Current Affairs - July 14, 2024 Current Affairs

ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund has pioneered the Indian investment landscape by launching the ICICI Prudential Nifty Oil & Gas ETF. This ETF, the first of its kind in India, tracks the performance of the Nifty Oil & Gas TRI. The Nifty Oil & Gas Index includes up to 15 stocks from the National Stock Exchange, ensuring a diversified exposure by capping the weight of individual companies and the top three companies in the index. This launch offers investors a structured and diversified investment option within the crucial oil and gas sector.

The Border Security Force (BSF) and the State Bank of India (SBI) jointly organized the "Grow with the Trees" plantation drive at the BSF Headquarters in Srinagar to promote environmental sustainability. The initiative involved BSF officials, jawans, SBI officials, and school children, aiming to create a greener environment and foster community participation in tree-planting activities. The collaboration reflects SBI's commitment to environmental responsibility and community service.

ICICI Lombard has launched 'Elevate', an AI-powered health insurance plan designed to provide personalized solutions for various health needs, including dynamic lifestyles, medical emergencies, and addressing medical inflation. The plan aims to leverage artificial intelligence to enhance customer experience and provide comprehensive coverage tailored to individual healthcare requirements.

India observes 'Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas' (Constitution Murder Day) annually on June 25. This day commemorates the sacrifices made during the 1975 Emergency period, emphasizing the struggle to uphold democracy and individual freedom. The decision to observe this day aims to honour those who endured persecution and to ensure that such oppressive actions do not recur in India's democratic history. The Emergency, spanning from June 25, 1975, to March 21, 1977, remains a significant chapter in India's political and constitutional history, shaping subsequent governance and citizen rights awareness.

Russia has been upgraded from an upper-middle-income to a high-income country by the World Bank, despite ongoing Western sanctions. This economic milestone reflects Russia's development and economic growth, positioning it in the category of high-income nations according to World Bank classifications. The upgrade signifies significant economic progress for Russia, marking a shift in its global economic standing and potential implications for international economic relations and policies.

PV Sindhu, renowned for her achievements in badminton, has been selected as India's female flag-bearer for the Paris Olympics. She has distinguished herself by winning medals at prestigious events like the Olympics and the BWF World Championships, including a historic gold in 2019. Sindhu's accolades also include being the first Indian badminton world champion and achieving consecutive Olympic medals, marking her as a pivotal figure in Indian sports and global badminton.

India has approved the signing of the High Seas Biodiversity Agreement, which aims to promote the sustainable use and protection of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, commonly referred to as the 'High Seas'. Led by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, India's decision underscores its commitment to international efforts under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to safeguard marine biodiversity and ensure responsible ocean governance.

Indiabulls Housing Finance has rebranded itself as Sammaan Capital following approvals from the Registrar of Companies and the Reserve Bank of India. The newly named entity, Sammaan Capital, will specialize in retail lending, particularly focusing on affordable home loans and mortgage-backed loans for MSMEs. It plans to operate under an asset-light model and collaborate closely with banks and financial institutions to expand its market presence.

The International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica is observed on July 11. This date was designated through a resolution sponsored by Germany and Rwanda to remember the tragic events of the Srebrenica genocide during the Bosnian War. In July 1995, the Bosnian Serb army captured the town of Srebrenica, leading to the massacre of thousands of Bosnian Muslim men and boys and the forced displacement of many others. Recognized as genocide by international judicial bodies, this day serves as a somber reminder of the atrocities and the need for ongoing reflection and commemoration.

Kerala achieved the milestone of preparing Peoples Biodiversity Registers (PBR) across its local self-government bodies with the assistance of local communities. These registers document information on various biodiversity aspects, including wild, aquatic, urban, and agro biodiversity, along with traditional knowledge and current usage patterns. This initiative aimed at the conservation and sustainable management of biodiversity within the state.