Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban 2.0 Approved

• The Union Cabinet approved a new version of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) program, aimed at helping 10 million urban poor and middle-class families secure housing.
• PMAY-U, or the Prime Minister’s Housing Scheme, focuses on providing sturdy, weather-resistant homes to low-income urban residents.
• Launched in 2015, the original Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) sought to offer affordable housing for all by 2022, with financial support for home construction in urban and rural areas.
• The scheme has 2 components: PMAY-U for cities and PMAY-G for villages. Eligible families can receive interest subsidies on home loans up to ₹2.67 lakh.
•  The program, which covers towns from the 2011 Census and urban planning areas, emphasizes sustainable construction methods.
•  Families must belong to EWS, LIG, or middle-income groups and lack permanent housing.
• Additionally, the Credit Risk Guarantee Fund (CRGF) supports small and medium-sized businesses by providing loan guarantees, helping them access finance and mitigate risks, including loan defaults from natural disasters.

US Released $3.5 Billion Military Aid to Israel released by US

• The US State Department on August 10, 2024 announced the release of $3.5 billion in military aid to Israel, following Congressional approval.
• This funding is part of a larger $14 billion supplemental bill passed in April, 2023. The allocated money is intended for purchasing US-made weapons and military equipment.
• The approval came as Israel was actively involved in military operations in Gaza, reflecting the heightened tensions due to the ongoing conflict.

Bill Gates Foundation to setup FSTP at Sarovaram

• The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in partnership with the Habitat Charitable Trust, on August 10, 2024 has announced the construction of a Fecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) at Sarovaram.
• This initiative is a significant move to enhance sanitation and water hygiene in the area.
• The FSTP will be located at the site of the proposed Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) by the Kozhikode Corporation at Sarovaram, with a capacity of 200 KLD (0.2 MLD).
• The project, funded entirely by the ‘Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’ and ‘Habitat Charitable Trust’ comes with an investment of ₹36 crore, relieving the Kozhikode Corporation from any financial responsibilities.

India Named 3 Underwater Structures in the Indian Ocean (Environment and Ecology)

• Three underwater features in the Indian Ocean were officially named following India's proposals on August 10, 2024.
• The Ashoka Seamount, Chandragupt Ridge, and Kalpataru Ridge have been recognized by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC).
• Discovered in 2012 by the Russian research ship Akademik Nikolay Strakhov, the Ashoka Seamount spans about 180 square km.
• The Chandragupt Ridge, also found in 2012 by the same ship, covers 430 square km and may provide habitat and food for marine life. T
• These discoveries are part of the Indian Southern Ocean Research Programme, initiated in 2004.
• The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) in Goa leads these studies, which contribute to understanding marine ecosystems and enhance India's global scientific standing.

Exercise Udara Shakti 2024 Concluded (Defence)

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) team returned to India after participating in Exercise Udara Shakti 2024 in Malaysia, held from August 5 - 9 in Kuantan on August 10, 2024.
• This joint air exercise with the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) focused on enhancing cooperation between the two air forces.
•  The IAF deployed Su-30MKI fighter jets, while the RMAF used similar Su-30MKM fighters, facilitating effective collaboration.
• The exercise involved air combat missions, allowing pilots to understand each other’s tactics and procedures, thereby improving future joint operations.
• Additionally, technical experts from both air forces engaged in discussions on aircraft maintenance, sharing insights to keep their planes in top condition and boost overall mission readiness.

NSIL and MEA signed an MoU for the launch of the Munal Satellite (Space)

• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate the launch of Nepal’s Munal satellite on August 10, 2024.
• Developed by the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), the Munal satellite aims to create a vegetation density database for Earth’s surface.
• This project marks a significant milestone in space collaboration between Nepal and India.
• Designed and fabricated with the assistance of the space startup Antarikchya Pratishan Nepal (APN), the satellite is scheduled for launch aboard NSIL’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) soon.
• This agreement follows a launch service deal made during External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Nepal in January, reflecting the strengthening of Nepal-India relations in space research.

