NATIONAL:
1. Gene-edited Mustard
Why in news - Indian scientists have developed the first ever low-pungent mustard that is pest and disease-resistant.
Key Points –
• It is based on CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, while being non-GM and transgene-free.
• CRISPR/Cas9 deploys an enzyme, which acts as a “molecular scissors” to cut the DNA at precise targeted locations.
• Mustard seeds have high levels of glucosinolates (sulfur and nitrogen compounds) contributing to pungency.
• High glucosinolates is known to cause goiter (swelling of neck) and internal organ abnormalities in livestock.
• Canola-quality - low-glucosinolate mustard.
• Varuna - high-yielding Indian mustard variety.
Value Addition –
• Oilseeds yield not only oil for cooking and frying.
• Their so-called meal – the residual cake after extraction of oil from the seeds – is a protein-rich ingredient used in livestock, poultry and aqua feed.
• India’s most significant domestically-grown oilseed is rapeseed-mustard (42.6%) (soyabean -19.2%).
2. India Stack
Why in news - India signed an MoU with Trinidad and Tobago for sharing ‘India Stack’.
Key Points –
• India Stack is a collection of open application programming interfaces that aim to facilitate identity, data, and payment services on a large scale.
• India has already signed MoUs with Armenia, Sierra Leone, Suriname, and Antigua and Barbuda to share India Stack.
• The UPI technology is a part of India Stack.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Luna-25 Crashed
Why in news - Luna-25 has ended in failure with the spacecraft crashing onto the lunar surface.
Key Points –
• 15 minutes of terror – Complexity involved in making a descent from the lunar orbit to the Moon’s surface.
• In the past 4 years, Chandrayaan-2 (ISRO), Beresheet (Israel) Hakuto-R (Japan) crashed on the Moon’s surface.
• China landed on its very first attempt in 2013 (Chang’e-3), 2019 (Chang’e-4) and 2020 (Chang’e-5, a sample return mission).
• Except 3 Chinese landings in the past 10 years, all the successful landings on the Moon happened within a decade between 1966 and 1976.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. National Carbon Registry
Why in news - UNDP has developed an open-source software called the National Carbon Registry.
Key Points –
• It allows countries to effectively manage national data and processes for trading carbon credits.
• It has been accredited as a digital public good (DPG).
SUMMITS & TECHNOLOGY:
1. G20 Film Festival
Why in news - G20 Film Festival commenced in New Delhi on August 16, 2023.
Key Points –
• Opening movie - Pather Panchali (Satyajit Ray).
• Inaugurated by - Victor Banerjee (actor) and Amitabh Kant (G20 Sherpa).
• Organised by - India International Centre (IIC) and G20 Secretariat (M/o External Affairs).
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. Pig Kidney Transplant
Why in news - Humanlike genetically modified pig organs are renewing interest in xenotransplantation.
Key Points –
• Xenotransplantation - Use of non-human tissues or organs to treat medical conditions in humans.
• Research conducted by - University of Alabama.
• Transplanted kidneys not only produced urine, they provided the “life-sustaining kidney function” of filtering waste.
• Healthy kidneys filter a waste product called creatinine out of the blood.
Value Addition –
• In 1954, the kidney was the first human organ to be transplanted successfully.
• Liver, heart and pancreas transplants were successfully performed by the late 1960s.
• Lung and intestinal organ transplant procedures were begun in the 1980s.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. International Young Eco-Hero Award 2023
Why in news - 5 Indians are among 17 young environmental activists globally to receive the award.
Key Points –
• It was announced Action For Nature.
• They are - Eiha Dixit (Meerut), Manya Harsha (Bengaluru), Nirvaan Somany and Mannat Kaur (New Delhi) and Karnav Rastogi (Mumbai).
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. World Mosquito Day 2023
Why in news – It is observed on August 20.
Key Points –
• It is observed to commemorate the discovery of Sir Ronald Ross.
• Sir Ronald Ross discovered (August 20, 1897) that a parasite found in the stomach of a female Anopheles mosquito is responsible for transmitting malaria among humans.
• Mosquito-borne diseases - Malaria, West Nile virus, dengue, chikungunya, Zika.
2. Sadbhavana Diwas 2023
Why in news – Rajiv Gandhi birth anniversary is celebrated as Harmony Day.
Key Points –
• The objective is to foster a sense of national unity and promote positive interactions among various faiths and cultures.
• Rajiv Gandhi was the youngest prime minister (40 years old) of India.
• In his memory, the Congress Party started the Sadbhavana Diwas and instituted the Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award in 1992.
BOOKS & AUTHORS:
1. Book Indian Ideas of Freedom
Why in news - Dennis Dalton authored a book titled “Indian Ideas of Freedom.”
Key Points –
• It deals with how some of India’s greatest modern thinkers conceptualized the idea of freedom.
• It is an extended edition of his 1982 book.
SPORTS:
1. ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Mascot
Why in news - ICC unveiled official male and female mascots of the 2023 Cricket World Cup in Gurugram.
Key Points –
• The two characters are dressed in futuristic suits and hails from Crictoverse.
• 2011 World Cup Mascot - Stumpy the Elephant.
• Crictoverse - a 3D virtual world that is built in the Unreal Engine and underpinned by blockchain technologies.
BIHAR:
1. Hari Sahani
Why in news - BJP MLC Hari Sahani will be the leader of the opposition in the Bihar legislative council.
Key Points –
• Sahani replaced Samrat Choudhary as the leader of the opposition in the Upper House.
• He is the former district unit chief of Darbhanga.
POINTERS:
• Which Indian bank has launched a multi-branded credit card in partnership with Qatar Airways and British Airways - IndusInd Bank.
• Which player of the England cricket team has withdrawn his decision to retire from ODI cricket - Ben Stokes.
• Which state has announced to regularize 450 unauthorized colonies – Haryana.
• Which footballer has left PSG and signed for "Al Hilal" – Neymar.
• Russia has imposed a fine of how many million rubles on Google -3-million ruble.
• In which state India's first common testing centre for unmanned aerial systems (drones) will be set up - Tamil Nadu.
• Mutual recognition arrangement of Authorized Economic Operators between India and which country has been approved by the cabinet – Australia.
• Which state government has started ‘Elder Line’ service to provide shelter to homeless elders - Uttar Pradesh.
• Which medal has been won by Priya Malik in the Under 20 World Wrestling Championship in Jordan - Gold Medal.
• In which city the Night Street Racing Circuit has been built for the first time – Chennai.