DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: June 22, 2024

Bhosale-Tian Duo Clinches ITF Women’s Tour Title in Tauste

Tags: Sports

Rutuja Bhosale of India and Fangran Tian of China won the ITF Women’s World Tennis Tour in Tauste, Spain.

An Overview of the News

• They triumphed in the finals against the 3rd seeds, Alana Parnaby (Australia) and Victoria Rodriguez (Mexico).

• The Indo-Chinese pair secured a straight sets victory of 6-2, 6-4.

• The match concluded this afternoon with Bhosale and Tian claiming a convincing win.

ITF Women's World Tennis Tour Overview:

• Organization: Managed by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

• Purpose: Entry-level and mid-level tour for women's professional tennis.

• Pathway: Bridges the ITF Junior World Tennis Tour and the WTA Tour.

• Tournaments: Approximately 500 tournaments in 65 countries.

• Prize Money Levels: $15,000, $25,000, $40,000, $60,000, and $100,000.

Impact of Political Events:

• Policy Change: Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in March 2022,

• Restrictions: Players from Belarus and Russia could participate but not under their respective national flags.

Support for Emerging Talent:

• Junior Integration: $15,000 tournaments reserve spots for Top-100 ranked ITF Juniors.

• Financial Accessibility: Aims to reduce player costs and support more professionals.

Integration with WTA Rankings:

• Ranking System: Results contribute to the WTA rankings.

• Career Advancement: Facilitates progression to higher levels of professional tennis.

World Hydrographic Day (WHD) - 21 June

Tags: Important Days

World Hydrographic Day (WHD) is celebrated globally on 21 June each year to raise awareness about hydrography and its importance in understanding seas and oceans.

An Overview of the News

• The theme for WHD 2024 is "Hydrographic Information - Enhancing Safety, Efficiency, and Sustainability in Marine Activities".

• The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) leads the annual observance of WHD.

Background of WHD

• In 2005, the IHO introduced the idea of World Hydrography Day.

• On 29 November 2005, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/60/30, which endorsed the establishment of "World Hydrography Day" by the IHO, to be celebrated annually on 21 June.

• The first WHD was officially observed on 21 June 2006.

About IHO

• Secretary-General:- Dr Mathias Jonas (Germany)

• Headquarters:- Monaco

June 2024 Days and Themes

WEF 2024 Report: Sweden Leads, India Ranked 63rd on Global Energy Transition Index

Tags: Reports INDEX

The World Economic Forum (WEF), in collaboration with Accenture, published its annual report titled "Fostering Effective Energy Transition 2024" on 19th June 2024.

An Overview of the News

• According to the report, India has achieved the 63rd position on the global Energy Transition Index (ETI) 2024.

• The report highlights that India has climbed 3 places from its 2023 rank of 67th, driven by notable enhancements in energy equity, security, and sustainability domains.

Top Countries on ETI 2024:

• Sweden secured 1st place with an ETI score of 78.4.

• Denmark followed at 2nd place with a score of 75.2.

• Finland ranked 3rd with a score of 74.5.

Fastest Improving Countries (Last 5 Years):

• Estonia, Ethiopia, and Lebanon identified as countries showing significant improvement.

About WEF:

• Established: 1971

• Founder: Prof. Klaus Schwab

• Headquarters: Cologny, Geneva Canton, Switzerland

• Managing Director: Saadia Zahidi

Important Points 

• India ranked 3rd in Global Unicorn Index 2024
• India ranked 159th in World Press Freedom Index 2024
• India ranked 129th in Global Gender Gap Index 2024
• India ranked 39th in WEF's Travel and Tourism Development Index 2024
• India ranked 126th in World Happiness Report 2024

Annual Ambubachi Mela Celebrates at Kamakhya Temple in Assam

Tags: Festivals

The Ambubachi Mela, renowned in Assam, commenced today at Kamakhya temple. It will continue until the 26th of this month.

An Overview of the News

• Thousands of devotees have gathered to participate in this significant event.

• The festival honors the annual menstruation of goddess Kamakhya, symbolizing fertility and womanhood.

• During the Ambubachi Mela, the gates of Kamakhya Temple remain closed.

• The temple gates are scheduled to reopen at 9:08 p.m. on the 25th of this month.

• Elaborate arrangements have been made by the Kamrup Metro District administration for the devotees.

Other Festivals of Assam

• Bihu Festival:

  • Significance: Most important festival of Assam celebrated by all Assamese.

  • Types: Bohag Bihu (spring festival), Kaati Bihu (crop festival), Magh Bihu (harvest festival).

• Me-Dum-Me-Phi Festival:

  • Importance: Ahom festival for ancestor worship.

  • Date: Annually on January 31st.

  • Customs: Includes colorful processions and traditional attire.

  • Belief: Essential for social harmony and preventing crises in Assam.

• Baishagu Festival:

  • Celebrated by: Boro Kacharis tribe in Assam.

