27th August, 2024

1. Formula 1: McLaren’s Lando Norris Wins 2024 Dutch GP
2. World Water Week: August 25 to 29, 2024
3. Odisha CM Mohan Majhi Unveils SoP for Subhadra Scheme
4. Chemical Disaster Occurs in Anakapalli, Andhra Pradesh
5. World’s First mRNA Lung Cancer Vaccine Trials Begin in Europe
6. Start-up Genrobotic Innovations Launches Bandicoot Mini
7. World’s Second-Largest Diamond Discovered in Botswana
8. Nasscom Appoints Sindhu Gangadharan as New Chairperson
9. India Excels at 2024 Asian Surfing Championships: A Major Achievement for Indian Surfing
10. Mithun Species Recorded for the First Time in Assam
11. Indian Prodigy Wins at 2024 Asian U-15 Junior Badminton Championships
12. Sanjeev Raina Appointed as ITBP Additional Director General
13. Former Lebanese Prime Minister Salim Hoss Passes Away at 94
14. India Welcomes First Civilian Space Tourist, Gopichand Thotakura
15. Mother Teresa’s 114th Birth Anniversary Observed on August 26
16. Arun Agarwal Appointed Chairman of Texas Economic Development Corporation
17. Ladakh Gets Five New Districts
18. Veteran Congress Leader Vasantrao Chavan Passes Away at 70
19. 2nd India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable Held in Singapore Today
20. Chirag Paswan Re-Elected as LJP President for 5 Years
21. Jitendra Singh Chairs Bilateral Meeting on US-India Civil Nuclear Commerce
22. Mumbai Ranks 2nd, New Delhi 3rd in Global Property Price Index
23. GAIL and Petron to Build 500 KTA Bio-Ethylene Plant in India
24. 11th Puthiya Thalaimurai Tamilan Awards Announced
25. Soumya Swaminathan Releases Autobiography of Activist Kalpana Sankar
26. Nestlé Names Laurent Freixe as Successor to CEO Mark Schneider

National News

1. Gopichand Thotakura Becomes India’s First Civilian Space Tourist
   • What
     • Gopichand Thotakura has returned to Delhi after becoming India’s first civilian space tourist, completing a trip to space with Blue Origin’s New Shepard-25 mission.
   • Tell me more
     • The journey lasted about ten minutes, reaching a maximum height of 105 km from Earth. Thotakura was part of a six-member crew for the mission led by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
     • He is the second Indian citizen to travel to space, following Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who was the first in 1984.

2. India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable Enhances Cooperation
   • What
     • The second India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) was held in Singapore to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
   • Why
     • The meeting aimed to identify new avenues for collaboration in emerging and futuristic areas, enhancing the strategic partnership between India and Singapore.
   • Tell me more
     • The roundtable focused on six key areas: digitalisation, skill development, sustainability, healthcare and medicine, advanced manufacturing, and connectivity.
     • The Indian delegation included Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, and Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
     • The meeting also discussed plans to commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Singapore and included discussions on regional cooperation, including ASEAN and G20 developments.

3. India and US Strengthen Civil Nuclear Cooperation
   • What
     • Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh chaired a bilateral meeting on US-India Civil Nuclear Commerce, highlighting the deepening cooperation between the two nations in critical areas of science, technology, and clean energy.
   • Why
     • The meeting aimed to enhance collaboration in securing global supply chains, especially in sectors like semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and clean energy technologies.
   • Tell me more
     • Dr. Jitendra Singh announced that an Indian astronaut from the Gaganyaan Mission will join the International Space Station, marking a significant milestone in Indo-US Space collaboration.
     • The meeting drew parallels between India’s “Anusandhan” National Research Foundation (NRF) and the United States’ National Science Foundation (NSF), highlighting their critical roles in advancing scientific research and innovation.
     • The high-level US delegation was led by John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President of USA for International Climate Policy, and David Turk, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy.
       Source: PIB

