NATIONAL:
1. Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)
Why in news - Indo-Japanese researchers developed a safe disease-modifying treatment for DMD.
Key Points –
About DMD –
• A genetic disorder.
• Progressive muscle degeneration and weakness due to alterations of a protein called “dystrophin”.
• Dystrophin is an enzyme secreted in the muscles that helps in wear and tear and regeneration of muscles.
• Dystrophin gene is located on the X chromosome.
• Manifests itself in early childhood (2-3 years).
• Primarily affect boys.
Value Addition –
2. Rajya Sabha Vice-Chairpersons Panel
Why in news – RS chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar reconstituted the panel of Vice-Chairpersons with 50% women Parliamentarians.
Key Points –
• 4 women nominated members –
(a) PT Usha (nominated)
(b) Phangnon Konyak (BJP)
(c) Fauzia Khan (Nationalist Congress Party)
(d) Sulata Deo (Biju Janata Dal)
• All first-time members of the Rajya Sabha (RS).
• S. Phangnon Konyak - 1st ever woman from Nagaland to be elected as an RS member and 2nd woman from the State to be elected to either the House of the Parliament or the State Assembly.
• This is the first time that equal representation has been given to women members in the panel of Vice-Chairpersons in RS.
• The Rajya Sabha Chair has become fully digital.
Value Addition –
• As per Rajya Sabha rules, “The chairman shall, from time to time, nominate from amongst the members of the Council a panel of not more than six vice-chairmen, one of whom may preside over the Council in the absence of the chairman and the deputy chairman when so requested by the chairman, or in his absence, by the deputy chairman.”
3. 2nd Longest Serving CM
Why in news – Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik became the country's 2nd longest-serving chief minister.
Key Points –
• Naveen Patnaik - 23 years, 4 months and 17 days or 8,538 days as on July 21, 2023.
• He surpassed the tenure of the former CM of West Bengal late Jyoti Basu.
• Longest serving chief minister - Pawan Kumar Chamling (CM of Sikkim, 24 years, 165 days).
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. ‘One District One Product (ODOP)’ Wall
Why in news – DPIIT and Gujarat jointly launched ‘One District One Product’ Wall at Garvi Gujarat Bhawan in New Delhi.
Key Points –
• Aim - to promote indigenous crafts and artisans of Gujarat.
• ODOP program is an initiative under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), M/o Commerce & Industry.
• ODOP-Gujarat has 68 unique products like –
(a) Crafts - Gamthi Block print and Mata-ni-Pachedi
(b) Agricultural goods - groundnuts and cumin.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. UK Points of Light Award
Why in news – 7-year-old Moksha Roy has been awarded the British Prime Minister’s Points of Light award.
Key Points –
• She volunteered for several sustainability initiatives since the age of 3.
• She started her journey by volunteering for a UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) initiative against microplastic pollution.
• She has the distinction of being the world’s youngest sustainability advocate.
2. VC Yeshwant Ghadge Sundial Memorial
Why in news – The “VC Yeshwant Ghadge Sundial Memorial” was unveiled at Montone (Perugia, Italy).
Key Points –
• It is a tribute to the Indian troops who fought in the Italian Campaign during World War 2.
• Motto of memorial - We all live under the same sun.
• Naik Yeshwant Ghadge was killed in action fighting on the heights of Upper Tiber Valley.
• The Italian Campaign (July 10, 1943 to May 2, 1945) was a series of Allied beach landings and land battles from southern Italy toward Nazi Germany.
ECONOMY:
1. HDFC Bank
Why in news – HDFC Bank became the 2nd most valuable company by market capitalisation.
Key Points –
• HDFC Bank market capitalization (mcap) - Rs 12,72,718.60 crores.
• Top 5 India’s Most Valued Firms –
(a) Reliance Industries
(b) HDFC Bank
(c) TCS
(d) ICICI Bank
(e) Hindustan Unilever.
