Titbits:
1. Japan has issued its first-ever advisory on the
heightened risk of a "megaquake" following a strong magnitude 7.1
earthquake along the Pacific coast’s Nankai Trough. This advisory highlights
the potential for a much larger and more destructive earthquake in the near
future.
2. The Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy
Committee (MPC) has decided to maintain the benchmark interest rates unchanged
for the ninth consecutive meeting due to persistent inflationary pressures,
especially from food prices. The decision highlights ongoing concerns about
consumer confidence and inflation expectations.
3. Recently, The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024,
was introduced in the Lok Sabha. The Bill aims to enhance banking governance,
improve reporting consistency to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and provide
better protection for depositors and investors. It seeks to improve audit
quality in Public Sector Banks and extend the tenure of directors (excluding
the chairperson and whole-time director) in cooperative banks.
4. Adivasis have been included as persons professing
the Hindu religion in the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, the government
told the Parliament. The Minister’s response comes amid the ongoing debate over
whether Adivasis, or tribal people, of the country can be categorised as
practising Hindus.
5. The Perseid meteor shower is a popular phenomenon
where meteors fall to Earth from space during a specific season. This year's
peak is expected to occur on August 11th and 13th. The
Perseid meteor shower is caused by the comet Swift-Tuttle. Swift-Tuttle was
discovered independently by two astronomers, Lewis Swift and Horace Tuttle, in
1862.