CURRENT AFFAIRS 21-08-2024

SPORTS

The ICC has relocated the ninth Women's T20 World Cup from Bangladesh to the UAE

• The ninth Women's T20 World Cup will be relocated from Bangladesh to the UAE.

• Despite the move, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will remain the official host.

• The tournament will take place in Dubai and Sharjah from October 3 to October 20.

• The event’s dates are unchanged despite the venue shift.

• Political unrest in Bangladesh led to the decision to move the tournament.

• The UAE was chosen over Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, which also bid to host the event.

• The 2023 ICC Women's T20 World Cup was held in South Africa, marking its eighth edition.

• This will be the ninth edition of the Women's T20 World Cup.

• The UAE will now host the event due to logistical and political reasons affecting Bangladesh.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

PM Modi will start a three-day visit to Poland and Ukraine on August 21, 2024

• PM Modi will begin a three-day visit to Poland and Ukraine on August 21, 2024.

• This is the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Poland in 45 years, marking a historic moment.

• During his visit to Poland, Modi will meet with Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Andrzej Duda.

• The visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Poland.

• Modi will also honor monuments reflecting the historic ties between Poland and Indian cities Jamnagar and Kolhapur.

• On August 23, Modi will travel to Ukraine at the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

• This will be the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Ukraine in nearly 30 years.

• Poland, located in Central Europe, has Warsaw as its capital and uses the Zloty currency.

• Ukraine, in Eastern Europe, is the second-largest European country by area, with Kyiv as its capital and Hryvnia as its currency.

Croatia will restart compulsory military service on January 1, 2025

• Croatia will reintroduce compulsory military service starting January 1, 2025.

• This move comes in response to increased tensions in Europe due to Russian aggression in Ukraine.

• The decision aligns with Croatia's commitment to modernizing its Armed Forces in coordination with NATO and allies.

• Last year, Latvia reinstated military conscription due to threats from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

• Croatia’s return to mandatory military service reflects a broader trend among European countries.

• The reintroduced service aims to enhance national defense capabilities.

• Croatia’s action is part of a regional reassessment of military readiness.

• Other European nations are also considering reinstating compulsory military service.

NATIONAL NEWS

BIS has launched a hackathon to promote Indian standards awareness

• The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has launched a hackathon to promote awareness of Indian standards.

• This initiative aims to highlight the importance of Indian standards in ensuring quality and safety.

• The hackathon invites students from institutions that have signed an MOU with BIS to participate.

• Participants are tasked with creating a platform for online activities and games centered on Indian standards.

• Entries for the hackathon must be submitted by August 23.

• The online platform will feature activities designed to boost awareness and quality consciousness regarding BIS standards.

• BIS is the national standards body of India, operating under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

• Established by the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, BIS is a statutory organization.

• The BIS headquarters is located in New Delhi.

AWARDS

Twenty-one geoscientists have received the National Geoscience Awards

• President Droupadi Murmu awarded the National Geoscience Awards (NGA) to 21 geoscientists.

• The awards were given for achievements in geosciences, mineral exploration, and natural hazard investigations.

• There are three categories: Lifetime Achievement Award, National Geoscience Award, and National Young Geoscientist Award.

• Prof. Dhiraj Mohan Banerjee was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in phosphorites, isotope geology, and organic geochemistry.

• Dr. Ashutosh Pandey received the National Young Geoscientist Award for his research on the Eastern Dharwar Craton’s geodynamic evolution.

• Twelve awards were distributed across these categories.

• Recent amendments to the MMDR Act enable the central government to auction 24 critical and strategic minerals.

• The Ministry of Mines has introduced an exploration license for 29 deep-seated minerals.

• The NGA recognizes significant contributions in the fields of geoscience and mineral research.

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