NATIONAL:
1. 24th Kargil Vijay Diwas 2023
Why in news – It is celebrated on 26 July every year.
Key Points –
• Aim - to honour India's victory over Pakistan in the Kargil War in 1999.
• Operation Vijay - Indian Army drove out intruders from Pakistan and reclaimed Tiger Hill.
• Operation Safed Sagar – Airstrike by Indian Air Force to support the Indian Army.
• Operation Talwar - Naval operation carried out by the Indian Navy to pressurize Pakistan.
• Kargil War - May to July 1999.
• Indian Army Chief during the Kargil conflict - General Ved Prakash Malik.
• Kargil is one of the two Districts of the Ladakh region.
Value Addition –
• In 1999, India and Pakistan signed the Lahore agreement (February 21, 1999) to mutually resolve the Kashmir issue in a peaceful manner.
• Operation Badr - Pakistani troops began infiltrating the Indian side of the Line of Control (LoC) hoping to cut off Indian troops in Siachen.
2. Construction Innovation Hub
Why in news - Kerala got India’s first Construction Innovation Hub (CIH).
Key Points –
• Aim - to promote affordable and sustainable building facilities to foster collaboration, innovation and knowledge-sharing.
• Nodal agency - Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM).
• Set up in association with Habitat for Humanity India (HFHI), an American non-profit organisation.
3. LSD Positive State
Why in news – Nagaland has been officially declared as a Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) positive state.
Key Points –
• Under - Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009.
• It is a poxviral disease with significant morbidity in cattle.
• As per the World Animal Health Organization (OIE), LSD is a notifiable disease.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Ban on Transgender Marriages
Why in news – Russia banned sex change and transgender marriages.
Key Points –
• It also barred transgender people from becoming foster or adoptive parents.
• It is supported by the Russian Orthodox Church.
2. Qin Gang Sacked
Why in news – China replaced foreign minister Qin Gang after a mysterious absence with Wang Yi.
Key Points –
• Qin Gang has not been seen in public since June 25.
• Rumour - alleged extramarital affair with television journalist Fu Xiaotian, who is a US citizen.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. Cannabis Medicine Project
Why in news – Jammu to pioneer India's first Cannabis Medicine Project.
Key Points –
• It is an initiative of CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine Jammu.
• Location – Chatha, Jammu.
• In a Private Public Partnership with a Canadian firm.
• To treat patients suffering from neuropathies, cancer and epilepsy.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem 2023
Why in news – It is celebrated on 26 July.
Key Points –
• It was adopted by UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2015.
• Global mangrove forests sequester as much as 22.8 million tons of carbon each year.
• They can contain more carbon per square metre than tropical rainforests.
Value Addition -
• Sri Lanka (2015) - 1st nation in the world to comprehensively protect all its mangrove forests.
• Blue Forests Project (Global Environment Facility and UNEP) - to improve management of mangrove ecosystems.
• Mikoko Pamoja initiative (Mangroves Together) in Gazi Bay, Kenya, has become the world’s first conservation project to link mangrove forests to the global carbon market.
• 86 of UNESCO’s 669 World Network of Biosphere Reserves sites include areas of mangroves.
• Mangroves are found in 123 nations and territories, but represent less than 1% of all tropical forests worldwide, and less than 0.4% of all global forests.
• Benefits - habitat for fish and crustaceans, food source for monkeys, kangaroos etc and a source of nectar for honeybees.
Indian scenario -
• MISHTI - Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes.
• Mangrove is a state subject.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Batagaika Crater
Why in news – The Batagaika crater situated in Russia’s Far East is thawing.
Key Points –
• Location - Sakha Republic and reaches depths of up to 100 metres
• It is world’s biggest permafrost crater (1 km long).
• The “enormous quantity” of organic carbon released due to this thawing into the atmosphere may further fuel global warming.
• Locals in Russia call it the “gateway to the underworld” while scientists call it “a mega-slump.”
