NATIONAL:
1. Disaster Management Ministers Meeting
Why in news – Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended a meeting with the ministers of disaster management of states and Union Territories.
Key Points –
• He announced 3 major schemes worth over Rs 8,000 crore for –
(a) Rs 5,000 crores - modernisation of fire brigade services in all states
(b) Rs 2,500 crores - flood mitigation in 7 major cities
(c) Rs 825 crores - prevention of landslides in 17 states.
• 7 major cities - Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Pune.
• “Aapda Mitra” scheme - One lakh youth volunteers are being prepared in 350 disaster-prone districts to deal with disasters.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) –
• India's apex disaster management statutory authority.
• Formation - September 27, 2006 under Disaster Management Act 2005.
• Chairperson - Prime Minister.
• Union Home Secretary is the ex-officio chairperson of National Executive Committee to assist the National Authority in carrying out its duties.
2. 'Eat Right Station' Tag
Why in news – The Guwahati Railway Station has been awarded ‘Eat Right Station’ certification by the FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India).
Key Points –
• Zone - Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR).
• It became the first railway station in NF Railway to get this status.
• Awarded for 2-year period (June 2, 2023 to June 2, 2025).
• The certification is a part of the ‘Eat Right India’ movement.
• Eat Right India’ movement - A large-scale effort by FSSAI to transform the country’s food system to ensure safe, healthy and sustainable food for all Indians.
3. Monthly Pension to Padma Awardees
Why in news – Haryana announced a monthly pension of Rs 10,000 for the Padma awardees from the state.
Key Points –
• It also announced a free travel facility in the “Volvo bus” service of the state government for Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan awardees from Haryana.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. New Zealand in Recession
Why in news – New Zealand economy slipped into recession as GDP falls for the second quarter in 2023.
Key Points –
• The last time New Zealand's economy entered a technical recession was in 2020.
• Recession – Drop (contract) in the gross domestic product (GDP) for two or more quarters in a row.
2. Cormac McCarthy
Why in news – Celebrated author Cormac McCarthy has died at 89.
Key Points –
• His first novel – “The Orchard Keeper”.
• His novels - No Country for Old Men, Blood Meridian and The Road.
• He received the prestigious Pulitzer Prize in 2007 for “The Road”.
ECONOMY:
1. MRF Shares
Why in news – MRF became first Indian stock to touch the Rs One lakh mark per share (Rs 1,00,039 per share).
Key Points –
• It has gained 4346% in 30 years.
• MRF Ltd is one of the top 20 biggest tyremakers in the world.
• MRF hq – Chennai.
RANKS & INDICES:
1. Community Spirit Index
Why in news – It ranks the top friendliest cities in the world.
Key Points –
• Released by – Preply.
• It ranked 53 cities on 6 metrics.
• Top 5 friendliest countries – Toronto, Sydney, Edinburgh, Manchester and New York.
• Top 5 unfriendliest countries – Accra (worst), Morocco, Mumbai (score - 3.78).
2. Forbes’ Global 2000 List
Why in news – Forbes’ latest Global 2000 list of public companies worldwide was released.
Key Points –
• It ranks the largest companies in the world using 4 metrics: sales, profits, assets, and market value.
• Top 5 –
• From India –
(a) Reliance Industries Ltd (45th)
(b) State Bank of India (77th)
(c) HDFC Bank (128th)
• In all, 55 Indian firms figured on the list.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. “Governor of the Year” Award
Why in news – RBI governor named “Governor of The Year” at London's Central Banking Awards 2023.
Key Points –
• Central Bank of the Year 2023 - National Bank of Ukraine.
• Opening plenary session of Summer Meetings was organised by Central Banking, London, UK.
Value Addition –
• Shaktikanta Das assumed charge as the 25th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India on December 12, 2018.
• Before RBI head he was acting as a member of the 15th Finance Commission and G20 Sherpa of India.
2. Iqbal Masih Award 2023
Why in news – Lalitha Natarajan has been awarded the 2023 Iqbal Masih Award for the Elimination of Child Labour.
Key Points –
• She is Chennai-based lawyer-activist.
• The award established by the US Secretary of Labor in 2008.
• Iqbal Masih was a Pakistani child sold into slavery as a carpet weaver at age 4.
SPORTS:
1. Tribal Sports Festival
Why in news – The first tribal sports festival concluded in Bhubaneswar.
Key Points –
• Odisha emerged as overall champions in both men’s and women’s categories.
• Jointly hosted by - Ministry of Culture (GoI), Government of Odisha and KIIT University.
• Top 3 – Odisha (1st), Karnataka (2nd) and Jharkhand (3rd).
BIHAR:
1. Abhay Kumar Singh
Why in news – IAS Abhay Kumar Singh has been made MD of Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Limited.
Key Points –
• Former MD Neeraj Saxena of Bihar State Bridge Construction Corporation was removed following collapse of Aguvani Ganga bridge.
POINTERS:
• Geetanjali Iyer has passed away recently, who was she – Anchor.
• Who has recently been appointed as the new Director General of Geological Survey of India - Janardan Prasad.
• Who has been appointed as the Director General of BSF - Nitin Agarwal.
• In which state the sub-office of Reserve Bank has been opened recently – Nagaland
• Who has resigned from the post of chairman of the selection committee of the Athletics Federation of India - Gurbachan Singh Randhawa.
• Which state's Ahmednagar will be renamed as 'Ahilyanagar' – Maharashtra.
• Who has become the new CEO of Unique Identification Authority of India - Amit Agarwal.
• Who has been appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Governors of International Air Transport Association (IATA) - Peter Albers.
• Which state government has canceled all traffic challans from 2017 to 2021 - Uttar Pradesh.
• Who has become the youngest software developer in SpaceX - Karen Kazi.