Current Affairs - August 22, 2024 Current Affairs

Karnataka leads India in the number of public EV charging stations, boasting 5,765 stations, with a significant concentration (85%) in the Bengaluru Urban district. This achievement is supported by the FAME scheme, investments by Bescom, and public-private partnerships (PPP). Karnataka is further strengthening its EV infrastructure by planning an additional 2,500 charging stations and allocating ₹35 crore for 100 more stations in collaboration with electricity companies.

Maruti Suzuki, a renowned Indian automobile manufacturer, is elevating vehicle safety standards by introducing the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) as standard on its entry-level hatchback models, Alto K10, and S-Presso. This move enhances stability and safety, especially during emergency manoeuvres, without affecting the price or adding extra cost to customers. With this initiative, Maruti Suzuki reinforces its commitment to providing affordable, safer, and technologically advanced vehicles, aligning with global standards and customer expectations.

M Suresh has been appointed as the interim Chairman of the Airports Authority of India (AAI). He is currently a Member of Air Navigation Services at AAI and will serve as the interim Chairman for three months or until a permanent replacement is found. His appointment comes after the government relieved the previous Chairman, Sanjeev Kumar, marking a transitional period in AAI's leadership.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has committed a $500 million loan to boost healthcare infrastructure in Maharashtra. This funding will help establish four new medical colleges with attached tertiary care hospitals, particularly focusing on climate resilience, gender inclusivity, and underserved districts. Additionally, the project aims to increase hospital bed capacity and recruit 500 new doctors, significantly enhancing the state's healthcare system.

In a significant scientific achievement, four Bengali scientists, under the leadership of Professor Sabyasachi Pal, discovered 34 new giant radio galaxies. This breakthrough was accomplished using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) after four years of dedicated research. These giant radio galaxies are much larger than typical galaxies and were identified through radiowaves, marking an important contribution to our understanding of the cosmos and the vast universe.

Air India has launched a new inflight entertainment service called 'Vista,' powered by Bluebox, to enhance the passenger experience across its fleet. This service allows passengers to stream over 950 hours of content on their personal devices while onboard. Initially available on wide-body aircraft, the service will soon extend to narrow-body planes as well, demonstrating Air India's commitment to modernizing its inflight offerings and improving customer satisfaction.

Bengaluru-based Ola Electric has been awarded PLI certification for its S1 X 3 and 4 kWh electric scooters, marking a significant milestone in the company’s journey. This certification, granted by ARAI, confirms that Ola's products meet the localization requirements under the PLI Scheme, making them eligible for substantial incentives. This achievement not only supports Ola's growing orders but also reinforces its commitment to advancing India's electric vehicle ecosystem, in alignment with the government's vision for domestic electric mobility.

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has concluded investigations into Apple and Google over potential anticompetitive practices in their app stores but will continue to monitor the companies. The investigations, which began in 2022, aimed to examine Apple's App Store and Google’s Android Play Store for unfair charges and limitations on app developers' choices. The CMA's decision to close the investigations is pending new legislation that is expected later this year. Both companies have made commitments to expand developer choices, but the CMA will review their compliance with new rules once implemented.

Eastern Railways is expanding the One Station One Product (OSOP) initiative, allowing local artisans to set up stalls at Howrah and other stations to sell their handmade products. This move aims to support West Bengal's artisans and entrepreneurs by providing them with a platform to market and sell their creations. Artisans can register for a 15-day or 30-day period, with the fee covering registration costs plus free electricity for a specific number of units, facilitating their business operations at the station. This initiative is part of a broader effort to promote local crafts and support local businesses.

The central government has banned 156 cocktail drugs, many of which are commonly available at home. These banned drugs are used for various purposes, including hair growth, skin care, pain relief, and treating allergies. The ban affects fixed-dose combinations (FDCs), where multiple drugs are combined into a single pill. This list includes drugs that were already discontinued or had limited use. The ban was recommended by the expert committee appointed by the Centre after an examination by the apex panel of the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB). This decision was based on the finding that there is no therapeutic justification for these FDCs. The pharmaceutical industry is currently assessing the financial impact of this ban.

Khutahri village in Bhojpur, Bihar inaugurated its first cow dung gas plant under the state’s community-run Gobar Gas Dhan Yojana. This project, costing Rs 634,000, is set to provide a more accessible and affordable cooking fuel alternative for 8 households, with monthly gas costs between Rs 500 and Rs 600. The plant, supported by UNICEF, showcases a sustainable approach to energy production, utilizing cow dung collected from local households, thereby contributing to environmental conservation and community development.

In the Ultimate Table Tennis 2024 tournament, the Goa Challengers secured a victory against the Jaipur Patriots with a final score of 5-2. Key contributions from players like Harmeet Desai and Yangzi Liu played a crucial role in their triumph. Desai's remarkable comeback in Mixed Doubles, alongside Liu's win in Women's Singles, helped the Goa Challengers dominate the match and ultimately emerge victorious in this opening tie.

Thailand has confirmed its second case of the Clade 1b strain of the monkeypox virus in a 66-year-old European tourist. This marks a rare occurrence outside of Africa, raising concerns about global spread. The Clade 1b strain is known for being more contagious, and the WHO declared monkeypox a public health emergency in response to these cases. The patient is currently hospitalized and under treatment at a Bangkok hospital, while the source of the virus has been identified as an African country. No further transmission has been detected in Thailand, indicating effective containment measures.

The 2024 Lausanne Diamond League took place in Switzerland, where India's Neeraj Chopra achieved a season-best javelin throw of 89.49m. Despite his strong performance, Chopra finished in second place, as Grenada's Anderson Peters secured first place with a record-breaking throw of 90.81m. This event in Lausanne is part of the prestigious Diamond League series, highlighting top athletes from around the world.

India is set to launch its first reusable hybrid rocket, RHUMI 1, developed by Space Zone India, which will transport 3 Cube Satellites and 50 PICO Satellites to a suborbital trajectory. This launch represents India's first attempt at a reusable hybrid rocket, focusing on flexibility and reusability. The launch showcases India's growing capabilities in space technology and its focus on innovative space solutions.