Current Affairs July 18th 2023| Current Affairs News

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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

Google Pay introduced UPI Lite to enhance small-value transactions

• Google Pay, the second largest Unified Payment Interface (UPI) platform in the country, has started rolling out the UPI Lite feature for users in India.
• With UPI Lite, Google Pay users can make everyday payments for everyday items such as groceries, snacks, and cab rides faster.

What is UPI Lite?

• UPI Lite is a digital payment service designed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
• It was launched by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in September 2022.

Purpose :

• To make digital payments simple and
• Users can send up to ₹200 money with a single tap from their UPI Lite account.
• The service does not require one to enter a PIN to initiate the payment.
• Although UPI Lite is linked to the user’s bank account, it does not rely on the issuing bank’s core banking system in real time.
• Users can load up to ₹2,000 twice a day and make payments of up to ₹200 at a time.
• The maximum per day limit for adding funds to your UPI Lite account is INR 4000.
• Notably, as of now 15 banks support UPI LITE.

Note :

• PhonePe is India’s 1st largest Unified Payment Interface (UPI) platform.

State Bank of India raised Rs 3,101 crores via AT1 bond at 8.1%

• Country’s largest lender, State Bank of India (SBI), has raised Rs 3,101 crore capital via additional tier I bonds (AT1) or perpetual bonds at a coupon of 8.1%.
• This is 15 basis points lower than the pricing for its previous AT1 bond issued at 8.25% in March, 2023.
• The AT-1 bonds had a base issue of ₹3,000 crore and received total bids worth ₹5,920 crore and also included a call option after 10 years.
• Additionally, the board of directors of SBI approved a Rs 50,000 crore bond issue in the current fiscal year in June.

What are AT-1 bonds?

• AT-1 bonds, or Additional Tier-1 bonds, are unsecured, perpetual bonds issued by banks to strengthen their core capital base in compliance with Basel-III norms.
• AT-1 bonds are considered riskier than other debt instruments because they can be written down before equity, resulting in losses for investors.

Recent News :

• In March 2023, State Bank of India (SBI) raised Rs 3,717 crore through its third Basel III compliant Additional Tier 1 bond issuance in the current financial year at a coupon rate of 8.25%.

About SBI :

• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Chairman : Dinesh Kumar Khara
• CFO : Kameshwar Rao Kodavanti

Rural areas have the least number of functioning offices of payments banks – Crisil

• According to Crisil Market Intelligence and Analytics (MI&A), Rural areas have the least presence of payments banks’ (PBs’) functioning offices, whereas urban areas have the highest number of functioning offices (44%).
• At the end of December 2022, semi-urban areas have the second highest (40%) number of functioning offices of payments banks.
• Urban and semi-urban areas were followed by metropolitan (11%) and rural areas (5%).

Key Highlights :

• 6 payments banks had a total number of 741 functioning offices at the end of December 2022.
• Airtel Payments Bank, India Post Payment Bank (IPPB), Fino Payments Bank, PayTM Payments Bank, NSDL Payments Bank and Jio Payments Bank are the six PBs that are currently in operation.
• The share of total credit outstanding is about 8% in rural areas, 13% in semi-urban and 79% in urban areas as of March 31, 2023.
• Mutual fund penetration has grown from 4.3% in 2001-02 to about 14.5% in 2022-23.

What is Mutual fund penetration?

• Mutual fund penetration is defined as mutual fund assets under management as a percentage of GDP.

About Payments banks :

• Payments banks are allowed a maximum balance of ₹2 lakhs per individual customer at the end of the day.
• They are allowed to function as a business correspondent of another bank.
• They can distribute simple financial products like mutual fund units and insurance products.
• They cannot undertake lending activities.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

National Multidimensional Poverty Index is unveiled by Niti Aayog.

• The number of persons living in multidimensional poverty in the country has fallen from 24.85 per cent to 14.96 per cent between 2015-16 and 2019-21.
• This was unveiled in the National Multidimensional Poverty Index released by the NITI Aayog.
• Briefing media in New Delhi, NITI Aayog CEO B.V.R.
• Subrahmanyam said, 13.5 crores of people have escaped from multidimensional poverty in five years.
• Uttar Pradesh has registered the highest decline in the poor, with 3.43 crore people followed by Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.
• Providing multidimensional poverty estimates for the 36 States and Union Territories and 707 Administrative Districts, the report states that the fastest reduction in the proportion of multidimensional poor was observed in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Rajasthan.
• The report says that improvement in nutrition, years of schooling, sanitation, and cooking fuel have played a significant role in bringing down poverty.
• The National Multidimensional Poverty Index is a holistic measure defining poverty based on health, education, and living standards and estimates poverty at national, state, and district levels, shaping reform plans for States and UTs.

