Daily Current Affairs and GK | 10 August 2023

Topic: Important Days

1. World Biofuel Day: 10 August

• World Biofuel Day is commemorated on 10 August every year to spread awareness about the importance of non-fossil fuels.
• On this occasion, the government also highlights the efforts made in the biofuel sector.
• It is celebrated in memory of Rudolf Diesel, who created the diesel engine.
• The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is celebrating this day since 2015.
• The theme of 2022 World Biofuel Day was "Biofuels for Sustainability and Rural Income".
• India is one of the leading producers of biofuels in the world.
• The “National Policy on Biofuels" 2018 objective is to reach 20% ethanol-blending and 5% biodiesel-blending by the year 2030.
• Biofuels:
  • These are derived from organic sources like plants, crops, and animal waste.
  • It is an alternative to conventional fossil fuels.
  • It plays a key role in reducing carbon emissions.

(Source: DD News)

Topic: Environment and Ecology

2. Elephants number in Karnataka have reached 6,395.

• It has increased by 346 from the last census. It was estimated at 6,049 in 2017.
• As per Elephant Census-2023, Karnataka has the highest total number of elephants.
• Over 3,400 personnel from across 32 forest divisions of Karnataka were involved in the census exercise.
• According to an interim report on the Asian Elephant population and demography estimates — 2023, elephants’ number in Karnataka has reached 6,395, which is the highest in the country.
• The population range of elephants is estimated to be between 5,914 and 6,877.
• Karnataka’s Minister for Forests Eshwar Khandre released the report ahead of World Elephant Day (August 12).
• Karnataka Forest Department has conducted a synchronized census in collaboration with neighbouring Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Goa from May 17 to 19.
• The elephant numbers have increased by 655 in Karnataka since 2010.
• The census shows Karnataka has an average elephant density of 0.34 per sq km.
• Bandipur Tiger Reserve with 1,116 elephants has the highest density of 0.96 per sq km.
• It is followed by Nagarahole Tiger Reserve (831 elephants with a density of 0.93).

Topic: Personality in News

3. Hari Narke passed away recently.

• He was a renowned author and vice-president of Samata Parishad.
• He was the professor of Mahatma Phule chair at Savitribai Phule Pune University.
• He was a former member of the Maharashtra Backward Class Commission.
• He was also a member of the Rangnath Pathare committee. This committee was constituted to collect evidence to prove Marathi as a classical language.

Topic: Personality in News

4. Fernando Villavicencio was killed during a rally on 09 August 2023.

• Fernando Villavicencio was Ecuadorian presidential candidate.
• Fernando Villavicencio was killed during a rally in the capital Quito.
• Mr Villavicencio was getting into a car when a gunman shot him in the head.
• In Ecuador, the first round of the presidential election is scheduled to take place on 20 August.
• Guillermo Lasso is the Current President of Ecuador.
• Ecuador:
  • It is a country in South America. It is a unitary presidential republic. Its capital is Quito. 
  • It is bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and the Pacific Ocean on the west.

Topic: State News/ Jammu & Kashmir 

5. GI tag has been given to Rajouri Chikri woodcraft, and Mushqbudji rice of J&K.

• The Rajouri Chikri Wood Craft from Rajouri district and Mushqbudji Rice of Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir have received the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag.
• In December 2020, NABARD, the Department of Handicrafts and Handlooms, and the Department of Agriculture collaborated to launch the GI tagging initiative.
• The GI tagging initiative has breathed new life into the age-old crafts of the region.
• In total, four products have been granted GI tag with the support of NABARD.
• The prized Mushqbudji rice, characterized by its small, coarse grains and aromatic essence, is grown in the high plains of Kashmir, particularly within the Anantnag district.
• Chikri woodcraft with its delicate, honey-hued countenance and supple, fine-grained wood, Chikri wood finds in hill ranges of the Jammu province.
• A GI tag or Geographical Indication tag is given for the products that originate in a specific geographical location.
• The tag ensures the quality and essential attributes of a good produced in a specific place.
• In India, the GI tag is provided under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
• The first product in India to get the GI tag is Darjeeling Tea.

Topic: National News

6. 'Neerakshi' - Autonomous Underwater Vehicle launched by India for mine detection.

• Designed to detect mines and the first of its kind in the country, the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) was launched on July 29.
• Kolkata-based warship manufacturer Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd and MSME unit AEPL have jointly developed the AUV named 'Neerakshi'.
• The commercial launch of the AUV is likely to be within six months to a year after user trials are completed by the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and Army.
• It can be used for mine detection, mine disposal and underwater surveys.
• It is a 2.1-metre-long cylindrical unmanned vehicle about a foot in diameter and weighing around 45 kg.
• It has a capacity of four hours and can go to a depth of 300 meters.
• The endurance of the AUVs can be increased to 200 to 300% and they can be deployed in coastal waters to ensure the security of the coast.

Topic: Important Days

7. World Lion Day: 10 August

• World Lion Day is observed every year on 10th August to raise awareness about the conservation and protection of lions.
• World Lion Day will be celebrated through various programmes in Gujarat.
• During the programme, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will virtually launch Lion Anthem. He will unveil the Sinh Suchna Web App.
• Gujarat’s Gir National Park is the only natural home of Asiatic lions in the world.
• The number of Asiatic lions has increased to 674 as of June 2020.

