Today in History (July 4^th, 1776)

US Independence Day 2024, 4th July: US Independence Day, celebrated annually on July 4th, is a significant national holiday in the United States that commemorates the country’s declaration of independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776.

Let’s revise

1) In India first Copyright Act was passed in ______
Ans. 1957

2) What is the primary goal of generative AI?

1. Classify data into categories
2. Generate new data similar to existing data
3. Optimize logistics and supply chains
4. Predict stock market trends

Ans. (2)

3) What distinguishes generative AI from traditional AI?

1. Generative AI only works with images
2. Generative AI can create new content, while traditional AI primarily focuses on recognizing patterns and making decisions
3. Traditional AI is a subset of generative AI
4. Traditional AI can only work with structured data

Ans. (2)

4) The Digital Personal Data Protection Act was enacted in______
Ans. 2023

5) Which law introduces the “right to erasure“ as well as “right to be forgotten”?
Ans. Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023

6) The SCO summit is being hosted in July 2024 by which country?
Ans. Kazakhstan

7) Who represented India in SCO summit July 2024?
Ans. S. Jaishankar

8) The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO is a permanent intergovernmental international organization established in_____
Ans. 2001

9) SCO is headquartered in_______
Ans. Beijing, China

10) Before the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation was conceptualized it was an informal concept known by the name_______
Ans. Shanghai five

Summary of Today’s News

PM speaks about Manipur and NEET

• In his first detailed remarks on the Manipur conflict in Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the need to rise above politics to restore peace in the state.
• Highlighting the deep-rooted social tensions in Manipur, Modi noted that significant efforts are being made by both the central and state governments to bring normalcy, with a focus on cooperation and community engagement.
• He also mentioned the reduction in violence and ongoing support to manage potential flooding. Additionally, Modi addressed NEET examination irregularities, assuring strict action against wrongdoers and criticizing the Congress party for its historical actions and governance approach.

Clean Air Cities at Higher Risk from Pollution Spikes, Study Reveals

• A study published in The Lancet Planet Health indicates that spikes in air pollution in Indian cities with cleaner air, like Bengaluru, can lead to higher increases in death rates compared to cities with more polluted air, such as Delhi.
• However, cities with higher pollution loads still see a greater overall fraction of deaths attributable to air pollution, with 11.5% of annual deaths in Delhi linked to pollution, compared to 4.8% in Bengaluru.
• The study, which analyzed data from 10 cities, found that daily deaths rose by 1.42% for every 10 microgram per cubic meter increase in PM 2.5 levels over a two-day period.
• The risk of mortality increased more quickly at lower PM 2.5 levels and remained high even below the Indian national air quality standard.

Smart Cities Mission Extended to March 2025

• The Indian government’s Smart Cities Mission (SCM), which began in June 2015, has been extended until March 31, 2025. This extension aims to allow the completion of the remaining 10% of projects, delayed due to various on-ground conditions.
• Under the SCM, 100 cities are being developed with an investment of Rs. 1.6 lakh crore, out of which 90% of projects have been completed, amounting to Rs. 1,44,237 crore.
• The mission, with a budget allocation of Rs. 48,000 crore, has released 97% of the funds, and 93% of these funds have been utilized to date. This extension will not involve any additional costs beyond the approved financial allocation.