Today's Current Affairs 10th August 2023

INTERNATIONAL

Pakistan parliament dissolved to set stage for national election

• In a significant political development, Pakistan’s President took the step of dissolving the country’s parliament as per the recommendation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
• The lower house of the Parliament’s five-year term is due to end on August 12. This move comes at a critical juncture as Pakistan grapples with both political and economic challenges.
• The decision to dissolve the parliament was executed just three days prior to the culmination of the current parliamentary term. As part of the process, a caretaker administration will be established, jointly chosen by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and a representative from the outgoing parliament’s opposition leadership.

NATIONAL

Number of elephants in Karnataka has gone up by 346

• According to a report on Asian Elephant population and demography 2023, the state of Karnataka has witnessed a remarkable increase in elephant population.
• The number of elephants in Karnataka has surged from an estimated 6,049 in 2017 to an impressive 6,395, making it the highest elephant-populated region in the country.

Anantnag’s Mushqbudji rice, Rajouri Chikri woodcraft receive GI Tag

• In a significant recognition of local craftsmanship and agricultural heritage, the Geographical Indication (GI) Tags have been bestowed upon Rajouri Chikri Wood Craft from Rajouri district and the prized Mushqbudji Rice variety from Anantnag district.
• These labels signify the unique nature and exceptional qualities of these products, tracing their origins to specific regions. This achievement is a result of a collaborative effort involving NABARD, the Department of Handicrafts & Handloom, and the Department of Agriculture, commencing in December 2020.

ISB inks MoU with Goa government for knowledge partnership

• The Bharti Institute of Public Policy, a renowned think tank under the Indian School of Business (ISB), and the Government of Goa have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a knowledge partnership.
• This strategic alliance is geared towards advancing evidence-based policy formulation and fostering impactful governance in the state of Goa.
• Under the terms of the MoU, the Bharti Institute of Public Policy will join forces with the Goa Institute of Public Administration and Rural Development to conduct specialized workshops. These workshops are aimed at enhancing the capabilities of state officials, empowering them with the tools to create and implement evidence-backed policies effectively.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

SBI Life gets IRDAI approval for appointment of Amit Jhingran as MD & CEO

• Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) approved the appointment of Amit Jhingran as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for SBI Life Insurance Company Limited.
• Amit Jhingran has over three decades of experience in the insurance sector and serves as the Assistant General Manager of the Hyderabad Circle.
• He joined the company in 1991 as a probationary officer and has been with SBI Life since then. Amit Jhingran had also held the post of CEO of SBI, Chicago.

RANKING

Srinagar Tops In Implementing JJM Among Har Ghar Jal Certified Districts In India

• The Srinagar district has become the highest-performing district under the Jal Jeevan Survekshan (JJS-2023), outshining 114 Har Ghar Jal certified villages across India.
• The district’s achievements include Har Ghar Jal certification, meticulous water quality testing through laboratories and Field Test Kits (FTKs), specialized training for women to effectively utilize FTKs, and comprehensive skill training for Operations and Maintenance (O&M) staff.
• The Jal Jeevan Mission was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2019. Its goal is to provide adequate quantities of clean, safe, and pressurized drinking water on a consistent basis.

Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu top 3 states with maximum Jan Dhan

• In the fiscal year 2022-23, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu emerged as the leading three states in terms of the most number of beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana.
• The aim of the “Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is to ensure equitable access to a range of financial services, including the availability of fundamental savings accounts, access to customized credit, seamless remittance capabilities, insurance coverage, and pension benefits for underserved segments, notably weaker sections and low-income groups.

• State	Beneficiary Rank	Beneficiary Count	Fiscal year	Scheme Impact
  Bihar	1st	84, 89,231 individuals	2022-23	Exemplary success underscores scheme triumph, inclusive growth
  Uttar Pradesh	2nd	68, 08,721 individuals	2022-23	Penetration in populous regions, financial stability, self-sufficiency
  Tamil nadu	3rd	64,06,513 individuals	2022-23	Impact in developed economic landscape widespread scheme reach

India Trails Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh On Internet Resilience: Report

• India, a rapidly developing nation in the realm of technology and connectivity, has achieved an overall score of 43 percent in the Internet Resilience Index (IRI). This achievement positions India as the sixth-ranked country in the South Asian region.
• The IRI, developed by the global non-profit organization Internet Society, provides a comprehensive assessment of a country’s internet ecosystem, taking into account factors such as security, performance, infrastructure, and market readiness.

Rank	Country	Internet Resilience Index (IRI) Ranking
1	Bhutan	58 percent
2	Bangladesh	51 percent
3	Maldives	50 percent
4	Sri Lanka	47 percent
5	Nepal	43 percent

BANKING AND ECONOMY

Airtel Payments Bank Launches Eco-Friendly Debit Card

• India’s first payment bank, Airtel Payment Bank also became the first Indian Bank to launch an eco-friendly debit card for its new and existing customers with a savings bank account.
• The debit cards will be crafted from recycle- Poly Vinyl Chloride (r-PVC) material, a certified eco-friendly material, against normal PVC cards.
• The introduction coincides with the Bank’s dedication to sustainability and its drive to advocate for environmentally conscious practices within the financial industry.

Pentagon considers Australia as testing ground for advanced weapons

• Australia’s involvement in the AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom, United States) pact has gained attention due to its potential role as a testing ground for advanced hypersonic and long-range precision weapons.
• The agreement, initially focused on supplying Australia with nuclear-powered submarines, has evolved to address the growing influence of China in the Asia-Pacific region. U.S. Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth highlighted Australia’s unique contributions and the collaborative nature of the pact.