• HDFC Bank is also India's most valuable bank by mcap followed by ICICI Bank and State Bank of India.
• HDFC, the parent of HDFC Bank, merged into the lender on July 1, 2023.
SECURITY:
1. Light Helicopters
Why in news – HAL and Argentina have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) for acquisition of Light and Medium Utility Helicopters.
Key Points –
• India and Argentina have elevated their relations to the level of Strategic Partnership in 2019.
• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is an Indian public sector aerospace and defence company, headquartered in Bangalore.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Heat Index
Why in news – India Meteorological Department (IMD) has launched the Heat Index on an experimental basis.
Key Points –
• Aim - to provide general guidance for the regions where the apparent temperature/feel like temperature is on the higher side causing discomfort for the people.
• Apparent temperature – It considers the impact of humidity along with the temperature.
• Colour codes –
(a) Green - less than 35 degrees C
(b) Yellow - 36-45 degree C
(c) Yellow - 36-45 degree C
(d) Red - greater than 55 degrees C.
• Implementation - Across the country including the State of Andhra Pradesh.
• However, the heat index for Bhubaneshwar and Ahmedabad is done under project mode by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
• IMD functions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
APPOINTMENTS:
1. Admiral Lisa Franchetti
Why in news – US President Joe Biden has chosen Admiral Lisa Franchetti to be the US Navy's top officer.
Key Points –
• She became the 1st woman to hold this position in the US Navy's history and also the 1st woman in the joint chiefs of staff.
• Biden also nominated Vice Adm. Stephen “Web" Koehler as commander of the US Pacific Fleet.
2. S. Vincent Rajkumar
Why in news – He has been appointed as chairman-elect of the Board of Directors of the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF).
Key Points –
• A cancerous or malignant plasma cell is called a myeloma cell.
• Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the bone marrow plasma cells — white blood cells that make antibodies.
• International Myeloma Foundation (IMF, 1990) is the first and largest global foundation focusing specifically on multiple myeloma.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. Bal Gangadhar Tilak Jayanti
Why in news – July 23 is the birth anniversary of Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
Key Points –
• Born - July 23, 1856.
• His newspapers - Kesari (Marathi) and Maratha (English).
• Books - Gita Rhasya and Arctic Home of the Vedas.
• Joined the Indian National Congress in 1890.
• Tilak’s famous quote (1916, Belgaum) - Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it.
• In 1916, he founded the All India Home Rule League with GS Khaparde and Annie Besant.
• Mahatma Gandhi called “the Maker of Modern India”, and Jawaharlal Nehru described as the “the Father of the Indian Revolution”.
• Epithet for Tilak - Lokmanya (beloved of the people).
• Valentine Chirol in his book ‘Indian Unrest’ stated Tilak as the ‘father of Indian unrest’.
• On July 16, 1882, he became the first person to be imprisoned for doing his job as a journalist.
POINTERS:
• Who has been appointed as the Director General of Railway Protection Force - Manoj Yadav.
• Which state has launched 'Sashakt Mahila Rin Yojna', a collateral-free loan scheme for women – Himachal Pradesh.
• Which state has approved the Khadag River Basin Project – Odisha.
• In which city the mascot of the Hockey Asian Championship Trophy 2023, Bomman has been unveiled – Chennai.
• Who has issued fresh guidelines on designating advocates as 'Senior Advocates' - Supreme Court.
• What is the name of Sri Lankan President who embarked on a two-day visit to India on July 21, 2023 - Ranil Wickremesinghe.
• Who became the first batter in the history of the sport to score a century in his 500th international match - Virat Kohli.
• Who became the second pace bowler to take 600 wickets in Test cricket - Stuart Broad.
• Who has been awarded in “Best Engagement” category for its achievements on e- procurement through GeM by Ministry of Commerce - Ministry of Coal.
• Who has announced a humanitarian aid of 7.6 million euros for Afghanistan - European Union.