State News

1. Odisha Government Launches Subhadra Scheme for Women
   • What
     • The Odisha government, led by Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, has announced the implementation of the Subhadra scheme, which will provide ₹50,000 to one crore women over five years.
   • Tell me more
     • The Subhadra scheme will provide ₹10,000 per year in two installments of ₹5,000 each on Rakhi Purnima Day and International Women’s Day.
     • The scheme will be implemented from the financial year 2024-25 to 2028-29, with a total budget of ₹55,825 crore.
     • Payments will be made directly to beneficiaries’ Aadhaar-enabled bank accounts to ensure transparency.
     • Women from economically well-off families or those receiving certain government assistance will not be eligible for the scheme.
       Source: TH
2. Assam Records First Mithun Discovery in Generations
   • What
     • Assam has officially recorded the presence of mithun (Bos frontalis) for the first time, generations after it began being reared by tribals in the Dima Hasao district.
   • Why
     • The discovery aims to acknowledge the presence of mithun, which had previously been recorded under “others” in livestock censuses, highlighting its significance in the region.
   • Tell me more
     • The mithun is the state animal of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland and is also found in Mizoram and Manipur.
     • The mithun population in India was recorded at 386,311 in the last census conducted in 2019.
     • The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India recognized mithun as a meat animal, leading to the day being celebrated as Mithun Day in the Northeast.
       Source: NIE
3. Ladakh to Get Five New Districts
   • What
     • The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has announced the creation of five new districts in the union territory of Ladakh.
   • Why
     • The move aims to improve the delivery of public services and bring government initiatives closer to the residents of these remote areas.
   • Tell me more
     • The newly established districts are Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra, and Changthang.
     • With this development, Ladakh will have a total of seven districts, up from the current two districts of Leh and Kargil.
     • The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 had divided the state into separate Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir with Assembly and Ladakh without legislature.
     • The move comes just after assembly elections were announced for Jammu and Kashmir, scheduled for September, the first time after scrapping the northern-most state’s special status in 2019.
       Source: ET
4. Puthiya Thalaimurai Tamilan Awards 2024 Honors Achievers
   • What
     • Eminent personalities from various fields were honored at the 11th edition of the Puthiya Thalaimurai Tamilan Awards.
   • Why
     • The awards recognized achievements in arts, literature, business, science and technology, sports, and social work.
   • Tell me more

Source: TH

International News

1. World’s First mRNA Lung Cancer Vaccine Trials Begin
   • What
     • Doctors have begun trials of the world’s first mRNA lung cancer vaccine, BNT116, in patients across seven countries.
     • Prof Siow Ming Lee, a consultant medical oncologist at University College London hospitals NHS foundation trust (UCLH), is leading the trial in the UK.
   • Tell me more
     • The phase 1 clinical trial has launched at 34 research sites, with about 130 patients enrolled to receive the vaccine alongside immunotherapy.
     • The UK has six trial sites, with the first UK patient receiving their initial dose.
     • The mRNA vaccine works by presenting the immune system with tumour markers from NSCLC to prime the body to fight cancer cells expressing these markers.

2. Second-Largest Diamond Found in Botswana
   • What
     • A rough 2,492-carat diamond has been discovered at a mine in Botswana, making it the second-largest diamond ever found.
   • Why
     • This discovery is significant as it is the largest diamond found since the 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond in 1905, which was cut into several stones, many of which are part of the British Crown Jewels.
   • Tell me more
     • The diamond was found at the Karowe mine, located about 500 km north of Botswana’s capital, Gaborone.
     • Botswana’s government announced that this is the largest diamond ever discovered in the country.
     • The previous largest diamond found in Botswana was a 1,758-carat stone discovered in 2019.
     • The diamond was detected using Lucara’s Mega Diamond Recovery X-ray technology, which helps identify and preserve high-value diamonds.
     • Lucara Diamond, a Canadian firm, owns the Karowe mine.
       Source: BBC

