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By admin: June 15, 2024

World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) - 14 June 2024

Tags: Important Days

World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) is globally observed every 14th of June to raise awareness about the importance of safe blood and blood products, as well as to express appreciation for voluntary, unpaid blood donors.

An Overview of the News

• The World Health Organization (WHO) leads the annual observance of WBDD.

• June 14, 2024, marks the 20th anniversary of WBDD.

• The theme/slogan for WBDD 2024 is "20 years of celebrating giving: thank you, blood donors!"

• Peru is the host country for WBDD 2024, and the events are organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Peru.

Establishment and Background of WBDD

• WBDD was established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2004.

• It commemorates the birthday of Karl Landsteiner, who discovered the ABO blood groups in 1901.

• The first WBDD was observed on June 14, 2004.

Recognition and Adoption

• In 2005, the 58th World Health Assembly (WHA) adopted resolution WHA58.13 titled "Blood safety: proposal to establish World Blood Donor Day."

• This resolution endorsed the celebration of WBDD annually on June 14.

ACC Reappoints Ajit Doval as NSA and PK Mishra as Principal Secretary to PM Modi

Tags: Person in news

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the reappointment of Ajit Kumar Doval as the National Security Advisor (NSA) and Pramod Kumar (PK) Mishra as the Principal Secretary to Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, effective June 10, 2024.

An Overview of the News

• Ajit Doval has been serving as the NSA since May 30, 2014, and this marks his third consecutive appointment to the position.

• PK Mishra has been serving as the Principal Secretary to the PM since September 2019.

• Both Ajit Doval and PK Mishra will hold the rank of Cabinet Minister in the Table of Precedence during their term.

• Their appointments are co-terminus with the term of the Prime Minister or until further orders.

About Ajit Kumar Doval

• Serving as NSA since May 30, 2014, and this is his third consecutive term.

• Former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the 1968 batch of Kerala cadre.

• Actively involved in anti-insurgency operations in Punjab and Mizoram, earning the title 'Indian James Bond'.

• Served as Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) from 2004 to 2005.

• Appointed as Chairman of the Strategic Policy Group (SPG) in October 2018.

About PK Mishra

• Serving as Principal Secretary to the PM since September 2019.

• Former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the 1972 batch of Gujarat cadre.

• Served as Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture from 2006 to 2008.

• Held the position of Additional Principal Secretary to the PM from 2014 to 2019.

• Extensive expertise in policy making and administration, including roles as Secretary of Agriculture and Cooperation & Farmers Welfare, Chairman of the State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC), and in disaster management.

Additional Appointments by ACC

• New Advisors to the PM:

  • Amit Khare: Retired IAS officer appointed as Advisor to the PM.

  • Tarun Kapoor: Retired IAS officer appointed as Advisor to the PM.

• Appointment Details:

  • Both advisors have been appointed in the rank and scale of Secretary to the Government for a period of two years, effective from June 10, 2024, or until further orders.

  • These appointments are on a contract basis as per usual terms and conditions.

About ACC

• Chairperson: Narendra Modi

• Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi

SEBI Honored as 'Best Conduct of Business Regulator' in Asia Pacific by The Asian Banker

Tags: Awards

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has been awarded the 'Best Conduct of Business Regulator' in the Asia Pacific by The Asian Banker. 

An Overview of the News

• This recognition highlights SEBI's commitment to transparency, fairness, and investor protection in India's securities markets.

• Kamlesh Chandra Varshney, Whole Time Member of SEBI, received the award at the Asian Banker Summit 2024 held on May 23, 2024, in Hong Kong.

• The summit's theme was "Bridging Innovation and Resilience in Finance."

Achievement in Market Settlement

• SEBI introduced T+1 settlement in a phased manner in 2021, fully implemented by January 2023.

• This initiative provides investors with faster access to their funds post-trade execution and settlement.

• The move has improved market efficiency and liquidity.

The Asian Banker's Role

• The Asian Banker facilitates community building among financial services industry players, including traditional banks, digital disruptors, fintechs, and platform players.

• It publishes rankings and ratings of institutions, people, and processes to establish high standards in finance product and solution delivery.

Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI)

• It comes under the Ministry of Finance of the Government of India.

