27th-29th July, 2024

1. IAEA and UNOSSC to Enhance Collaboration for South-South Cooperation
2. Shekhar Kapur has been named the Festival Director of IFFI.
3. Hindustan Zinc launched ‘EcoZen’, Asia’s first low-carbon green zinc.
4. Himachal Pradesh CM released the autobiography ‘Ek Refugee Scientist’ by Dr. MK Shingari.
5. The 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas was observed on July 26, 2024.
6. July 26, 2024, was marked as the International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems.
7. Insurtech startup Covrzy got a broking license from IRDAI.
8. The RBI canceled the license of Mahabhairab Cooperative Urban Bank Ltd., Tezpur, Assam.
9. EQT Private Capital Asia sold its entire 7.89% stake in RBL Bank for Rs 1,091 crore.
10. Indian astronauts discovered a giant planet named ‘Epsilon Indi Ab’, orbiting a star like the Sun.
11. The 86th CRPF Foundation Day was celebrated on July 27, 2024.
12. The Goa CM launched the ‘Goem Vinamulya Vij Yevjan’ initiative to promote solar energy adoption.
13. Lithium resources were discovered in Mandya and Yadgiri districts of Karnataka.
14. UNESCO released a ‘Sport and Gender Equality Game Plan’.
15. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) became an attached office of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
16. Moidams were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as India’s 43rd entry.
17. India and the USA signed their first-ever ‘Cultural Property Agreement’.
18. The GROWTH-India telescope in Ladakh captured images of a 116-meter asteroid during its closest approach to Earth.
19. According to the WTO’s ‘World Tariff Profiles’ report, India was the second-largest user of NTMs in 2023.
20. The Saint Hilarion Monastery/Tell Umm Amer in Palestine was added to UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Danger.
21. India opened a new resident mission in Latvia

National News

1. IAEA and UNOSSC to Enhance Collaboration for South-South Cooperation
   • What
     • The IAEA and UNOSSC have signed an agreement to launch new joint activities aimed at enhancing collaboration.
     • These activities include joint workshops, outreach events, and a new publication.
   • Why
     • The collaboration aims to strengthen the IAEA’s technical cooperation programme, enhancing its impact and supporting sustainable development.
     • It seeks to link the IAEA more closely with the international community of South-South practitioners.
   • Tell me more
     • The agreement includes an action plan with clear goals for new products and initiatives.
     • The IAEA will participate in UNOSSC programmes like the ‘Data to Policy Network’ and ‘Solutions Lab’ over the next year.
     • Workshops for national policymakers will focus on climate action success stories adaptable to various countries’ needs.
     • The ‘Solutions Lab’ will identify areas where nuclear science can complement conventional techniques.
       Source: IAEA
2. I4C Becomes Attached Office of Home Ministry
   • What
     • The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has been restructured as an attached office of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) effective July 1, 2024.
   • Why
     • The reorganization aims to provide I4C with greater operational autonomy and resources, allowing it to function independently and address cybercrime challenges more effectively.
   • Tell me more
     • I4C, initially established as a scheme in October 2018 with an estimated cost of ₹415.86 crore, was aimed at improving coordination among law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to combat cybercrime.
     • The center was inaugurated by Home Minister Amit Shah in January 2020 with an outlay of ₹340 crore and set up the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal in August 2019.
     • The conversion to an attached office means I4C is now directly under MHA, bypassing the delays associated with scheme approvals and project extensions.
     • The budget allocated for I4C remains ₹150.95 crore, but it will now be included under the main MHA expenditure budget instead of a separate scheme/project allocation.

3. India and US Sign First Cultural Property Agreement
   • What
     • India and the US have signed their first-ever Cultural Property Agreement (CPA) to prevent and curb the illicit trafficking of antiquities from India to the US.
   • Why
     • The agreement aims to protect India’s cultural heritage by addressing the illegal trade of antiquities and facilitating the repatriation of cultural artifacts.
   • Tell me more
     • The agreement was signed on July 26, 2024, during the 46th World Heritage Committee session in New Delhi.
     • The CPA aligns with the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the illicit import, export, and transfer of cultural property.
       Source: HT
4. India Opens New Embassy in Latvia
   • What
     • India has inaugurated its new resident mission in Riga, Latvia, effective July 25, 2024.
   • Why
     • The new mission aims to expand India’s diplomatic presence, enhance political relations, and boost bilateral trade and economic engagements with Latvia.
   • Tell me more
     • Latvia’s Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins visited India in February 2024 for the Raisina Dialogue and noted positive developments in India-Latvia and EU-India relations.
     • The Indian mission in Latvia will play a role in India’s political outreach in multilateral forums.

