Daily Current Affairs- 24 June 2024

Daily Current Affairs- 24th June 2024

INTERNATIONAL

Bharat 6G Alliance forms Strategic Partnership with 6G IA of Europe and 6G Flagship of Oulu University, Finland to Drive 6G Innovations

• Leveraging its telecom diplomacy, Department of Telecommunications [DoT], Ministry of Communications, has been establishing strategic international partnerships and collaborations to build a world-class telecom ecosystem to enhance global connectivity and position India as a global leader in digital innovation and infrastructure.
• In another step towards redefining the future of global communication, the Bharat 6G Alliance has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 6G Smart Networks and Services Industry Association (6G IA) and 6G Flagship- Oulu University. This is in continuation of already concluded MoU with NextG Alliance of USA. 

India to Launch E-Medical Visa Facility for Bangladesh Nationals

• India will start an e-medical visa facility for Bangladeshi nationals coming to India for medical treatment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday after a meeting between the two delegations in the national capital. Additionally, India will open a new consulate in Rangpur, Bangladesh, to facilitate services for people in the northwest region of the country.
• The two Prime Ministers addressed the media after their meeting at Hyderabad House on Saturday. PM Modi emphasized that the two leaders have met several times in the last year, adding that this visit is special because PM Sheikh Hasina is India’s first state guest during the third tenure of the NDA government. 

NATIONAL

Kozhikode becomes India’s First UNESCO City of Literature

• Kozhikode in Kerala was officially declared as India’s first ‘UNESCO City of Literature’ on June 23, In October 2023, Kozhikode had earned a place in the ‘Literature’ category of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).
• Gwalior and Kozhikode from India are among the 55 new cities which have joined the UCCN. The new list was published on World Cities Day, which falls on October 31. 

SPORTS

Max Verstappen won the Spanish GP 2024 

• Max Verstappen won the Spanish Grand Prix for the third year in succession, the Oracle Red Bull Racing driver emerging triumphant from a tense strategy battle against McLaren's Lando Norris. The reigning world champion was victorious by 2.219s to extend his series lead to 69 points.
• The British driver Lando Norris claimed second place, attributing his missed opportunity for victory to a poor start. 

Olympics Medalist Bajrang Punia Suspended by NADA for Anti-Doping

• Olympic bronze medalist wrestler Bajrang Punia has been suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for a second time for refusing to provide a urine sample during selection trials.
• Earlier on 23 June, Punia was provisionally suspended by NADA for allegedly refusing to provide a sample of his urine when a dope-control officer from NADA approached him. The agency reached following his bout at the selection trials for the Paris Olympics qualification tournament in Sonepat on 10 March, 2024. 

AFMS Officers Create History at 43rd World Medical & Health Games in Saint-Tropez

• Four Armed Forces Medical Service (AFMS) Officers have brought laurels to India by clinching a record 32 Medals in the 43rd World Medical and Health Games held in Saint-Tropez, France, from 16 to 23rd June 2024.
• These Officers, namely Lt Col Sanjeev Malik, Maj Anish George, Capt Stephen Sebastian, and Capt Dania James, made history by winning 19 Gold Medals, 09 Silver Medals and 04 Bronze Medals in the in World’s largest sports event for health professionals. 

APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

Ayyanna Patrudu Elected Speaker of Andhra Assembly

• Telugu Desam Party's Narsipatnam MLA, C. Ayyanna Patrudu has been elected unanimously as the Speaker of the 16th Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly. Mr. Ayyanna Patrudu's election was a mere formality as no other MLA filed a nomination for the Speaker's post to challenge him.
• Born on 4th September 1957 in Koppula, Velama family at Narsipatnam in the erstwhile Visakhapatnam district. Patrudu was born He earned a bachelor’s degree in Arts from PR Government College, Kakinada, in 1978. 

Dr Radhakrishnan to head government committee on restructuring NTA

• The Union Ministry of Education has set up a seven committee headed by the former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), K.Radhakrishnan, to review and suggest reform in the examination process. The government has taken this step after the controversy over a paper leak at the undergraduate National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) exam 2024 and the postponement of NET-UGC exams.
• As the government of India has sacked the Director General of the National Testing Agency, Subodh Kumar Singh. He has been sacked after controversy over the irregularities in the recent exams conducted in NTA. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Women in Diplomacy

• International Day of Women in Diplomacy is observed annually on 24 June to recognizes the crucial role of women in shaping international relations and promoting peace.
• Women have participated in diplomacy for centuries, yet their contributions have often been overlooked. Women and girls represent half of the world’s population and, therefore, also half of its potential. Women bring immense benefits to diplomacy. Their leadership styles, expertise and priorities broaden the scope of issues under consideration and the quality of outcomes. 

BANKING AND ECONOMY

BharatPe and Invest India join hands to drive Financial Inclusion amongst ODOP Producers and Sellers

• BharatPe, a leading name in the fintech industry in India, has entered into a strategic partnership with Invest India to promote digital financial inclusion and digital financial literacy across One District One Product (ODOP) producers and sellers across ODOP districts in the country.
• This partnership between BharatPe and Invest India aims to contribute to the government’s efforts towards increasing digital financial inclusion and literacy. This will enhance access to digital payment mediums amongst ODOP merchants in tier 3-4 cities and rural areas of India. It is also in line with BharatPe’s mission of being the one-stop fintech destination that empowers millions of merchants with easy-to-use, safe, and secure financial products.