NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. JP Nadda launches National STOP Diarrhoea Campaign 2024: Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda has launched the National STOP Diarrhoea Campaign 2024 at a function in New Delhi. He launched the campaign by distributing oral rehydration salts (ORS) and zinc tablets to children in presence of Minister of States for Health Anupriya Patel and Patraprao Jadhav. The two-month campaign will begin from the 1st of July and continue till the 31st of August. The goal behind the STOP Diarrhoea Campaign is to attain zero child deaths due to childhood diarrhoea. While the existing diarrhoea strategy entailed a two-week campaign, the new strategy involved a two-month long campaign with the pre-positioning of two ORS packets and zinc as a co-packaging for under-5 children.
2. Kerala’s Kozhikode becomes India’s first UNESCO ‘City of Literature’: Kozhikode in north Kerala, known for its rich cultural heritage, was officially declared as India’s first UNESCO ‘City of Literature’. The state government also announced that from coming year, June 23 will be celebrated as the ‘City of Literature’ Day of Kozhikode. In October 2023, Kozhikode had earned a place in the ‘Literature’ category of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). While Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh made it to the coveted list in the ‘Music’ category, Kozhikode earned the place in the ‘Literature’ category.
3. Om Birla elected as the speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha: A member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate, Om Birla was re-elected speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha. He was elected by voice vote after the opposition party did not press for the counting of votes. Om Birla was also the speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha. Om Birla is the 17th person to be elected as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. According to Article 93 of the constitution, members of the Lok Sabha are to elect a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker from among the members of the House. The Speaker and Deputy Speaker are elected by a simple majority.
4. Aditya Birla AMC reappointed A Balasubramanian as MD & CEO for 3 years: Aditya Birla Sun Life Asset Management Company (ABSLAMC) has reappointed A Balasubramanian as its Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for three years, effective from July 25, 2024. Balasubramanian, who brings over three decades of extensive experience, has been associated with ABSLAMC since 1995. Prior to assuming the role of CEO in 2009, he served as Chief Investment Officer from 2006 to 2009. Under his leadership, ABSLAMC currently oversees assets under management exceeding Rs 3.20 lakh crore.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Srinagar gets tag of ‘World Craft City’, fourth from country: Srinagar has become the fourth Indian city to be recognised as a ‘World Craft City’ by the World Craft Council (WCC), three years after it was designated as part of the UNESCO Creative City Network (UCCN) for crafts and folk arts. Jaipur, Malappuram and Mysore are the other Indian cities that have previously been recognised as World Craft Cities. As of now, at least 10 different forms of craftsmanship survive in Srinagar and its suburbs, including papier-mâché, walnut wood carving, carpets, Sozni embroidery and Pashmina and Kani shawls.
2. Paraguay becomes 100th member of International Solar Alliance: Paraguay has become the 100th country to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as a full member. The South American nation officially handed over its Instrument of Ratification to the ISA in New Delhi. The ISA, co-founded by India and France during the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, aims to promote solar energy deployment worldwide. It serves as a collaborative platform for member countries to increase energy access, ensure energy security, and drive the transition towards sustainable energy sources.
3. 26 June – International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking: International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed every year on 26 June. This day is popularly known as World Drug Day. Objective – To raise awareness about the global fight against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking. Theme 2024 – The evidence is clear: invest in prevention The United Nations established the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on 7 December 1987.
4. 26 June – United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture: United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is celebrated every year on 26 June. The UN General Assembly proclaimed 26 June the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, with a view to the total eradication of torture and the effective functioning of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment generally known as the Torture Agreement, entered into force on June 26, 1987. This was a step towards recognising that torture is universally banned. Ten years later, on June 26, 1997, the United Nations General Assembly formally designated the day as the International Day.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani as the next Vice Chief of Army Staff: Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani is set to be the next Vice Chief of Army Staff with the government clearing his appointment to the post. The officer, who is presently helming the Army’s Central Command, will succeed Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi. Lt Gen Dwivedi, currently serving as the Vice Chief, will be the next Chief of the Army Staff when incumbent Gen Manoj Pande retires on June 30. Lt Gen Subramani has a distinguished and illustrious military career spanning more than 37 years. Lt Gen Subramani has the distinction of commanding a battalion during ‘Operation Rhino’ in Assam, an infantry brigade along the International Boundary with Pakistan and a ‘Black Cat’ division in Northeast India. He also commanded Uttar Bharat Area in 2020 and the premier Kharga Corps at Ambala.
SPORTS
1. Indian clinches 11 Medals at Under-17 Asian Wrestling Championships in Amman: India concluded their campaign at the Under-17 Asian Wrestling Championships in Amman, Jordan, on a resounding note. The young Indian contingent clinched a total of 11 medals, including four gold, two silver, and five bronze medals. Women wrestlers grabbed all four gold medals. Dipanshi in 46 kg, Muskan in 53 kg, Rajnita in 61 kg, and Mansi Lather in 69 kg delivered stellar performances in their respective weight categories to clinch the yellow metal. Raja Bala had to settle for a silver in the 40 kg category, despite her valiant efforts. On the men’s front, Samarth Gajanan Mhakave bagged a silver medal in the fiercely contested 55 kg category. While Akash in 65 kg, Sachin Kumar in 71 kg, Bikash Kacchap in 48 kg, Tushar Tukaram Patil in 60 kg, and Ronak in 110 kg showcased their prowess by clinching bronze medals.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. S&P Global Ratings retains India’s growth forecast for FY25 at 6.8%: The S&P Global Ratings retained its growth forecast for India at 8 per cent for FY25, citing high interest rates and lower fiscal boost tempering demand in the non-agricultural sectors. For FY26 and FY27, S&P projected India’s economy to grow at 6.9 per cent and 7 per cent, respectively. The rating agency expects the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to reduce its policy rate to 6 per cent in the current financial year from 6.5 per cent at present. Additionally, it anticipates further cuts in the lending rate to 5.5 per cent and 5.25 per cent in 2025-26 and 2026-27, respectively.
2. HDFC Bank launches digital investment platform SmartWealth: HDFC Bank has launched a new digital investment platform to take wealth services to every Indian and make investments simple and transparent. Incorporating cutting-edge technology, the HDFC Bank SmartWealth comes loaded with first-ever features that allow investors to make the right investment decisions and plan their financial journey. It has been developed with first-time investors in mind, built with smart intelligence and has pioneering tools that allow users to make the right investment decisions to plan their finances. Users can create SmartJars, which gives users personalised portfolio plans that can be modified or paused anytime.
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