About NITI AAYOG

• Formed: 1 January 2015
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Chairperson: Narendra Modi

Recent News

• The Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO), an attached office of NITI Aayog, will evaluate the regional connectivity scheme popularly known as UDAN. The monitoring body has issued an RFP for evaluation of the scheme which is expected to kick-start later this year.
• India’s Niti Aayog is developing a framework to establish carbon markets for green energy, green hydrogen, biofuels and clean mobility. The move is aimed at encouraging carbon trading between polluting and green sectors while helping to generate revenue for sustainable energy projects and environmental initiatives.

The foundation for numerous development projects in Lucknow will be laid by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

• Union Defence Minister and Lucknow MP Rajnath Singh will inaugurate and lay the foundation of many development projects in Lucknow.
• Two national highway projects worth rupees 3300 crores will also be inaugurated.
• Mr Singh will inaugurate the Madiaon-IIM Crossing flyover which is part of the national highways project.
• Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and chief minister Yogi Adityanath are expected to be present during the inauguration.
• He will also inaugurate the newly developed Alamnagar railway station that will help passengers of the western part of the city including Alamnagar and Rajajipuram to board and alight trains for New Delhi.
• They won’t be required to travel to Charbagh, the main railway station of the city.
• The railway station has been redeveloped for Rs 50 crore, including Rs 42 crore invested in electronic interlocking, signal, two loop lines and the development of three platforms, a circulating area of the station and other amenities of the station.
• Railways have also constructed two-foot over bridges at the station. Premium superfast trains such as Lucknow Mail will also take a halt at Alamnagar station.
• The Lucknow MP will also open a trauma centre in Jankipuram Extension.

About UP :

• Governor: Anandiben Patel
• Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath
• Capital: Lucknow
• National Park: Dudhwa National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuary: Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary, National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary

Recent News

• The Uttar Pradesh (UP) government is planning to set up micro diaries of Indian cow breeds to promote indigenous industries, crops, and
• International Financial Services Centers Authority (IFSCA) and IIML-EIC, have signed a MoU at IIM (Indian Institute of Management) Lucknow EIC, Noida campus in Uttar Pradesh.

The Global Maritime India Summit 2023 will be introduced in Mumbai by Shri Sarbananda Sonowal.

• The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is coming with the third edition of its most prestigious ‘Global India Maritime Summit’ this year.
• Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) in the August presence of Shri Shripad Y. Naik, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Shri Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways will officially launch the Curtain Raiser of Global Maritime India Summit 2023 event on July 18, 2023at St. Regis, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• The objective of this event is to create an international forum for key decision makers and industry leaders; to Provide an opportunity platform for start-ups, researchers and incubators; to Showcase the latest technology and emerging trends in the maritime sector; to Recognize and celebrate achievers in the maritime sector and to create a Platform to access skilled manpower through industry-academia interaction.
• Organized by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, the Curtain Raiser Event will serve as a precursor to the main summit and will provide an exclusive opportunity to gain valuable industry insights and witness significant launches.
• The Global Summit event is scheduled on 17-19th October 2023 in which more than 30 countries are expected to participate.
• The event will focus on new investment opportunities along with collaborations for knowledge and technology, enhancing trade between nations and promoting Ease-of-Doing-Business.

About Maharashtra

• Governor: Ramesh Bais
• Chief Minister: Eknath Shinde
• Capital: Mumbai
• National Park: Tadoba National Park, Navegaon National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnala Bird Sanctuary, Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary
• UNESCO Heritage Sites: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, The Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai, Ajanta Caves, Elephanta Caves, Ellora Caves

Recent News

• The Taiwanese government will establish a Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) in Mumbai, Maharashtra as part of a broader aim to further deepen cooperation with India.
• Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have the most number of rich households in India

Prime Minister will dedicate Veer Savarkar International Airport’s new integrated terminal building in Port Blair:

