1. Dr. Deepa Malik Becomes APC’s First Female Sub-regional Representative for South Asia
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Dr. Deepa Malik, India’s first woman Paralympic medallist, has been appointed as the Sub-regional Representative for South Asia by the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) at its 34th Executive Board meeting.
An Overview of the News
This appointment raises the number of female representatives on the APC Executive Board to 5, marking the highest female representation in the board’s history.
Kazuhiro Yagi from Japan has been appointed as the new Vice President of the APC. He is also the Deputy Secretary General of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organizing Committee (AINAGOC), which is responsible for the Aichi Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games.
Notable Achievements of Deepa Malik:
First Indian woman to represent the country at international level sports in her disability category (F-53).
The first Indian paraplegic woman swimmer, biker, and car rallyist.
Won a Silver Medal in Shotput F53 at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games with a personal best performance of 4.61 meters.
Awards and Honors:
Arjuna Award (National Sports Award) in 2012.
Padma Shri for Sports in 2017.
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2019.
Selected as the Sir Edmund Hillary Prime Minister’s Fellow for New Zealand in 2019 by then Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
2. Shikhar Dhawan Named MotoGP Brand Ambassador by Eurosport India
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Eurosport India, part of Discovery Asia-Pacific, has appointed Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan as the Brand Ambassador for MotoGP in India.
An Overview of the News
Dhawan will promote MotoGP, the premier motorcycle racing championship, to Indian audiences.
In February 2024, Eurosport India extended its MotoGP broadcasting rights in India for an additional 3 years with Dorna.
This move underscores Eurosport India's commitment to providing high-quality sports content to Indian viewers.
New Campaign
The partnership introduces a new campaign titled 'Face Kar Race Kar.'
The campaign aims to boost the popularity of motorcycle racing in India by celebrating MotoGP's spirit of resilience and encouraging fans to tackle challenges with determination.
2024 MotoGP Season Update
The 2024 MotoGP season has featured 9 races so far, with 11 more scheduled across Europe, Asia, and Oceania.
The season will conclude with the BritishGP at Silverstone in August 2024.
Indian Grand Prix Update
The Indian Grand Prix, initially scheduled for September 2024, has been cancelled.
The MotoGP Indian Grand Prix will now be held at Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in March 2025.
About MotoGP
MotoGP, established by the Federation Internationale De Motocyclisme (FIM) in 1949, is the premier motorcycle world championship.
It is also known as Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing.
3. RBI Approves KV Subramanian as New MD & CEO of Federal Bank
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RBI has approved the appointment of Krishnan Venkat Subramanian as MD & CEO of Federal Bank.
An Overview of the News
His three-year term will start on September 23, 2024, succeeding Shyam Srinivasan.
Subramanian was the Joint Managing Director at Kotak Mahindra Bank until April 30, 2024.
Led divisions such as Corporate Banking, Commercial Banking, Private Banking, and Asset Reconstruction.
Background Of Subramanian
Holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from IIT Varanasi.
Earned a postgraduate degree in Financial Management from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai.
Qualified as a Cost and Works Accountant.
Career Achievements
Began his career in the NBFC sector with Kotak Mahindra Finance Ltd.
Has extensive experience in Investment Banking.
Played a key role in upgrading technological infrastructure and enhancing transaction banking capabilities.
Oversaw Investment Banking and Institutional Equities, maintaining industry leadership.
Federal Bank Limited:
It is an Indian private sector bank headquartered in Aluva, Kochi, Kerala.
The bank operates 1,370 branches in various states of India.
Federal Bank has representative offices in Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Dubai.
The bank provides a wide range of financial services to its customers including retail banking, corporate banking, treasury operations and wealth management.
It emphasises a customer-centric approach and strives to provide efficient and convenient banking solutions.
Founder - K.P Hormis
Establishment - 23 April 1931, Nedumpuram
4. Vinay Mohan Kwatra Appointed as India's Next Ambassador to the US
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Vinay Mohan Kwatra, a retired Indian Foreign Service (IFS) diplomat, has been appointed as India's next Ambassador to the United States.
