Daily Current Affairs- 24 July 2024

Daily Current Affairs- 24th July 2024

INTERNATIONAL

Kristen Michal Sworn in as the new PM of Estonia

• The Estonian parliament voted for Climate Minister Kristen Michal to take over as Prime Minister, with 64 votes in favor, Michal will succeed Kaja Kallas, who resigned as prime minister on July 15 to become the European Union’s new chief diplomat. 

NATIONAL

C-DOT signs agreement with IIT, Roorkee and Mandi for Development of ‘Cell-Free’ 6G Access

• Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), a premier Telecom R&D centre of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, signed an agreement with the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) and Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi (IIT Mandi), for the development of ‘Cell-Free’ 6G Access Points. Both the IITs are collaborating to develop this technology. 

Union Budget 2024-25: Rs 6.22 Lakh Crore Allocated to Ministry of Defence

• In the Union Budget for FY 2024-25, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has received an allocation of Rs 6,21,940.85 crore (approximately US $75 billion), marking the highest allocation among all ministries, This represents a 4.79% increase over the previous fiscal year (FY 2023-24) and an 18.43% increase compared to FY 2022-23. 

SCIENCE & TEHNOLOGY

European Space Agency announces Ramses mission

• The European Space Agency (ESA) announced this week it plans to launch the Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety, or Ramses, spacecraft in 2028, just in time to be ready to welcome asteroid Apophis during its close approach. 

APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

Sania Mirza, Mary Kom and Rannvijay Singha Join Play Sports as Brand Ambassadors

• Six-time Grand Slam winner and former World No. 1 in women’s doubles Sania Mirza, six-time World Champion and Olympic bronze medallist MC Mary Kom and actor Rannvijay Singha have joined ‘Play Sports’ as brand ambassadors.
• Objective - Play Sport’s objective is to create a sustainable sports eco system in India by working with schools, developing sports, managing sports infrastructure, running academies and scouting talent from grassroots. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

National Thermal Engineer Day

• National Thermal Engineer Day is celebrated every year on July 24, In July of 2014, Advanced Thermal Solutions, Inc. (ATS) founded National Thermal Engineer Day to recognize the innovation and commitment of the motivated and dedicated electronics and engineering industry. Advanced Thermal Solutions, Inc. 

National Income Tax Day

• India celebrates the Income Tax Day, or Aaykar Divas, every year on July 24. This day commemorates the historical evolution of tax administration in India and the ongoing reforms that aim to enhance tax compliance and simplify the process for taxpayers.
• On this day, Income tax was first levied as a duty in India in 1860. The department celebrated this day for the first time in 2010 marking 150 years of the introduction of Income tax in India. This year marks the 165th occasion of National Income Tax Day. 

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

ISRO’s Chandrayaan 3 won the prestigious IAF: World Space Award 2024

• Chandrayaan-3, India's lunar mission, wins the prestigious World Space Award from the International Astronautical Federation for its historic achievement of landing near the lunar South Pole, marking India's entry into elite lunar landing nations. 

RANKING

Tata AIA Features in Top 10 Global Ranking with 2584 MDRT Qualified Advisors

• Tata AIA Life Insurance (Tata AIA), one of India's leading life insurance companies has secured #6 position in the Global Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) rankings for 2024. The Company achieved the largest number of MDRT-qualified Life Insurance Advisors in India with 2584 registered MDRTs. With 1238 qualified Women MDRT Advisors, the Company ranked #1 in India and #7 globally among companies with Female MDRT Members. 

World’s Most Powerful Passports 2024: Singapore Leads; India at 82^nd

• Singapore has reclaimed its title as the world’s most powerful passport, offering visa-free access to a record 195 global destinations according to the Henley Passport Index. India ranks 82nd, allowing visa-free entry to 58 countries.