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the New Integrated Terminal Building of Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair via video conferencing.
• Enhancing connectivity infrastructure has been a major focus of the government.
• The inauguration of the New Integrated Terminal Building, built at a cost of around Rs 710 crore, will play a key role in boosting connectivity of the island UT.
• With a total built-up area of around 40,800 sqm., the new terminal building will be capable of handling about 50 lakh passengers annually.
• An Apron suitable for two Boeing-767-400 and two Airbus-321 types of aircraft has also been constructed at Port Blair Airport at a cost of ₹80 Crore, making the airport now suitable for parking ten aircraft at a time.
• As a gateway to the pristine islands of Andaman and Nicobar, Port Blair is a popular destination for tourists.
• The spacious New Integrated Terminal Building will boost air traffic and help enhance tourism in the region.
• It will also help create enhanced employment opportunities for the local community and give a fillip to the economy of the region.

Indian Council of Agricultural Research celebrates its 95th Foundation and Technology Day

• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) celebrated its 95th Foundation Day at National Agriculture Science Complex, Pusa, New Delhi.
• Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and President of ICAR Society was the Chief Guest of the program.
• Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry – Dairying and Shri Kailash Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare also graced the occasion.
• Shri Tomar appreciated the historic journey of ICAR and its overall achievements during the last 94 years.
• Agricultural products from India are being preferred globally and millets are getting significance in the International Year of Millets.
• Members of the ICAR Governing Body, Senior Officials of ICAR Head Quarters, Directors of ICAR Institutes, Scientists and Vice-Chancellors of State Agricultural Universities, farmers, and agri-preneurs participated in the event.
• This is the first time, that Foundation Day is celebrated as Technology Day, therefore, an exhibition has been organized to showcase ICAR technologies for the benefit of farmers, students and agri-industry.
• This exhibition has been opened for the public from 16-18 July 2023 for awareness to the people about the innovations made by ICAR.

About ICAR :

• Established: 16 July 1929
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Director General: Himanshu Pathak

‘Drugs Smuggling and National Security’ regional conference will be presided over by the Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah in New Delhi

• Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah will chair Regional Conference on ‘Drugs Smuggling and National Security’ in New Delhi.
• During the Conference, under the leadership of the Union Home Minister, over 1,44,000-kilogram drugs worth Rs.2,416 crore, will be destroyed in various parts of the country by NCB in coordination with ANTFs of all states.
• The drugs to be destroyed will include 6590 kilograms by NCB’s Hyderabad unit, 822 kilograms by Indore and 356 kilograms by Jammu.
• Along with this, various law enforcement agencies of different states will destroy a total of 1,44,122 kilograms of drugs, including 1,486-kilogram drugs in Assam, 229 kilograms in Chandigarh, 25 kilograms in Goa, 4,277 kilograms in Gujarat, 2,458 kilograms in Haryana, 4,069 kilograms in Jammu and Kashmir, 1,03,884 kilogram in Madhya Pradesh, 159 kilograms in Maharashtra, 1,803 kilograms in Tripura and 4,049 kilograms in Uttar Pradesh.
• Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Government has adopted a ’Zero Tolerance’ policy against narcotics to create a drugs-free India. From 01st June 2022 till 15th July 2023, all regional units of NCB and ANTFs of states have collectively destroyed around 8,76,554 kilogram seized drugs worth around Rs.9,580 crore, which is more than 11 times the target.

Recent News

• The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah will inaugurate a day-long mega conclave “Strengthening PACS through FPOs” in New Delhi.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India & France announce co-development of combat aircraft engine                    

• India and France will be jointly developing a combat aircraft engine and engine for the Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH) being developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and French President Mr Emmanuel Macron addressed a joint press conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris.
• Both countries announced that they will extend their defence cooperation in advanced aeronautical technologies.
• India and France will also cooperate on the motorization of heavy-lift helicopters under the IMRH programme.
• To enable progress on the IMRH programme, HAL and Safran Helicopter Engine will sign a shareholders’ Agreement.
• Also, both announced cooperation on small and advanced modular reactors.
• India and France also agreed to support the adoption of a road map for joint actions in the Indo-Pacific and the finalization of the joint Earth observation satellite.

Recent News :

• In June 2023, GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly produce F414 engines for Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas-Mk2 for the Indian Air Force (IAF), ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden.

