09th August, 2023

1. The Cabinet has given its approval for an outlay of ₹1.39 lakh crore for the BharatNet project.
2. Postal Life Insurance (PLI) has launched a pilot program for Direct Incentive Disbursement for sales staff.
3. PM Modi has launched e-portal ‘Bhartiya Vastra evam Shilpa Kosh- A Repository of Textiles & Crafts’ developed by the National Institute of Fashion Technology during the 9th National Handloom Day celebration held at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, Delhi.
4. Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Academy has joined Interpol Global Academy Network (IGAN).
5. TRAI has released recommendations on ‘Introduction of Digital Connectivity Infrastructure (DCI) Provider Authorization under Unified License (UL)’
6. India has pledged to support USD 700,000 from the India-United Nations Development Partnership (UNDP) Fund to the project in Tuvalu, a Pacific Island nation.
7. SpaceX has launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 22 Starlink satellites from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Base in Florida, to Low-Earth Orbit (LEO).
8. 8 South American countries that are members of Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) have signed the Belem Declarationduring the Amazon Summit.
9. Star Health Insurance has entered into bancassurance tie-up with Standard Chartered Bank (SCB)
10. Founder and CEO of One 97 Communications Limited (Paytm), Vijay Shekhar Sharma will acquire a 10.30% stake valued at $628 million in Paytm from Ant Financial (Netherlands).
11. Bajaj Finance has partnered with ICICI Lombard General Insurance to offer motor insurance policies (car and two-wheeler) on the platform Bajaj Finance Insurance Mall.
12. State of Elementary Education in Rural India – 2023 report
13. WTO’s World Trade Statistical Review (WTSR) 2023
14. India’s defence ministry has adopted ‘Maya’ OS for enhanced cybersecurity.
15. INS Chennai has participated in Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Royal Saudi Naval Ship HMS Al Jubail.
16. 8 August- Quit India Movement Day
17. 9 August- World Tribal Day/ International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
18. Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships 2023 held at the Gautam Buddha University in Greater Noida.
19. 31st World University Game held in Chengdu, China.
20. Kuldeep Yadavhas become the fastest Indian to pick 50 wickets in T20
21. India’s U-31 team has won a bronze medal at the recently concluded World Youth Bridge Championship at Veldhoven, Netherlands.
22. Bureau of Indian Standards(BIS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 35 institutions for fostering collaboration in standardisation and conformity assessment
23. Uttar Pradesh government and Mexican state Nuevo Leon have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for investment in tourism, infrastructure, pharma and medical sectors in Uttar Pradesh.
24. The United Services Institution of India (USI), the country’s oldest and prestigious National Security and Defence Services think tank, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Power Conversion Technologies (PCTI) for the inaugural Military Heritage Guided Tour at Hussainiwala in Firozpur district, Punjab.
25. Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved to extend the tenure of Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), for a period of 1 year beyond the date of his retirement.
26. Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni has appointed Hun Manet as the new Prime Minister (PM) of Cambodia for a 5 year-term.
27. A global study has suggested that air pollutionis contributing to a rise in antibiotic resistance, posing a significant threat to human health worldwide.
28. William Friedkin, Oscar winning American director has passed away.
29. Haryana government is planning to build a dam 4.5 km upstream from the Hathnikund Barrage in Yamunanagar district.

National News

1. The Cabinet has given its approval for an outlay of ₹1.39 lakh crore for the BharatNet project.

About BharatNet Project

• Objectives:The project aims to connect 4 lakh villages, covering all gram panchayats in the country, with last-mile broadband connectivity through optical fiber.
• Implementation:The project was first approved by the Cabinet in October 2011 and is being executed by Bharat Broadband Network (BBNL), as a special purpose vehicle (SPV) under Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).
• Tie-up with VLEs:BBNL will collaborate with village level entrepreneurs (VLEs) to provide connectivity, following a successful pilot project in 4 districts and later expanded to 60,000 villages.
• Progress So Far:As of now, around 94 lakh villages have been connected, and the rest are expected to be covered in the next 2.5 years.
  Source: HBL

2. Postal Life Insurance (PLI) has launched a pilot program for Direct Incentive Disbursement for sales staff.

About Direct Incentive Disbursement Program

• The program will recognize the role of PLI’s sales force which is the driving force behind the department’s accomplishments.
• Through the ‘Direct Incentive Disbursement’ feature, agents will be able to seamlessly receive the transfer of their commissions from the previous month directly to their Post Office Savings Bank (POSB) Accounts.
• It will impact around 2 lakh sales force members across the nation, including Gramin Dak Sevaks, Direct Agents, Field Officers, and Departmental Employees.

