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Current Affairs – August 21 2023
1. Saudi Arabia launches AI-Powered program to combat desertification
The Saudi Environment Ministry has launched a program to combat desertification using artificial intelligence (AI).
The program, which is a collaboration between the ministry, the National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification, and the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, aims to study the status of vegetative cover in the Kingdom and contribute to the goals of afforestation projects and the “Green Saudi” initiative.
2. Adobe Co-Founder Dr. John Warnock Passes Away at 82
Adobe co-founder Dr. John Warnock passed away at the age of 82, Adobe announces. He founded the revolutionary software company Adobe with his partner, the now-late Dr. Charles Geschke, in 1982.
Marva Warnock designed the company’s original logo, and Adobe released its first program, the desktop publishing software Adobe PostScript, two years later. Warnock served mostly as the company’s CEO until 2000 and was co-chairman of the board along with Geschke until 2017. Warnock remained on the company board of directors afterward.
3. BPCL announces Rahul Dravid as Brand Ambassador
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL) has announced cricketer Rahul Dravid as its new brand ambassador. He will endorse BPCL’s Pure for Sure initiative and range of MAK lubricants. This exciting partnership highlights Bharat Petroleum’s strong dedication to quality, authenticity, and excellence.
Rahul Dravid embodies exceptional sportsmanship, serves as a role model, and possesses qualities such as integrity, dependability, and trustworthiness that align perfectly with our values at BPCL. Rahul Dravid will endorse BPCL’s well-known Pure for Sure initiative and its range of MAK lubricants.
4. Priya Malik Wins Gold at U20 World Wrestling Championships In Jordan
Indian wrestler Priya Malik has achieved a remarkable feat by securing the gold medal at the U20 World Wrestling Championships held in Jordan. This victory marks a significant milestone in her career.
Competing in the 76 kg category, Priya Malik showcased her prowess on the mat. In the gold medal match, she triumphed over Germany’s Laura Kuehn with a resounding score of 5-0.
5. Granting of Geographical Indication (GI) Tag to Matti Banana Variety of Kanniyakumari District
The Matti banana variety native to the Kanniyakumari district has been granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. These bananas thrive uniquely in the district’s climate and soil, resulting in a larger-than-human finger-sized fruit with a sweet aroma and honey-like taste.
Matti bananas are slightly larger-than-human finger-sized fruits with a sweet fragrance and honey-like taste that remains unmatched outside their native region.
There are six distinct types of Matti bananas, each boasting unique qualities in terms of color, aroma, and flavor.
6. India’s Anahat Singh Clinches Gold In Asian Junior Squash Championships
Anahat Singh secured the gold medal in the U-17 category of the prestigious Asian Junior Squash Individual Championships, a remarkable achievement that adds another jewel to her growing crown of accomplishments. The championship, held from August 16 to 20, showcased Anahat’s exceptional talent and determination as she emerged victorious on the court.
7. Mysuru Palace to Become Plastic Free
The iconic Mysuru Palace, a must-visit landmark for tourists, is set to achieve a significant milestone by becoming ‘plastic-free.’ This collaborative effort involves the Mysuru District Administration, Mysuru City Corporation (MCC), and Mysuru Palace Board.
Following the successful model at the Mysuru zoo, where plastic was phased out, the palace aims to implement a deposit-refund system for water bottles.
Visitors can deposit a nominal fee to carry a water bottle inside and receive a refund upon its return. The initiative aims to instill a sense of responsibility and consciousness among visitors to prevent littering and reduce plastic waste. Additionally, the MCC emphasizes waste segregation during events and gatherings to promote responsible disposal practices.
8. Uttarakhand Government’s Comprehensive Survey of Disaster-Prone Areas
The Uttarakhand government has taken steps to conduct a thorough survey of cities and towns prone to disasters, with tenders having been invited for the project.
The Director of Uttarakhand Landslide Mitigation and Management Centre, Shantanu Sarkar, noted that the survey process has commenced and will include geophysical and geo-mapping investigations of the areas. The initiative was prompted by the land subsidence crisis in Joshimath earlier this year.
The state government enlisted national-level technical institutes to assess various aspects of the subsidence, but their findings are pending. In light of Uttarakhand’s vulnerability to disasters, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed the need for evaluating load-bearing capacities in hill towns.
Monsoon-related incidents, including landslides and cloudbursts, have further highlighted the importance of such assessments.
9. BRICS’s New University Ranking System
Education ministers from the BRICS countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—have collectively decided to launch an independent university ranking system.
The move comes as a response to criticisms regarding existing rankings and their lack of comprehensive data. During a meeting held in South Africa’s Mpumalanga province, the ministers acknowledged the necessity for a reliable and relevant education framework in today’s global context.
The initiative stems from an agreement among departmental leaders, recognizing the limitations of current rating methods.
Russia’s Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education, Konstantin Mogilevsky, highlighted the need for a fresh evaluation framework based on objective, universally accepted data.
Representatives from all five countries’ Ministries of Education endorsed this idea, emphasizing qualitative benchmarks for the forthcoming rating system.