About France :

• President : Emmanuel Macron
• Prime Minister : Élisabeth Borne
• Capital : Paris
• Currency : Euro

2.4 billion people didn’t have constant access to food last year – UN Report

• The UN delivered grim news on global food security. 2.4 billion people didn’t have constant access to food last year, as many as 783 million faced hunger, and 148 million children suffered from stunted growth.
• 5 UN agencies stated that in the 2023 State of Food Security and Nutrition report that while global hunger numbers stalled between 2021 and 2022 many places are facing deepening food crises.
• They pointed to Western Asia, the Caribbean, and Africa where 20% of the continent’s population is experiencing hunger, more than twice the global average.
• Recovery from the global pandemic has been uneven, and the war in Ukraine has affected nutritious food and healthy diets.

About the Report :

• According to the report, people’s access to healthy diets has deteriorated across the world.
• More than 3.1 billion people 42% of the global population were unable to afford a healthy diet in 2021, an increase of 134 million people compared to 2019.
• According to the latest research between 691 million and 783 million people were chronically undernourished in 2022, an average of 735 million which is 122 million more people than in 2019 before the Covid pandemic began.
• UN projections for 2030 indicate that 600 million people will still be suffering from chronic undernourishment in 2030, far from the UN development goal of achieving “Zero Hunger” by that date.
• As for children, the report says they are continuing to suffer from malnutrition, with not only 148 million under the age of five stunted but 45 million too thin for their height or “wasted,” while 37 million youngsters were overweight.

UN Report – 3.3 billion people live in countries that spend more on debt interest than education

• According to a new United Nations (UN) report, Some 3.3 billion people, almost half of humanity, now live in countries that spend more money paying interest on their debts than on education or health.
• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres launched the report that because this crushing debt crisis is concentrated mostly in poor developing countries, it is not judged to pose a systemic risk to the global financial system.
• In 2022, global public debt reached a record $92 trillion and developing countries shoulder a disproportionate amount
• According to the report, the number of countries facing high debt levels has increased sharply from 22 nations in 2011 to 59 in 2022
• The report says public debt has reached colossal levels largely due to two factors:
• First, countries’ financial needs soared as they tried to fend off the impact of cascading crises including the COVID-19 pandemic, the rising cost of living and climate change.
• Second, the global financial architecture makes developing countries’ access to financing inadequate and expensive.
• The International Monetary Fund says 36 countries are on so-called ‘debt row’ either in, or at high risk of debt distress.
• Another 16 are paying unsustainable interest rates to private creditors (and) a total of 52 countries, almost 40% of the developing world, are in serious debt trouble.
• Regionally, between 2010 and 2022, the amount of government debt increased by almost 4 times in Asia and the Pacific, 3 times in Africa, 2.5 times in Europe and Central Asia, and 1.6 times in Latin America and the Caribbean.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : STATE NEWS

Massive ‘shelf cloud’ (Arcus cloud) formation spotted in Haridwar

• A terrifying “shelf cloud” OR “Arcus cloud” appeared in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar.

About shelf cloud OR Arcus cloud :

• A “shelf cloud” or “Arcus cloud” generally forms along the leading edge of thunderstorms.
• It is a type of low-lying, horizontal cloud formation characterized by a clearly defined line of solid clouds.
• It is known for its distinctive wedge-shaped formation.
• They usually appear as a broad arc across the sky that can sometimes appear to be rotating horizontally.
• Shelf clouds form when cold and dense air is forced into a warmer air mass by wind
• This rush of cold air often occurs in a thunderstorm’s downdraught, where cold air rushes towards the ground before spreading out to create a gust front.
• Shelf clouds produced by thunderstorms are always preceded by a rush of dry and cold air ahead of the cloud, with rain arriving after the shelf cloud has passed overhead.

What is a Thunderstorm?

• Thunderstorm is a rain-bearing cloud that also produces lightning.
• Thunderstorms form when warm, moist air rises into cold air.

Government of Odisha approved Kui language inclusion in 8th schedule

• The Government of Odisha cabinet approved the inclusion of the Kui language in the 8th schedule.
• The cabinet led by Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik recommended including the Kui language in the 8th schedule of the Indian Constitution.

