1. Lok Sabha passed the Wildlife (Protection), Amendment Bill, 2021
Tags: National News
The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021 was passed by Lok Sabha on 2 August. Under the bill, amendments will be made to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Objective of the bill
The main objective of the bill is to implement CITES, CITES is an international agreement signed by governments in 1973 to ensure that the international trade of wild animals and plants is protected.
Key Features of the Bill
The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill was first introduced in Parliament in December last year to amend the law governing the conservation of wild animals, birds and plants in the country.
The amendment has been introduced to increase the number of species protected under the law.
The Bill empowers the central government to control and prevent the import, trade, possession or proliferation of invasive exotic species.
The Central Government may authorise any officer to seize and dispose of invasive species.
The Bill entrusts the Chief Wildlife Warden with the task of controlling, managing and maintaining all the sanctuaries in a state.
The Chief Wildlife Warden is appointed by the State Government.
The Bill specifies that the actions of the Chief Warden should be in accordance with the management plans for the sanctuary.
State governments can declare areas adjacent to national parks and sanctuaries as a conservation reserve to protect the flora and fauna and their habitat.
The Bill provides for any person to voluntarily hand over any captive animals or animal products to the Chief Wildlife Warden.
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
It provides a legal framework for the protection of various species of wild animals and plants, the management and regulation of their habitats, and the control of trade in wild animals, plants and their products.
Plants and animals are listed under the Act, which are monitored by the government by providing various types of protection.
The Act was amended last time in the year 2006 and its purpose is to strengthen the conservation of tigers and other endangered species.
2. The first All India District Legal Services Authority meeting
Tags: National News
The first All India District Legal Services Authority meeting was held on 30 July and 31 July at Vigyan Bhawan. Its inaugural session was addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Important facts
Chief Justice N.V. Raman and other Supreme Court judges also participated.
A postage stamp on 'Right to Free Legal Aid' was also released on the occasion.
It was organised by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).
The meeting was based on the creation of an integrated process aimed at bringing about uniformity and coordination among the District Legal Services Authorities.
In India, there are 676 District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs). District judges act as the chairpersons of DLSAs.
NALSA implements several legal aid and awareness programs through DLSAs and State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs).
DLSAs also help in reducing the burden on the courts by regulating the Lok Adalats conducted by NALSA.
About National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)
NALSA was established on 9th November, 1995 as per the authority of Legal Services Authorization Act 1987.
It was established with the objective of conducting Lok Adalats to provide free legal services to deserving candidates as well as for timely resolution of cases.
The Chief Justice of India acts as the principal guardian of NALSA.
On the other hand, the second senior-most judge of the Supreme Court of India acts as the acting-chairman.
Its main objective is to reduce the burden of the judiciary through speedy disposal of cases.
3. Six agreements signed between India and Maldives
Tags: International News
Maldives signed 6 agreements with India on 2 August, with both sides reaffirming their desire to strengthen ties to combat "international crimes and terrorism" in the Indian Ocean region.
Important facts
The six agreements signed between the two sides will facilitate cooperation in capacity building, cyber security, housing, disaster management and infrastructure development in the Maldives.
After talks with Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Modi announced a line of credit of USD 100 million (one million = 10 lakh) for Maldives to complete development projects in a time-bound manner.
The first part of the Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP) will include a 6.74 km bridge and a bridge connecting the capital Male to neighboring islands.
The Prime Minister said that the threat of international crime, terrorism and drug trafficking in the Indian Ocean is serious and close India-Maldives ties are vital for peace in the region.
The MoU signed on Cyber Security aims to promote the exchange of information related to cyber security on the basis of equality and mutual benefit in accordance with domestic laws, rules and regulations.
Second landing assault craft
To strengthen Maldives' maritime capability, India has announced the gifting of the second Landing Assault Craft to the Maldives National Defence Force.
Maldives was one of the first recipients of the Covishield vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII).
President Solih visited Delhi in 2018 and this is his first visit in the backdrop of the end of the pandemic and the ongoing crisis in Sri Lanka.
About Maldives
It is also called Maldive Islands, an independent island country in the north-central Indian Ocean.
It extends more than 510 miles (820 km) from north to south and 80 miles (130 km) from east to west.
Basis of economy - fisheries, tourism
Industries - handicraft or cottage including the making of coir (coconut-husk fibre) and coir products, fish canning, and boatbuilding.
Capital - Male
President - Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
Official Language - Dhivehi (Maldivian)
Official Religion - Islam
Currency - Rufiyaa
4. Amit Shah inaugurate conference on drug trafficking, national security in Chandigarh
Tags: National News
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the “Conference on Drug Trafficking and National Security” on July 30, 2022.
Important facts
During this conference, more than 30,000 kg of narcotic drugs were burnt and disposed of at Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai.
NCB had launched the Drug Disposal Campaign on 1st June 2022.
Till July 29, more than 51,217 kg of narcotics have been disposed of in 11 states.
As a part of the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' celebrations, NCB has pledged to dispose of 75000 kgs of drugs.
Drug addiction in India
India is situated between the world's two largest opium producing regions (the 'Golden Triangle' on one side and the 'Golden Crescent' on the other).
