NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Tata Power launches ‘Ghar Ghar Solar’ initiative in Uttar Pradesh: Tata Power Solar Systems Limited has launched the ‘Ghar Ghar Solar’ initiative in Uttar Pradesh aimed at providing every home with clean energy through rooftop solar solutions. Starting from Varanasi, the ambitious initiative of ‘Ghar Ghar Solar, Tata Power Ke Sang’ promises substantial financial savings and environmental benefits for residents through state-of-the-art Rooftop Solar Solutions (RTS). Consumers in the state can avail a maximum subsidy of up to Rs.1,08,000 on rooftop solar installation. It will comprise Central Govt. subsidy of Rs 78000 for up to 3 kW and a maximum of Rs 30,000 (Rs 15,000 per kW) for up to 3kW by the State Govt., which will be over and above the Central Govt. subsidy.
2. IEX board reappoints SN Goel as CMD, promotes Rohit Bajaj as joint MD: Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) board approved the proposal to reappoint Satyanarayan Goel as its Chairman and Managing Director and to appoint Rohit Bajaj as its Joint Managing Director. The board also approved the appointment of Rajeev Gupta as the Non-Executive Independent Director of the company. The board unanimously agreed to reappoint Goel as the Chairman & Managing Director for three years from August 10.
3. Soumya Swaminathan appointed as Principal Advisor to Union Health Ministry: Former Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research and World Health Organisation’s Chief Scientist Dr. Soumya Swaminathan has been appointed as the Principal Adviser at the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) for the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP). She will be serving in MoHFW on a pro bono basis. Swaminathan will be based out of Chennai, where she heads the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation that works on issues of agriculture and climate change. As the Principal Adviser for the NTEP, Dr. Swaminathan will provide technical advice on the overall strategy to achieve goals, suggest policy directions and necessary course corrections for optimal outcomes, and advise on research strategy. India accounts for 25% of world’s TB burden and over 25 lakh new cases of TB were notified in 2024 in India, according to the India TB report released by the Centre.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India ranks fifth in GenAI innovations, China leads: India ranks fifth in Generative AI (GenAI) innovations, trailing behind China, the US, Republic of Korea, and Japan. India has filed 1,350 patents related to Generative AI from 2014 to 2023. The country ranks fifth globally in total number of GenAI patents, following China (38,210), the US (6,276), Republic of Korea (4,155), and Japan (3,409). India has surpassed the UK (714 patents) and Germany (708 patents) in the number of GenAI patents published. Chinese companies Tencent, Ping an Insurance Group, and Baidu have published the most GenAI patent families in the last decade. No Indian entities are in the top 20 GenAI patent owners.
2. India, Russia to boost bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030: India and Russia have announced an initiative to develop strategic areas of economic cooperation to achieve a bilateral trade target of $100 billion by 2030. The initiative was announced after the 22nd edition of the annual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. In addition, India and Russia signed a number of MoUs between institutions on climate change, polar research, legal arbitration and pharmaceutical certification and other issues. Earlier, addressing about 500 members of the Indian diaspora in Russia, Mr. Modi announced that Russia had agreed to India’s request to open two new consulates in Kazan and Yekaterinburg to help facilitate services for the growing community.
3. 10 July – Global Energy Independence Day: Global Energy Independence Day is observed every year on July 10. Objective – To promote awareness for alternative forms of energy. The day also offers opportunities to learn more about renewable forms of energy, such as solar, wind, and geothermal. In 2006, Michael D. Antonovich proclaimed July 10th as Global Energy Independence Day. At the time, Antonovich served as a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
The date of July 10th coincides with the birthday of Nikola Tesla, who was born in 1856. Tesla is a Serbian-American inventor born in Croatia.