About Kui Language :

• Kui (also known as Kandh, Khondi, Khond, Khondo), is a South-Eastern Dravidian language spoken by the Kandha community.
• With 941,988 registered native speakers, it figures at rank 29 in the 1991 Indian census.
• The inclusion of the Kui language will help in its preservation, promotion and propagation.
• The publication of content in the Kui language will get momentum and create an ecosystem for its preservation and propagation.
• More than 7 lakh Kui-speaking people will benefit from the inclusion of the Kui language.
• The Kandh tribe of Odisha will get several benefits with the inclusion of Kui.
• The 8th Schedule to the Constitution consists of 22 languages.
• The 22 languages now included in the eighth section of the Constitution are, Manipuri, Maithili, Kashmiri, Hindi, Kannada, Gujarati, Konkani, Malayalam, Assamese, Marathi, Nepali, Bengali, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Telugu, Tamil, Odia, Urdu, Bodo, Dogri, and Santhali.
• Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santhali were added to the 8th schedule by the 92nd Amendment Act of 2003.
• Initially, 14 languages were part of the Eighth Schedule.
• The other languages were added through different amendments.

Uttar Pradesh Government approves two Thermal Power Projects Worth Rs 18,000 Crores in Sonbhadra’s Obra 

• The Government of Uttar Pradesh (UP) approved the construction of two “Obra D” thermal power projects in Sonbhadra’s Obra, each to be rated at 800 megawatt (MW) and costing Rs 18,000 crore.

Aim :

• To provide cheaper electricity to the people of UP.

Key Highlights :

• The cabinet meeting was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath, in which the ‘Obra D’ thermal power plant was approved.
• During the Global Investors Summit, the Government signed an agreement with NTPC to set up a thermal plant at Obra.
• The government will implement the projects in a 50:50 partnership with the central government-owned NTPC.
• The 70% amount will be arranged from financial institutions, while 30% equity will be given for the implementation of the projects.
• The ‘Obra D’ thermal power plants will be the state’s first ultra super critical unit.
• The plant will brag of cutting-edge technology, high efficiency, and low coal usage, which will lower the cost of power generation and lower energy rates.
• It stated that the first unit would be ready in around 50 months.
• UP has a current capacity of 7,000 MW in terms of thermal power generation and the two plants will contribute about 25% of the existing capacity.

Recent News :

• In June 2023, The Uttar Pradesh (UP) government implemented the Legal Aid Defence Counsel System (LADCS) for a period of 2 years under the Uttar Pradesh State Legal Services Authority to provide free legal aid to the needy.

About UP :

• Governor : Anandiben Patel
• Chief Minister : Yogi Adityanath
• Capital : Lucknow
• National Park : Dudhwa National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuary : Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary, National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

INS Sunayna participated in Operation Southern Readiness – 2023 in Seychelles

• Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sunayna was at Seychelles to participate in Op Southern Readiness 2023 conducted by Combined Maritime Forces(CMF).

Aim :

• To enhance maritime security, countering piracy to ensure safety and freedom of navigation in the region.
• A delegation of CMF from Bahrain headed by Cmde Oliver, Commander of CTF56 witnessed the training exercises onboard.

Participants :

• Navies from United Arab Emirates (USA), Italy, United Kingdom (UK), Seychelles Defence Forces & Marine Police, member nations of European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR).

Key Highlights :

• Op Southern Readiness 2023 is a multinational initiative.
• The ship conducted lectures and practical demonstrations on varied aspects of Navigation, VBSS (Basic and Advanced training), Maritime Domain Awareness and mass casualty evacuation drills.
• A combined yoga session was organised onboard with participation of personnel from Seychelles Defence Forces and CMF along with the ship’s crew.
• INS Sunayna is the Indian Navy’s 2nd Saryu-class patrol vessel.
• It is built indigenously by the Goa Shipyard Limited.

About CMF :

• Combined Maritime Forces was established in February 2002.
• CMF is a multinational maritime partnership, which exists to uphold the Rules-Based International Order (RBIO) by countering illicit non-state actors on the high seas and promoting security, stability, and prosperity across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters, which encompass some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.
• CMF has 38 member nations: Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Djibouti, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, India, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, the Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Türkiye, UAE, United Kingdom, United States, and Yemen.
• CMF has 5 Combined Task Forces:

1. CTF 150 (Maritime Security Operations outside the Arabian Gulf)
2. CTF 151 (Counter-Piracy)
3. CTF 152 (Maritime Security Operations inside the Arabian Gulf)
4. CTF 153 (Red Sea Maritime Security)
5. CTF 154 (Maritime Security Training)

Recent News :

• In June 2023, INS Sunayna, based at Southern Naval Command Kochi, entered Port Beira, Mozambique.

