DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: July 11, 2024

UNESCO Designates 11 New Biosphere Reserves

Tags: place in news

UNESCO has designated 11 new Biosphere Reserves (BR) in 11 countries, which includes 2 transboundary biosphere reserves.

An Overview of the News

• Belgium and Gambia have, for the first time, had their biosphere reserves included in UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

• The World Network of Biosphere Reserves now includes 759 sites across 136 countries, with 24 of these being transboundary sites.

Approval and Meeting Details

• The 11 new BRs were approved during the36th session of the International Coordinating Council (ICC) of UNESCO's Man and Biosphere (MAB) programme, which took place in Agadir, Morocco, from 2nd to 5th July, 2024.

Newly Approved Biosphere Reserves

• The newly approved biosphere reserves cover a combined area of 37,400 square kilometers, approximately the size of the Netherlands.

• The Kempen-Broek transboundary BR (shared by Belgium and the Kingdom of the Netherlands) and the Julian Alps transboundary BR (shared by Italy and Slovenia) are the two transboundary BRs among the 11 new designations.

• In addition to Belgiumand Gambia, the other new biosphere reserves are located in Colombia, Dominican Republic, Italy, Mongolia, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Slovenia, and Spain.

• Note: 12 biosphere reserves from India have been internationally recognized under the MAB Programme.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Launches Two Engaging Coffee Table Books

Tags: Books and Authors

On July 9, 2024, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin launched two English-language coffee table books at a significant event held in Chennai. 

An Overview of the News

• The ceremony took place at the Secretariat and was organized in collaboration with The Hindu Group of Publications.

The two books released are:

• 'Folk Deities of Tamil Nadu: Worship, Tradition and Custom':

  • Explores cultural practices and rituals of indigenous deities in Tamil Nadu.

  • Offers a detailed examination of traditions and customs.

  • Provides insights into the rich cultural heritage of the region.

  • Highlights the significance of folk deities in Tamil Nadu's culture.

• 'Forts of Tamil Nadu: A Walk-Through':

  • Highlights historic forts in Tamil Nadu.

  • Details architectural significance and historical importance.

  • Serves as a comprehensive guide to the state's historical landmarks.

  • Ideal for enthusiasts of Tamil Nadu's history and heritage.

Dignitaries and Ceremony Details

• K. Ramachandran: The Minister for Tourism received the first copy of 'Forts of Tamil Nadu: A Walk-Through'.

• P.K. Sekarbabu: The Minister for HR & CE was presented with the inaugural copy of 'Folk Deities of Tamil Nadu: Worship, Tradition and Custom'.

• Nirmala Lakshman: The Chairperson of The Hindu Group (THG) Publishing Private Limited was present during the book release ceremony. 

Tasnim Mir and Tharun Mannepalli Win Titles at Saint-Denis Reunion Open 2024

Tags: Sports

Indian badminton players Tasnim Mir and Tharun Mannepalli won the women's and men's singles titles, respectively, at the Saint-Denis Reunion Open 2024.

An Overview of the News

• The Saint-Denis Reunion Open 2024 (3rd Edition) was held from 3rd to 7th July 2024.

• The tournament took place in Saint-Denis, Réunion Island, which is a French department in the Indian Ocean.

• The 3rd edition of the Saint-Denis Reunion Open featured a total prize pool of USD 25,000.

Tasnim Mir:

• Secured her 3rd International Challenge title.

• Won Iran Fajr International and India Chhattisgarh International in 2022.

• First Indian to achieve world no. 1 in under-19 girls' singles BWF junior rankings in 2022.

• Current world ranking: 63 in Women's Singles.

Tharun Mannepalli:

• Secured his second international title in 2024.

• Won Kazakhstan International Challenge in April 2024.

• Current world ranking: 99 in Men's Singles.

Badminton Tournament Results

• Men's Singles

  • Winner: Tharun Mannepalli (India)

  • Runner-Up: Yudai Okimoto (Japan)

• Women's Singles

  • Winner: Tasnim Mir (India)

  • Runner-Up: Rakshitha Sree (India)

• Men's Doubles

  • Winners: Julien Maio and William Villeger (France)

  • Runners-Up: Prakash Raj and Gouse Shaik (India)

• Women's Doubles

  • Winners: Kaho Osawa and Mai Tanabe (Japan)

  • Runners-Up: Julia Meyer and Leona Michalaski (Germany)

• Mixed Doubles

  • Winners: Julien Maio and Lea Palermo (France)

  • Runners-Up: William Villeger and Flavie Vallet (France)

About the Tournament:

• Event: 3rd BWF Saint-Denis Reunion Open 2024

• Level: Grade 3 international badminton tournament

• Prize Pool: USD 25,000

• Tour: Part of the Badminton Confederation Africa tour of the BWF

• Organization: Managed at the continental level by member national associations

• Location: Gymnase Champ Fleuri, Saint-Denis

• Significance: Unique setting for international badminton in the Western Indian Ocean region

ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund Launches India's First Oil & Gas Sector ETF

Tags: National News

ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund (MF) has launched India's first Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) focused on the oil and gas sector, named the ICICI Prudential Nifty Oil & Gas ETF.

