Current Affairs - July 7, 2024 Current Affairs

The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) will come into effect from July 1, 2024. This law replaces the Indian Evidence Act and introduces provisions for electronic and digital records, expanding the scope of evidence that can be presented in court. Recently enacted three new criminal laws Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) are set to take effect from 1st July 2024, replacing the colonial-era Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and Indian Evidence Act. It aims to modernize the judicial process by allowing for the electronic recording of oral evidence and enhancing protections for victims, particularly in cases of offences like rape. The enactment marks a significant shift from colonial-era laws towards a justice system tailored to Indian needs and priorities.

Santhals rank as the third largest scheduled tribe in India, after Gonds and Bhils. They are predominantly found in Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha. The Santhali language, written in the Ol-Chiki script, is recognized as a scheduled language in the Indian Constitution.

INS Shivalik, described as an indigenous guided missile stealth frigate, took part in Exercise RIMPAC-24 at Pearl Harbour. RIMPAC is recognized as the world's largest international maritime warfare exercise, organized by the US Navy's Indo-Pacific Command and involving approximately 29 countries. This participation underscores India's naval engagement in multilateral exercises aimed at enhancing interoperability and maritime security cooperation with other nations across the Indo-Pacific region.

Archaeologists recently uncovered a 51,200-year-old cave painting in a limestone cave on Indonesia's Sulawesi island, making it the oldest known cave art discovered to date. This finding surpasses previous records by showcasing early narrative storytelling through visual art, providing insights into ancient human cultures and artistic practices. The dating method employed involved laser analysis of calcium carbonate crystals found on the pigment used in the painting, confirming its remarkable age and historical significance.

World Zoonoses Day is observed globally on July 6 each year to raise awareness about zoonotic diseases, which are infections that can be transmitted from animals to humans. This day serves to highlight the importance of understanding these diseases and implementing measures to prevent their spread, emphasizing public health awareness and veterinary care practices worldwide.

National Doctor’s Day in India is observed annually on July 1st to honour the birth and death anniversary of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, a distinguished physician and former Chief Minister of West Bengal. Established by the Government of India in 1991, this day recognizes the significant contributions of doctors and healthcare professionals towards the well-being of society. It serves as a reminder of their dedication and service, celebrated through various events nationwide.

India has been designated as a partner country by the U.S.-based Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA) for its human spaceflight program in collaboration with Blue Origin. This collaboration involves six citizen astronauts, including an Indian, who will undertake an 11-minute journey aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard suborbital rocket after undergoing training in West Texas.

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has partnered with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) as the Principal Partner for four years, supporting the Paris Olympics 2024 and Los Angeles Olympics 2028. BPCL, headquartered in Mumbai and under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, plays a significant role in this sponsorship, highlighting its commitment to promoting sports and athletes on an international stage.

India has initiated the Rupee-Kyat trade mechanism with Myanmar to enhance bilateral trade. This arrangement, facilitated by Punjab National Bank's Yangon office, marks a significant step in using local currencies for trade transactions between the two nations, focusing on goods like pulses.

India recently achieved a significant milestone by compiling a comprehensive checklist of its entire fauna, totalling 104,561 species. This achievement was announced during the Animal Taxonomy Summit 2024, highlighting India's commitment to biodiversity conservation and taxonomy. The effort, led by the Zoological Survey of India, underscores India's proactive approach towards understanding and documenting its rich biodiversity, essential for effective conservation and sustainable environmental management.

The 41,000-year-old ostrich nest was discovered in Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh. This finding provides significant evidence of ostriches' historical presence in southern India and contributes to the understanding of megafauna extinction theories related to human arrival in the region around 30,000 years ago.