About Ministry of Defence : 

• Defence Minister :  Rajnath Singh
• Minister of State : Ajay Bhatt
• Defence Secretary : Giridhar Aramane

About Seychelles:

• President: Wavel Ramkalawan
• Capital: Victoria
• Currency: Seychelles Rupee

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

Asian Athletics Championships 2023: India finishes 3rd with 27 medals in Bangkok, Thailand

• In the Asian Athletics Championships in Bangkok, India displayed a fantastic performance as they finished third, winning 27 medals, with 6 Gold, 12 Silver and 9 Bronze.
• The five day-event started on the 12th of July 2023.

About Thailand:

• Capital: Bangkok
• Currency: Thai Baht
• Prime minister: Prayut Chan-o-cha

Recent News

• Indian shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor and runner Parul Chaudhary won gold medals at the Asian Athletics Championships 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand
• The Indian 4X400m mixed relay team bagged gold ahead of Japan and SriLanka at the Asian Athletics Championships 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand
• Priyanka Goswami and Vikash Singh won silver and bronze respectively in the 20km race walk event at the Asian Athletics Championships in Bangkok

Indian shooter Prithviraj Tondaiman bags Bronze medal at ISSF Shotgun World Cup 2023 in Italy

• In shooting, India shooter Prithviraj Tondaiman bagged the bronze medal in the men’s trap event at the ISSF Shotgun World Cup Lonato 2023 in Italy.
• Prithviraj Tondaiman’s bronze was India’s only medal at the Lonato shooting meet.
• This was his second individual ISSF World Cup medal, having won a bronze in Doha in March.
• Prithviraj Tondaiman finished third in the final with 34 points. Britain’s Nathan Hales won the gold medal with 49 points while Qi Ying of the Republic of China bagged the silver medal with 48 points.
• In the women’s trap event, none of the Indians managed to progress beyond the qualification round.
• Overall, India finished ninth in the medals tally at Lonato, which was topped by the USA with two golds and one silver.
• The ISSF Shotgun World Cup in Italy was a qualifying event for the Paris 2024 Olympic

About ISSF:

• The International Shooting Sport Federation is the governing body of the Olympic shooting events. It also regulates several non-Olympic shooting sports events.
• President: Luciano Rossi
• Founded: 1907
• Headquarters: Munich, Germany
• Membership: 150 regions
• Secretary: Willi Grill (Secretary-General)

Tennis player Carlos Alcaraz defeats Novak Djokovic to win his first Wimbledon championship

• In Wimbledon Tennis, World number one Carlos Alcaraz ended Novak Djokovic’s long reign at the All-England Club to win his first Wimbledon 2023 title and his second Grand Slam title with a 1-6 7-6(6) 6-1 3-6 6-4 victory in the final at the Centre Court in London.
• The twenty-year-old Spaniard beat the seven-time champion to become the youngest man to lift the Challenge Cup since 18-year-old Boris Becker won the second of his three Wimbledon titles in 1986.
• The Spanish sensation won his second major title, having triumphed at the 2022 US Open.
• Djokovic lauded his opponent, Carols Alcaraz and his team, and said that he ‘lost to a better player’ after missing out on his eighth Wimbledon title.
• While addressing his loss, Djokovic said that he would still be ‘grateful’ even though he doesn’t like to lose such important matches.

About Wimbledon

• The Championships, commonly known simply as Wimbledon, is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and is regarded by many as the most prestigious.
• Founded: 1877

Recent News

• In Wimbledon, sixth seed Ons Jabeur will take on unseeded Marketa Vondrousova from the Czech Republic in Women’s singles.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

Renowned mathematician Dr Mangala J. Narlikar passed away

• Dr Mangala Narlikar, an eminent mathematician and the wife of Dr Jayant Narlikar who is the founder director of Pune-based Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) passed away at the age of 80 in Maharashtra

About Dr Mangala J. Narlikar :

