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  • Current Affairs 9th August 2019

    Updated : 09-Aug-2019

    Current Affairs 9th August 2019 - Important Points

    • India’s 1st 3-D Smart Traffic Signal launched in - Mohali
    • Shah Rukh Khan awarded Excellence in Cinema award at - Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2019
    • Way to transform cactus leaves in Biodegradable Plastics discovered by - Scientist
    • Convention on International Settlement Agreements signed between UN and - India
    • 3 new Air-to-Air Missiles unveiled by - Iran
    • Vikram Sarabhai Journalism Award in Space instituted by - ISRO 

    Current Affairs 9th August 2019 - Details

    India’s 1st 3-D Smart Traffic Signal launched in - Mohali

    Mohali traffic police in Punjab have initiated India’s 1st wireless 3-D Smart Traffic Signal System known as Intelights. It suggests an Intelligent Traffic Timer Control to regulate traffic signals with smart bird’s eye view utilizing wireless sensor system. It has been installed at traffic light crossing near the Airport Road in Mohali on a pilot project grounds.
    More about Intelights

    • It has been devised by students of Chandigarh University following 3 years of intensive research. It
      suggests a 360-degree solution to control the increasing issue of traffic congestion.
    • It uses Dynamic Signal Control Technology to manage timers of red, yellow and green light signals
      as per to the traffic density at an intersection.
    • It utilizes present CCTV cameras to collect live traffic video feed, and involuntarily calculates the traffic density using Artificial Intelligence, and forms signal timers accordingly.
    • This process is recurring for every cycle of traffic lights to keep traffic moving smoothly.

    Did you know?

    One of the main reasons for traffic congestion is inefficient operation of traffic signal timers fitted at
    intersections. Presently, timers of traffic lights display predetermined value which results into waste
    of time.

    Shah Rukh Khan awarded Excellence in Cinema award at - Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2019

    Indian Bollywood Actor Shah Rukh Khan was awarded with ‘Excellence in Cinema’ award at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2019. He was awarded at iconic Palais Theatre in Melbourne, which is one of city’s heritage landmarks.
    Key Highlights

    • Shah Rukh Khan was also the chief guest at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne.
    • He was bestowed with the award by Linda Dessau, who is first female Governor of State of
      Victoria.
    • Festival paid tribute to actor’s continuous involvement to cinema and popular culture in India with
      award.
      Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM)
    • The festival will organise in between August 8th and August 15th and is held by Victorian government, Australia.
    • The year 2019 marks 10th edition of the festival in the cultural city of Australia.
    • Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2019 was observed with its central theme as “courage”.
    • During the festival above 60 films from all across India and subcontinent in more than 22 languages
      will be screened.

    Convention on International Settlement Agreements signed between UN and - India

    India inked United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements also called as Singapore Convention on Mediation. It was inked by India’s High Commissioner to Singapore Jawed Ashraf, representing Government of India. Till date, 46 nations have inked this international treaty on settlement pacts.
    Benefits for India
    It is predominantly significant for the growth of mediation in India and developing the ease of doing
    business in India particularly in the legal front. It will assist to encourage confidence of investors
    especially foreign investors investing in India. It will deliver positive sign to foreign investors about
    India’s promise for adhering to international practice on Alternative Dispute Resolution/External
    Dispute Resolution.
    More about UN Convention on International Settlement Agreement (UNISA)

    • It is also called as Singapore Convention on Mediation. In December 2018 United Nations General
      Assembly accepted The United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements
      Resulting from Mediation.
    • It delivers even framework for applying international settlement pacts which results from
      mediation. It also provides well-organized framework for permitting parties to invoke such
      agreements similar to framework that or Convention on Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign
      Arbitral Awards (New York, 1958 issues for arbitral awards.
    • It describes two extra grounds upon which a court may, on its own motion, refuse to sanction
      relief. Those two grounds relate to fact that a dispute would be conflicting to public policy/would
      not be capable of settlement by mediation.
    • It makes sure that parties reach a settlement that becomes binding and enforceable in agreement
      with easy and streamlined process.

    Significance
    It intends to become vital instrument that facilitates international business and in promotion of
    mediation as alternative and effective method of determining trade disputes. It also pursues to
    contribute to firming access to justice, and to the rule of law.

    Way to transform cactus leaves in Biodegradable Plastics discovered by - Scientist

    Scientist from Mexico has discovered way to transform cactus leaves into non-toxic and biodegradable material with same properties to plastic. This innovation proposes a promising solution to one of the world’s biggest pollution mysteries caused by toxic and non-biodegradable plastics.
    Process of transforming cactus leaves into Plastic
    The pulp of the cactus is strained to get a juice. Then it is further mixed with non-toxic additives and
    strained to produce sheets that are coloured with pigments and gathered to form different types of
    packaging materials. This material produced is non-toxic, environment friendly and biodegradable.
    Biodegradable plastic
    It is plastic made from all-natural plant materials including corn oil, orange peels, starch, and plants
    etc. It can decay naturally in the environment when microorganisms in the soil digest and break down the structure of biodegradable plastic.

    3 new Air-to-Air Missiles unveiled by - Iran

    Iran has revealed 3 precision-guided air-to-air missiles dubbed as Yasin, Balaban and new series of Ghaem. These missiles were revealed at the time when tensions among Iran and United States and its allies are at its top.
    More about Missiles

    • Yasin is smart, guided missile with foldable-wings that can be fired from a range of 50 kms of its
      target from manned/unmanned aircraft.
    • Balaban is guided by GPS and sensors. It is also loaded with foldable-wings and could be mounted
      under aircraft.
    • Ghaem is heat-seeking missile capable of hitting target within 50 cms of a target.
      Did you know?
      Rigidities among Iran and West have been increasing since USA under Donald Trump government
      had unilaterally pulled out of 2015 International Nuclear Agreement inked between Iran and world
      powers in 2018. Following this pulling-out this nuclear deal United States had re-imposed
      permissions for stepping up campaign of extreme pressure on Iran. Since May 2019, abundant
      ships have been targeted in mysterious attacks, United States military drone downed by Iran and
      United Kingdom oil tankers detained by Iran in the strategic waters of Strait of Hormuz, a vital
      corridor connecting oil producing nations in Middle East to markets in Asia, Europe and North
      America.

    Vikram Sarabhai Journalism Award in Space instituted by - ISRO 

    ISRO has inaugurated 2 categories of awards in journalism-Vikram Sarabhai Journalism Award in Space Science, Technology and Research. These awards were established as part of centenary year celebrations of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, father of Indian space program.
    More about Vikram Sarabhai Journalism Award in Space Science, Technology and Research

    • Objective behind this establishment is to recognize and reward journalists who have actively paid
      towards the field of space science, applications, and exploration.
    • Its recommendations are open to all Indians who have good experience in journalism. Articles
      issued between 2019-2020 will be taken under consideration.
      Category 1
    • Under it, 2 journalists/freelancers of print media will be bestowed. It carries cash price of Rs  500000, a medal and citation.
    • Nominated candidates for category 1 will be refereed on basis of articles or success stories issued in English, Hindi/even Regional languages in popular Periodicals, Science magazines/ Journals in India during year 2019-2020.
      Category 2
    • It carries cash prizes of  Rs 300000, 200000 and 100000 and citation each for journalists / freelancers of print media.
    • It will be bestowed to articles/success stories printed in English, Hindi/Regional languages in popular news magazines/newspapers in India during One year as per indicated in proposal.