Source: ANI

State News

1. Goa Launches Solar Rooftop Initiative
   • What
     • Chief Minister Pramod Sawant launched the ‘Goem Vinamulya Vij Yevjan’ initiative in Goa.
   • Why
     • The initiative aims to enhance solar rooftop capacity and empower residential households in Goa to generate their own electricity, aligning with the Prime Minister’s Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
   • Tell me more
     • The ‘Goem Vinamulya Vij Yevjan’ is part of a broader scheme with a total outlay of Rs 75,021 crore, set to be implemented until FY 2026-27.
     • The Goa government is investing Rs 35 crore in this scheme, and the Goa Energy Development Agency will cover the balance cost of rooftop installations up to 5 kW for consumers who used 400 or fewer units of electricity in the last year.
     • Chief Minister Sawant encouraged residential consumers to take advantage of this initiative for potential zero electricity bills.
       Source: ANI
2. Discovery of 1,600 Tonnes of Lithium in Karnataka
   • What
     • Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh announced the discovery of 1,600 tonnes of lithium resources in Karnataka.
   • Why
     • The discovery is significant for India’s renewable energy sector as lithium is crucial for battery production and energy storage.
   • Tell me more
     • The lithium resources were discovered in the Marlagalla area of Mandya district.
     • The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) is exploring other potential geological domains, including parts of Korba district in Chhattisgarh.
     • AMD has identified major mica belts in Rajasthan, Bihar, and Andhra Pradesh, and pegmatite belts in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Karnataka as prospective areas for lithium.
     • In Himachal Pradesh, AMD identified surface uranium occurrence in the Masanbal area of Hamirpur district, although no studies have been conducted for an atomic energy plant there.
       Source: ET

3. Moidams of Assam Added to UNESCO World Heritage List
   • The Moidams – the mound-burial system of the Ahom Dynasty from Assam – has been officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as of July 26, 2024.
   • This marks the third World Heritage Property from Assam, joining Kaziranga National Park and Manas Wildlife Sanctuary.
   • Saint Hilarion Monastery in Palestine, also known as ‘Tell Umm Amer’, has also been added by UNESCO to its World Heritage List.
   • The announcement was made during the ongoing 46th session of the World Heritage Committee at New Delhi.
     Source: PIB
4. GROWTH-India Telescope Captures Close Encounter with Asteroid
   • What
     • The GROWTH-India telescope at the Indian Astronomical Observatory in Ladakh captured an image of a building-sized asteroid as it approached closest to Earth.
   • Why
     • The observation aimed to track the asteroid’s movement and provide detailed data on its trajectory and speed as it neared Earth.
   • Tell me more
     • The asteroid, approximately 116 meters in size, was observed at a distance of about 10 times the distance between the Earth and the Moon.
     • The GROWTH-India telescope recorded the asteroid’s rapid motion, causing background stars to appear as streaks of light.
     • The Space Technology and Astrophysics Research (STAR) lab is based at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay.
       Source: HT

International News

1. UNESCO Unveils Sport and Gender Equality Game Plan
   • What
     • UNESCO has introduced the Sport and Gender Equality Game Plan to address gender equity issues in sports.
   • Why
     • The initiative aims to tackle urgent challenges such as gender-based violence in sports, high dropout rates of teenage girls, and the underrepresentation of women in sports leadership roles.
   • Tell me more
     • UNESCO recommends six measures: changing mentalities through sport, ensuring equal media coverage, establishing and enforcing regulations, bolstering reporting mechanisms, investing in education and training, and incorporating survivor voices.

Source: UN

Banking and Economy

1. Hindustan Zinc Launches EcoZen ‘Green’ Zinc
   • What
     • Hindustan Zinc has launched EcoZen, a new low-carbon ‘green’ zinc brand.
     • EcoZen is certified as Asia’s first low-carbon ‘green’ zinc.
   • Why
     • It is part of Hindustan Zinc’s journey to become Net Zero by 2050.
   • Tell me more
     • EcoZen has a carbon footprint of less than one tonne of carbon equivalent per tonne of zinc produced.
     • The carbon footprint is about 75% lower than the global average.
     • It is manufactured using renewable energy.
     • Primary applications include galvanization of steel, infrastructure, automotive, renewable energy, electronics, hi-tech manufacturing, energy storage, defence, and electric mobility.
     • The new product will avoid about 400 kg of carbon emissions per tonne of steel galvanized.

