Current Affairs - July 16, 2024 Current Affairs

IIT Madras, through its CESSA (Centre of Excellence in Sports Science and Technology) initiative, presented a strategy at the 'Sports Tech Start Up Conclave' in New Delhi aimed at leveraging technology to advance India's standing in chess. The plan includes employing high-performance computing and AI to enhance fan engagement, detect cheating, and refine grassroots training programs. This initiative underscores IIT Madras's commitment to integrating technological innovations into sports development, particularly in enhancing strategic aspects of competitive gaming like chess.

The Indian government has released $2.5 million as the first tranche of its annual contribution of $5 million for the year 2024-25 to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA). This financial support aims to assist in providing essential services such as education, healthcare, relief, and social services to Palestinian refugees. India has been a consistent supporter of UNRWA's core programs, underscoring its commitment to the welfare of Palestinian refugees amidst ongoing conflicts.

The ICC Annual Conference 2024 will be held in Sri Lanka from July 19th to 22nd. This is a historic event as it marks the first time the International Cricket Council (ICC) is hosting its Annual Conference in the Asian region. The conference will bring together over 220 delegates from 108 ICC member countries, highlighting the global nature of cricket and its growing prominence in Asia. Key discussions will include strategic direction, governance, and cricket’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

India has launched its first national toll-free anti-narcotics helpline, numbered 1933, under the initiative named MANAS (Madak Padarth Nisedh Asuchna Kendra). This helpline, launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, aims to combat drug-related crimes and support the goal of a 'Nasha Mukt Bharat' by 2047. It offers a confidential and user-friendly platform for citizens to report issues related to drug trafficking, illegal sale, storage, manufacturing, and cultivation of narcotics.

Nagaland is set to enhance its economic prospects with the harnessing of the Tizu Zunki River, as announced by Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal. The development plans include utilizing the river for cargo and passenger transport, along with initiatives to enhance tourism by developing community jetties and introducing Ro Pax ferries on the Doyang River Lake. This initiative is part of National Waterway 101, reflecting ongoing efforts to utilize water resources for economic and tourism development in the region.

In June 2024, India's Wholesale Price Index (WPI) experienced a year-on-year increase of 3.36%. This rise was primarily driven by higher prices in food articles, manufactured food products, crude petroleum & natural gas, and mineral oils. The overall WPI for all commodities increased to 153.9, based on the 2011-12 base year, marking a 0.39% rise from May 2024. The significant factors contributing to this inflation rate include a noticeable increase in the prices of primary articles and manufactured products.

The 'Saushrutam 2024' seminar, celebrating Sushruta Jayanti, was hosted by the All-India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in New Delhi. The event took place from July 13 to 15, 2024, and featured live surgical demonstrations and expert discussions. The seminar honoured Sushruta, the father of surgery, and provided a platform for medical professionals to observe complex surgical procedures. This gathering of notable dignitaries and experts underscored the importance of both traditional and modern surgical techniques in contemporary medical practice.

India is set to host the second Asia Pacific ministerial conference on civil aviation on September 11 and 12, with representatives from around 40 countries, including China and Pakistan. The conference will be held in the national capital and is a significant event for the Asia Pacific region, which accounts for a large portion of global air traffic. This highlights India's position as the world’s fastest-growing aviation market and its role in advancing civil aviation in the region.

The 45th Scientific Assembly of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) was hosted in Busan, South Korea. This marked the first time South Korea hosted this global space research conference, which drew 3,000 participants from 60 nations. The event showcased South Korea's commitment to space exploration, with plans for ambitious projects and fostering international cooperation in space research. Distinguished attendees included leaders from major space agencies, emphasizing the global interest and collaboration in the field.

New Zealand scientists may have made a breakthrough after discovering a spade-toothed whale washed up on a South Island beach. This species, considered one of the rarest in the world, has never been observed alive, making its population size, diet, and habitat largely mysterious. The discovery, based on the whale's distinctive physical features, including its skull, beak, and teeth, highlights ongoing efforts to understand marine biodiversity in the southern Pacific Ocean.

NLC India Ltd. has secured the rights to the Machhakata coal mine in Odisha, which holds substantial reserves of 1.38 billion tonnes. This acquisition is part of NLC's strategy to bolster India's energy security by increasing coal production capacity to over 100 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) by 2030, up from the current 50 MTPA. The development is expected to significantly contribute to Odisha's economic growth through increased mining activity and resource utilization.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is set to launch the ‘One Scientist, One Product’ scheme on July 16, coinciding with its 96th foundation day celebrations. This initiative aims to revolutionize agricultural and animal husbandry research in India. The event, held in Delhi, will highlight ICAR’s commitment to advancing agricultural science and technology, with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan presiding over the inauguration. The scheme represents a significant step forward in promoting innovation and progress in the agricultural sector.

Sembcorp Industries has launched a ₹36,238 crore green hydrogen project in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi district. This project, developed in collaboration with Tecnimont and Nextchem for engineering design, aims to establish a green ammonia plant in India. Additionally, partnerships with Japanese firms are set to facilitate the export of green hydrogen to Japan, underscoring Tamil Nadu's pivotal role in advancing sustainable energy solutions and fostering international collaborations in the green technology sector.

OpenAI is leading the development of the "Strawberry" project, which focuses on advancing AI's reasoning capabilities. Previously known as Q*, this initiative aims to equip AI with autonomous deep research abilities, enabling it to autonomously navigate the internet, solve complex problems, and achieve human-like reasoning skills. This project represents OpenAI's ongoing efforts to push the boundaries of artificial intelligence and its applications in various domains.

The ICAR Foundation and Technology Day 2024 is observed on July 16th. This event marks the celebration of the 96th Indian Council of Agricultural Research Foundation and Technology Day at the Dr. C. Subramaniam Auditorium, NASC Complex, New Delhi. The event will be inaugurated by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, showcasing the importance and advancements in agricultural research and technology in India.