An Overview of the News
The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the appointment in a statement on 19 July.
Kwatra has extensive expertise in dealing with India's neighbourhood, as well as the US, China, and Europe.
He served as the 34th Foreign Secretary of India from May 2022 until July 14, 2024, succeeding Harsh Vardhan Shringla.
Kwatra previously held the positions of Ambassador of India to France and Nepal.
The Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
It is a central civil service and diplomatic service of the Government of India.
It operates under the Ministry of External Affairs.
The head of the IFS is the Foreign Secretary.
Vikram Misri is the 35th and current Foreign Secretary.
Formed - 9 October 1946
Headquarters - South Block, New Delhi
5. Yaël Braun-Pivet Re-Elected as Speaker of French National Assembly
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Yaël Braun-Pivet from Emmanuel Macron's centrist party has been re-elected as the speaker of the National Assembly in France with 220 votes.
An Overview of the News
The election was closely contested, with veteran communist lawmaker André Chassaigne receiving 207 votes after three rounds of voting.
The re-election follows recent elections that left no single group with a majority in the lower house of parliament.
The National Assembly, France's influential lower house of parliament, convened to elect a speaker after chaotic snap elections called by President Emmanuel Macron resulted in a hung legislature.
National Assembly (France)
The National Assembly (Assemblée nationale) is the lower house of the French Parliament.
It operates under the Fifth Republic.
The upper house is the Senate (Sénat).
Legislators in the National Assembly are known as députés.
"Député" means "delegate" or "envoy." The term is similar to "deputy" in other parliamentary systems.
Founded - 4 October 1958
About France
President: Emmanuel Macron
Prime minister: Gabriel Attal
Capital: Paris
Currency : Euro
6. European Parliament approves Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission
Tags: Person in news International News
The European Parliament has approved Ursula von der Leyen's bid for a second five-year term as President of the European Commission.
An Overview of the News
Von der Leyen received 401 votes in the 720-seat chamber, surpassing the majority required to maintain her position.
In the secret ballot, 284 members voted against her.
Von der Leyen addressed the European Parliament, outlining her priorities for the next five years.
She committed to continuing the European Green Deal, aiming to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050.
She pledged to reduce emissions by 90 percent by 2040.
Substantial investments in infrastructure and industry, particularly in energy-intensive sectors, were announced.
Von der Leyen also pledged to continue supporting Ukraine.
About Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen
Leyen, born 8 October 1958, is a German politician.
She has been the 13th president of the European Commission since 2019.
Served in Angela Merkel's cabinet from 2005 to 2019, most recently as federal minister of defence.
Member of the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the European People's Party (EPP).
Elected as EPP's Spitzenkandidat for the 2024 European Parliament elections on 7 March 2024.
Re-elected to head the Commission in July 2024.
7. Metsola Becomes First Female President to Secure Second Term in European Parliament
Tags: Person in news International News
Roberta Metsola was re-elected as President of the European Parliament on July 16, 2024, for another two and a half years, extending her term until 2027.
An Overview of the News
Metsola became the first woman to win a second term as President of the European Parliament.
Election Details: She secured 562 out of 699 votes, achieving an absolute majority in the first round and defeated Irene Montero, who received 61 votes.
Metsola's Background and Career:
First Election: Elected as a member of the European Parliament (MEP) in 2013, becoming one of Malta's first female MEPs.
Re-elections: Re-elected as MEP in 2014 and 2019.
Vice-Presidency: Became the first Maltese First Vice-President of the European Parliament in November 2020.
Acting President: Served as acting President following the death of David Sassoli on January 11, 2022.
Full Presidency: Elected as President on January 18, 2022, for the second half of the 9th legislative term.
Past Presidents: Third woman to hold the position, following Simone Veil (1979-1982) and Nicole Fontaine (1999-2002).
Metsola's Roles and Contributions:
Committee Work: Served as the EPP Group's Coordinator in the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs (2017-2020).
