Current affairs 24 August 2023

The US's FDA approved first respiratory syncytial virus vaccine.

• The United States of America’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine for use in women during pregnancy to protect the baby.
• Aim: To prevent lower respiratory tract infection and severe disease in infants until they are six months old.
• This vaccine has been developed by Pfizer and the approval allows the vaccine to be given to women 32 to 36 weeks of pregnancy.

China launches Gaofen Earth-observation satellite.

• China sent a new Earth observation satellite Gaofen-12 04 into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China.
• The satellite, Gaofen-12 04, was launched by a Long March-4C carrier rocket and has entered the planned orbit successfully.
• It will be used in a variety of fields, including land surveys, urban planning, road network design, crop yield estimation and disaster relief.
• The launch marks the 484th flight mission of the Long March series carrier rockets.

Sachin to be National Icon for voter awarenes and Education for EC of India.

• Bharat Ratna awardee Sachin Tendulkar would begin a new inning as the National Icon for voter awareness and education for the election commission of India.
• MoU will be signed with Sachin for a period of three years in the presence of Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar in New Delhi.
• Aim: To bridge the gap between citizens, especially youth and urban populations, and the electoral process thereby, trying to address the challenges of urban and youth apathy.

Khelo India Women’s League officially be known as Asmita Women's League.

• Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh has announced that the Khelo India Women’s League will officially be known as Asmita Women's League.
• ASMITA refers to Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action.
• The Asmita Portal serves as a comprehensive resource, offering valuable insights into upcoming leagues among other features.
• It will enable any school, college, government, or private organization to host the 'Asmita Women's League.

India bagged gold and silver at World Para Powerlifting Championships 2023.

• Honey Dabas and Rahul Jograjiya clinched first-ever gold and silver respectively in the junior men’s 72kg category at the World Para Powerlifting Championships 2023 in Dubai.
• Dabas lifted a best total of 135kg while Jograjiya had his best total lift of 132kg.
• Dabas has two gold medals from the Dubai 2022 Fazza World Cup.
• India’s only medal at a World Championships has been claimed by Parmjeet Kumar (men’s -49kg) at the Tbilisi 2021 World Championships.