3. PM Modi has launched e-portal ‘Bhartiya Vastra evam Shilpa Kosh- A Repository of Textiles & Crafts’ developed by the National Institute of Fashion Technology during the 9th National Handloom Day celebration held at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, Delhi.
   • The event was hosted jointly by the Ministry of Textiles & Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME).
   • About the portal
     • It is an online repository that connects the history, present status, and future developments of textile, clothing, and related crafts.
   • Other events-
     • Two films were showcased during the event-
       • “संगठन से सफलता”- It highlighted the positive impact on weavers’ lives due to an organized ecosystem of skilling, marketing and distribution by the Ministry of Textiles.
       • Another movie titled “Khadi for fashion” emphasized Khadi’s relevance for employment and the economy.
     • A 2-week educational initiative at the National Crafts Museum, benefiting over 10,000 students from 75 schools.
     • Ekta Mall being developed in every capital city of the states to promote handicrafts and products made from handlooms.

4. Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Academy has joined Interpol Global Academy Network (IGAN).
   • IGAN was launched in 2019, aimed at supporting academic collaboration among law enforcement training institutions across the world.
   • The CBI Academy, based in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh has become the 10th member of IGAN.
   • Benefit- Effective capacity building and innovation activities

5. TRAI has released recommendations on ‘Introduction of Digital Connectivity Infrastructure (DCI) Provider Authorization under Unified License (UL)’

Key recommendations by TRAI

• Creation of a new category of license, under UL, called Digital Connectivity Infrastructure Provider (DCIP) for creation of both active (like antennas, back-haul connectivity) as well as passive (like telecom towers) DCI.
• UL offers service-wise authorisations, where licensees establish networks and use them to provide services.
• DCIP Licensees can share owned infrastructure with other UL licensees and Internet service Provider (except DCIPs).

Why we need a robust Digital Connectivity Infrastructure (DCI)?

• Economic development as financial services and services like e-governance, telemedicine, entertainment, and online e-commerce depends on it.
• Facilitating rapid adoption of frontier technologies such as AI, Blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT) and success of Industry 4.0.
• Implementing various Government schemes under Digital India, Make in India, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), development of Smart Cities etc
  Source: PIB
6. India has pledged to support USD 700,000 from the India-United Nations Development Partnership (UNDP) Fund to the project in Tuvalu, a Pacific Island nation.
   • Purpose– Clean water initiatives and community development in schools.
     • India will provide funding support for the “Motufoua Concrete Water Cistern” project, initiated by the Tuvalu Government.
   • This financial commitment aligns with “Sagar Amrut Scholarship” scheme for the Pacific Island countries, wherein 1000 Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) training opportunities will be provided in the next five years.

Source: BS

International News

1. SpaceX has launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 22 Starlink satellites from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Base in Florida, to Low-Earth Orbit (LEO).
   • The launch has set the new record for the swiftest turnaround ever achieved from a single launchpad. It was 3 days 21 hours and 41 minutes.
   • This was the 6th launch and landing for this Falcon 9 first-stage booster.
     Source: spacex.com
2. 8 South American countries that are members of Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) have signed the Belem Declarationduring the Amazon Summit.

About the Belem Declaration

• Aim:  To address the threats to the Amazon rainforest and highlight its significance in confronting the climate crisis.
• The Belém Declaration contains 113 cross-cutting objectives and principles signed in the Brazilian city of Belem.
• Outcomes- The declaration promotes sustainable use of biodiversity resources in the Amazon.
• It recognises Indigenous knowledge as a condition for biodiversity conservation.
• Provides for the “creation of financial mechanisms aimed at promoting sustainable development.”
• ACTO will play a central role in implementing the new Amazon cooperation agenda.

Why Amazon rainforest is important?

• It hosts unparalleled biodiversity, harbouring around 10% of Earth’s known species.
• It constitutes over half of the world’s remaining tropical rainforests.
• It is known as the “lungs of the Earth,” playing a crucial role in global climate regulation by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen through photosynthesis.

