Current Affairs One - Liner : 13th July 2024

The Maharashtra government has decided to ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks near schools. This decision was made in response to concerns about the negative health effects of excessive caffeine consumption among children and adolescents.

On July 13, 2024, the UAE honored Dr. George Matthew, a UAE citizen of Indian origin, by naming a street in Abu Dhabi after him. The road near Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) in the Al Mafraq area is now known as George Matthew Street. Dr. Matthew, who arrived in the UAE in 1967, has played a pivotal role in shaping Abu Dhabi’s healthcare system over nearly 60 years.

SBI now offers online loans against mutual fund units. You can borrow up to 50% of your equity fund value and 75% of your debt fund value. The entire process is digital and paperless, available on SBI internet banking and YONO app.

The Indian government has announced a hike in the Employee Provident Fund (EPF) annual interest rate to 8.25% for the financial year 2024-25. This decision aims to provide better returns to the working population contributing to the EPF.
In May 2024, India’s Index of Industrial Production (IIP) recorded a growth rate of 5.9% compared to the same period in 2023. The quick estimates for May 2024 place the IIP at 154.2, up from 145.6 in May 2023. The sector-wise breakdown shows indices of 136.5 for mining, 149.7 for manufacturing, and 229.3 for electricity.

UNESCO convened the International Conference on Soils on July 1st, 2024, in Morocco, primarily addressing global soil challenges. The conference aimed to raise awareness about soil's importance and promote sustainable soil management. A highlight of the conference was the launch of the World Soil Health Index by UNESCO.

Sabeera Haris, a 17-year-old girl from Aligarh, made India proud by winning a bronze medal in women’s trap at the ISSF Junior World Cup in Porpetto, Italy. She secured this achievement on Friday, July 12, 2024. Sabeera aspires to win a gold medal in the 2028 Olympics and is currently a student at the Aligarh Muslim University.

On July 11, 2024, Justice Aalia Neelum took oath as the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court (LHC) in Pakistan, making her the first woman to hold this esteemed position. The ceremony, held at the Governor’s House in Lahore, marked a significant milestone in the court’s history.

Professor K. Chockalingam, a retired expert in victimology from Tamil Nadu, India, has been selected for the esteemed Hans von Hentig Award. This prestigious recognition highlights the global impact of Indian scholarship in the study of crime victims and their experiences within the criminal justice system.
The Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) program, led by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, has been awarded the prestigious Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity 2024. The announcement was made by Dr. Angela Merkel, chair of the Jury and former Federal Chancellor of Germany, during a ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal on July 11th.

Questions:

1 What is the revised annual interest rate for EPF deposits in FY 2024-25?

2 Who has been selected for the Hans von Hentig Award?