Current Affairs One - Liner : 18th July 2024

India’s first overseas Jan Aushadi Kendra was inaugurated in Mauritius by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. This significant step testifies to the close bilateral cooperation between India and Mauritius, particularly in the health sector.

The Haryana government has approved a 10% job quota for Agniveers in police recruitment and mining guard recruitment. This decision was announced on July 17, 2024. Additionally, retired Agniveers will receive 10% horizontal reservations in direct recruitment to posts of constable, mining guard, forest guard, jail warden, and SPO recruitment by the state government.

BBVA Colombia and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) issued the world’s first biodiversity bond in the financial sector on July 12th, 2024. This groundbreaking bond aims to finance projects addressing key drivers of biodiversity loss, including reforestation, regeneration of natural forests, climate-smart agriculture, and wildlife habitat restoration.
The Indian government has released the first tranche of $2.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). This contribution is part of India’s annual commitment of $5 million for the year 2024-25. Over the years, India has consistently supported Palestinian refugees by providing financial assistance totaling $35 million until 2023-24.

Between July 13 and 15, 2024, Axis Bank successfully transitioned Citibank customers to their banking platform. As a result, these customers are now officially Axis Bank customers. If the customer is already an Axis Bank customer, you should be able to see your Citibank accounts and credit cards merged into your existing Axis Bank Customer ID.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has maintained India’s GDP growth forecast at 7% for the current fiscal year (FY25). This projection is based on robust growth in the industrial sector and a rebound in agriculture.

The report on India’s electronic waste generation is released by the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD). According to their 2024 Digital Economy Report, India experienced a remarkable 163% growth in generating electronic waste from screens, computers, and small IT and telecommunication equipment (SCSIT) between 2010 and 2022.

The Copa América 2024 Final took place on Sunday, July 14th at 8 p.m. ET. Argentina emerged victorious, defeating Colombia in an exciting match held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, FL. This victory marks Argentina’s 16th Copa América title.
Saudi Arabia is set to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2025. This groundbreaking event is a result of a 12-year partnership between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
India Champions clinched the World Championship of Legends title by defeating arch-rivals Pakistan Champions in a thrilling final at Edgbaston on July 13, 2024. The Indian team chased down a target of 157 runs set by Pakistan, reaching 159/5 in just 19.1 overs.
England’s veteran pacer James Anderson has announced his decision to retire from Test cricket. His final red-ball game for England will be during the first Test against West Indies at Lord’s in July.

The Ministry of Defence has released the fifth Positive Indigenisation List, comprising 346 items, to boost domestic defence production. This move aims to reduce India's reliance on foreign imports, promote self-reliance (Aatmanirbhar Bharat), empower Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), generate employment, and foster technological advancements in the defence sector.

Nelson Mandela International Day, also known as Mandela Day, is celebrated annually on July 18th, which marks Nelson Mandela’s birthday. This day honors the remarkable achievements and legacy of the South African leader. The theme of Nelson Mandela International Day 2024 is " Combating poverty and inequality is in our hands."

HSBC Holdings has announced that Georges Elhedery will be the next Group Chief Executive, effective from September 2, 2024. Elhedery, who is currently the Chief Financial Officer, will succeed outgoing head Noel Quinn.

Indian astrophysicist Prahlad Chandra Agrawal received the prestigious COSPAR Harrie Massey Award 2024 at the 45th COSPAR Scientific Assembly opening ceremony in Busan, South Korea, on July 15. Additionally, Anil Bhardwaj, director of the Ahmedabad-based Physical Research Laboratory, was awarded the Vikram Sarabhai Medal, which honors outstanding space science research in developing countries.
On July 14, 2024, the prestigious Fleet Awards Function was held in Visakhapatnam to honor the Eastern Fleet’s tactical successes over the past year. As a result of its excellent performance and operational tasks, INS Delhi was named the Best Ship of the Eastern Fleet.

“Power Within: The Leadership Legacy of Narendra Modi” is a book authored by Dr. R. Balasubramaniam. In this carefully crafted narrative, Balasubramaniam captures Narendra Modi’s leadership journey and interprets it through Western and Indic lenses, amalgamating them to provide a roadmap for those who aspire to a life of public service.

Subhash Dandekar, the visionary founder of the iconic stationery brand Camlin, passed away on July 15, 2024. He was 86 years old. Dandekar’s legacy extends beyond business; he inherited not just a company but also a cherished childhood memory for countless Indians.

Questions:

1 Who is the author of the book "Power Within: The Leadership Legacy of Narendra Modi"?

2 Where was India's first overseas Jan Aushadi Kendra inaugurated?