Daily Current Affairs- 28 June 2024

Daily Current Affairs- 28th June 2024

INTERNATIONAL

IAF & Egyptian Air Force hold drill HOPEX

• The fourth joint exercise of IAF (Indian Air Force) and EAF (Egyptian Air Force) HOPEX was held in Egypt from 21 to 26 June 2024. The aim of this exercise is to promote bilateral and regional cooperation, which is a symbol of the long-standing relations between the two countries.
• Diplomatic relations between India and Egypt began on 18 August 1947 at the ambassadorial level. Both countries have cooperated closely on multilateral forums as founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement.
• In the year 2022, India and Egypt celebrated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, which reflects the depth of the relationship. 

SCIENCE & TEHNOLOGY

NASA, SpaceX Launches Weather Satellite GOES-U

• SpaceX achieved a successful launch of the fourth and final satellite for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) program.
• According to NASA's statement, the GOES-R (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite) constellation represents a state-of-the-art system designed to deliver continuous monitoring of weather and potentially dangerous environmental conditions across large parts of the Western Hemisphere. 

DG, RPF Launches Sangyaan App A Comprehensive Legal Reference Application

• The Director General of Railway Protection Force (RPF) Manoj Yadava today launched the mobile application-Sangyaan App, designed and developed by the Tech Team of RPF to provide in-depth information on three new Criminal Acts: the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023.
• Available in both Android and iOS, Sangyaan App aims to educate and empower RPF Personnel by providing comprehensive information to understand the provisions of both new and old criminal laws, while highlighting the relevance of these new acts in the context of RPF operations.
• The app features user-friendly navigation, a searchable database and offline access, making it a practical tool for anyone seeking to stay informed about the latest legal developments in India. 

APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

Seventeen appointed UNESCO's first goodwill ambassador for youth

• South Korean popular K-pop group Seventeen has been appointed as UNESCO's first-ever Goodwill Ambassador for Youth, The boy group received a letter of appointment from UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay during a nomination ceremony held at its headquarters in Paris. 

Kapil Dev elected as the President of Professional Golf Tour of India

• Renowned Indian cricketer and ardent amateur golfer Kapil Dev has been elected as the new president of the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI).
• He was elected after the previous president, H Srinivasan, withdrew his candidature for the President’s post.
• Kapil Dev, the captain of the 1983 Men’s Cricket World Cup winning team has been the vice president and member of PGTI's governing body for the last three years. 

Radhika Nair Appointed Head of People & Culture for Volvo Group in India

• Volvo Group has announced the appointment of Radhika Nair as the Head of People & Culture for India, effective July 1, 2024.
• Radhika, who joined the Group in 2021, comes with rich experience of over two decades under her hat. Prior to this, she has held the positions as Vice President, P&C for Global Vehicle Technology, as well as Head of People and Culture at Technology Centre of Volvo Group in Bangalore. 

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Arundhati Roy Honored With Prestigious Pen Pinter Prize 2024

• Booker Prize-winning author Arundhati Roy, currently facing the threat of prosecution over historic comments on Kashmir 14 years ago, was on Thursday honoured with the prestigious Pen Pinter Prize 2024 for her “unflinching and unswerving” writings.
• The prize, established in 2009 by the charity English PEN, defends freedom of expression and celebrates literature in memory of Nobel-Laureate playwright Harold Pinter, She expressed her delight at being named this year's winner amid an “incomprehensible turn” the world is taking. 

Dr Usha Thakur Awarded 12th Vishwa Hindi Samman In Hindi Samvad Event

• Dr Usha Thakur was awarded 12th Vishwa Hindi Samman in an Hindi Samvad event organised by Embassy of India in Nepal recognising her contribution in development of Hindi literature.
• She has translated more than 40 literatures in Hindi and Nepali and strengthened Hindi language. This award is given by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. 

BANKING AND ECONOMY

HDFC Bank launches digital investment platform SmartWealth

• HDFC Bank has launched a new digital investment platform to take wealth services to every Indian and make investments simple and transparent.
• Incorporating cutting-edge technology, the HDFC Bank SmartWealth comes loaded with first-ever features that allow investors to make the right investment decisions and plan their financial journey.
• It has been developed with first-time investors in mind, built with smart intelligence and has pioneering tools that allow users to make the right investment decisions to plan their finances, Users can create SmartJars, which gives users personalised portfolio plans that can be modified or paused anytime. 

Punjab & Sind Bank signs pact with Indian Army for salary account

• State-owned Punjab & Sind Bank has signed an initial agreement with the Indian Army on defence salary package which will come with a host of facilities, including free insurance cover.
• Besides many features, the agreement provides the serving personnel, veterans and trainees with personal accident insurance (Death/Disability) cover up to Rs 1 crore and an air accidental cover of Rs 1.2 crore.