Topic: Defence

8. INS Visakhapatnam and INS Trikand reached Port Rashid in Dubai.

• Two Indian Navy ships have reached Dubai for a bilateral exercise with the UAE Navy.
• During the visit, professional interactions will be held with the UAE Navy on various issues of maritime vessel operations.
• INS Visakhapatnam and INS Trikand are commanded by Captain Ashok Rao and Captain Pramod G Thomas respectively.
• The bilateral exercise ‘Zayed Talwar’ is also scheduled with the UAE Navy.
• It will enhance interoperability and synergy between the two navies.
• INS Visakhapatnam was commissioned on 21 November 2021. It is the first of the Visakhapatnam-class stealth guided-missile destroyers of the Indian Navy. The Brave Buck is its nickname.
• INS Trikand is a Talwar-class frigate of the Indian Navy. It was commissioned into the Indian Navy service on 29 June 2013.

Topic: National News

9. Government will look into the matter of the ‘Havana Syndrome’ in India.

• The Central government has said to Karnataka High Court that it will look into the matter of the ‘Havana Syndrome’ in India.
• Karnataka High Court has directed the central government to do within three months.
• The petitioner had approached the court requesting to issue a writ of mandamus for an enquiry on Havana Syndrome in India.
• What is Havana Syndrome?
  • Havana Syndrome is a set of mental health symptoms.
  • Symptoms like hearing certain sounds without any outside noise, nausea, vertigo and headaches, memory loss and balance issues experienced in this syndrome.
  • It was first experienced by US intelligence officers and staff at the US Embassy in Havana.
  • American intelligence and foreign affairs officials posted in various countries have reported symptoms of the syndrome.
  • In the last few years, officials have reported more than 130 such experiences across the world.
  • A US intelligence officer travelling to New Delhi with CIA director William Burns reported symptoms of Havana Syndrome.
  • Medical examination claimed that high-powered microwaves were used to either damage or interfere with the nervous system of victims.

Topic: Defense

10. Indian Air Force (IAF) has received the Spike Non-Line of Sight (NLOS) anti-tank guided missiles from Israel.

• The Israeli Spike NLOS anti-tank guided missiles can hit the target from a distance of 30 km.
• The Israeli Spike NLOS anti-tank guided missiles have been delivered to the Indian Air Force. The trials of the missile will begin very soon.
• The NLOS missiles will be integrated with the fleet of Mi-17V5 helicopters, which can hit the target from a long range.
• It would be very useful to hit the enemy target and assets hidden behind mountains or hills.
• Around two years ago, IAF had shown interest in these missiles.
• At present, the Spike NLOS ATGMs have been ordered in limited numbers.
• IAF is looking to get the missiles in larger numbers through "Make-in-India" initiatives.
• Both the Indian Army and the Air Force have strengthened their arsenal after the aggression shown by China.

Topic: State News/ Haryana

11. Rs 6,134-crore dam planned by Haryana at Hathnikund to curb Yamuna fury.

• The Haryana government is planning to build this dam to prevent a repeat of the floods caused by the Yamuna in Delhi and areas around the river in Haryana in July.
• It will have a 14 km long reservoir and will be built 4.5 km upstream of Hathinikund barrage in Yamunanagar district.
• For its construction, nine villages will be displaced besides shifting an 11-km stretch of NH-73.
• It will also submerge a large part of forest land including the Kalesar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Once the project is completed, the state will get a financial benefit of Rs 497 crore through additional irrigation water availability, groundwater recharge, and aquaculture, apart from generating 250 MW of electricity.
• The dam area will also share a border with Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. Its reservoir capacity will be 10.82 lakh cusecs.

Topic: Important Days

12. Nagasaki Day 2023: 9 August

• Every year on August 9, Nagasaki Day is observed.
• It is solemnly observed to remember the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan, during World War II.
• On August 9, the 78th anniversary of the US atomic bombing was observed in Nagasaki, Japan.
• This occasion serves as a poignant reminder of the extreme destructiveness of nuclear weapons and promotes the ideals of peace, the elimination of nuclear weapons, and the avoidance of nuclear conflict.
• The bombing of the Japanese city of Nagasaki with the 'Fat Man' plutonium bomb resulted in enormous devastation.
• At least 70,000 people died in the initial blast in Nagasaki, while about 70,000 more died later from radiation-related illnesses.

Topic: Environment and Ecology

13. Eight Amazon Countries agreed on unified environmental policies.

• Eight Amazon countries have agreed on a set of integrated environmental policies in order to strengthen regional cooperation.
• During the two-day summit, the delegates of the eight countries met in Belem, Brazil.
• These eight countries- Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela share a border with the Amazon basin.
• They have agreed to launch an alliance to protect the Amazon and to combat deforestation.
• However, these eight countries failed to agree on a common goal to stop deforestation.
• These eight countries will set their own targets to stop deforestation.
• For the first time in the last 14 years, the summit brought together the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO).
• These countries adopted the Belem Declaration, which states that the new alliance would aim to prevent the Amazon from reaching a point of no return.
• Commitments to enhance cooperation on issues like water management, health, sustainable development and common negotiating positions at global climate summits have been also included in this declaration.
• Before the summit, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had called for a common goal of ending deforestation by 2030.
• The summit is also being seen as an important platform before the 2025 United Nations climate talks, which will be hosted by Belem.

Topic: Sports

14. Neeraj Chopra to lead the Indian contingent in the World Athletics Championships 2023.

• Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra will lead the Indian contingent in the upcoming World Athletics Championships 2023.
• World Athletics Championships 2023 is scheduled to take place in Budapest, Hungary from 19-27 August.
• It will be the 19th edition of the World Athletics Championships.
• It will be organized by the World Athletics and Hungarian Athletics Association.
• Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced that it will fund 28 Indian athletes for the mega event.
• 15 Indian Players are taking part in the World Championships for the very first time.
• Shaili Singh is the youngest member of the Indian contingent.

(Source: News on AIR)