IMPORTANT DAYS

National Space Day 2024 celebrated on August 23

• India celebrated its first National Space Day on August 23, 2024.

• The Chandrayaan-3 mission’s Vikram lander achieved a soft landing on the Moon on August 23, 2023.

• President Draupadi Murmu inaugurated the main event at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

• The theme for National Space Day 2024 is "Touching Lives while Touching the Moon: India’s Space Saga."

• Over a thousand events took place nationwide to mark the occasion.

• The Bharatiya Antariksh Hackathon and ISRO Robotics Challenge were highlights of the celebrations.

• Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium in Bengaluru hosted several events to honor the Chandrayaan-3 landing.

• Activities for children included painting, pick and speak, Jigsaw puzzles, and quizzes.

• The celebrations focused on commemorating India's achievements in space exploration.

STATE NEWS

Madhya Pradesh Pioneers Digital Summons and Warrant Rules

• Madhya Pradesh is the first state in India to formalize rules for issuing digital summons and warrants.

• The new laws permit the digital issuance of summons and warrants in judicial processes.

• Judicial authorities in Madhya Pradesh can now use electronic methods like email for official communication.

• Messaging apps such as WhatsApp are now authorized for sending judicial summons and warrants in the state.

• Text messages are also included as a valid method under the new digital summons and warrant rules.

• This move is part of Madhya Pradesh's effort to modernize judicial processes through digital means.

• The state leads the way in embracing digital tools for legal and judicial communications.

NATIONAL NEWS

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav unveiled 25 new challenges as part of the 'Create in India Challenge—Season 1'

• Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav introduced 25 challenges under the 'Create in India Challenge—Season 1' for the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES).

• The challenges span various fields such as animation, filmmaking, gaming, music, and visual arts.

• Industry associations and organizations are hosting these challenges.

• Notable challenges include the Anime Challenge by the Media and Entertainment Association of India and the Comics Creator Championship by the Indian Comics Association.

• Vaishnav highlighted the emergence of a new creator’s economy, recognized by the Prime Minister of India.

• The inaugural national Creators Awards were presented in March 2024.

• The draft Broadcasting Bill 2024 now includes social media accounts and online video creators alongside OTT content and digital news.

• The 'Create in India Challenge' aims to promote innovation and creativity across different media disciplines.

• These initiatives are designed to enhance opportunities and recognition for creators in India.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the National Conclave: Sangathan Swasthya Samriddhi in New Delhi.

• Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the National Conclave: Sangathan Swasthya Samriddhi in New Delhi.

• The conclave focuses on women’s collectives and their impact on Food, Nutrition, Health, and WASH (FNHW).

• Attendees include women from across India, including members of self-help groups.

• Organized by the Ministry of Rural Development under DAY-NRLM, the conclave addresses core themes of Sangathan, Samridhi, and Swasthya.

• Sangathan signifies the collective strength of 10 crore women in 91 lakh SHGs.

• Samridhi represents economic transformation, aiming for 3 crore Lakhpati Didis.

• Swasthya highlights health as a crucial link between collective action and economic success.

• Key ministries like Health and Family Welfare, Women and Child Development, and Drinking Water and Sanitation participated.

• The conclave also included representatives from State Rural Livelihoods Missions, community institutions, international organizations, and CSO partners.

INDEX AND RANKING

According to the latest Food & Drink 2024 report, Amul has been ranked as the strongest food brand in the world.

• Amul has been named the strongest food brand globally in the latest Food & Drink 2024 report.

• Previously ranked second, Amul is now the top dairy brand worldwide.

• The report awards Amul a brand strength index of 91 out of 100 and an AAA+ rating.

• Amul’s brand value has risen by 11% to reach $3.3 billion.

• Brand Finance, a leading global brand consultancy, published the report on the strongest food, dairy, and non-alcoholic drink brands.

• Amul excelled in familiarity, consideration, and recommendation metrics.

• Nestlé remains the most valuable food brand, with a valuation of $20.8 billion.

• Lay's has moved up to the second spot with a brand value of $12 billion.

• In non-alcoholic drinks, Coca-Cola leads globally, with Pepsi in second place.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

In July, India surpassed China to become the world's largest importer of Russian oil.

• In July, India became the world's largest importer of Russian oil, surpassing China.

• Indian imports of Russian crude reached 2.07 million barrels per day (bpd), making up 44% of the country’s total oil imports.

• This represents a 4.2% rise from June and a 12% increase from July of the previous year.

• China's imports from Russia amounted to 1.76 million barrels per day in July, falling short of India's imports.

• Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, India's trade with Russia, especially oil and fertiliser, has surged.

• Iraq was India's second-largest oil supplier in July, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE following.

• India's crude oil purchases from the Middle East grew by 4% in July, increasing the region’s share in India’s total imports to 40%.

• This increase in Middle Eastern oil imports was up from 38% in June.

• India's record oil imports from Russia mark a significant shift in global energy trade dynamics.

Supply Security Agreement signed by India and the United States.

• India and the US signed the non-binding Supply Security Arrangement (SOSA) to manage supply chain disruptions.

• The agreement aims to enhance access to critical industrial resources between the two nations for national security.

• SOSA will provide reciprocal priority support for goods and services that benefit national defense.

• The agreement was signed on August 22 by Vic Ramdas of the US Department of Defense and Sameer Kumar of the Indian Ministry of Defence.

• The arrangement addresses unforeseen supply chain issues by enabling mutual support for essential resources.

• This bilateral agreement is designed to resolve disruptions in industrial resources crucial for national security.

• SOSA facilitates priority access to industrial resources and services to bolster national defense capabilities.

• Both countries will now have mechanisms to ensure uninterrupted supply of critical materials and support each other's defense needs.

• The agreement reflects strengthened defense collaboration between the US and India through improved resource sharing.

Sri Lanka will grant free visa access to 35 nations, including India.34 other countries are included in the list in addition to India.

• Starting October 1, Sri Lanka will offer free visa access to 35 countries, including India.

• The United States, UK, China, Israel, Japan, Australia, and several others are part of the list of eligible nations.

• Sri Lankans are set to vote in the presidential election on September 21.

• President Ranil Wickremesinghe assumed office in July 2022 after Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigned.

• Wickremesinghe has announced his candidacy for the upcoming presidential elections.

• The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), the largest party in parliament, has chosen to back its own candidate instead of Wickremesinghe.

• Nepal, New Zealand, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia are also among the countries granted visa-free access to Sri Lanka.

• Wickremesinghe became the eighth President of Sri Lanka amidst political turmoil in July 2022.

• SLPP’s decision not to support the current president in the election introduces uncertainty in the political landscape.