Report and Indices

1. Mumbai and Delhi Rank High in Global Property Prices
   • What
     • Mumbai and New Delhi have been ranked second and third globally for the annual price rise of prime residential properties, according to Knight Frank’s “Global Property Price Index”.
   • Why
     • The report highlights the strong demand for luxury properties in these cities, reflecting the growing wealth and aspirations of India’s affluent population.
   • Tell me more
     • Manila topped the list with a 26% increase in prime residential prices.
     • Bengaluru also experienced a 3.7% rise in prices, maintaining its 15th position globally.
     • The report indicates that strong price growth in prime residential properties is a sign of increasing wealth among the country’s affluent population.
       Source: BS

Science and Technology

1. Genrobotic Innovations Launches ‘Bandicoot Mini’ Robot
   • What
     • Genrobotic Innovations, a Kerala-based start-up, has launched a more compact and affordable version of its drain cleaning robot ‘Bandicoot’, called ‘Bandicoot Mini’.
   • Why
     • The ‘Bandicoot Mini’ is designed to be more suitable for municipalities and village bodies, with a lower price tag compared to the original ‘Bandicoot’ robot.
   • Tell me more
     • The mini version is equipped with two lithium batteries with fast-charging options and is compatible with solar power, allowing for longer deployment durations.
     • Genrobotic Innovations has deployed 176 ‘Bandicoot’ robots across 19 States and three Union Territories in the last seven years.
     • The ‘Bandicoot’ robot was recently deployed for cleaning the highly polluted Amayizhanchan canal beneath the Thiruvananthapuram railway station.
     • The ‘Bandicoot Mini’ was showcased at Kerala’s maiden Robotics Round Table organised by the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation and the Department of Industries and Commerce in Kochi.
       Source: TH

Important Days

1. World Water Week – August 25-29
   • Theme: Bridging Borders: Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future
     Source: WWW
2. Mother Teresa’s 114th Birth Anniversary – August 26
   • What
     • The 114th birth anniversary of Mother Teresa was celebrated at the Mother House.
     • Real Name: Mary Teresa Bojaxhiu
     • Born: 26 August 1910 in Ottoman Empire
     • Died: 5 September 1997 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India
     • The 24th International Mother Teresa Awards Ceremony took place at Millennium Plaza, Dubai, commemorating the 114th birth anniversary of Mother Teresa.
   • Why
     • The event recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields, honoring the legacy of Mother Teresa.
   • Tell me more
     • This ceremony was organized by the All-India Minority and Weaker Sections Council and was held outside India for only the second time, with both international ceremonies taking place in Dubai.
     • The awards were established after Mother Teresa’s passing in 1997 and cover various fields, including education, science, culture, sports, social work, medicine, industry, and politics.
       Source: ANI NOA

Sports

1. Norris Wins Dutch Grand Prix
   • Lando Norris (British-Belgian motorsports racing driver) of McLaren won the Dutch Grand Prix.
     Source: BBC
2. India Wins Silver at Asian Surfing Championships
   • What
     • India won a silver medal in the team event at the Asian Surfing Championships 2024 held in Thulusdhoo, Maldives.
   • Tell me more
     • In the final, Japan secured the gold medal with a score of 58.40, while India scored 24.13, placing them second. Chinese Taipei and China followed in third and fourth place, respectively.
     • The Indian team, consisting of Kamali P, Ajeesh Ali, Srikanth D, and Sanjay Selvamani, had previously won their semi-final heat with a score of 32.16.
     • Harish Muthu made history by becoming the first Indian to qualify for the quarter-finals at the Asian Surfing Championships.
       Source: OC
3. Tanvi Patri Wins Silver at Asian Badminton Championships
   • What
     • Tanvi Patri won a silver medal at the Badminton Asia U-17 & U-15 Championships 2024 in Chengdu, China.
   • Tell me more
     • India also secured a bronze medal through Gnana Dattu in the boy’s U-17 singles category.
     • Tanvi Patri is the third Indian girl to win the Asian U-15 title, following Samiya Imad Farooqui (2017) and Tasnim Mir (2019).
     • India sent a squad of 39 players to the championships.
     • The last edition of the championships in Chengdu saw India win one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal.
       Source: OC