The 'Golden Triangle' region includes Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos.
The 'Golden Crescent' region includes Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran.
According to the World Drug Report 2021, prescription drugs and their ingredients are increasingly being converted into recreational use in India (the world's largest producer of generic drugs).
India is also linked to shipments of drugs sold in the 19 major darknet markets analysed in 2011-2020.
According to the report released by the Ministry of Social Justice and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on the quantum of substance abuse in 2019.
There are 31 million cannabis users in India (of which 2.5 million were dependent users).
There are 23 million opioid users in India (of which 2.8 million were dependent users).
Other Related Initiatives
Narco-Coordination Centre- Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) was constituted in November 2016 and the scheme "Financial Assistance to States for Narcotics Control" was revived.
Project Sunrise- It was launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to tackle the rising HIV prevalence in the North-Eastern states of India, especially among those who inject drugs.
NDPS Act- It prohibits a person from producing, possessing, selling, buying, transporting, storing and/or consuming any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance.
The NDPS Act has been amended thrice so far - in 1988, 2001 and 2014.
The Act applies to the whole of India as well as to all Indian citizens outside India and all persons employed on ships and aircraft registered in India.
Drug Free India- Government has also announced the launch of 'Nasha Mukt Bharat' or Drug Free India campaign which focuses on community outreach programmes.
About Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)
NCB was established in 1986.
NCB is an Indian central law enforcement and intelligence agency.
It works under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
It helps in combating drug trafficking as well as use of illegal substances as per the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
It coordinates drug-related matters with state governments and other central departments in India.
5. US Congress approves Chips Act to boost semiconductor production
Tags: National News
The US House of Representatives has passed the Semiconductors and Science Bill to provide $280 billion in aid and subsidies to its semiconductor industry facing competition from China.
Important facts
The bill would provide "$52 billion of subsidies and additional tax credits" to companies making chips in the US.
An amount of $ 200 billion has also been allocated for scientific research of artificial intelligence and other innovative technologies.
Last year, a global shortage of semiconductors or chips led to the recognition that the US needed substantial manufacturing of its own.
Since 2020, the increasing use of devices such as laptops in homes has further fueled its demand.
According to a Forbes report, about 75% of the world's dependence on semiconductors is met by East Asia.
The bill states that currently only 12% of chips are manufactured domestically, compared to 37% in 1990, and several countries, including China, are investing heavily to dominate the industry.
The bill would reduce America's reliance on foreign sources of semiconductors and strengthen national security.
What are Semiconductor Chips?
It is a material which has conductivity between conductor and insulator.
Compounds of silicon or germanium or gallium, arsenide or cadmium selenide are used in this.
Why are semiconductors or chips so important?
It serves as the centre and brain of all modern electronics and information and communication technology products.
The chips are used as data-storing memory chips, or logic chips that run programs.
Manufacturing of chips requires a lot of precision as well as investment.
This requires special conditions where even small disturbances around or inside the manufacturing unit can hamper production.
6. Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri killed in US drone strike
Tags: International News
U. S. President Joe Biden said on August 1 that the United States killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in a drone air strike in Kabul.
Important facts
The killing of Zawahiri is seen as the biggest blow to the terrorist group since its founder Osama bin Laden was killed in 2011.
Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri, an Egyptian surgeon who later became one of the world's most wanted terrorists.
He was considered as the mastermind of the attacks on the United States of America on September 11, 2001.
About 3 thousand people died in that terrorist attack.
The US had placed a $25 million bounty on Zawahiri.
The drone strike is the first known US attack inside Afghanistan since US troops and diplomats left the country in August 2021.
Zawahiri was earlier hiding in Pakistan but after the Taliban government came to power, he reached Kabul.
Who was Ayman al-Zawahiri?
Born into a middle-class family in Egypt, Zawahiri grew up to become a doctor.
He graduated from Cairo University's Al Qasr Al Ain Medical School in 1974.
Ideologically he opposed secular governments, and was arrested in 1981 after the assassination of former Egyptian President Mohamed Anwar al-Saadat for carrying weapons without a license.
He served three years as a surgeon in the Egyptian Army.
In 1993, he took over the leadership of Islamic Jihad in Egypt and became a key figure in the mid-1990s campaign to overthrow the government and establish a pure Islamic state.
He was found to be involved in the murder of more than 1,200 Egyptians.
In 2011 he took on al-Qaeda when a team of Navy SEALs killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.
He and bin Laden co-opted the 9/11 attacks and was one of America's "Most Wanted Terrorists".
He was listed as one of the FBI's Most Wanted Terrorists, and had a $25 million reward for his capture.
7. Culture Ministry organizes 'Tiranga Utsav' on the occasion of 146th birth anniversary of Pingali Venkaiah
Tags: National National News
Union Home Minister Amit Shah participated in the 'Tiranga Utsav' being organised by the Ministry of Culture in New Delhi on 2 August.
Important facts
The event is being organized on the occasion of the 146th birthday of freedom fighter Pingali Venkaiah who designed the national flag and made a huge contribution to the nation.