Manu Bhaker and PR Sreejesh to be the flag bearer of the India at Closing Ceremony of Paris Olympics

• The Indian Olympic Association has named hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and pistol shooter Manu Bhaker as co-flag bearers for India at the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games on August 10, 2024.
• PR Sreejesh, a prominent figure in Indian hockey, will share this honor with Manu Bhaker.
• PR Sreejesh’s outstanding contribution to Indian hockey, spanning over two decades, and his recent retirement after India’s bronze medal win make this recognition significant.
• Manu Bhaker, who earned bronze in the 10m air pistol women’s event and the 10m air pistol mixed team event, is honored for her exceptional performance, making her the first Indian athlete to win multiple medals at a single Olympics.

Indian Campaign concluded with a total of 6 medals

• India’s participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics officially ended on August 10, 2024, with a total of 6 medals.
• Wrestler Reetika Hooda, the last Indian competitor, was eliminated from the women’s 76 kg event after a quarter-final loss.
• She had initially defeated Hungary’s Bernadett Nagy but lost to Kyrgyzstan’s Aiperi Medet Kyzy by a tie-breaker, despite a 1-1 score.
•  Aman Sehrawat’s bronze in the men’s 57 kg event was India’s sole wrestling medal and the sixth overall, including 1 silver and 5 bronze.
• In golf, Aditi Ashok finished 29th after a final-round score of four-under-par 68, while Diksha Dagar placed 49th with a score of 14-over 301.

T.V. Somanathan

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved T.V. Somanathan’s appointment as Cabinet Secretary, effective from August 30, 2024, for a 2-year term on August 10, 2024.
• T.V. Somanathan, an officer from the 1987 batch of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS)  will also serve as Officer on Special Duty in the Cabinet Secretariat until he officially begins his role as Cabinet Secretary.

President Draupadi Murmu Awarded Highest Civilian Award of Timor-Leste

• President Draupadi Murmu received the prestigious Grand Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste, honoring her contributions to public service, education, social welfare, and women’s empowerment on August 10, 2024.
•  This award recognizes her long-standing dedication to improving public life.
•  During her visit, President Draupadi Murmu engaged in discussions with Timor-Leste's leadership about enhancing bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
• This visit marks the first time an Indian Head of State has traveled to the Southeast Asian country, highlighting the growing ties between India and Timor-Leste.
• The award underscores the respect and recognition she has earned on the international stage for her commitment to social causes and public service.

Shah Rukh Khan Honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award

• Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, known as the ‘King Khan,’ attended the 77th Locarno Film Festival and was honoured with a career achievement award on August 10, 2024.
• He delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech to an audience of 8000 at the festival’s Piazza Grande.
• In his address, Shah Rukh Khan emphasized that creativity is inseparable from love, a universal language understood by everyone globally.
• Shah Rukh Khan playfully struggled with the name of his award, the Pardo alla Carriera Ascona-Locarno Tourism, humorously renaming it the “Leopard award for being the most awesome in the world, in the history of humility and kindness and goodness.”

India’s Third largest Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh

• Chhattisgarh approved the creation of the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve in response to a severe decline in the state’s tiger population on August 10, 2024.
• This new reserve merges an existing national park with a wildlife sanctuary to enhance conservation efforts amid legal and environmental hurdles.
•  The reserve, merging Guru Ghasidas National Park and Tamor Pingla Sanctuary, spans 2829 square km across 4 districts.
• It will be the fourth tiger reserve in Chhattisgarh and the third largest in India, expected to boost eco-tourism and create local jobs.
• Additional funding from the National Project Tiger Authority will support the reserve’s projects.

Logistics Policy 2024 Approved by Maharashtra

• Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the Maharashtra Cabinet approved the Maharashtra Logistics Policy 2024 on August 10, 2024.
•  The policy aims to boost the state’s economy by generating approximately ₹30573 crore in revenue and creating about 500000 jobs over the next 5 years.
• The policy has several key objectives: reducing logistics costs by 4-5% from the current 14-15%, speeding up logistics processes, and implementing eco-friendly practices to cut carbon emissions.
• It plans to utilize advanced technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and smart logistics management systems to enhance efficiency and sustainability in the logistics sector.