25th August, 2023 Current Affairs

Sakshi Education

NATIONAL
Justice Prakash Shrivastava appointed as NGT chairperson

Justice Prakash Shrivastava has been appointed as Chairperson of National Green Tribunal (NGT). After the former Chairperson Justice A.K Goel retired. After the former Chairperson Justice A.K Goel retired in July, Justice Sheo Kumar Singh was appointed as the Acting Chairperson.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is a specialized body set up by the Government of India under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 to provide speedy and effective justice to cases related to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources. It is a quasi-judicial body with powers to hear and decide cases relating to environmental pollution, environmental degradation, and other matters affecting the environment.
The NGT has its headquarters in New Delhi and has five zonal benches located at Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata, Chennai, and Guwahati. The Tribunal is headed by a Chairperson who is a retired judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court. The other members of the Tribunal are also qualified legal professionals.

Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan-2023: Madhya Pradesh’s IT Hub Indore Secures First Rank

The city of Indore has clinched the top spot in the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan -2023 conducted by the Central Pollution Control Board, in the category of cities with a population exceeding 10 lakhs. The results of the survey reflect not only the city’s dedicated efforts but also highlight the overall progress made by several cities in Madhya Pradesh.
Indore’s remarkable performance was underpinned by its impressive score of 187 out of 200, a testament to its robust and comprehensive measures for environmental preservation. Bhopal secured a respectable fifth position with a score of 181, while Jabalpur and Gwalior secured the 13th and 41st positions with scores of 172 and 114, respectively. These rankings mirror the concerted efforts undertaken by these cities to combat pollution and enhance their environmental footprint.

Also Read: Weekly Current Affairs (Science & Technology) 22-28 July 2023 Bitbank: In which state will India's first construction innovation hub be set up?

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INTERNATIONAL
SretthaThavisin Elected As Thailand Prime Minister

Thai property tycoon SretthaThavisin has been elected as the new prime minister of Thailand following a decisive win in a parliamentary vote. The 60-year-old Thavisin’s victory in the parliamentary vote, with the support of two-thirds of the assembly, ends weeks of political uncertainty that followed an election held 100 days ago.
SretthaThavisin’s election as prime minister ushers in a new era of coalition politics. He faces the challenging task of holding together a potentially fragile coalition government, which includes parties affiliated with the royalist military. The military, notorious for orchestrating coups in 2006 and 2014 that toppled Pheu Thai (a major Thai political party) governments, holds a significant stake in this coalition. Thavisin’s ability to navigate the intricacies of this coalition will play a pivotal role in determining the stability and direction of Thailand’s government.

Former US President Donald Trump released on bond after surrendering in election subversion case

Former US president Donald Trump was arrested on racketeering and conspiracy charges yesterday at a Georgia jail. He had surrendered for trying to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. However, the ex president was released on a 200,000 dollars bond. He headed back to his home in New Jersey sfter the release. This marks the fourth time that the former president has turned himself in after criminal charges were brought against him.
Earlier this month, Trump was indicted in Atlanta along with 18 others including his ex-chief of staff, Mark Meadows, and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani under a racketeering statute normally associated with gang members and organized crime. This comes after the presidential debate in Milwaukee on Wednesday featuring his leading rivals for the 2024 Republican nomination, a contest in which he remains the leading candidate despite broad legal troubles.

China suspends all imports of seafood from Japan with immediate effect

China's customs authorities have announced that the country has suspended all imports of seafood from Japan with immediate effect. The announcement came after Tokyo Electric Power Company started releasing treated and diluted water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean shortly.
The authorities said the suspension is aimed at eliminating the risk of food contaminated by the release of radioactive water and protecting food safety and Chinese consumers' health. The authorities also said they will continue to assess the potential risks of radioactive contamination of food imports from Japan through stepped-up monitoring.
The ban is expected to have a major impact on Japan's fishing industry, and could further dampen bilateral relations.