In this program a commemorative postage stamp was issued in his honour for his invaluable contribution to the freedom struggle and his family was honoured.
The Home Minister launches the “Har Ghar Tiranga” anthem and video during the 'Tiranga Utsav'.
The program featured live performances by masters like Kailash Kher and Kailasa, Harshdeep Kaur and Dr. Ragini Makkhar.
On the completion of 75 years of independence, the central government is running the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign.
Who was Pingali Venkayya?
He was born on August 2, 1876, at Bhatlapenumarru, near present-day Machilipatnam town in Andhra Pradesh.
He was sent to South Africa to fight in the war as a soldier of the British Indian Army.
He was impressed by the feeling of nationalism inspired by the Union Jack among British soldiers in South Africa.
He was the designer of India’s national tricolour.
In 1921, Mahatma Gandhi approved the tricolor designed by him at a meeting of the Indian National Congress in Vijayawada.
The tricolor version presented by Venkayya to Mahatma Gandhi had two stripes (green and red) and a Gandhian spinning wheel in the centre.
On Gandhi's suggestion, Venkayya added a white stripe at the top, and it became the original tricolor.
This flag was used informally in all Congress meetings from 1921 onwards.
During the Congress session of 1931, the Congress adopted the tricolor with a color scheme – saffron, white and green and the spinning wheel in the centre.
The flag became the standard of Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent freedom movement.
A postage stamp was issued in his honor in 2009.
In 2014, the Vijayawada station of All India Radio (AIR) was also named after him.
He died in 1963 in poverty and oblivion.
8. 5G spectrum auction ends with record bids worth over ₹1.5 lakh crore. Jio top bidder
Tags: Economics/Business National News
The biggest ever spectrum auction in India ended on August 1. The seven-day auction saw record sale of 5G telecom spectrum worth over Rs 1.5 lakh crore.
Important facts
In this auction, billionaire businessman Mukesh Ambani's company Jio made the highest bid to consolidate its leading position.
As per provisional figures, a total of Rs 1,50,173 crore bids were placed.
This auction amount of 5G spectrum capable of offering extremely high-speed mobile internet connectivity is almost double the Rs 77,815 crore 4G spectrum sold last year.
This amount is three times as against Rs 50,968.37 crore received from 3G auction in 2010.
Reliance Jio made the highest bid for radio waves offering connectivity at speeds nearly 10 times faster than 4G.
It was followed by Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea Limited.
Adani Group has bought 26 MHz spectrum to set up a private telecom network.
What is Electromagnetic Spectrum?
Signals are needed to connect cell phones and wireline telephone equipment from one end to the other.
These signals are carried over the airwaves, which are required to be sent on specified frequencies to avoid any kind of interference.
The central government owns all publicly available assets, including airwaves, within the geographical boundaries of the country.
What is 5G technology?
The fifth generation mobile network is called 5G.
The 5G network will operate in the millimetre-wave spectrum (30-300 GHz) which can send huge amounts of data at very high speeds.
It is the newest upgrade in Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile broadband networks.
Internet speeds in the high-band spectrum of 5G have been tested to exceed 20 Gbps (gigabit per second).
9. Ex- Philippines President Fidel Ramos dies at 94
Tags: Person in news International News
Former Philippine President Fidel Ramos died on 31 July at the age of 94 due to complications of COVID-19.
Important facts
Ramos, the 12th President of the Republic of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998, was said to be the driving force behind investor confidence in the country.
It was during his time that the Philippines was recognized as an emerging economy.
It was during his time that the Philippines was identified as a booming "tiger economy", The Manila Times reported.
Prior to becoming president, Fidel Ramos also served as Chief-of-Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the government of then-President Corazon Aquino.
Apart from this, he was also the Defence Secretary.
Ramos, a former military general, trained in the US, also participated in the Korea and Vietnam Wars.
Ramos led a national police force and was instrumental in bringing down the notorious Marcos regime.
About Philippines
The Philippines is a country located in Southeast Asia.
It got complete independence on 4 July 1946 after the Second World War.
It is the country with the fifth longest coastline in the world.
The Philippines is the second largest producer of geothermal energy in the world, after the United States.
Capital - Manila
Currency - peso
10. Centre forms task force to monitor Monkeypox situation in country
Tags: National News
The Central Government has constituted a task force to monitor and provide guidance on expansion of diagnostic facilities in the wake of monkeypox cases in India and to explore the possibility of vaccination for it in the country.
Important facts
The decision was taken during a meeting on 1 August which was attended by the Cabinet Secretary, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, Additional Secretary (PMO) and other senior officials.
The team will be headed by Dr V K Paul, who is the member (Health) of NITI Aayog.
So far, four cases of monkeypox have been reported in India, three in Kerala and one in Delhi.
A young man with monkeypox-like symptoms died in Kerala last week, prompting state Health Minister Veena George to launch a high-level investigation.
Aa per the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 18,000 cases of monkeypox have been reported from 78 countries.
According to the WHO, monkeypox is a viral zoonosis – a virus that spreads from animals to humans.
The symptoms of Monkeypox usually present with fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes and can lead to a variety of medical complications.
Kindly also see the post dated 15th and 25th July 2022.
