NATIONAL:
1. S Phangnon Konyak
Why in news - S Phangnon Konyak (BJP) became the first woman member from Nagaland to preside over Rajya Sabha on July 25, 2023.
Key Points –
• On this day, The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Fifth Amendment) Bill, 2022 was passed.
• Konyak is a member of the Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region etc.
2. No-Confidence Motion (NCM)
Why in news – Union government to face a no-confidence motion in Parliament.
Key Points –
• The Congress and Bharat Rashtra Samithi submitted notices for a no-confidence motion on the Manipur issue.
• The notice was submitted to the Speaker.
• The no-confidence motion against the government was accepted. Speaker to decide time.
• It is 28th no-confidence motion in independent India’s history.
• To date, the passing of only one of these motions led to the fall of a government (Morarji Desai-led administration in 1979). It was moved by Y B Chavan (Congress).
About NCM –
• It allows the Opposition to challenge the government's majority on the floor of the House.
• If the motion is passed, the government has to resign.
• It is provided under the Rules of the Lok Sabha, 1952. (no provision in constitution).
• It is moved with the support of 50 MPs.
Value Addition –
• Not a single no-confidence motion was moved during the term of the first two Lok Sabhas (LS).
• 1st NCM (1963, 3rd Lok Sabha) - Moved by Acharya J B Kripalani against the Jawaharlal Nehru government.
• 2nd NCM (1964) - Moved by N C Chatterjee (Independent MP) against PM Lal Bahadur Shastri. It was debated for the longest time (24 hours).
• Indira Gandhi as Prime Minister faced maximum no-confidence motions (15).
• Last NCM (2018) – Moved by then Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu. Modi government defeated the motion in LS by 199 votes.
3. National Martyr's Memorial
Why in news - A new memorial and national museum for railway security was unveiled at Jagjivan RPF Academy Lucknow.
Key Points –
• The names of 1014 martyred RPF personnel from 1957 till date have been inscribed.
• Motto of this museum - Gyanvardhanayachsanrakshanaya i.e., 'promote knowledge and preserve heritage'.
About RPF –
• Statutory force under the Railway Protection Force Act 1957.
• Armed Force of the Union.
• Aim - to remove any obstruction in the movement of railway property.
• Police (including RPF) is a state subject under Entry 2, List II of Schedule 7 of the Constitution.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Judicial Reform in Israel
Why in news - Israeli Parliament (Knesset) passed controversial judicial reform plans.
Key Points –
• It limited the Supreme Court’s ability to overturn decisions made by government ministers.
• The Supreme Court cannot overrule the national government using the legal standard of “reasonableness.”
• Passed by 64-0 votes. (Opposition lawmakers stormed out of the chamber).
• Netanyahu’s government feels changes are necessary to restore power to elected representatives instead of “interventionist judges”.
2. Milan Kundera
Why in news - He died at the age of 94, after a long unspecified illness.
Key Points –
• He was born in Brno (Czechoslovakia) in 1929.
• In 1975, he left the country for France.
• His most famous book - The Unbearable Lightness of Being (year - 1984).
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. 5th Helicopter & Small Aircraft Summit 2023
Why in news - Jyotiraditya M Scindia inaugurated the Heli Summit 2023 in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh.
Key Points –
• By - Ministry of Civil Aviation.
• Theme - Reaching the Last Mile: Regional Connectivity through Helicopters & Small Aircraft.
• He also launched RCS UDAN 5.2 and HeliSewa-App during the event.
• Aim of UDAN 5.2 –
(a) to further enhance the connectivity to remote and regional areas of the country
(b) to achieve last-mile connectivity through small aircraft such as 1A (<9 seats) and Category 1 (<20 seats).
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Asia Pacific Cultural Heritage Award 2023
Why in news - Byculla railway station in Mumbai got UNESCO’s Asia Pacific Cultural Heritage award.
Key Points –
• The station was restored by ‘I love Mumbai’ (NGO of Shaina NC).
• It is 169-year-old (built in 1853).
• The first train of the country passed through Byculla station.
• UNESCO Asia Pacific awards 2022 - Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS).