ECONOMY
Business leaders of G20 countries take part at B20 Summit in New Delhi

The B20 Summit India 2023 started in New Delhi today. The Summit is based on the theme of B20 India R.A.I.S.E: Responsible, Accelerated, Innovative, Sustainable, Equitable Businesses.
India is witnessing a fast paced growth and soon it is going to be the third largest economy.
India is pushing the agenda of strong, sustainable, inclusive and balanced economic growth by focussing to remove the protectionists measures. He said, accelerating the pace to achieve Sustainable Development Goals, emphasis on climate actions and rapid climate financing for leveraging growth of the global south and women led development are the other key priorities.
On the first day of the Summit today, seven sessions will be organized including B20 India priorities and recommendations from India for the world. Several Global and Indian business leaders including Chief Executive Officer of Mastercard Michael Miebach and President of World Economic Forum Borge Brende will attend the Summit.
Seven task forces were created for India’s Presidency in different areas. To focus and deliberate on the larger structural agenda, B20 India worked through two Action Councils on environmental, social, and governance in Business on African Economic Integration.

GOI launches ‘Invoice incentive Scheme’ by name ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar’

Government of India is launching an ‘Invoice incentive Scheme’ by the name ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar’ to encourage the culture of customers asking for bills for all purchases. This is being done in association with State Governments.
Two bumper prizes of one crore rupees each will be given away every quarter. There will also be 800 lucky draws having a prize value of ten thousand rupees each, and 10 draws with a prize of 10 lakh rupees each every month.
Bills with minimum value of 200 rupees can be uploaded on Mobile App ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikaar’ available on IOS and Android or on web portal ‘web.merabill.gst.gov.in’ .
The pilot scheme will be launched on 1st September, 2023. It will be initially launched in the, Puducherry, Dadra Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu and states of Assam, Gujarat & Haryana.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Germany develops device for visually impaired

With the help of modern technology, even the visually impaired can now try their hand at sports of shooting. Germany has developed a device for the visually impaired. This device has been brought to India for the first time and given to the visually impaired in Pune. In shooting, the target is identified and aimed through binoculars. The same technique has been developed by these devices, one part of this device is in the rifle and the other part is on the headphones placed on the ear.
This device will do the work of target sighting for visually impaired shooters. This shooting game consists of ten targets in a circle. The device sends a signal to the visually impaired when they come close to the main circle.
Accordingly, the player has to aim with guesswork and practice. Blind shooters have to acquire skills like how to handle the rifle, how to load bullets in it and how to operate it. Para Shooting National Coach Akash Kumbhar informed that next year Pune District Para Shooting Association will get another device. This device will now allow blind athletes to participate in yet another world-class sport; there is no doubt that this will brighten up their sports career.

North Korea's Second attempt Spy Satellite Launch fails

North Korea's second attempt to put a spy satellite into space has failed, three months after its first launch crashed into the sea
North Korea's second attempt to put a spy satellite into space has failed, three months after its first launch crashed into the sea. State media said the attempt on Thursday morning failed during the third stage of its flight.
For North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, a spy satellite is a coveted prize, as it would let him monitor incoming attacks and plot his own more accurately. Pyongyang's space agency has said it will try again in October.

SPORTS
Chess World Cup 2023 Final: India’s Praggnanandhaa finishes 2nd

Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa finished second in FIDE World Cup. After three days and four games of intensely nervy chess across two formats, Magnus Carlsen finally managed to win the FIDE World Cup for the first time in his career. Carlsen defeated Praggnanandhaa in the final, but not before the 18-year-old teenage had dragged him through the tie-breaker. Carlsen’s win was confirmed after the second game of the tiebreaker. The two players had played out one draw each.
Praggnanandha, who turned 18 during the World Cup, was the youngest World Cup finalist ever, and is the youngest World Cup winner.

REGIONAL
Telangana Partners With UNESCO To Implement Recommendation On Ethics Of AI

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (ITE&C) Department of the Government of Telangana have forged a pioneering partnership to infuse the Ethics of AI into the very essence of artificial intelligence systems.
The partnership between UNESCO and the Telangana Government is a pledge to intertwine technology with the fundamental principles that safeguard human rights and dignity. By synergizing diverse strengths and viewpoints, this collaboration envisions harnessing the potential of AI for the collective good, creating a future that knows no boundaries and resonates with equity and inclusivity.

Published date : 26 Aug 2023 12:08PM