• Permafrost –
(a) Any ground that remains completely frozen — 32°F (0°C) or colder — for at least 2 years straight.
(b) Common in regions with high mountains and in Earth’s higher latitudes — near the North and South Poles.
(c) Soil, rocks and sand are held together by ice.
(d) Almost a quarter of the land area in the Northern Hemisphere has permafrost underneath.
(e) But while the ground is frozen the regions with permafrost are not always covered in snow.
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. ‘Akira’ Attack
Why in news – CERT-In cautioned internet users against ransomware ‘Akira’ attack.
Key Points –
• ‘Akira’ virus steals vital personal information and encrypts data leading to extortion of money from people.
• It targets Windows and Linux-based systems.
• Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) is the central technology arm to combat cyber-attacks.
• CERT-In works under the Ministry of Information & Electronics Technology.
SUMMITS & CONFERENCE:
1. WTO’s 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13)
Why in news – General Council of the WTO has elected Dr Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi as Chair of WTO MC13.
Key Points –
• Dr Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi is UAE's Minister for Foreign Trade.
• WTO MC13 to take place in Abu Dhabi in February 2024.
• WTO Director General - Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
SECURITY:
1. 10th Exercise Talisman Sabre
Why in news – Australia’s largest bilateral military exercise with the United States commenced.
Key Points –
• It is a multi-domain warfighting across sea, land, air, cyber and space.
• Personnel from India, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand are attending as observers.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Rising Global Superstar of Indian Cinema Award
Why in news – Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan to be honoured with the award at the 14th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne on August 11.
Key Points –
• Reason - Kartik's significant impact on the world of Indian cinema.
• To be presented by the Governor of Victoria.
STATES/UTs:
1. Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill, 2023
Why in news – Rajasthan assembly passed a bill extending social security to gig workers in the state.
Key Points –
• It is first of its kind in the country.
• 50% gig workers do not have any kind of health insurance and about 40% were not covered under the accidental insurance.
BIHAR:
1. Power Theft
Why in news – Bihar government to check aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) losses through artificial intelligence.
Key Points –
• Initiative of - Bihar State Power Holding Company (BSPHCL).
• Pilot project of energy accounting is being done in Bhagalpur and Muzaffarpur.
• ‘Raid and FIR Management System’ portal (From August 1, 2023) –
(a) to display raids being conducted and the amount of fine imposed on consumers indulging in electricity theft.
b) the two power distribution companies — South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (SBPDCL) and North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (NBPDCL) — will go for 100% automation of accounting, bringing ease of operation and enable data analysis of consumption pattern.
2. 'Road Enemy' (Sadak Shatru) Tag
Why in news – Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) will now give the tag of "road enemy" to people throwing garbage on roads.
Key Points –
• Fine alongwith - Rs 500.
• PMC is all set to start a new campaign - 'My road my responsibility' - in a bid to ensure cleanliness and make the city garbage-free.
POINTERS:
• Which state government has released a vision document to achieve net-zero target by 2070 – Jharkhand.
• In which state the 5th Helicopter and Small Aircraft Summit was organized - Madhya Pradesh (Khajuraho).
• What systems will Department of Telecommunications test to enhance emergency communication - Cell Broadcast Alert System.
• Which building will host India's G20 leaders meetings in September 2023 - India Trade Promotion Organisation's (ITPO), New Delhi.
• India and which country have signed helicopter cooperation for armed forces – Argentina.
• In which state is India's first private hill station Lavasa Corporation is located – Maharashtra.
• Indian-American Congressman Dr. Ami Bera has been honored with which award - 'Champion of Healthcare Innovation Award'.
• Which team has created history by beating their Indian counterparts for the first time in ODIs - Bangladesh Women's Team.
• Where will the Air Force Day Parade and Flypast be held – Prayagraj.
• According to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, how many people have given up Indian citizenship till June 2023 - 87,026.