Daily Current Affairs- 20 July 2024

Daily Current Affairs- 20th July 2024

INTERNATIONAL

World’s first hydrogen-powered commercial ferry launches in San Francisco

• The world’s first commercial passenger ferry powered by 100% hydrogen fuel, the MV Sea Change, was launched at the San Francisco Ferry Building. The 70-foot catamaran can transport up to 75 passengers along the waterfront between Pier 41 and the downtown San Francisco ferry terminal starting July 19. 

Ivory Coast Joins UN Water Convention as 10th African Nation

• Ivory Coast joined the United Nations Water Convention, becoming the 10th African nation to do so. In 2024, at least three more African nations, which include Sierra Leone, Zambia and Zimbabwe, are in the final stages of accession and joining the convention.

 APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

Former Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra Appointed as India’s New Ambassador to the U.S.

• Amidst “differences” with the United States over India's ties with Russia and a number of other issues, New Delhi has announced that it will send Vinay Kwatra, who retired as Foreign Secretary just last week, to Washington as India's new Ambassador, filling a position that has been lying vacant for more than six months . 

UPSC Chairman Manoj Soni Resigns Unexpectedly, Citing Personal Reasons

• Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Chairman Manoj Soni has tendered his resignation, citing “personal reasons,” nearly five years before his scheduled term was set to end. Sources at the Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT) have confirmed this unexpected move. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Moon Day

• The General Assembly declared International Moon Day, a United Nations-designated international day to be observed annually on 20 July, in its resolution 76/76 on “International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space” in 2021.
• International Moon Day marks the anniversary of the first landing by humans on the Moon as part of the Apollo 11 lunar mission in 1969. 

SUMMITS & MOUs

India to Host 46th World Heritage Committee Meeting

• India will host the 46th World Heritage Committee Meeting from July 21 to 31 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. This is the first time India is hosting this significant event, which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay and other high-level dignitaries, including Culture Ministers and Ambassadors, will also attend. 

Classical & Quantum Communications for 6G In Chennai

• Dr Neeraj Mittal, Secretary (Telecom) has inaugurated a centre of excellence on “Classical and Quantum Communications for 6G” at IITM Research Park, Chennai.
• This is a sub-centre of Telecom Centres of Excellence (TCoE)-India and it will spearhead the development and deployment of 6G technology, promising unprecedented speeds, ultra-low latency, and enhanced connectivity. Shri Sanjeev Kumar Bidwai, Sp DGT, Tamil Nadu was among those. 

BIS Signes MoU With IISc, Bengaluru To Promote Standardization 

• The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, for the establishment of the ‘BIS Standardization Chair Professor’ at the latter. This initiative formalised on July 3, 2024, marks a significant step towards institutionalising BIS’s collaboration with leading academic and research establishments across India. 

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Chhangte, Indumathi win top AIFF awards

• India and Mumbai City FC winger Lallianzuala Chhangte and national women's team midfielder Indumathi Kathiresan won the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) male and female Player of the Award respectively, the awards were given at a function organised by the national football federation. 

IISR Wins Best Technology Award

• The Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR) has received the best technology award for its pioneering work in the field of horticultural sciences, Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan presented the award during the 96th Foundation Day celebrations of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in New Delhi.