Source: ET

Banking and Economy

1. Star Health Insurance has entered into bancassurance tie-up with Standard Chartered Bank (SCB)
   • Under this tie-up, SCB will offer Star Health’s insurance products through their extensive branch network across India. SCB currently has 100 branches spread across 42 cities.
   • What is Bancassurance?
     • It is an insurance distribution model where insurance companies partner with banks to sell policies. Both the bank and the insurance company get to benefit from this arrangement.
     • While the bank earns a commission from the insurance company, the insurer gains from the bank’s distribution network.
       Source: HBL

2. Founder and CEO of One 97 Communications Limited (Paytm), Vijay Shekhar Sharma will acquire a 10.30% stake valued at $628 million in Paytm from Ant Financial (Netherlands.)
   • He will purchase the stake through Resilient Asset Management BV, which is 100% owned by him. This transaction will make him the largest shareholder in the company with a total stake of 19.42%.
     Source: ET

3. Bajaj Finance has partnered with ICICI Lombard General Insurance to offer motor insurance policies (car and two-wheeler) on the platform Bajaj Finance Insurance Mall.

Source: ANI

Reports and Indices

1. State of Elementary Education in Rural India – 2023 report
   • The report is based on a survey conducted by theDevelopment Intelligence Unit (DIU), a collaboration between NGO Transform Rural India and Sambodhi Research and Communications.
   • The survey gathered responses from 6,229 parents of schoolchildren aged 6–16 in rural communities across 21 States.

    Key Findings of the Survey

   • Smartphone Usage and Entertainment:

• Differential Access Based on Class:
  • Students in higher classes (Class VIII and above) have greater access to smartphones (58.32%).
  • Younger students (Classes I–III) show considerable access (42.1%).
• School Dropout:

• Parent’s Participation
  • Only 40% of parents have conversations with their children around learning in school every day.
    • 32% have such conversations with their children a few days a week.
  • 84% of parents regularly attend parent-teacher meetings at school.

What are the Recommendations?

• The findings emphasize the need for targeted efforts to enhance the educational environment at homeand promote a balanced use of smartphones for both entertainment and learning purposes.
  Source: TH

Key Highlights

• China, the United States of America (USA), and Germany are the top 3 exporters in world merchandise trade 2022.
• USA, China and Germany are the top 3 importers in World Merchandise Trade 2022.

India Specific

• India is ranked 18th among the leading exporters in world merchandise trade (2022).
• India is ranked 9th among the merchandise importers.
• India is ranked globally 7th among exporters and 9th among importers in world in commercial services 2022.
• Commercial services exports of India registered a very strong 206% increase.

Highlights of the report:

• Trade in goods and services:
  • Trade in goods and services amounted to US$ 31.0 trillion in 2022, a 13% rise year-on-year.

• Leading merchandise trader:

• Manufactured goods:
  • The share of manufactured goods in world merchandise exports fell to 63% in 2022 (68% in 2018) mainly due to high energy prices limiting demand.

• Transport services:
  • Trade in transport services continued to grow in 2022 at a slower pace than in 2021 as shipping rates returned to pre-pandemic levels.
• Intra-regional merchandise trade:
  • Intra-regional merchandise trade represented 65% of Europe’s world trade in 2022, the highest amongst the major world regions.
  • The lowest was for Africa (14% in 2022, down from 16% in 2018)

Source: Official report

Defence News

1. India’s defence ministry has adopted ‘Maya’ OS for enhanced cybersecurity.
   • India’s Defence Ministry has decided to replace the Microsoft Operating System (OS)on internet-connected computers with a new OS called Maya, developed locally based on open-source Ubuntu.
   • The transition to Maya is aimed at bolstering security without disrupting user experience, as it offers an interface and functionality similar to Windows.
   • This move comes in response to the escalating incidents of cyberattacks.
   • Alongside Maya’s implementation, a comprehensive ‘end point detection and protection system,’ Chakravyuh,is also being introduced to fortify these systems.
     Source: NIE
2. INS Chennai has participated in Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Royal Saudi Naval Ship HMS Al Jubail.
   • The exercise was conducted off the coast (Red Sea) of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
   • Purpose- To reinforce mutual trust, cement operational understanding, and enhance interoperability between the Indian and Saudi navies.

