NATIONAL:
1. ED Director Extension
Why in news - Supreme Court held that the 3rd extension to the tenure of Enforcement Directorate (ED) chief Sanjay Kumar Mishra is "illegal".
Key Points –
• However, the SC upheld the amendment to the
(a) Central Vigilance Commission (Amendment) Act, 2021,
(b) Delhi Special Police Establishment (Amendment) Act, 2021
(c) Fundamental (Amendment) Rules, 2021.
• These amendments allow the Centre to have chiefs of ED and Central CBI with a tenure of up to 5 years.
• Sanjay Kumar Mishra was appointed as the ED chief in 2018 for 2 years. Then, starting in 2020, he was given three one-year extensions.
About ED (May 1, 1956) –
• Multi-disciplinary organization (not a statutory body).
• Mandate - investigation of offenses of money laundering and violations of foreign exchange laws.
• Under - Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.
• Hq – Delhi. 5 regional offices - Mumbai, Chennai, Chandigarh, Kolkata, and Delhi.
• Enforces Acts –
(a) Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA)
(b) Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA)
(c) Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 (FEOA).
• FEMA and PMLA apply to all of India, allowing ED to take action (search and seizure under Sections 16 and 17 of PMLA) against any person.
• ED cannot act on its own, and a complaint to another agency or the police is required for investigation.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering
Why in news - United Arab Emirates (UAE) secured observer status at the Asia-Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG).
Key Points –
• First Arab country to be granted observer status at the APG
• APG plenary session was held in Vancouver, Canada.
• APG is a regional body modeled on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
• UAE was named to the Financial Action Task Force’s “grey list” in 2022.
About APG on Money Laundering (1997) –
• “Regional body” of FATF.
• Observer states - the United Kingdom, France, Germany and North Korea.
• India became a member of the APG in March 1998.
2. CPTPP Agreement
Why in news – United Kingdom (UK) formally signed a treaty to join the Indo-Pacific bloc CPTPP.
Key Points –
• UK signed the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in Auckland, New Zealand.
• For UK, it is the biggest trade deal since the UK left the European Union in 2020.
• “Global Britain” strategy – Outlines 3 fundamental national interests that bind together the citizens of the UK – sovereignty, security and prosperity.
About CPTPP (2018) –
• A Free trade agreement (FTA).
• It was signed by the 11 countries on March 8, 2018 in Santiago, Chile. (entered into force - December 30, 2018).
• Participants (11 countries) - Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.
• Seen as a bulwark against China’s dominance in the region. (China is not a member).
• Combined GDP - $1 trillion (13.1% of global trade).
• All 11 countries of CPTPP are also members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. Wheat Variety PBW RS1
Why in news – Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has come up with a new wheat variety called PBW RS1.
Key Points –
• It has high amylose starch content, known to reduce risks of type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
• PBW RS1 (RS - resistant starch) won’t cause an immediate and rapid rise in glucose levels.
• High amylose and resistant starch ensure that glucose is released more slowly into the bloodstream.
• Drawback - low grain yield per hectare.
Value Addition –
• PAU – India’s top state agricultural university in 2023 as per the National Institute Ranking Framework (Overall - Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Delhi).
• Earlier, PAU had released two varieties –
(a) PBW Zn1 - high zinc content.
(b) PBW1 - chapati remain fresh for long.
• Glycemic index - A value used to measure how specific foods increase blood sugar levels.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. "Gajah Kotha" Campaign
Why in news – Assam has launched the campaign to address the growing human-elephant conflict (HEC) issue.
Key Points –
• Initiative of - Aaranyak, British Asian Trust, the Assam Forest Department and Darwin Initiative.
• Aranyak is a renowned wildlife NGO based in Guwahati.
Value Addition –
• Number of elephants (Elephant Census, 2017) – Karnataka (6,049), Assam (5,719) and Kerala (3,054).
• Other steps for elephant conservation - Gaj Yatra, Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE), Asian Elephant Alliance etc.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. World Day for International Justice 2023
Why in news – It is celebrated on July 17.
Key Points –
• It marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute on 17 July 1998.
• Rome Statute is the founding treaty of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
• ICC seeks to protect people from genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression.
BOOKS & AUTHORS:
1. Book 'Krishna – The 7th Sense'
Why in news – Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan released the Malayalam translation ‘Krishna – The 7th Sense’.
Key Points –
• Author - Debashis Chatterjee.
• He also unveiled the latest edition of Prof. Chatterjee’s work ‘Karma Sutras – Leadership and Wisdom in Uncertain Times’.
SPORTS:
1. MP State Esports Academy
Why in news – India’s first Esports academy to come up in Madhya Pradesh (MP).
Key Points –
• MP has also announced the MP State Junior Esports Championship for all BGMI players across the state.
• Indian gamers can "qualify for the 2022 Asian Games" through BGMI.
BIHAR:
1. All India Sainik Schools National Games 2023-24
Why in news – The 4-day-long group level All India Sainik Schools National Games 2023-24 concluded in Nalanda.
Key Points –
• Venue - Shri Sheoo Mewalal Sports Complex, Nalanda.
• Toppers –
(a) Sainik School Nalanda
(b) Sainik School Tilaiya
(c) Sainik School Gopalganj
(d) Sainik School Purulia
• Altogether 244 participants, including 42 girls from Sanik schools in Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal participated.
POINTERS:
• Which state's Authoor betel leaves have been given Geographical Indication (GI) certificate - Tamil Nadu.
• Which ministry has launched a new campaign called "BHARAT" for banks under Agri Infra Fund - Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
• Who has been appointed as the captain of India's men's cricket team in the 19th Asian Games - Ruturaj Gaikwad.
• Indian government has reimposed the windfall tax on domestic crude oil to how much rupees per tonne - Rs 1,600 per tonne.
• Which union minister has launched the second phase of "AI For India 2.0" - Dharmendra Pradhan.
• India has won a total of 9 medals in the "World Deaf Youth Badminton Championship" held in which country – Brazil
• India and which country will work on joint development of a combat aircraft engine and an engine for the Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH) – France.
• Gautam Adani has handed over the 1600 MW Godda Power Plant to which country - Bangladesh.
• Which bank has become the first bank to link Digital Rupee with UPI QR Code - HDFC Bank.
• Which company has been awarded the 'Golden Peacock' Environment Management Awards 2023 - Adani Transmission Limited.