2. Covrzy Secures Insurance Broking Licence from IRDAI
   • What
     • Bizcovr Insurance Broking, which operates Covrzy, has received a direct broking (general) licence from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
     • This licence allows Covrzy to offer a full range of business insurance solutions in India.
   • Tell me more
     • Covrzy, founded in 2023 by Ankit Kamra, provides a comprehensive platform for managing the insurance cycle from discovery to claims.
     • The platform is currently web-based and serves startups and small businesses.
     • The company collaborates with insurers like ICICI Lombard and Bajaj Allianz.
       Source: ET
3. RBI Cancels Licence of The Mahabhairab Cooperative Urban Bank
   • What
     • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cancelled the licence of The Mahabhairab Cooperative Urban Bank based in Tezpur.
     • The cancellation is effective from the end of business on July 24, 2024.
   • Tell me more
     • Following the licence cancellation, the Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Assam, will be requested to wind up the bank and appoint a liquidator.
     • The bank’s current financial status prevents it from paying its depositors in full.
     • Depositors are eligible for insurance claims up to Rs 5 lakh from the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).
       Source: ET
4. EQT Private Capital Sells Entire Stake in RBL Bank
   • What
     • EQT Private Capital Asia, previously known as Baring Private Equity Asia, has sold its entire 7.89% stake in RBL Bank for Rs 1,091 crore.
     • The shares were sold through an open market transaction on the BSE by EQT’s vehicle, Maple II BV.
   • Why
     • The sale was part of EQT Private Capital Asia’s exit strategy from its investment in RBL Bank.
   • Tell me more
     • Societe Generale and Morgan Stanley Asia Singapore Pte acquired 1,95,99,054 shares, equivalent to a 3.23% stake, at an average price of Rs 446.85 per share.
     • RBL Bank’s share price fell by 2.95% to close at Rs 230.40 on the BSE.
     • Baring Private Equity Asia, now EQT Private Capital Asia, invested Rs 999 crore in November 2020 to acquire a 9.44% stake in RBL Bank.
       Source: BS
5. India Ranks Second in Anti-Dumping Duties Initiation
   • What
     • India was ranked second, behind the US, in initiating and imposing anti-dumping duties among WTO members in 2023.
   • Why
     • The increase in anti-dumping measures aims to protect local industries from unfair competition by foreign suppliers who sell goods at below-market prices.
   • Tell me more
     • Countervailing duties are imposed to counteract the effects of foreign government subsidies that harm domestic industries.
     • Safeguard duties protect local industries from surges in imports of specific products.
       Source: FE

Science and Technology

1. Indian Astronaut Discovered A Giant Planet ‘Epsilon Indi Ab’
   • What
     • An international team, including Dr. Prashant Pathak from IIT-Kanpur, discovered a giant exoplanet, Epsilon Indi Ab (Eps Ind Ab), orbiting a Sun-like star.
     • The exoplanet, six times the mass of Jupiter, is the first mature exoplanet found using direct imaging.
     • The discovery, made with the James Webb Space Telescope, was published in Nature.
   • Tell me more
     • The JWST’s Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI) was used to detect the planet through direct imaging, a technique necessary due to the planet’s long orbital period of approximately 200 years.
     • Elisabeth Matthews from the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy led the research team.
       Source: ET

Important Days

1. Kargil Vijay Diwas 2024: 25th Anniversary Celebrations
   • What
     • Kargil Vijay Diwas 2024 is observed on July 26, marking the 25th anniversary of India’s victory in the Kargil War of 1999.
     • Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Drass in Ladakh to honor the anniversary.
   • Why
     • It celebrates the successful culmination of Operation Vijay, which reclaimed territories in Kargil from Pakistani forces.
   • Tell me more
     • The Kargil War occurred from May to July 1999 between India and Pakistan over territorial disputes.

2. International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystem – July 26
   • 26 July is celebrated as the International Day for Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems as declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2015.
     Source: DTE

3. CRPF Foundation Day (86th edition) – July 27
   • What
     • The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) celebrated its 86th Foundation Day.
   • Why
     • The celebration marks the force’s evolution from its establishment as the Crown Representatives Police to its current status as a major central police force under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
   • Tell me more
     • Established on July 27, 1939, initially as the Crown Representatives Police, the CRPF was renamed on December 28, 1949, following the enactment of the CRPF Act.
     • The CRPF is now a significant internal security force comprising 246 battalions and is divided into four zones: Jammu, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Guwahati.
     • The CRPF’s key roles include maintaining law and order, counter-insurgency operations, anti-Naxal activities, VIP security, critical infrastructure protection, election security, environmental protection, disaster management, and UN peacekeeping missions.
     • Notable specialized units within CRPF include the Rapid Action Force (RAF), Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), VIP Security Wing, and Mahila Battalions.

Source: PIB

Appointments

1. Shekhar Kapur Appointed IFFI Festival Director
   • What
     • Veteran filmmaker Shekhar Kapur has been appointed as the festival director for the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
     • He will head the festival for the 55th and 56th editions.
   • Why
     • It is a commitment and responsibility entrusted to him by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.
   • Tell me more
     • The festival is held annually in Goa.
     • Shekhar Kapur, 78, is known for influential films like “Mr India”, “Bandit Queen”, “Elizabeth”, and its sequel “Elizabeth: The Golden Age”.
     • Recently, he directed the British comedy “What’s Love Got to Do with It?”.

Source: TH

Miscellaneous

1. Himachal CM Launches Autobiography of Dr. MK Shingari
   • Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu released the autobiography ‘Ek Refugee Scientist’ by Dr. MK Shingari.
   • ‘Ek Refugee Scientist’ is Dr. Shingari’s fifth book.
     Source: ANI

Start Quiz of 27th-29th July 2024 on Mobile

Start Quiz of 27th-29th July 2024 on Desktop