Legislative Contributions: Was the Parliament's rapporteur on the European Border and Coastguard Regulation in 2019.
Journalist Protection: Co-authored a report on protecting journalists in the EU from Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation.
About European Union (EU)
EU Presidency (July-December 2024): Hungary
European Council President: Charles Michel (until December 2024)
European Commission President: Ursula von der Leyen
Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
8. Sumant Sinha Named Co-Chair of Global CEO Climate Leaders Alliance
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Sumant Sinha, Chairman and CEO of ReNew Energy Global PLC, has been appointed as co-chair of the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders worldwide.
An Overview of the News
He has been serving as Co-Chair of the India chapter of the Alliance since 2022.
Founded by World Economic Forum (WEF): Launched in 2014, the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders is the largest CEO-led climate alliance globally.
Membership and Impact:
Comprises 130 CEOs from 12 industries across 26 countries.
Represents USD 4 trillion in revenues and 5.2 Gigatonnes (GT) of carbon emissions, approximately 10% of global emissions.
Objectives and Initiatives:
Purpose: To create a powerful network of business leaders committed to climate action.
Goals:
Set ambitious targets for reducing carbon emissions.
Foster public-private collaboration in the global energy transition.
Key Figures and Collaborations:
Eminent Members: Includes leaders such as Ester Baiget (CEO of Novonesis) and Jesper Brodin (CEO of Ingka Group Ikea).
Strategic Leadership: Sinha's involvement includes being a founding member of the Forum's First Movers Coalition and serving as Board Chair of the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) in the USA.
9. Supreme Court Appoints Justice N Kotiswar Singh, First Judge from Manipur
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The Supreme Court of India is set to appoint two new judges: Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh and Justice R Mahadevan.
An Overview of the News
The SC Collegium recommended their elevation on July 1, highlighting the importance of diversity on the bench.
The Centre approved their elevation on July 16.
Justice N Kotiswar Singh:
Currently the Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
Originally from Manipur, he will be the first Supreme Court judge from Manipur.
He was set to retire on February 28, 2025, but will now serve in the Supreme Court until February 28, 2028 (retirement age is 65 for SC judges).
Oversaw key cases in Manipur, including intervention in the functioning of Manipur University during 2018 protests.
Justice R Mahadevan:
Justice R. Mahadevan, currently serving as a Judge at the Madras High Court, will assume office as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India upon assuming charge.
Judge at the Madras High Court since 2013 and currently its Acting Chief Justice.
Belongs to a backward community from Tamil Nadu.
This will be his first position outside the Madras High Court.
Part of a bench that set aside conditions on the RSS’ proposed statewide march in February 2023.
Once both Justices assume office, the Supreme Court will be at full strength with 34 judges.
10. Arun Kumar Bansal Appointed MD & CEO of Paytm Payments Bank
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Arun Kumar Bansal has been appointed as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL).
An Overview of the News
His appointment follows the resignation of Surinder Chawla in April 2024.
Chawla's departure from PPBL was effective from June 26, 2024.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved Bansal's appointment on June 20, 2024.
Background of Arun Kumar Bansal:
Bansal previously served as the Executive Director (ED) and head of treasury (on contract), designated as Senior Management Personnel (SMP) at IDBI Bank Limited.
He resigned from IDBI Bank with effect from June 25, 2024. Bansal began his career at Indian Bank in 1991.
From 2020 to 2022, he held the positions of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and General Manager (GM) at Indian Bank.
He also served as a Non-Executive Director at Indbank Merchant Banking Services Limited from 2020 to 2022.Bansal joined IDBI Bank in June 2022.
He is associated with the Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB) as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP).
Paytm Payments Bank:-
Founded in 2017, Paytm Payments Bank is headquartered in Noida, India.
It received its payments bank license from the Reserve Bank of India in 2017 and launched operations in November that year.
In 2021, it was granted scheduled bank status by the RBI.
Founder: Vijay Shekhar Sharma
