Current Affairs One - Liner : 3rd August 2024

Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force officer, has been selected as the prime astronaut for the groundbreaking ISRO-NASA mission to the International Space Station (ISS). This mission, known as Axiom-4, is a collaboration between India and the United States.

On August 1, 2024, RBL Bank became the first private sector bank in India to integrate both Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) features into their RuPay Credit Cards. This innovative integration allows cardholders to make payments via UPI and enjoy hassle-free travel using the NCMC feature.
The Income Tax Department achieved a remarkable milestone by receiving 7.28 crore income tax returns (ITRs) for the assessment year 2024-25, surpassing last year’s total. Notably, 5.27 crore filings were made under the new tax regime, with a peak of 69.92 lakh submissions on the deadline day. Additionally, 58.57 lakh returns came from first-time filers, indicating a broader tax base.

Globally, India ranks as the second-largest aluminum producer. Aluminum is a versatile industrial metal used in various applications, from cans and foils to kitchen utensils and airplane parts. China leads the world in aluminum production, but India has steadily increased its output, reaching 4 million metric tons in 2022.
The Indian government has permitted 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) via the automatic route for the aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sector. This policy change aims to enhance the competitiveness of the Indian MRO industry, foster innovation, and create a robust aviation sector.

Indian scientists at the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology in New Delhi recently unveiled an improved genome-editing system. This system, based on the FnCas9 enzyme from Francisella novicida bacteria, surpasses existing CRISPR technologies in precision and accuracy.

The 5th ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) Joint Committee and related meetings took place at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia from July 29th to August 1st, 2024. This meeting marked a significant milestone in enhancing economic cooperation between ASEAN and India. During the meeting, delegates from all 10 ASEAN countries and India participated.

Earth Overshoot Day for 2024 is on August 1. This is the date when humanity's demand for ecological resources and services in a given year exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year. It serves as a stark reminder of the unsustainable rate at which we are consuming the planet's resources. The concept of Earth Overshoot Day is calculated by the Global Footprint Network. The theme for this day is #MoveTheDate.

Dr. Grinson George assumed the position of Director at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) on August 1, 2024. With over two decades of experience in fishery research, he previously led CMFRI’s Marine Biodiversity and Environment Management Division.

Questions:

1 Which country is the largest producer of aluminum globally?

2 Who assumed the position of Director at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) on August 1, 2024?