• Dr Mangala J. Narlikar was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra on May 17, 1943.
• She initially worked at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in Mumbai and later worked as a lecturer in the University of Bombay and Pune.
• From 1964 to 1966, Narlikar worked as a Research Student and Research Associate in the School of Mathematics of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• From 1967 to 1969, she taught at the undergraduate school at the University of Cambridge.
• From 1974 to 1980 she again worked in the School of Mathematics of TIFR.
• Dr Narlikar’s core fields of interest were real and complex analysis, analytic geometry, numbers theory, algebra and topology, and she carried out research in pure mathematics.
• She has authored several books in English and Marathi, some of the books she wrote include A Cosmic Adventure, An easy Access to Basic Mathematics (book for school students), Ganit Gappa, Easy access to mathematics (book for school students), Nabhat Hasre Taare.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

Nelson Mandela International Day 2023: July 18

• On July 18th of this current year(2023), Nelson Mandela International Day 2023 is celebrated and observed worldwide as an honouring event.
• Nelson Mandela International Day (also known as Mandela Day) is a yearly international celebration honouring Mandela that is observed on his birthday, July 18th.
• The theme of International Nelson Mandela Day for the year 2023 is: “The Legacy Lives on Through You: Climate, Food and Solidarity”.
• On July 18, 1918, Nelson Mandela was born in a village called Mvezo in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
• In 1963 Mandela was jailed for leading the liberation movement against apartheid and he was referred to by his inmate number, 46664.
• In 1990, Mandela left prison after 27 years.
• In 1994 Mandela was elected President of South Africa and served in office until 1999.
• On July 18, 2009, The first Nelson Mandela International Day was held in New York.

Daily CA One-Liner: July 18

• Google Pay, the second largest Unified Payment Interface (UPI) platform in the country, has started rolling out the UPI Lite feature for users in India.
• India’s largest lender, State Bank of India (SBI), has raised Rs 3,101 crores capital via additional tier I bonds (AT1) or perpetual bonds at a coupon of 8.1%.
• According to Crisil Market Intelligence and Analytics (MI&A), Rural areas have the least presence of payments banks’ (PBs’) functioning offices, whereas urban areas have the highest number of functioning offices (44%).
• The number of persons living in multidimensional poverty in the country has fallen from 24.85 per cent to 14.96 per cent between 2015-16 and 2019-21
• Union defence Minister and Lucknow MP Rajnath Singh will inaugurate and lay the foundation of many development projects in Lucknow.
• The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is coming with the third edition of its most prestigious ‘Global India Maritime Summit’ this year.
• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the New Integrated Terminal Building of Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair via video conferencing.
• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) celebrated its 95th Foundation Day at National Agriculture Science Complex, Pusa, New Delhi.
• Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah will chair Regional Conference on ‘Drugs Smuggling and National Security’ in New Delhi.
• India and France will be jointly developing a combat aircraft engine and engine for the Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH) being developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• The UN delivered grim news on global food security.2.4 billion people didn’t have constant access to food last year, as many as 783 million faced hunger, and 148 million children suffered from stunted growth.
• According to a new United Nations (UN) report, Some 3.3 billion people, almost half of humanity, now live in countries that spend more money paying interest on their debts than on education or health.
• A terrifying “shelf cloud” OR “Arcus cloud” appeared in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar.
• The Government of Odisha cabinet approved the inclusion of the Kui language in the 8th schedule.
• The Government of Uttar Pradesh (UP) approved the construction of two “Obra D” thermal power projects in Sonbhadra’s Obra, each to be rated at 800 megawatt (MW) and costing Rs 18,000 crore.
• Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sunayna was at Seychelles to participate in Op Southern Readiness 2023 conducted by Combined Maritime Forces(CMF).
• In the Asian Athletics Championships in Bangkok, India displayed a fantastic performance as they finished third, winning 27 medals, with 6 Gold, 12 Silver and 9 Bronze.
• In shooting, India shooter Prithviraj Tondaiman bagged the bronze medal in the men’s trap event at the ISSF Shotgun World Cup Lonato 2023 in Italy.
• In Wimbledon Tennis, World number one Carlos Alcaraz ended Novak Djokovic’s long reign at the All-England Club to win his first Wimbledon 2023 title and his second Grand Slam title with a 1-6 7-6(6) 6-1 3-6 6-4 victory in the final at the Centre Court in London.
• Dr Mangala Narlikar, an eminent mathematician and the wife of Dr Jayant Narlikar who is the founder director of Pune-based Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) passed away at the age of 80 in Maharashtra
• On July 18th of this current year (2023), Nelson Mandela International Day 2023 is celebrated and observed worldwide as an honouring event.