NATIONAL:
1. STOP Diarrhoea Campaign 2024
Why in news: Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri JP Nadda launched the National STOP Diarrhoea Campaign 2024, on June 24.
Key points:
• The dignitaries also released IEC materials like logo, posters, radio spots and audio visuals for the campaign and distributed oral rehydration salts (ORS) and zinc tablets to children on the occasion.
• The goal behind the STOP Diarrhoea Campaign 2024 is to attain zero child deaths due to childhood diarrhoea.
2. Kerala
Why in news: Kerala House passes resolution to rename the State name to 'Keralam'.
Key points:
• The Kerala Assembly passed a resolution proposing a Constitutional amendment to change the name of the State to 'Keralam'.
• The resolution, moved by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, called for invoking Article 3 of the Constitution to effectuate this change in the First Schedule.
• The move aims to align the official name with the Malayalam pronunciation.
3. Country's First Farmer's Armour
Why in news: Country's first farmer's armour made of cotton cloth, to protect the country's farmers from deadly pesticides.
Key points:
• It is named as Kavach, Wearing it can significantly reduce the risk of pesticide-related health problems for farmers.
• It is made of cotton fabric and has a molecule on it that is capable of inactivating pesticides on contact.
3. Committee To Reform Examination Process
Why in news: The Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education (MOE) has constituted a seven- member high-level committee to make recommendations on reform in the examination process, improvement in data security protocols and functioning of the National Testing Agency(NTA).
Key points:
• The committee is headed by Dr K. Radhakrishnan, Chairman Board of Governors, Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) Kanpur.
• The committee shall submit its report to the MoE within two months from the date of issue of this order.
4. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024
Why in news: The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 came into force from 21st June 2024.
Key points:
• The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, passed by the Lok Sabha on February 6 and by the Rajya Sabha on February 9 and It officially became law on February 12 with President Draupadi Murmu's approval.
• The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act is the first ever national law against the use of unfair means to rig recruitment exams conducted by UPSC, Staff Selection Commission, Railway Recruitment Board, Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) and entrance tests for central educational institutions like JEE, NEET and CUET.
• Objective: It seeks to address issues related to unfair means in the conduct of exams, which are not covered under the purview of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Punishments:
• Individuals caught using unfair means during exams face 3-5 years imprisonment , with fines up to ₹10 lakh.
• Testing agencies, or "service providers," face fines up to ₹1 crore. Additionally, they may be barred from conducting any public exam for four years. The law also mandates recovering the proportionate cost of the examination from these agencies.
• Senior management involved in exam malpractices could face imprisonment of up to 10 years and fines of ₹1 crore.Those involved in organised cheating face 5-10 years imprisonment , along with fines of at least ₹1 crore.
• The law does not apply to individuals who can prove that the offense occurred without their knowledge and that they tried their best to prevent it.
• All offences under the Act will be cognisable and non-bailable.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Lokdarshan Regmi
Why in news: Lokdarshan Regmi becomes Nepal's new ambassador to India.
Key points:
• Former Chief Secretary and Nepal's Ambassador to Britain Lokdarshan Regmi has been named the new ambassador to India by Nepal.
• Regmi has previously held the posts of Home Secretary, Finance Secretary and Secretary in the Ministry of Land Reforms and Management. agency
SPORTS:
1. Spanish Grand Prix 2024
Why in news: Verstappen Triumphs at Spanish Grand Prix 2024.
Key points:
• Red Bull’s Max Verstappen prevailed in the strategic battle with McLaren’s Lando Norris to win the Spanish Grand Prix.
2. Bajrang Punia
Why in news: Olympics Medalist Bajrang Punia Suspended by NADA for Anti-Doping Rule Violation.
Key points:
• Olympic bronze medalist wrestler Bajrang Punia has been suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for a second time for refusing to provide a urine sample during selection trials.
• Despite a previous suspension being revoked, NADA issued a new suspension.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. One World Media Press Freedom Award 2024
Why in news: Bilan Media won 2024 One World Media Press Freedom Award.
Key points:
• Bilan Media is Somalia's 1st and only all-women news team, has won the 2024 One World Media Press Freedom Award during the 36th One World Media Awards ceremony held at Curzon Soho in London, United Kingdom.
• With this award, Bilan became the 1st Somali media team to receive this honour.
• This award recognises their courageous reporting over the past 2 years, which has addressed many taboo subjects and opened doors for women journalists in Somalia.
APPOINTMENTS:
1. J.P. Nadda
Why in news: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president and Union Minister J.P. Nadda has been named Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha.
Key points:
• J.P. Nadda was elected as Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat and holds the Health, Chemicals and Fertilizers portfolio in the Modi 3.0 cabinet.
• Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha.
• Mr. Nadda replaces Union Minister Piyush Goyal who took oath as a member of the Lower House of Parliament.
ART & CULTURE:
1. World Craft City
Why in news: Srinagar got the status of ‘World Craft City’ by World Crafts Council.
Key points:
• It will encourage the local handicraft industry and also help in the socio-economic upliftment of the handicraftsmen and artisans who have been carrying forward the traditional handicraft art for centuries.
• Srinagar is the fourth city in the country and the first city in Northern India to achieve the title of World Craft City after Malappuram, Jaipur and Mysore.
• Srinagar has also been recognized as a UNESCO Creative City.
BOOKS & AUTHOR:
1. Gateways to the Sea
Why in news: Governor of Maharashtra, Shri Ramesh Bais, released a book titled 'Gateways to the Sea: Historic Ports and Docks of Mumbai Region'.
Key points:
• The event took place at Raj Bhavan Mumbai, highlighting the rich maritime heritage of the Mumbai region.
• It sheds light on the area’s ancient and modern maritime history.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. International Olympic Day
Why in news: International Olympic Day is annually observed across the globe on 23 June.
Key points:
• Objective: To promote participation and peace in sports across the globe regardless of age, gender, or athletic ability.
• Theme: "Let's Move and Celebrate".
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