An Overview of the News

• This open-ended ETF tracks the Nifty Oil & Gas Total Return Index (TRI), which reflects the performance of companies within the sector.

• Public subscription for this scheme began on July 8, 2024, and will close on July 18, 2024.

• After this period, the scheme will re-open for continuous sale and repurchase within five days from the date of allotment.

• The scheme carries a very high risk rating.

• There is no assurance or guarantee that the scheme's investment objective will be achieved.

• The fund is managed by Nishit Patel and Priya Sridhar.

ICICI Prudential Nifty Oil & Gas ETF Key Points:

• Investors can participate in the scheme with a minimum investment of Rs 100 per plan/option. Investments can be made in multiples of Re 1, with no upper limit.

• The scheme involves no "Entry Load" or "Exit Load." However, investors will be responsible for any brokerage charges incurred during the sale.

• The indicative allocation ranges from a minimum of 95% to a maximum of 100% of total assets.

• To maintain liquidity and manage short-term cash flow needs, the fund allows for a small allocation to money market instruments, including Treasury bills and Repurchase (TREPS), with a maximum limit of 5% of total assets.

ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund:

• Establishment - 1993

• MD & CEO - Nimesh Shah

• HQ - Mumbai 

Vietnam Tops Expat Insider 2024 Survey, India Ranks 6th

Tags: INDEX

Vietnam has topped the Expat Insider 2024 Survey's Personal Finance Index for the fourth consecutive term. 

An Overview of the News

• In Vietnam, 86% of expatriates rated the cost of living positively, with 65% satisfied with their financial situation and 68% considering their household income comfortable for survival.

• India ranked 6th among the top 10 most affordable countries for immigrants according to the survey.

• Colombia significantly improved its ranking from 7th place in 2023 to 2nd place in 2024. It was followed by Indonesia and Panama, which ranked 3rd and 4th respectively in the affordability index.

Top 10 Most Affordable Countries for Expats in 2024:

About the Expat Insider 2024 Survey:

• The survey covered over 12,000 expatriates across 174 territories worldwide.

• To be included in the rankings, a country needed at least 50 respondents; this year, 53 destinations met this criterion.

• Evaluation criteria included quality of life, digital connectivity, housing availability, career prospects, salary levels, and job security.

• Financial reasons were cited as motivating factors among expatriates in countries like Panama (15%, compared to 12% globally), the Philippines (5%), and Thailand (4%).

Vizhinjam Port arrival First Container Ship 'San Fernando'

Tags: State News

The Vizhinjam Port in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, achieved a historic milestone with the arrival of its first container ship, 'San Fernando'.

An Overview of the News

• 'San Fernando' departed from Xiamen Port in China and received a water salute upon arrival.

• This marks the beginning of trial operations at the port, fulfilling a long-awaited economic infrastructure development initiative in Kerala.

• Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, state ministers, dignitaries, officials, and the public will attend the event, expecting a large turnout.

• Trial operations are set to continue for 2-3 months, after which larger vessels are expected to arrive, solidifying Vizhinjam Port's position on the global transshipment map.

About Kerala

• Capital - Thiruvananthapuram

• Chief minister - Pinarayi Vijayan

• Districts - 14

• Rajya Sabha    - 9 seats

• Lok Sabha - 20 seats

CJI Chandrachud Launches Multi Facilitation Centre at Supreme Court

Tags: National News

Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud inaugurated a new filing counter at the Supreme Court in New Delhi on July 11th.

An Overview of the News

• The newly established centre is a multi facilitation centre aligned with the Apex Court’s mission to enhance access to justice.

• The new centre, part of the Supreme Court's access to justice mission, centralizes access to case-related documents for lawyers.

• CJI Chandrachud emphasized that the centre will improve the Supreme Court's service quality to Indian citizens.

• Brazilian judge Justice Antonio Benjamin, soon to be Chief Justice of the Brazilian Supreme Court, was welcomed by CJI Chandrachud during the event.

About Dhananjay Yeshwant Chandrachud

• Justice D Y Chandrachud took office as the 50th Chief Justice of India on November 9, 2022, succeeding Justice U U Lalit.

• President Draupadi Murmu administered the oath at Rashtrapati Bhavan for his term lasting until November 10, 2024.

• Born on November 11, 1959, Justice Chandrachud became a Supreme Court judge on May 13, 2016.

• His father, Justice Y V Chandrachud, served as the 16th Chief Justice of India.

• Notable judgments by Justice Chandrachud include cases involving Section 377 IPC, Aadhaar, and Sabarimala, among others.

Supreme Court and its Chief Justice

• The Supreme Court of India was established on January 26, 1950, replacing the Federal Court under the Government of India Act, 1935.

• Its first sitting took place on January 28, 1950.

• Harilal J. Kania served as the first Chief Justice of India.

• Yeshwant Vishnu Chandrachud, the 16th Chief Justice, holds the record for the longest tenure, serving for over 7 years (February 1978 – July 1985).

• Kamal Narain Singh, the 22nd Chief Justice, had the shortest tenure, serving for only 17 days (November 25, 1991 – December 12, 1991).