Current Affairs - July 15, 2024 Current Affairs

Manvi Madhu Kashyap and two other transgender individuals made history by becoming the first transwoman sub-inspectors in Bihar Police. Despite facing rejection and discrimination from coaching centres in Patna, Kashyap's determination and perseverance led her to clear the Bihar Police Subordinate Selection Commission (BPSSC) exams. This achievement is a significant milestone for transgender rights and representation in law enforcement, demonstrating the potential of transgender individuals to contribute meaningfully to society if given equal opportunities.

The UAE has initiated the trial operation of the world's first 3D-printed electric abra, developed by Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority. This innovative abra, which retains the traditional abra identity, can carry 20 passengers and features an 11-meter-long monocoque structure, electric propulsion powered by two 10-kilowatt motors, and lithium batteries, showcasing the UAE's advancements in integrating new technologies with traditional designs.

SYNCHN 2024 was a significant industry meet hosted by India, organized by the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute under the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council, Department of Biotechnology. The objective of the meeting was to strengthen collaborations between academia and industry to advance biomanufacturing and bio-innovation. The event featured focused discussions and one-on-one interactions between industry representatives, with Prof. Vinod K. Paul, a Member of NITI Aayog, serving as the chief guest.

Uttarakhand inaugurated its first bird gallery at the Nature Education Centre in Dehradun. The gallery features high-resolution photographs of over 710 bird species found in the state, representing more than 50% of the bird species in India. This initiative aims to promote bird conservation and raise awareness about the state's rich avian biodiversity. The Monal, declared the state bird when Uttarakhand became a state in 2000, underscores the region's commitment to preserving its natural heritage.

Spain won the Euro 2024 Championship with a dramatic 2-1 victory over England at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. This victory marked Spain's fourth European Championship trophy, solidifying their status as the most successful nation in the tournament's history. The match saw Spain take the lead in the second half with a goal from Nico Williams, followed by England's equalizer from Cole Palmer. Spain ultimately secured their win, adding another title to their impressive record in the competition.

The Philippines has been chosen to host the "Loss and Damage" fund board, a key initiative designed to aid countries affected by climate change. This decision is significant as the World Bank will temporarily oversee the fund for the next four years. Despite some concerns regarding the influence of funding countries, particularly the U.S., this move highlights the Philippines' critical role in global climate change mitigation efforts. The fund's administration will be conducted under the overarching guidance of the UNFCCC, headquartered in Bonn, Germany since 1996.

World Youth Skills Day is observed annually on July 15th. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014 to emphasize the importance of equipping young people with essential skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship. This global platform highlights the pivotal role that youth skills play in fostering peace and driving sustainable development. By recognizing this day, societies worldwide aim to address issues such as violent conflicts, online negativity, and economic inequality that disproportionately affect youth.

India Champions emerged victorious in the World Championship of Legends 2024 by defeating Pakistan Champions by five wickets in a thrilling match held at Edgbaston on July 13, 2024. This victory highlighted the intense rivalry and competitive spirit between the two cricketing nations. The match saw significant contributions from both sides, but ultimately, India's consistent performance led them to clinch the title, showcasing their dominance in the tournament.

Jio Financial Services has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to transition from a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) to a Core Investment Company (CIC). This transition will allow Jio Financial Services to consolidate its various business verticals, such as lending, asset management, and insurance, into separate subsidiaries under the CIC structure. The announcement of this approval led to a significant increase in the company's share value, reflecting positive market reactions to the news.

The Indian government has appointed Robert Jerard Ravi as the new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), effective from July 15, 2024. Ravi, a seasoned telecom professional, succeeds P K Purwar, whose term ended on July 14, 2024. Ravi brings 34 years of experience in the telecom sector, including roles at BSNL and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), as well as serving as an advisor at the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). This leadership change marks a new chapter for the state-run telecom operator.

Sudarsan Pattnaik, an acclaimed Indian sand artist from Puri, Odisha, clinched the prestigious Golden Sand Master award at the International Sand Sculpture Championship held in St Petersburg, Russia. Renowned for his intricate sand sculptures depicting cultural and social themes, Pattnaik has earned global recognition and accolades, including India's Padma Shri award in 2014. His win in Russia further underscores his artistic prowess and contribution to the art of sand sculpting on the international stage.

KP Sharma Oli was sworn in as Nepal's Prime Minister for the fourth time on July 15, 2024. He leads Nepal’s largest communist party and has previously served in this role from 2015 to 2016 and from 2018 to 2021. Oli's appointment follows the loss of confidence by his predecessor, Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', and marks a critical juncture in Nepal's political landscape as he aims to secure a vote of confidence from Parliament within 30 days of his appointment.

IIT Delhi will host the DD-Robocon India 2024 competition in association with Prasar Bharati. The event aims to foster technical skill development, innovation, and teamwork among engineering students across India. It provides a platform for showcasing and advancing participants’ capabilities in robotics, with the winning team earning the opportunity to represent India at the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Robocon 2024 in Vietnam, highlighting the prestigious nature of the competition.

The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors approved $1.5 billion in financing on June 28 to help India accelerate the development of low-carbon energy. This funding aims to promote green hydrogen, scale up renewable energy, and stimulate finance for low-carbon investments. This operation is part of a series to support reforms and initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and boost renewable energy integration in India, including incentives for battery energy storage and amendments to the Indian Electricity Grid Code.

The first World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) will be held in Goa from November 20-24. This event, announced by I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, aims to strengthen the ecosystem for intellectual property rights in the media and entertainment sector. It will coincide with the International Film Festival of India, also held in Goa, from November 20-28. The summit is part of India's efforts to position itself as a global leader in the media and entertainment industry, encouraging high-quality content creation and meaningful collaborations.

The second regional event of the ‘Hamara Samvidhan Hamara Samman’ campaign will take place in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh on 16th July 2024. This event commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Indian Constitution's adoption and aims to promote understanding of the Constitution and legal rights. It will feature the launch of a dedicated portal and various sub-campaigns to raise awareness. The event includes prize distribution for online competition winners and recognition of pro bono advocates from the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad.