NATIONAL:
1. Ethics of AI
Why in news – Telangana and UNESCO joined hands to implement the UNESCO recommendation on the Ethics of AI.
Key Points –
• Aim – to promote the ethical development of AI, capacity building, and contributions to UNESCO's Global Observatory on AI Ethics.
2. Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) Microsite
Why in news – National Health Authority (NHA) announced 100 Microsites project for accelerated adoption of ABDM.
Key Points –
• 1st state to operationalize ABDM Microsite – Mizoram (in Aizawl).
• Under this, all healthcare facilities including the private clinics, small hospitals and labs in the region shall be made ABDM-enabled and will offer digital health services to the patients.
• NHA had previously overseen microsite pilots in Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Surat.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Moon Sniper SLIM Project
Why in news - Japan's moon mission launch was suspended for 3rd time due to bad weather.
Key Points –
• Mission name - Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) mission.
• Aim - to demonstrate accurate lunar landing techniques.
• SLIM is a small-scale exploration lander designed for pinpoint landings.
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. ISRO Future Plans
Why in news – After the success of its moon landing, a series of missions has been planned next.
Key Points –
• Chandrayaan-4 - a sample return mission from Moon.
• Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX, 2024-25) –
(a) Collaboration between ISRO and JAXA.
(b) To explore the permanently shaded polar region of the Moon.
(c) Explore the region for the possibility of locating a long-term station in the area.
• Aditya-L1 –
(a) India’s first mission to study the Sun’s corona, solar emissions, solar winds and flares, and Coronal Mass Ejections.
(b) Spacecraft will be placed in a halo orbit around the Lagrange point 1 (L1) (1.5 million km from the Earth).
(c) Lagrange points are positions in space where objects sent there tend to stay put (gravitational pull equals the centripetal force).
• Trip to Venus (Evening Star) –
(a) The mission has been conceived, a project report is made and money identified.
(b) Venus conditions are extremely inhospitable (intense heat and crushing pressure).
• Gaganyaan Project –
(a) To demonstrate human spaceflight capability.
(b) To send a crew of 3 members to an orbit of 400 km for a 3-day mission, and bring them back safely to Earth.
• International Space Station (ISS) –
(a) ISRO and NASA agreed to send a joint human spaceflight mission to the ISS in 2024.
(b) India is planning to launch its own space station by 2030.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. State of India’s Birds (SoIB) 2023 Report
Why in news - The report based on data from about 30,000 birdwatchers was released on August 25.
Key Points –
• Out of the 942 bird species assessed, 142 are diminishing and only 28 are increasing.
• Increasing trend - Indian Peafowl, Rock Pigeon, Asian Koel, Alexandrine Parakeet and House Crow.
• India is home to 232 endemic species. E.g., White-bellied Treepie, Wayanad Laughingthrush, Great Grey Shrike etc.
• Duck species - Baer’s Pochard, Common Pochard, Andaman Teal.
• Waterbirds - Glossy Ibis, Black-headed Ibis, Painted Stork, Spot-billed Pelican.
• Assessment was carried out by 13 partner organizations, including the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and Zoological Survey of India (ZSI).
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Grand Cross of the Order of Honour
Why in news - The President of Greece conferred PM Narendra Modi with The Grand Cross of the Order of Honour.
Key Points –
• India and Greece upgraded their relations to a strategic partnership and pledged to double two-way trade by 2030.
• PM Modi paid tribute to the “Tomb of unknown soldiers” in Athens.
• This was the 1st visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Greece after a gap of 40 years.
• Greece has traditionally backed India’s position on the Kashmir issue.
2. Rafael Nadal
Why in news - Infosys signed Rafael Nadal (Spanish) as its ambassador for 3 years.
Key Points –
• Infosys is also a digital innovation partner for various tennis tournaments.
3. 4th India Smart Cities Awards Contest (ISAC) 2022
Why in news – President Droupadi Murmu will felicitate the on September 27, 2023 at Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
Key Points –
• It was organized under the Smart Cities Mission, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
SPORTS:
1. World Athletics Championships
Why in news - Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra now world champ.
Key Points –
• Throw - 88.17 m.
• It was Neeraj Chopra’s and India’s 1st gold medal at the World Athletics Championships.
• Venue - Budapest, Hungary.
• Top 3 - Neeraj Chopra (Gold), Arshad Nadeem (Silver), Jakub Vadlejch (Bronze).
BIHAR:
1. National Award 2023
Why in news – 3 teachers nominated from Bihar to get National Awards on September 5.
Key Points –
• They are –
(a) Dwijendra Kumar Suman (Sitamarhi)
(b) Anil Kumar Singh (Kaimur)
(c) Kumari Guddi (Kishanganj).
• 3 teachers from Bihar are among the 50 teachers selected across the country for the award.
2. Flood Warning in North Bihar
Why in news – A flood alert was sounded in Bihar for catchment areas of Kosi.
Key Points –
• There was a heavy discharge of water from the Birpur barrage in Supaul.
• It was for the 2nd time in this season when the Birpur barrage witnessed a flow of over four lakh cusecs of water from the Nepal side.
• There was also a marginal rise in the discharge of water from the Valmikinagar barrage in the Gandak River in West Champaran.
POINTERS:
• Centre adopted the Lucky Bill app of which state for GST compliance – Kerala.
• The Kozma Minin Nizhny Novgorod State Pedagogical University of Russia will establish its study centre in which Indian university - Chaudhary Charan Singh University (CCSU), Meerut.
• Which state has launched the second phase of breakfast scheme in government schools across the state - Tamil Nadu.
• Which state government has issued a notification banning plastic water bottles bottles below 1 litre - Assam.
• Which state has approved 18 'Atal Residential Schools' - Uttar Pradesh.
• In which country was the Dancing Pikachu event organized - Japan (Yokohama city).
• Which state's Chief Minister has laid the foundation stone of 'Hanuman Lok' on the lines of the Mahakal Lok corridor - Madhya Pradesh.
• Who became the first person to reach the 600-million followers mark on Instagram - Cristiano Ronaldo.
• Where has Federation of Economic Development Association (FEDA) hosted the International Education Summit & Conference 2023 - Dubai.
• Who was declared the winner of Bigg Boss OTT Season 2 - Elvish Yadav.