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. World Hepatitis Day 2023
Why in news – It is observed on July 28 to raise awareness about hepatitis.
Key Points –
• Theme - Every year, more than a million lives are lost to hepatitis. We’re not waiting for change – we’re fighting to make it happen.
• It is a group of liver infectious diseases known as hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E.
• About Hepatitis C –
(a) caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV)
(b) spread via contact with blood from an infected person
(c) many are diagnosed with hepatitis C, but do not showcase any signs of it.
(d) pre-cancerous and can also lead to cirrhosis
(e) no vaccine available. (vaccines exist for hepatitis B)
(f) it can impact the liver’s ability to produce bile, thereby making the digestion of fatty foods difficult
• About Liver –
(a) produces bile required to digest fats
(b) bile is stored in the gallbladder and sent to the beginning section of the small intestine when needed.
(c) Bile is combined with stomach acids and digestive fluids from the pancreas to help the intestines absorb nutrients into the bloodstream.
Value Addition -
• Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver.
• The Global Target is to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
• Hepatitis B is included under India's Universal Immunization Programme (UIP).
APPOINTMENTS:
1. Pan Gongsheng
Why in news - Pan Gongsheng was named China's central bank governor.
Key Points –
• He succeeded Yi Gang.
• Earlier, he was a vice president of the Agricultural Bank of China Ltd.
SPORTS:
1. Michael Phelps Record Broken
Why in news - Leon Marchand (French) has broken Michael Phelps’ world record in the men’s 400-meter individual medley.
Key Points –
• Time taken - 4 minutes, 2.50 seconds.
• Marchand set the record in the World Aquatics Championships.
• Phelps set the old record of 4:03.84 at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
2. ACC men's Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2023
Why in news - Pakistan A (score - 352 runs) beat India A (score – 224 runs) by 128 runs to win the title.
Key Points –
• It was Pakistan’s 2nd consecutive Emerging Teams Asia Cup title (1st - 2019).
• Venue - R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
• Pakistan A had players like Haris and Wasim Jr. who had already made a mark in international cricket.
BIHAR:
1. State Commission for Women
Why in news - Ashwamedh Devi has been appointed the chairperson of state commission for women (SCW).
Key Points –
• She is a former Lok Sabha member and senior JD(U) leader.
• Total – 8 members.
• Other members –
(a) From RJD (4 members) - Prabhawati Manjhi (Jehanabad), Rabiya Khatoon (Bhagalpur), Sunita Kushwaha (Gopalganj) and Geeta Yadav (Saharsa).
(b) From JD(U) (2 members) - Shweta Bishwas (Patna) and Sulochana Devi (Purnia).
(c) From Congress (1 member) - Dr Sujata Sumbrai (Siwan).
• Bhola Yadav has been appointed as chairperson of the Sanskrit Shiksha Board.
• Salim Parvez will head the Madrassa Board.
2. Mega Skill Centres (MSCs)
Why in news - Labour resources department to establish mega skill centres (MSCs) in all 38 districts.
Key Points –
• It will be a World Bank-aided project.
• It would be established under the aegis of the Bihar Skill Development Mission (BSDM).
• It is part of Saat Nischay-II program of the government.
POINTERS:
• According to RBI, how many lakh crore rupees bad loans have been written off by banks in 2022-23 - 2.09 lakh crore rupees (around US $ 25.50 billion).
• In which state the first transgender birth certificate has been issued – Rajasthan.
• Which state's cabinet has approved the introduction of interest-free crop loans up to Rs 1 lakh – Odisha.
• In which city the first International Quantum Communication Conclave has been organized – New Delhi.
• The Bombay High Court directed which state to notify Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary as a tiger reserve - Goa.
• The government has increased the interest rate on deposits under the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) scheme to what percent - 8.15%.
• The third and final meeting of the G-20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group was held in which city – Chennai.
• Which state/UT will be celebrating 'Happiness Utsav' from July 24 to 29 in schools – Delhi.
• The annual pilgrimage of Machail Mata held in which state/UT - Jammu and Kashmir (Kishtwar).
• The BRICS National Security Advisors' meeting was held in which city - Johannesburg, South Africa.