Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 12 August 2022

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Experts from India and the United States interacted to bring out the best plans for joint research projects that would be implemented through the technology innovation hubs (TIH), at DST-NSF Joint Research and Development Projects.
The workshop was organised by IIT Delhi in association with the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to discuss how the projects to be implemented by the six TIHs identified under NM-ICPS for collaborative research and development with NSF-supported institutions would leverage unique resources, such as testbeds and datasets available in India and in the US.

About:

It was launched in 2018 under the Department of Science & Technology for a period of five years to encourage innovation in new age technologies.
It is a comprehensive Mission aimed at complete convergence with all stakeholders by establishing strong linkages between academia, industry, Government and International Organizations.
It will work with all the concerned Ministries/Departments to identify their technology needs, develop solutions and technical support in CPS implementation.
It would create a foundation and a seamless ecosystem from R&D, technology development, innovation to commercialization.
The Mission has four major activities:

1. Technology Development;
2. Human Resource & Skill Development;

ECI to host virtual Asian Regional Forum meet on “Making our Elections Inclusive, Accessible and Participative”.

About:

Asian Regional Forum meet is a precursor to “Global Summit for Democracy” to be hosted by the National Electoral Institute of Mexico.
Five Regional Forums for America, Africa, Asia, Europe and North Africa & Middle East created as part of Global Summit for Democracy.
The Election Commission of India will be hosting a virtual meet of the ‘Asian Regional Forum’ on the theme “Making our Elections Inclusive, Accessible and Participative”.
This Regional Forum meet is precursor to the “Global Summit for Democracy'' to be hosted by the National Electoral Institute of Mexico in the coming month.
The Global Summit and Regional Forum meets aims to generate synergy amongst international organizations, electoral bodies from the world and to promote intellectual and institutional mobilization to strengthen electoral democracy in the world.
This Asian Regional Forum (ARF) meet has two sessions. The first session is on ‘Inclusive Elections: Enhancing Participation of Youth, Gender and Citizens in Remote Areas’ which will be co-chaired by the Chief Election Commissioner from Mauritius and Nepal.

The UK Ministry of Defence, in its intelligence assessment of the ongoing war in Ukraine, has and sounded an alarm on the possible use of PFM-1 series ‘Butterfly Mines’ by the Russian military in Donetsk and Kramatorsk.

About:

The PFM-1 and PFM-1S are two kinds of anti-personnel landmines that are commonly referred to as ‘Butterfly mines’ or ‘Green Parrots’.
These names are derived from the shape and colour of the mines. The main difference between the PFM-1 and PFM-1S mine is that the latter comes with a self destruction mechanism which gets activated within one to 40 hours.
The ‘Butterfly mine’ has earned a reputation for being particularly attractive to children because it looks like a coloured toy.
It is very sensitive to touch and just the act of picking it up can set it off. Because of the relatively lesser explosive packed in this small mine, it often injures and maims the handler rather than killing them.
These mines are also difficult to detect because they are made of plastic and can evade metal detectors.

World Lion’s Day is observed on 10 August annually. The objective is to spread awareness and educate people about lions and their conservation.

About:

Lions are the second-largest cats in the world, after tigers. Lions are social cats and live in groupscalled prides. Male lions have a distinctive thick mane of hair around their heads that femalelack.
They once roamed Africa, Asia and Europe, but now only live in parts of Africa and Indi
(Gujarat's Gir National Park).

A total of 151 Districts (in 24 States) have already lifted fortified rice under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) in Phase II of Rice Fortification Programme.

About:

Nearly 6.83 LMT have been distributed by the States/UTs under the phase which started from April 1, 2022. And under ICDS and PM POSHAN, nearly 7.36 LMT have been lifted by the States/UTs so far. Around 52% of the districts have lifted the foodgrains in the Phase II.
The Hon’ble PM in his address on the 75th Independence Day (15th August, 2021), announced the supply of Fortified Rice in every scheme of Government of India throughout the country by 2024 in a phased manner. Since then, the initiative has made good progress during the last one year.
Phase-I covering ICDS and PM POSHAN had been implemented during 2021-22 and nearly 17.51 LMT had been distributed in the States/UTs.

The Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs has written to industry and other concerned stakeholders, inviting them to brainstorm a plan for having one cable for charging all your devices.

Key highlights:

The ministry’s move comes in the backdrop of the concept of LiFE — Lifestyle for the Environment — announced by the Prime Minister at the UN Climate Change Conference (CoP 26) held in Glasgow in November last year.
Besides, the Union Cabinet has also approved India’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).
According to the NDC, India has committed to reducing the emission intensity of the GDP by 45% by 2030.