Daily Current Affairs- 25 June 2024

Daily Current Affairs- 25th June 2024

INTERNATIONAL

China-France satellite launched to monitor most powerful explosions in space

• An observatory built by Chinese and French researchers will hunt for the universe’s most powerful explosions after being launched into a low-Earth orbit in another landmark space mission between the two countries.
• The Space-based multi-band astronomical Variable Objects Monitor, or SVOM, blasted off on top of a Long March 2C rocket from western China’s Xichang Satellite Launch Centre. 

NATIONAL

UP to soon have the World’s First Asian King Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre

• Uttar Pradesh will soon have the world’s first conservation and breeding centre for Asian king vulture in Maharajganj. The facility aims to improve the population of the species, which has been listed as critically endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s red list since 2007.
• About Asian King vulture - This is one of the 9 species of Vulture which are found in India, It is also called the Asian King vulture or Pondicherry Vulture was extensively found in India but its numbers drastically reduced after diclofenac poisoning. 

J.P Nadda Launches National STOP Diarrhoea Campaign 2024

• Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda today launched the National STOP Diarrhoea Campaign 2024 at a function in New Delhi. He launched the campaign by distributing oral rehydration salts (ORS) and zinc tablets to children in presence of Minister of States for Health Anupriya Patel and Patraprao Jadhav.
• The two-month campaign will begin from the 1st of July and continue till the 31st of August. The goal behind the STOP Diarrhoea Campaign is to attain zero child deaths due to childhood diarrhoea. While the existing diarrhoea strategy entailed a two-week campaign, the new strategy involved a two-month long campaign with the pre-positioning of two ORS packets and zinc as a co-packaging for under-5 children. 

M.P. Govt Approves Establishment of One Prime Minister College of Excellence In All Districts

• In Madhya Pradesh, the Prime Minister College of Excellence will be inaugurated ceremonially in all 55 districts of the state on July 1. In a meeting with senior officials on the activities of the Higher Education Department, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav said that a drone policy will also be made in the state. He directed us to ensure better teaching arrangements in view of the increasing employment opportunities in aviation, agriculture, and artificial intelligence (AI). 

India's first coal gasification pilot project launched in Jharkhand

• The government of India-owned Coal India Limited subsidiary company, Eastern Coalfields Limited, has launched a pilot project for in situ underground coal gasification at the Kasta coal block in Jamtara District, Jharkhand. The coal will not be removed from the mine, and the coal gasification process will take place within the mine.
• If the project is successful, it will create transformative opportunities for India's energy sector, showcasing the sustainable and efficient use of the country's coal resources. 

Srinagar gets the World Craft City tag from the World Crafts Council (WCC)

• Srinagar has earned the World Craft City (WCC) tag from the World Crafts Council (WCC), a non-government organisation working to empower artisans and safeguard craft heritage globally. This is likely to reopen Kashmir's centuries old linkages with craft centres in Central Asia and Iran. 

Kerala Assembly passes resolution to change state's name, seeks Centre's approval

• The Kerala Assembly unanimously passed a second resolution on Monday asking the Centre to officially change the state's name to 'Keralam', nearly a year after it unanimously passed a similar resolution before the Centre returned it for corrections. 

APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

Sony Pictures Networks India Appoints Gaurav Banerjee as New MD & CEO

• Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has announced that Gaurav Banerjee will be the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), starting on or before August 26, 2024, subject to regulatory approvals. Banerjee will take over from N.P. Singh.
• With over 20 years of experience, Gaurav Banerjee is a seasoned professional in content creation and strategic leadership. He previously served as Head of Content for Hindi Entertainment & Disney+ Hotstar and as Business Head for Star Bharat, Hindi & English Movies, Kids & Infotainment, and Regional (East). In these roles, Banerjee managed content across multiple languages and led the creation of original series and films that resonated with a diverse audience. 

ESAF SFB Chief Paul Thomas Elected Chairperson of Sa-Dhan

• Paul Thomas, MD & CEO of ESAF Small Finance Bank, has been elected as Chairperson of the board of Sa-Dhan, which is an association of microfinance and impact finance institutions.
• Paul Thomas is the Founder of ESAF Group of Social Enterprises including ESAF Microfinance and Investments Pvt Ltd. He has been a management professional for over 32 years out of which more than 25 years are in the microfinance sector. 

SUMMITS & MOUs

India to host 64th ISO Council Meeting from 25th-27th June 2024

• India is hosting a global event in sugar sector ‘ISO Council Meeting’ in New Delhi from 25th till 27th June, 2024. Delegates from more than 30 countries and representatives of many international organisations are joining to deliberate on critical issues of sugar and biofuel sector.
• As India is the world’s largest consumer and second largest producer of sugar, ISO Council nominated India as the Chair of the organisation for 2024. As part of the meeting, India is starting the series of events with industrial tour of the international delegates to one grain-based distillery at Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh on 24 June 2024 to showcase India’s adoption of latest technology in production of biofuels and other by-products.