  • Date: Mid-April, marking the Bodo New Year.

  • Features: Colorful celebrations, traditional musical instruments like Khawbang, Jotha, Gogona.

  • Conclusion: Culminates in community prayer called "Garjasali."

About Assam:

• It is a state located in the northeastern region of India.

• It is bounded by Bhutan to the north, Arunachal Pradesh to the east, Nagaland to the northeast, Manipur to the southeast, Mizoram to the south and West Bengal to the west.

• Wildlife: Contains Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park and Nameri National Park.

  • Language: Assamese 

  • Formation (as a state) - 26 January 1950

  • Capital - Dispur

  • Chief Minister - Himanta Biswa Sarma

  • Governor - Gulab Chand Kataria

  • Rajya Sabha - 7 seats

  • Lok Sabha - 14 seats

  • Official river - Brahmaputra

India's Compound Archery Team Clinches Gold Sweep at Antalya World Cup 2024

Tags: Sports

Jyoti Surekha Vennam, Parneet Kaur, and Aditi Swami of India won gold in the compound team event at the Antalya Archery World Cup 2024 in Turkey.

An Overview of the News

• They secured victory by defeating Estonia 232–229 in the final match.

• This win marked India's sweep of all three World Cup Stage Gold medals in the compound team event this season.

Earlier in the season:

• India's women's compound archery team, ranked world No. 1, defeated Italy at Stage 1 in Shanghai.

• India also won the gold medal in the compound women's team event at the Archery World Cup Stage 2 in Yecheon, South Korea.

About Archery World Cup

• It is an event organized by the World Archery Federation.

• It started in 2006 and has a unique competition format.

• Archers compete in four stages held in different countries.

• The top eight archers in each category (increased from four archers between 2006 and 2009) advance to the Archery World Cup Final.

• The World Cup has been broadcast live on Eurosport since 2013 and The event is sponsored by Kia and Longines.

Indian Documentary 'The Golden Thread' Wins Prestigious Golden Conch Award

Tags: Awards

The Indian documentary 'The Golden Thread' won the Best Documentary in the international category with the Golden Conch Award at the 18th Mumbai International Film Festival.

An Overview of the News

• Actress Poonam Dhillon presented the award to director Nishita Jain during the closing ceremony in Mumbai.

• Festival Director Prithul Kumar highlighted the record number of delegates and film registrations at this year's festival.

• He expressed gratitude to the film fraternity, Jury, Government of India, and Government of Maharashtra for their support.

• In the special category of ‘India in Amrit Kaal’, director Edmond Ranson received the Best Short Film awardfor ‘Life In Loom’.

• Sreemoyi Singh won the Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari Award for Best Debut Director for her film ‘And, Towards Happy Alleys’.

National Competition Category:

• Best Documentary: '6-A Akash Ganga' received the Silver Conch Award.

• Best Short Fiction: 'Salt' won the Silver Conch Award.

• Best Animation: 'Nirjara' from NID Ahmedabad received the Silver Conch Award.

International Competition Category:

• Best Animation: 'Zima' from Poland won the Silver Conch Award.

• Best Short Fiction: 'Sour Milk' from Estonia received the Silver Conch Award.

Festival Details:

• The 18th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) saw the highest number of delegates and film registrations.

• Festival Director Prithul Kumar thanked the film fraternity, the Jury, the Government of India, and the Government of Maharashtra for their support.

Closing Ceremony:

• The ceremony featured Maharashtra’s Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar as the chief guest.

• Celebrities such as Shekhar Suman, Emmi Barua, and Chaya Kadam were present.

Discovery of New Snake Eel Species: Ophichthus Suryai Off Odisha Coast

Tags: Science and Technology State News

Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India's (ZSI) regional center in Gopalpur, Odisha, have identified a new species of snake eel, Ophichthus suryai, along the Odisha coast. 

An Overview of the News

• This discovery honors Surya Kumar Mohanty, former joint director of Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Department of the Odisha government.

Specimen Collection

• Locations: Specimens collected from:

  • Subarnarekha estuary

  • Bahuda estuary

• Additional Collection Site: Coastal fishers at Paradip Fish Landing Centre

• Publication: Findings published in the Bulletin of Marine Science by Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science, University of Miami

Distinct Features of Ophichthus Suryai

• Dorsal Fin Origin (DFO)

  • Located just above or slightly anterior to the gill opening

• Unique Vertebral Count and Teeth Patterns

  • Differentiates it from other species within the Ophichthus genus

• Pectoral Fin Characteristics

  • Small, rounded, and white in color

  • No dark blotch on the anterior lobe of the dorsal fin

About Odisha

• Formation - 1 April 1936

• Capital - Bhubaneswar

• Governor - Raghubar Das

• Chief Minister - Mohan Charan Majhi

• Rajya Sabha - 10 seats

• Lok Sabha - 21 seats

• There are a total of 147 seats in Odisha Assembly.