NATIONAL NEWS
National Commission for Women Opens Digital Shakti Centre in New Delhi
• The National Commission for Women (NCW) has inaugurated the Digital Shakti Centre in New Delhi to combat cybercrimes against women.
• Ms. Rekha Sharma, NCW Chairperson, opened the centre in collaboration with the Cyber Peace Foundation.
• The centre is designed to enhance public awareness about cybercrimes and offer technical assistance for managing complaints.
• The initiative aims to empower women to use technology safely and effectively.
• The facility will provide expert guidance to ensure swift and effective resolution of cybercrime issues.
• The Digital Shakti program, which started in 2018, serves as the foundation for this new centre.
• NCW highlighted a rise in cybercrime cases, increasing from 52,974 in 2021 to 65,893 in 2022.
• There has been a notable increase in complaints related to cybercrimes against women.
• The new centre will build on the success of the Digital Shakti program to better address these concerns.
AWARDS
Fijian President Awards Companion of the Order of Fiji to Droupadi Murmu
• The President of Fiji awarded the Companion of the Order of Fiji to President Droupadi Murmu.
• President Murmu is on a two-day visit to Fiji and addressed the Fijian Parliament.
• She highlighted the 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Fiji in her speech.
• During her visit, President Murmu met with Fijian President Williame Katonivere for bilateral discussions.
• She expressed gratitude to the Fijian Government for its support of India's Aditya L1 Mission.
• President Murmu recalled India’s aid to Fiji during the COVID-19 crisis through the Vaccine Maitri initiative.
• The Companion of the Order of Fiji is the highest honor awarded by Fiji.
• Fiji, an island nation in Melanesia with over 300 islands, has Suva as its capital.
DEFENCE
First multinational air exercise, 'Taranga Shakti 2024', started in Sular, Tamil Nadu
• India has launched its inaugural multinational air exercise, ‘Taranga Shakti 2024’, starting August 6 in Sular, Tamil Nadu.
• The exercise will run from August 6 to September 14 and will occur in two phases.
• The first phase takes place in Sular, Tamil Nadu, from August 6 to 14, and the second phase will be held in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, from August 29 to September 14.
• Approximately 30 countries are involved, with ten countries participating with their fighter aircraft.
• Participating countries with fighter aircraft include Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Greece, Spain, the UAE, the UK, the USA, and Singapore.
• 18 other countries will join the exercise as observers.
• India will display its indigenous fighter aircraft, including Tejas, Rafale, Mirage 2000, Jaguar, and MiG 29.
• The exercise aims to highlight India’s defense capabilities and enhance interoperability among the participating forces.
SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE
First BIMSTEC Business Summit is being hosted by India
• The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is partnering with the Ministry of External Affairs to organize the event.
• India is hosting the inaugural BIMSTEC Business Summit from 6-8 August in New Delhi.
• The summit aims to enhance regional cooperation through improved trade and investment among BIMSTEC members.
• The event features participants from BIMSTEC countries, including ministers responsible for trade and industry.
• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has inaugurated the Business Summit.
• High-ranking officials, policymakers, and industry leaders are attending the summit.
• BIMSTEC connects five South Asian countries with two Southeast Asian nations.
• India's commitment to BIMSTEC is highlighted through this significant summit.
SPORTS
Manu Bhaker named India's flag-bearer for the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
• Manu Bhaker, a two-time Olympic bronze medallist, will be India's flag-bearer at the 2024 Paris Olympics closing ceremony.
• The closing ceremony is scheduled for August 11.
• Bhaker will represent India as the women's flag bearer during the event.
• The male flag bearer for India at the ceremony has not yet been announced.
• Bhaker achieved notable success in Paris, winning two bronze medals.
• She won her first bronze in the women’s 10-metre air pistol event.
• Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh secured a bronze medal in the mixed 10-metre air pistol.
• Bhaker’s performance in Paris included breaking several records.
MISCELLANEOUS
Pasang Lhamu Sherpa Honored with Moon Crater Naming
• Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, the first Nepalese woman to summit Mount Everest, has a Moon crater named in her honor.
• Nepal celebrated the naming of this lunar crater at the South Pole of the Moon.
• The US Geological Survey, along with other topographic and hydrological features on Earth, has recognized Sherpa’s achievement with this naming.
• The Government of Nepal has declared Pasang Lhamu Sherpa a National Luminary.
• The crater is located at the Moon's South Pole.
• This honor acknowledges Sherpa’s historic achievement as the first Nepalese woman to reach Everest’s summit.
• The naming of the crater reflects international recognition of her contribution.
• Sherpa’s legacy is further commemorated through this unique celestial tribute.
India retained the eighth position in global agriculture exports in 2023
• Despite a decline from $55 billion to $51 billion in 2023, India maintained its position as the eighth largest global agriculture exporter.
• The top ten agriculture exporters accounted for 71.9% of global exports in 2023.
• Brazil's agriculture exports rose to $157 billion in 2023, securing the third position.
• The European Union retained its top position with $836 billion in agricultural exports.
• China ranked as the fourth largest agriculture exporter in 2023.
• Agriculture exports from India have been affected by geopolitical issues, including the Red Sea crisis and the Russia-Ukraine war.
• Canada, Mexico, Indonesia, and Australia are among the top ten global agriculture exporters.
• The other seven economies in the top ten experienced a decline in their agricultural exports.
