NATIONAL:
1. Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR)
Why in news: 44% of sitting Member of Parliament (MPs) face criminal charges, 5% are billionaires: Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR)
Key points:
• 50% of MPs facing criminal charge are from Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Himachal Pradesh.
• Among sitting MPs with criminal charges, 29% face serious criminal cases including allegations of murder, attempt to murder, crime against women etc.
Supreme Court (SC) on Criminalization of Politics
• Lily Thomas Vs UOI (2013): MPs, State Legislatures convicted of crime with a minimum sentence of 2 years imprisonment would cease to be members of the house.
• Public Interest Foundation v UOI (2018): A person cannot be disqualified from membership in a legislative body on mere framing of criminal charges against them.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Dmytro Kuleba
Why in news: Ukraine’s Foreign Minister paid official visit to India
Key points:
• Foreign Minister visited India amid efforts to seek a peaceful resolution to the more than two-year-old Russia-Ukraine conflict.
• Ukraine expects India to participate in the Peace summit to be hosted by Switzerland based on Ukrainian President's 10 points peace formula.
• 10 points peace formula aims to bring lasting peace to Ukraine and put an end to war.
• A Review meeting of the Inter-governmental Commission (IGC) was also held to restore cooperation prior to war level.
2. 1MYAC (One Million Youth Actions Challenge)
Why in news: 1MYAC (One Million Youth Actions Challenge) is promoted by the UN Climate Change Learning Partnership (UN CC:Learn).
Key points:
• Aims to encourage youth aged 10 to 30 years old to take concrete actions for a more sustainable future.
• It works to promote four Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• It includes SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation), SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production), SDG 13 (climate action) and SDG 15 (life on land).
• UN CC: Learn is a collaborative initiative of 36 multilateral organizations working together to help countries build the knowledge and skills they need to take
action on climate change.
3. UN Commission on Status of Women
Why in news: Saudi Arabia chosen to chair UN Commission on Status of Women
Key points:
• Saudi Arabia’s bid for leadership went unopposed during the CSW’s annual meeting, with no dissent from the 45 member states.
• Ambassador Alwasil was elected as chair by “acclamation,” as there were no rival candidates.
ECONOMY:
1. Government e-Market (GeM)
Why in news: Procurement of goods and services through GeM has crossed Rs 4 lakh crore.
Key points:
• It is Public Procurement Portal for goods and services for all Central Government and State Government Ministries, Departments, Public Sector Units etc.
• Launched in 2016 by Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction (Buildings-GSR) 2024
Why in news: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction (Buildings-GSR) 2024
Key points:
• Report was published jointly by UNEP and Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC).
• Building and Construction Sector (BCS) accounts for about 21% of global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions.
• In 2022, buildings were responsible for 34% global energy demand and 37% of energy and process-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
• India is attributing 40% of its CO2 emissions to buildings.
Initiatives taken for Sustainable BCS in India:
• First city-specific Zero Carbon Buildings Action Plan (ZCBAP) launched in Nagpur.
• Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022 provides for Energy Conservation and Sustainability Building Code.
SUMMITS/CONFERENCES:
1. First ever Nuclear Energy Summit
Why in news: World's first ever Nuclear Energy Summit held in Brussels
Key points:
• Summit was jointly organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Belgium to promote nuclear energy.
• It was organised in the wake of the historic inclusion of nuclear energy in the Global Stocktake agreed at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), 2023.
• Inclusion in Global Stocktake called for accelerating its deployment.
• Currently, nuclear energy is responsible for around 25 % of global low carbon electricity production.
• Summit was attended by more than 30 nations (including India) and European Union.
SPORTS:
1. Hockey India Awards 2023
Why in news: Hardik Singh and Salima Tete named Players of the Year for 2023
Key points:
• Hardik Singh and Salima Tete were named the Players of the Year for 2023 in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively, at the sixth annual Hockey India Awards.
• Hardik Singh, who was also the FIH Player of the Year, received the Balbir Singh Sr. Trophy and a cash prize of ₹25 lakhs.
2. MS Dhoni
Why in news: MS Dhoni made History in T20 Cricket
Key points:
• Dhoni achieved a remarkable feat, becoming the first wicketkeeper to record 300 dismissals in T20 cricket.
• The auspicious match was between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
STATE/UT:
1. 220 MW Barauni Stage-I Project
Why in news: NTPC permanently closed 220 MW Barauni Stage-I project
Key points:
• State-owned power giant NTPC has closed down its Barauni Thermal Power Station Stage-I of 220 MW permanently.
• NTPC is India’s largest power utility with a total installed capacity of 75,418 MW (including JVs).
• Established in 1975, NTPC aims to become a 130 GW firm by 2032.
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