar Patel Sports Complex, Gujarat.
• The National Round is scheduled for October 20-23 at the KD Jadhav Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.
• It would start from August 27, 2022 at SAI centre Guwahati, Assam.
2. FTX Crypto Cup
Why in news – Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu defeated world champion Magnus Carlsen at the FTX Crypto Cup in Miami, USA.
Key Points –
• Praggnanandhaa defeated Carlsen for the third time in just six months.
BIHAR:
1. Gaya Temple “Purified”
Why in news – A “purification prayer” was done at the Vishnupad temple (Gaya) after Minister Mohammad Israil Mansuri entered its garbh-grih.
Key Points –
• Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple.
• Mansuri is a Pasmanda Muslim and holds Information Technology portfolio.
• Temple management committee president - Shambhu Lal Vitthal.
2. Election of Chairman
Why in news – Senior JDU leader Devesh Chandra Thakur elected as the 12th Chairman of Bihar Legislative Council.
Key Points –
• He was elected unopposed as the Chairman.
• This is Thakur's 4th term as Member of Legislative Council (MLC).
• The post has been lying vacant since May 2017 after Awadhesh Narayan Singh (BJP) completed his 5-year term.
3. Outlook Traveller Award 2022
Why in news – It was organized by Outlook Group on August 24, 2022 in New Delhi.
Key Points –
• Bodh Gaya has been awarded as “Best Location” in Spiritual Destination Category.
• Union Tourism and Cultural Minister G Kishan Reddy has given this award.
• Principal Secretary, Tourism Department of Bihar Santosh Kumar Mall, received the award.
4. National Teacher Award
Why in news – Two teachers from Bihar have been selected for the National Teacher Award.
Key Points –
• 46 teachers from across the country have been selected for the Award.
• This includes two teachers from Bihar.
• It includes Nishi Kumari (Khushrupur, Patna) and Saurav Suman (Supaul).
• Names of 6 teachers from Bihar were sent by the state government award.
5. Pritam Kumar
Why in news – Pritam Kumar has been made the private secretary of Dy CM Tejashwi Yadav.
POINTERS:
• Delhi-based Mangalnam Swaminathan Foundation announced a pension scheme for victims of political violence in which state – Kerala.
• What is the name of the anti-pollution helmet developed by Shellios Technolabs – PUROS.
• According to the report 2022 of the International Commission on Large Dams, what is the rank of India in the world in terms of large dams - 3rd (4407 dams).
• Which state government will now give one crore compensation instead of one lakh rupees to the families of martyr soldiers who received Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra – Gujarat.
• Which country's Prime Minister Prayuth Chanocha was suspended by the country's Constitutional Court – Thailand.
• Who was honoured with the 44th Jamuna Lal Bajaj Award 2022 - Nilesh Desai.
• In which state the earthquake museum named "Smritivan" was built in the memory of the victims of the earthquake - Bhuj, Gujarat.
• Which country has become the lowest fertility rate country in the world according to 2021 data - South Korea.
• RBI lifted restrictions from which global card network after more than 15 months - American Express.
• UK built paddle steamer with corporate and recreational facilities would be open to the public soon in which city – Kolkata.