4. 10 July – Chronic Disease Awareness Day: Chronic Disease Awareness Day is observed every year on 10 July. Chronic Disease Awareness Day is dedicated to increasing awareness about chronic diseases, their impact, causes, symptoms, and prevention. Chronic refers to something that happens continuously for a prolonged period of time. Hence, a chronic disease or chronic health condition is a disease lasting for more than three months.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. BSF organizes “Grow with the Trees” plantation drive in Srinagar: Border Security Forces (BSF) in association with SBI Bank has organized a “Grow with the Trees” plantation drive at BSF Headquarters in Srinagar. The initiative is expected to not only help create a more sustainable environment but also foster a sense of community and teamwork among the participants. The aim of the plantation is to make the campus here greener and to reduce the impact caused by global warming on the planet.
2. Central Asian countries conduct first war games without Russia or China: The exercises, named Birlestik-2024, which means “alliance” in Kazakh, are hosted by Kazakhstan and include four other ex-Soviet states. The drills, taking place in the Caspian Sea, will run until July 17, involving around 4,000 troops along with warships, aviation, artillery, and tanks. The participating countries are Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, with Turkmenistan notably absent. Additionally, Azerbaijan, a Caucasus country, is participating in these exercises. The absence of Russia, which is currently engaged in the conflict in Ukraine, marks a notable shift in the regional military dynamics. The exercises will focus on “liberating an island captured by terrorists” and conducting operations to ensure maritime security and protect critical infrastructure.
SPORTS
1. Gautam Gambhir appointed India men’s cricket head coach: Gautam Gambhir, the former India opening batter, has been appointed as the India men’s cricket team’s head coach. The former India cricketer will replace Rahul Dravid whose tenure came to an end after the T20 World Cup 2024. Gambhir, in his first international coaching assignment, has been handed a long rope, having been handed charge of the team till the end of 2027. India became the first team ever to win the T20 World Cup title without losing a single game. The Rohit Sharma-led side played some brilliant cricket and claimed the title by beating South Africa in the final.
2. Jasprit Bumrah, Smriti Mandhana named ICC Player of the Month for June: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed the winners of the ICC Player of the Month awards for June 2024 with India’s Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana both emerging victorious. Bumrah was crowned Player of the Tournament following India’s triumphant campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies, and follows this feat with another personal honour, claiming his first ICC Men’s Player of the Month award. Mandhana also won her maiden ICC Women’s Player of the Month award after her scintillating batting performances lit up India’s ODI series victory over South Africa. The double-win marks the first time the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month represent the same country since the awards began in 2021.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. ICICI Prudential MF launches India’s first oil & gas ETF: ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund has launched the ICICI Prudential Nifty Oil & Gas ETF, India’s first exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the oil and gas sector. The scheme will track the Nifty Oil & Gas TRI, an index that reflects the performance of listed sector companies. This is an open-ended scheme, meaning investors can redeem their units at any time. The Nifty Oil & Gas Index comprises a maximum of 15 stocks listed on the National Stock Exchange. The selection ensures that no single company holds more than 33 per cent of the weight and the combined weight of the top three companies does not surpass 62 per cent of the index. This ensures a balanced and diversified exposure.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Maharashtra bags the Best Agriculture State Award for 2024: Maharashtra has won the Best Agriculture State Award for 2024. The announcement was made by the 15th Agriculture Leadership Awards Committee, headed by Justice P Sathasivam, former Chief Justice of India and Governor of Kerala. The Maharashtra chief minister, Eknath Shinde, received the award at a function in New Delhi. Maharashtra has been chosen for this award for its innovative agricultural and rural initiatives. The award recognizes the Maharashtra government’s innovative policies and high-impact developmental initiatives, which have led to the advancement of agricultural and rural prosperity in the state.
2. PM Modi received Russia’s Highest Civilian Honor for Exceptional Service: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received the Order of St Andrew the Apostle the First-Called at the Moscow Kremlin’s St Catherine’s Hall. It was bestowed upon PM Modi in 2019 for his significant role in enhancing the strategic partnership and friendly relations between Russia and India.
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