Memorandum of Understanding

1. GAIL and Petron to Establish Bio-Ethylene Plant in India
   • What
     • GAIL (India) Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with US-based Petron Scientech Inc to explore the establishment of a 500 Kilo Tons per Annum (KTA) bio-ethylene plant in India.
   • Why
     • The collaboration aims to enhance sustainable practices and advance the bio-economy in India by utilizing bio-ethanol technology.
   • Tell me more
     • Both companies will conduct feasibility studies to assess the technical and financial viability of the project and aim to secure investment approval for forming a joint venture (JV).
     • GAIL is a leading natural gas transmission and distribution company in India, while Petron specializes in biorefinery projects, focusing on producing ethanol, bio-ethylene, and biofuels.

Source: TOI

Appointments

1. Sindhu Gangadharan Appointed Chairperson of NASSCOM
   • What
     • Sindhu Gangadharan, Managing Director of SAP Labs India, has been appointed as the chairperson of NASSCOM.
     • Gangadharan was the first woman to lead SAP Labs India and was appointed chair of the NASSCOM GCC Council last year.
   • Tell me more
     • NASSCOM stands for the National Association of Software and Service Companies.
     • Nasscom recently appointed Rajesh Nambiar as its next President.
       Source: ET
2. Sanjeev Raina Appointed ADG of ITBP
   • What
     • Sanjeev Raina, a 1987-batch officer of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), has been appointed as the Additional Director General (ADG) of the ITBP.

3. Arun Agarwal Appointed Chairman of Texas Economic Development Corporation
   • What
     • Arun Agarwal has been appointed as the chairman of the Texas Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
   • Why
     • This appointment aims to enhance Texas’s economic development efforts and promote the state as a top destination for business.
   • Tell me more
     • Agarwal is a Dallas-based Indian-American entrepreneur and the CEO of Nextt, a company involved in textiles, cotton trading, real estate, and sports management.
     • His appointment highlights the growing influence of Indian American leaders in significant economic roles and underscores Texas’s commitment to diversity.
     • Agarwal has extensive experience in business and philanthropy and serves on various boards, including the Indian American CEO Council and the Dallas Parks and Recreation Board.

4. Chirag Paswan Re-Elected as President of LJP for 5 years
   • Union Minister Chirag Paswan was today re-elected as Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president for five years.
     Source: NOA
5. Nestlé CEO Mark Schneider Steps Down, Laurent Freixe Takes Over
   • Mark Schneider has resigned as CEO of Nestlé after an eight-year tenure, and Laurent Freixe has been appointed as the new CEO, effective September 1.
     Source: MoneyControl

Miscellaneous

1. Explosion at Andhra Pradesh Pharmaceuticals Plant
   • The death toll from the explosion at a pharmaceuticals plant in Andhra Pradesh has risen to 17, with 34 others injured.
   • The explosion occurred at the Escientia Advanced Sciences plant in Anakapalli district.
   • The plant manufactures intermediate chemicals and active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and began operations in April 2019.
   • The company has two R&D centers located in Connecticut (US) and Hyderabad.
   • The plant is situated on a 40-acre campus within the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation’s (APIIC) multi-product SEZ at the Atchutapuram cluster.
     Source: HT
2. Former Lebanese Prime Minister Salim Hoss Dies at 94
   Source: NOA
3. Congress MP Vasantrao Chavan Passes Away
   • Vasantrao Chavan, the Congress MP from Nanded, Maharashtra, passed away at the age of 70 in Hyderabad.
     Source: HT
4. Soumya Swaminathan Releases Autobiography of Activist Kalpana Sankar
   • Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson of MS Swaminathan Research Foundation and former WHO chief scientist, released ‘The Scientist Entrepreneur: Empowering Millions of Women’, an autobiography written by activist Kalpana Sankar.
     Source: TH

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