National News
SEHER Credit Education Program Launched To Empower Women Entrepreneurs
SEHER, a credit education program launched on July 8, by the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) and TransUnion CIBIL, will empower women entrepreneurs in India with financial literacy content and business skills. It helps them to access the financial tools they need to drive further growth and create employment in the country’s economy.
Haj Committee Now Under Minority Affairs Ministry
The government has designated the Ministry of Minority Affairs as the nodal ministry for the Haj Committee, taking over from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). This change includes new rules and the nomination of officers from various ministries to the committee.
Sixteenth Finance Commission Constitutes Five-Member Advisory Council
The Sixteenth Finance Commission has constituted an advisory council with five members to advise the Commission on any of the Terms of Reference (ToR) or related subjects. The Finance Commission, as per the ToR, will also suggest measures to augment the Consolidated Fund of a State to supplement the resources of panchayats and municipalities.
States News
Uttar Pradesh Launches ‘Mitra Van’ Initiative Along Borders
The Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has unveiled a major environmental initiative called ‘Mitra Van’ (Friendship Forest) as part of the Vriksharopan Jan Abhiyan-2024. This ambitious project aims to enhance greenery along the borders of Uttar Pradesh, including its international border with Nepal.
BSF Organises “Grow with the Trees” Plantation Drive in Srinagar
The Border Security Force (BSF), in collaboration with the State Bank of India (SBI), organized the “Grow with the Trees” plantation drive at the BSF Headquarters in Srinagar. The initiative aimed to create a greener environment and promote the importance of tree plantation, involving BSF officials, jawans, SBI officials, and school children.
International News
Hong Kong, And Singapore Most Expensive Cities To Live In The World
Hong Kong, Singapore and Zurich are currently the costliest cities for international workers in 2024, according to Mercer’s cost-of-living data report. These three cities have maintained their positions in Mercer’s rankings from the previous year. On the other hand, the cities with the lowest living costs are Islamabad, Lagos, and Abuja.
Appointments News
Supreme Court Appoints Former CJI to Head VC Selection Committee in West Bengal
On July 9, 2024, a division bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice K V Vishwanatahn, passed an order appointing former Chief Justice of India, Uday Umesh Lalit, as the chairman of the search and selection committee for appointing vice-chancellors in West Bengal’s state-run universities.
Dr. Soumya Swaminathan Appointed as Principal Adviser for National TB Elimination Programme
Prof. (Dr.) Soumya Swaminathan has been appointed as the Principal Adviser for the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme at the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. This high-profile appointment underscores the Indian government’s commitment to eradicating tuberculosis as a public health threat.
IEX Board Announces Key Leadership Appointments
The board of Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) has approved the reappointment of Satyanarayan Goel as its Chairman and Managing Director for a three-year term starting August 10, 2024.
Agreements News
India and Russia Aim for $100 Billion Trade
India and Russia have set a target to increase bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030, emphasizing economic collaboration in energy, trade, manufacturing, and fertilizers. Discussions included balancing trade, reducing non-tariff barriers, and exploring an India-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Area.
Defence News
Azerbaijan Army Participates in “Birlestik-2024” Joint Military Exercises in Kazakhstan
Azerbaijan Army servicemen have arrived in Kazakhstan to take part in the “Birlestik-2024” operational-tactical command-staff exercise. This joint military drill, scheduled from July 11 to July 17, will be conducted at the Oymasha training ground and Cape Tokmak in the Caspian Sea. The exercise is part of a collaborative effort between the Defense Ministries of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Banking News
RBI Approves Govind Singh’s Re-Appointment as MD & CEO of Utkarsh SFB
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the re-appointment of Govind Singh as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Utkarsh Small Finance Bank (Utkarsh SFB). His new term will commence on September 21, 2024, and will last for three years.
Summits and Conferences News
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to Lead Indian Delegation to BRICS Parliamentary Forum
Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, will head a prominent Indian parliamentary delegation to the 10th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia. The forum aims to explore the role of parliaments in advancing global development and security through multilateral cooperation.
Sports News
Gagan Narang Appointed as India’s Chef-De-Mission for Paris Olympics 2024
Four-time Olympian and 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Gagan Narang has been appointed as India’s Chef-De-Mission for the 2024 Paris Olympics. This decision comes after Mary Kom’s resignation from the position due to health issues.
PV Sindhu, Sharath Kamal confirmed as India’s flag bearers for Paris Olympics
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has announced that India will continue the tradition of having two flag bearers for the Paris 2024 Olympics, following the precedent set at Tokyo 2020. PV Sindhu, the badminton ace, has been chosen as the female flag bearer for the Indian contingent. Sharath Kamal, the veteran table tennis player, will serve as the male flag bearer.
Jasprit Bumrah and Mandhana Clinch ICC Player of the Month Awards
Jasprit Bumrah, the hero of India’s victorious T20 World Cup campaign, has added another accolade to his illustrious career. He was named the ‘ICC Men’s Player of the Month for June’, cementing his status as one of cricket’s premier fast bowlers. Smriti Mandhana, the vice-captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, secured her first ICC Women’s Player of the Month award. Her stellar performance was instrumental in India’s clean sweep over South Africa in the recent ODI series.
Gautam Gambhir Appointed Head Coach of India Men’s Team
The Cricket Advisory Committee comprising Mr Ashok Malhotra, Mr Jatin Paranjpe and Ms Sulakshana Naik on July 9, unanimously recommended Mr Gautam Gambhir as the Head Coach of Team India (Senior Men). The former India batter will take charge from the upcoming away series against Sri Lanka where Team India are set to play 3 ODIs & 3 T20Is starting July 27.
Adani Group Announced as Principal Sponsor for Indian Team at 2024 Paris Olympics
In a significant development for Indian sports, Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, has declared that the conglomerate will be the principal sponsor of the Indian contingent at the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. This announcement marks a pivotal moment in the preparation of Indian athletes for one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events.
Science and Technology News
ISRO Selects 2 Gaganyaan Astronauts For International Space Station Mission Under Axiom-4
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has shortlisted two of its four trained Gaganyaan astronauts for a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in collaboration with United States’ NASA later this year, according to officials in the know of the matter. Only one of the shortlisted astronauts will go on the mission which is supposed to take place “no earlier than October 2024,” according to the information available on NASA website.
Obituaries News
Gajinder Singh Khalsa, Passed Away in Pakistan
Dal Khalsa founder and patron Gajinder Singh Khalsa reportedly died of a heart attack at a hospital in Pakistan on June 4. He was 74. Dal Khalsa is yet to confirm his death. He is survived by his daughter.
