Daily Current Affairs- 20 June 2024

Daily Current Affairs- 20th June 2024

NATIONAL

PM Modi To Inaugurate, Lay Foundation Stone of Projects Worth Over Rs 1500 Cr In J-K

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of 84 major developmental projects worth more than Rs 1500 crore in Jammu and Kashmir. According to a PMO release, the inaugurations will include projects related to road infrastructure, water supply schemes, and infrastructure in higher education etc.
• Additionally, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for projects like the improvement of the Chenani-Patnitop-Nashri Section, the development of Industrial Estates and the construction of six Government Degree Colleges.
• The Prime Minister will also launch the Competitiveness Improvement in Agriculture and Allied Sectors (JKCIP) Project worth Rs 1,800 crore. The project will be implemented in 90 Blocks across 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir and will have the project outreach of 300,000 households covering 15 lakh beneficiaries. 

SPORTS

Trent Boult announces retirement from international cricket

• New Zealand’s left-arm fast bowler Trent Boult has announced his retirement from International Cricket after New Zealand's final Group C match against Papua New Guinea at the 2024 T20 ICC Cricket World Cup. The match was played at the Brian Lara stadium in Tarouba.
• The New Zealand side, already eliminated from the 2024 T20 World Cup, dismissed the Papua New Guinea side for 78 runs, with Trent Boul taking two wickets for 14 runs. His fellow pacer, Lockie Ferguson, returned with a remarkable figure of 4-4-0-3. In his allotted four overs, Ferguson took three wickets without conceding a single run.
• He is the second player after Canada’s Saad Bin Zafar to achieve this feat of not conceding a single run in his allotted four overs. In the match against Panama in 2021, Saad returned with a figure of 4-4-0- 2. 

Neeraj Chopra Bags Gold At Paavo Nurmi Games

• Neeraj Chopra, India’s javelin thrower, reaffirmed his dominance by securing the gold medal at the Paavo Nurmi Games 2024 athletics meet in Turku, Finland.
• Chopra, who holds the Indian men’s national record with a personal best throw of 89.94m, delivered a standout performance with a throw of 85.97m during his third attempt, claiming the top spot on the podium.
• The silver medal went to Finland’s Toni Keranen, achieving a personal best with an 84.19m throw, while his compatriot Oliver Helander, who had denied Chopra the gold two years ago, settled for bronze with a throw of 83.96m. Grenada’s two-time world champion Anderson Peters finished fourth with an 82.58m throw. 

APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

Paytm appoints former IRS officer Rajeev Agarwal as non-executive independent director

• Paytm on June 17 announced the appointment of Rajeev Krishnamuralilal Agarwal as a non-executive independent director of company in a latest change to its board of directors. Agarwal's appointment takes effect immediately, the company said in a disclosure to the exchanges.
• Additionally, the company's board also accepted the resignation of Neeraj Arora as non-executive independent director on account of pre-occupation and other personal commitments. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Refugee Day

• World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe. It falls each year on June 20 and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. World Refugee Day is an occasion to build empathy and understanding for their plight and to recognize their resilience in rebuilding their lives.
• History: World Refugee Day was first observed internationally on June 20, 2001, to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention on the Status of Refugees. Before the United Nations General Assembly formally declared it an international day in December 2000, it was known as Africa Refugee Day. The theme for World Refugee Day 2024 is For a World Where Refugees Are Welcomed. 

SUMMITS & MOUs

India and Republic of the Gambia signed an Extension of MoU on Governance Reforms

• The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Government of India and Public Service Commission, Office of the President, the Republic of the Gambia signed extension of the existing MoU on ‘Refurbishing Personnel Administration and Governance Reforms’ for another five years w.e.f. 08th July, 2024. The existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 8th July, 2021 for a period of 3 years.
• The MoU was signed by Shri V. Srinivas, Secretary on behalf of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances and H.E. Mr. Mustapha Jawara, High Commissioner of Gambia on behalf of Public Service Commission, Office of the President, the Republic of the Gambia at New Delhi at a ceremonial function held in CSoI, New Delhi today. 

112th International Labor Conference at Geneva, Switzerland, and more

• The 112th International Labor Organization (ILC) was held in Geneva from 3-14 June 2024. It was attended by more than 4,900 delegates – representing Governments, and Employers’ and Workers’ organizations. The 113rd ILC will be held in June 2025.
• India showcased the e-Shram portal during the 112th International Labour Conference, The Ministry of Labour & Employment launched e-Shram portal on 26th August 2021 for creation of a comprehensive National Database of Unorganized Workers, authenticated with Aadhaar. As on 18th May 2024, over 29.67 crore unorganized workers have already been registered on e-Shram portal. 

RANKING

Virat Kohli leads 2023 Celebrity Brand Valuation Rankings with $228 million: Kroll Report

• Ace cricketer Virat Kohli regained the top slot in the Celebrity Brand Valuation Report 2023 released by Kroll. Kohli’s brand value is pegged at $227.9 million on the back of his stellar performance in ICC ODI World Cup and boasts of over 40 brands in his endorsement portfolio.
• Ranveer Singh was at number two rank at a brand value of $203.1 million lending his name to endorse 50 brands. Meanwhile, Shah Rukh Khan jumped to third spot with a brand value of $ 120. 7 million, marking his return to the top five club for the first time since 2020 in Kroll’s Celebrity brand valuation rankings. His brand value more than doubled on the back of the success of flicks Pathan and Jawaan. 

BANKING AND ECONOMY

Axis Bank Acquires Additional Stake in Max Life Insurance investing up-to ₹336 Crore

• Axis Bank has decided to raise its shareholding in Max Life Insurance for an amount of up to ₹336 crore. This transaction would lead to the aggregate shareholding of the Axis Entities going up from 19.02 per cent to 19.66 per cent.
• The Acquisitions, Divestments and Merger Committee of the Board of Directors of the Bank at its meeting held on June 19, 2024, has approved a proposal for acquisition of additional equity shares of Max Life by the Bank for an amount of upto ₹ 336 crore, thereby increasing the aggregate shareholding of the Axis Entities from 19.02 per cent to 19.99 per cent”, Axis Bank said in a regulatory filing with the stock exchanges. 

JSW MG Motor India partners with Ecofy – NBFC, for EV financing

• JSW MG Motor India, has partnered with Eversource Capital-backed NBFC Ecofy to provide financing and leasing solutions for its electric vehicles.
• The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under which Ecofy will provide financing and leasing solutions for up to 10,000 JSW MG EVs over the next three years, it said in a statement.
• This will include loan options and leasing arrangements across retail customers and B2B operators for the existing and forthcoming electric vehicles of JSW MG Motor India.