NATIONAL:
1. JALDOST
Why in news – CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories, Bengaluru has unveiled JALDOST.
Key Points –
• JALDOST (powered by aircraft engine) is an airboat that removes aquatic weeds from lakes and rivers.
• Aquatic weeds are unwanted and undesirable vegetation that reproduce and grow in water.
Value Addition –
• Floating weeds - Water hyacinth (Echhornia crassipes), Water fern (Salvinia molesta), Water lettuce (Pistia spp) and Water velvet (Azola pinnata).
• Rooted weeds with floating leaves - Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera), White water lily (Nymphaea alba).
2. "Utkarsh" and "Unmesh" Festival
Why in news - President Draupadi Murmu inaugurated "Utkarsh" and "Unmesh" festival in Bhopal on August 3, 2023.
Key Points –
• Organised by - Sangeet Natak Akademi and Sahitya Academy under the Ministry of Culture.
• Unmesh Utsav is Asia's largest literary convention.
• About 800 artists from 36 states and UTs performed in folk and tribal arts.
Value Addition –
2. Art Exhibition 'Sa'
Why in news - Asia's highest altitude (3600m) land art exhibition Titled 'Sa' held in Leh (Disko Valley).
Key Points –
• It aims to explore climate, culture and community.
• Sā means soil in Ladakhi language.
• German Embassy has extended support to it.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. US Rating Downgraded
Why in news - Fitch has downgraded the Sovereign rating for the United States to AA+ from AAA (highest rating).
Key Points –
• Reasons - fiscal deterioration, growing general government debt burden and steady deterioration in governance.
• Fitch is a global credit ratings agency.
• In 2011, Standard & Poor’s (S&P) downgraded, for the first time in 70 years, the US rating from AAA to AA+.
2. 16 MW Wind Turbine
Why in news - The installation of the world's largest wind turbine has now been completed off the east coast of China.
Key Points –
• A single revolution of the blades will feed in 34.2 kWh of energy.
• In a year, the turbine can generate 66GWh of carbon-free electricity.
• Height - 500 feet (152 m).
APPS & PORTALS:
1. Rajmargyatra App
Why in news - National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) launched the 'Rajmargyatra' app.
Key Points –
• It is a citizen-centric unified mobile application.
• Key Features –
(a) Comprehensive Highway Information.
(b) Hassle-Free Complaint Redressal.
(c) Seamless FASTag Services
(d) Over-speeding notifications and voice-assistance.
2. Ayush Visa
Why in news - Ministry of Home Affairs has notified the creation of a new category of Ayush (AY) visa.
Key Points –
• Benefit - for foreign nationals for treatment under Ayush systems/Indian systems of medicine like therapeutic care, wellness and Yoga.
• It is part of India’s roadmap for the Heal in India initiative, which is intended at promoting India as a medical value travel destination.
• It was earlier announced at Global Ayush Investment and Innovation Summit (GAIIS) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat in April 2022.
ECONOMY:
1. Maharatna Status
Why in news - Finance Ministry has approved the upgradation of Oil India Ltd to the category of 'Maharatna'.
Key Points –
• Oil India Ltd (M/o Petroleum & Natural Gas) - 13th Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE).
• ONGC Videsh became the 14th Navratna amongst the CPSEs.
Eligibility for Maharatna Status –
• average turnover of over Rs 25,000 crore.
• an average annual net worth of more than Rs 15,000 crore.
• an average annual net profit of over Rs 5,000 crore during the last 3 years.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. Earth Overshoot Day
Why in news - In 2023, it fell on August 2.
Key Points –
• It marks the point when humanity starts consuming resources beyond the level the planet can replenish in a year.
• It is calculated by the Global Footprint Network (GFN).
• It compares humanity’s ecological footprints, such as waste output, carbon emissions, and resource consumption to the Earth’s ability to replenish those resources in that year.
• When we reach Earth Overshoot Day, It means that we are using up resources faster than the Earth can renew them, leading to a depletion of our planet’s natural capital.
• A Country Overshoot Day reflects the ecological footprint of a country by comparing the population’s demand and the nation’s biocapacity.
Value Addition –
• India is the 3rd largest emitter globally. (1st – China, 2nd - USA).
• Despite low per-capita emissions, India emits a net 2.9 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent (GtCO2e) every year.
• As per McKinsey, by 2030, India could experience a 15% increase in lost outdoor working hours due to extreme heat posing a risk of 2.5-4.5% to GDP.
SECURITY:
1. Spike Missiles
Why in news - Indian Air Force got Israeli Spike missiles.
Key Points –
• Spike is a Non-Line of Sight (NLOS) anti-tank guided missile.
• It is a fire-and-forget anti-tank missile which can hit targets up to 30 km away.
• It can be fired from the ground or even from helicopters.
BIHAR:
1. Amrit Bharat Station Scheme
Why in news - 35 stations in state to get a facelift under Amrit Bharat Station scheme.
Key Points –
• Selected stations - 13 (Danapur division), 12 (Samastipur) and 10 (Sonepur).
• A total of 57 stations come under East Central Railways (ECR).
POINTERS:
• Which High Court has allowed ASI to conduct survey in Gyanvapi Masjid complex in Varanasi - Allahabad High Court.
• Who has been appointed special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) - Shohini Sinha.
• Who has taken over as the Chief of Staff of the Eastern Naval Command - Sameer Saxena.
• Which state government will expand the "Vaasipu Iyakkam" program for students of Classes 4 to 9 across all government schools - Tamil Nadu.
• Which state has announced the establishment of 'Mangrove Cell' - West Bengal.
• How many RPTOs (Remote Pilot Training Organization) have been approved by DGCA for drone training – 63.
• Which state has launched the 'Amrit Vriksha Andolan' app – Assam.
• Which city of India is going to become India's first septic tank free city - Navi Mumbai.
• Which state government will set up Animal Birth Control Centers (ABC) in all municipal corporations - Uttar Pradesh.
• Which country plans to limit the use of smartphones by children to two hours – China.