• It is the regulator of capital market and commodity market in India.

  • Establishment - 12 April 1988

  • Statutory status - 30 January 1992

  • Its first chairman - Dr. S.A. Dave (1988-90)

  • Current and 10th chairman - Madhabi Puri Buch

  • Madhabi Puri Buch is the first woman chairman of SEBI.

  • Headquarters - Mumbai

Tesam Pongte Unanimously Elected as Speaker of Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly

Tags: Person in news State News

Tesam Pongte, MLA from Changlang North, has been elected unanimously as the Speaker of the 8th Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly.

An Overview of the News

• The special session of the Assembly commenced with the election of the Speaker.

• Pro-tem speaker Ninong Ering announced Tesam Pongte's election as Speaker, as no other nominations were received.

• Kardo Nyigyor, MLA from Likabali, was also elected unopposed as the Deputy Speaker of the 8th State Legislative Assembly.

About Arunachal Pradesh

• It is a state located in the northeastern region of India. It shares its borders with the countries of Bhutan, China and Myanmar.

• Establishment:- 20 February 1987

• Capital:- Itanagar (Executive Branch)

• Chief Minister:- Pema Khandu

• Official flower:- Rhynchostylis retusa

• Official Animal:- Gayal

'Nepal International Tourism Expo' Kick Starts in Kathmandu

Tags: International News

The two-day ‘Nepal International Tourism Expo (NITE)’ kicked off in Kathmandu on June 14 to promote Nepal’s tourism globally.

An Overview of the News

• Held from June 14-15, 2024 at Bhrikutimandap Exhibition Hall.

• Organised in collaboration with Kathmandu Metropolitan City in collaboration with Nepal Tourism Board and other associations.

Inauguration and Goals

• Inaugurated by Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Hit Bahadur Tamang.

• Minister Tamang emphasised the event’s potential to boost Nepal’s international tourism presence.

• Minister Tamang noted ongoing efforts to meet the government’s target of 1.6 million tourists this year, including resolving tourism sector issues and waiving VAT and unnecessary taxes on air tickets.

Participation and Networking

• It aims to unite tourism related businesses such as hotels, resorts, homestays, travel/tour/trekking/mountaineering agencies, airlines and stakeholders from both domestic and international sectors.

• Participating countries include Nepal, India, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Maldives, USA, Netherlands, Sri Lanka, China, Thailand, UAE, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bhutan, with a total of 155 entrepreneurs.

• Government of Bihar participated to promote tourism opportunities in ecotourism in Guru Circuit, Jain Circuit, Ramayana Circuit, Buddhist Circuit and Valmiki Tiger Reserve.

• Provides a two-day networking opportunity for national and international tourism stakeholders to foster collaboration and lasting partnerships.

About Nepal

• The kingdom of Nepal was established by the Shah dynasty.

• It is a landlocked country in South Asia.

• Prime Minister - Pushpa Kamal Dahal

• President - Ram Chandra Paudel

• Capital - Kathmandu

• Currency - Nepalese Rupee

Cyril Ramaphosa Re-Elected South African President

Tags: International News

Cyril Ramaphosa has been re-elected as the President of South Africa.

An Overview of the News

• This follows a landmark coalition deal between his African National Congress (ANC) and opposition parties.

• The new government combines Ramaphosa’s ANC, the centre-right Democratic Alliance, and other smaller parties.

Parliament Vote

• Ramaphosa won convincingly in a Parliament vote.

• He received 283 votes against Julius Malema’s 44 in the 400-member house.

• Malema is the leader of the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters.

Crucial Agreement

• Ramaphosa secured his second term after an agreement with the Democratic Alliance.

• This agreement was struck just hours before the presidential vote.

• The ANC lost its 30-year majority in Africa’s national assembly.

Election Results

• In the recent elections, the ANC’s vote share dropped to 40%.

• The Democratic Alliance emerged as the second-largest party with 22% of the votes.

Co-Governance

• The parties will now co-govern South Africa.

• This marks the first national coalition where no party has a majority.

About South Africa

• It is located at the southernmost tip of the African continent and is known for its diverse ecosystems.

• Capital:- Pretoria (executive), Cape Town (legislative) and Bloemfontein (judicial)

• Largest city:-    Johannesbur