Current Affairs One - Liner : 27th July 2024

The IAEA and UNOSSC have joined forces to accelerate sustainable development in developing countries. By combining their expertise, they aim to promote knowledge sharing, expand access to nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, and implement successful South-South cooperation initiatives.

Hindustan Zinc unveiled EcoZen on July 24, 2024, marking Asia's first low-carbon green zinc. Produced using renewable energy, EcoZen boasts a carbon footprint 75% lower than the global average. This sustainable zinc aims to meet the growing demand for eco-friendly materials in sectors like automotive and infrastructure, aligning with Hindustan Zinc's net-zero goals.
On July 26, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually carried out the first blast of the Shinkun La Tunnel project during his visit to the Kargil war memorial at Drass. The Shinkun La Tunnel project consists of a 4.1-kilometer-long twin-tube tunnel, which will be constructed at an altitude of around 15,800 feet on the Nimu-Padum-Darcha road.
India's first integrated agri-export facility was approved on July 27, 2024. The Rs. 284 crore project at Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Mumbai will be a public-private partnership. It aims to streamline agricultural exports, reduce wastage, and improve farmers' income by providing state-of-the-art processing and storage facilities.

India has taken over as the Chair of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) for the year 2024-25. Shri Rajendra Singh, Member & Head of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), officially assumed this role in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday, July 25, 2024. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India aims to lead in disaster risk reduction.
South Africa's Climate Change Act was signed into law on July 23, 2024. This landmark legislation marks a crucial step in the country's fight against climate change. The Act mandates emissions caps for major polluters, requires climate adaptation plans from cities, and aligns with the Paris Agreement's goals.

Odisha has unveiled a Rs 2.65 lakh crore budget for FY25, prioritizing agriculture with a hefty allocation of Rs 33,919 crore. The budget also emphasizes women's empowerment and has been dubbed a "people's budget" by the Chief Minister.
During the April–June period (Q1) of 2024, India imported 2.02 million tonnes of coking coal from Russia, which is a five-year high. In contrast, the share of shipments from Australia, a key hard coking coal supplier, dropped to a five-year low of 56%, totaling 8.64 million tonnes.
In June 2024, global crude steel production reached 161.4 million tonnes (Mt), marking a 0.5% increase compared to June 2023. China, the top producer, contributed 91.6 Mt, showing a 0.2% growth from the previous year.

The revised Model Skill Loan Scheme, launched by the Government of India on July 25, 2024, aims to provide education and skill development opportunities to 25,000 youth. Eligible students can obtain collateral-free loans up to ₹7.5 lakhs for advanced skill courses. NBFCs, Micro Finance Institutions, and Small Finance Banks are eligible lenders, with the loan guarantee cover increased from ₹1.5 lakhs to ₹7.5 lakhs.

On July 26, 2024, we observe the 9th International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystems. This day recognizes mangrove ecosystems as unique, special, and vulnerable. It promotes solutions for their sustainable management, conservation, and uses. Mangroves are extraordinary ecosystems found at the interface of land and sea in tropical regions.

Curator and author Rahaab Allana was recently awarded the prestigious Officier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government. This honor recognizes his significant contributions to contemporary South Asian photography and Indo-French artistic collaboration over the past two decades. The award was conferred on July 25, 2024.

On July 24, 2024, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu released the autobiography titled “Ek Refugee Scientist,” authored by Dr. M.K. Shingari from Solan district. This autobiography marks Dr. Shingari’s fifth publication.

Questions:

1 Who released the autobiography titled “Ek Refugee Scientist” on July 24, 2024?

2 What is the approximate altitude of the Shinkun La Tunnel?