   About INS Chennai

   • It is a P-15A Guided Missile Destroyer, commissioned into the Indian Navy in November It was constructed by Mazagon Dock Limited, Mumbai.
     Source: FE

Important Days

1. 8 August- Quit India Movement Day

2. 9 August- World Tribal Day/ International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
   • Theme- “Indigenous Youth as Agents of Change for Self-determination.”
   • This date commemorates the inaugural meeting of the UN Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights Working Group on Indigenous Populations in 1982, highlighting its significance in promoting and safeguarding the rights of indigenous populations worldwide.
   • Purpose- The day is necessary since indigenous peoples are frequently among the most underprivileged racial and ethnic groupings in society.
   • The UN estimates that although indigenous peoplemake up less than 5% of the global population, they are responsible for 15% of the world’s poorest people.
     Source: BS

Sports

1. Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships 2023 held at the Gautam Buddha University in Greater Noida.
   • India’s overall medals tally- 42
     • 15 medals won by the junior weightlifters and 27 by the youth weightlifters.
       Source: Olympics.com

   
   
   
   
2. 31st World University Game held in Chengdu, China.
   • India has won a total of 26 medals across 4 disciplines with highest medal count at the World University Games.
   • Many of the athletes who won the Medals come from Khelo India Schemeand Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).

3. Kuldeep Yadavhas become the fastest Indian to pick 50 wickets in T20 Internationals.
   • Kuldeep reached the milestone in his 30th T20I match for India.
     • Previously, Yuzvendra Chahal was the fastest Indian who picked 50 T20I wickets in 34 matches.
   • Among ICC Full-Member nations, Sri Lanka’s Ajantha Mendisholds the record for picking 50 wickets in 26 T20Is.
     Source: Sportstar
4. India’s U-31 team has won a bronze medal at the recently concluded World Youth Bridge Championship at Veldhoven, Netherlands.
   • Bridge is a trick-taking card game using a standard 52-card deck.
     Source: thebridge

Memorandum of Understanding

1. Bureau of Indian Standards(BIS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 35 institutions for fostering collaboration in standardisation and conformity assessment
   • Institutions- NITs (National Institutes of Technology), Government and Private Engineering colleges from different states across India.
   • Benefit of MoU- The participating institution will associate with the technical committees of BIS at the national and international level, get infrastructure support for relevant R&D (Research & Development) Projects etc.
   • BIS is the National Standard Body of India, under Department of Consumer affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
     • Mandate- For the harmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality certification of goods.
       Source: HBL
2. Uttar Pradesh government and Mexican state Nuevo Leon have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for investment in tourism, infrastructure, pharma and medical sectors in Uttar Pradesh.
   Source: HT
3. The United Services Institution of India (USI), the country’s oldest and prestigious National Security and Defence Services think tank, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Power Conversion Technologies (PCTI) for the inaugural Military Heritage Guided Tour at Hussainiwala in Firozpur district, Punjab.
   • An additional MoU was signed between PCTI and Common Service Centres (CSC) – e-Governance India Limited for the local support and accessibility for these heritage sites and it will be facilitated through CSC – special purpose vehicle (SPV).
   • The tour provides the tourists to view the important places related to military achievements. Key points:
     • USI will identify potential tourist destinations and document them.
     • PCTI will oversee the organization of the tours.
       Source: ANI

Appointments

1. Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved to extend the tenure of Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), for a period of 1 year beyond the date of his retirement.
   • IOCL ranked 94th in the Fortune Global 500 list of 2023.
     Source: ET

    

2. Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni has appointed Hun Manet as the new Prime Minister (PM) of Cambodia for a 5 year-term.
   • Hun Manet is the son of Hun Sen, the former PM of Cambodia and one of Asia’s longest-serving PMs. Hun Manet will succeed Hun Sen, who has ruled for about 38 years.
     Source: ET

Miscellaneous

1. A global study has suggested that air pollution is contributing to a rise in antibiotic resistance, posing a significant threat to human health worldwide.
   • Particulate matter PM2.5 in the air can contain antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes, which might be inhaled by humans, potentially contributing to resistance.

   Key findings:

   • The study, the first comprehensive global analysis of this connection, suggests that reducing air pollution could help mitigate antibiotic resistance.
   • The research found that antibiotic resistance increases with PM2.5 air pollution, with a 10% rise in pollution associated with a 1.1% increase in resistance.
   • A modelling scenario suggests that without changes to current air pollution policies, antibiotic resistance could rise by 17% by 2050, resulting in around 840,000 annual premature deaths attributed to resistance.
     Source: IE

2. William Friedkin, Oscar winning American director has passed away.
   • Famous movies- “The Exorcist” and “The French Connection”
     Source: LM

3. Haryana government is planning to build a dam 4.5 km upstream from the Hathnikund Barrage in Yamunanagar district.
   • The decision has been taken after Yamuna flooded parts in Delhi last month.
   • The dam will be built at a cost of Rs 6,134 crore
   • A part of Kalesar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, in Haryana will be submerged due to the construction.
     Source: IE
   
   

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