Gk Today CA Articles July 2024 PDF

@PDFCurrent MAFIA Affairs Articles Compilation [PDF] - July, 2024 Contents..............................

@PDFCurrent MAFIA Affairs Articles Compilation [PDF] - July, 2024 Contents..................................................................................................... July 1, 2024............................................................................................................................................................. 3 What is Teesta Treaty?................................................................................................................................ 3 Korea Balloon War........................................................................................................................................ 3 North Korea Fires Missiles Amid US-South Korea Drills.................................................................... 4 What Is Snowblind Malware?..................................................................................................................... 5 Indian Navy Joins World's Largest Naval Exercise RIMPAC............................................................... 6 Researchers Develop Anti-Insecticide Fabric That Neutralizes Pesticides........................................ 7 Indian Army Deploys Indigenous 4G Mobile Base Station................................................................. 8 India Wins T20 World Cup 2024, BCCI Announces Rs 125 Crore Prize....................................... 9 Who is Sujata Saunik, Maharashtra's First Female Chief Secretary?............................................... 10 António Costa - President of European Council................................................................................... 11 July 2, 2024........................................................................................................................................................... 11 India Becomes the First Country to Prepare Full List of Fauna......................................................... 11 Who is Ashwin Ramaswami?.................................................................................................................... 12 India, Bangladesh Sign Defence Industrial Partnership Deal............................................................. 13 41,000-Year-Old Ostrich Nest Found in Andhra Pradesh................................................................ 14 What is Project Nexus by RBI?................................................................................................................. 14 What is SEBEX 2, Most Powerful Non-Nuclear Explosive Developed by Indian Navy?............. 15 India Implements New Laws, Replaces Colonial-Era Codes.............................................................. 16 Tata Leads as India's Most Valuable Brand, Grows 9%..................................................................... 18 Nomadic Elephant-2024........................................................................................................................... 19 July 3, 2024.......................................................................................................................................................... 19 Agenda for the 16th Finance Commission............................................................................................ 19 World's First Brain Implant for Epilepsy Control................................................................................ 20 Aditya-L1 Completes First Orbit at Sun-Earth L1 Point...................................................................... 21 Uttar Pradesh NIRMAN Bill-2024.......................................................................................................... 22 Spain's Renewable Energy Hits 60% in 2024...................................................................................... 23 North Korea Claims Successful Tactical Missile Test........................................................................ 24 Viswanathan Anand Wins 10th Leon Masters Title............................................................................. 25 Global IndiaAI Summit 2024................................................................................................................... 25 July 4, 2024......................................................................................................................................................... 26 Bharat Bill Payment System...................................................................................................................... 26 What is Meta 3D Gen?.............................................................................................................................. 27 India Hosts 46th UNESCO World Heritage Committee Session.................................................... 28 Sopna Kallingal Wins Spice Award 2024............................................................................................. 29 China Leads Global GenAI Patents: U.N. Data.................................................................................... 29 3rd UN Conference on Afghanistan at Doha....................................................................................... 30 What is Down Syndrome?......................................................................................................................... 31 What is ‘Senna spectabilis’?....................................................................................................................... 32 Exercise Maitree 2024............................................................................................................................... 32 July 5, 2024.......................................................................................................................................................... 33 Rare and Fatal Brain-Eating Amoeba Infection.................................................................................... 33 ADB to build 400 MW Solar Power Plant in Gujarat....................................................................... 34 World's Oldest Cave Painting Discovered in Indonesia...................................................................... 35 What is Radical CAR-T Therapy?........................................................................................................... 35 © 2024 GKToday | All Rights Reserved | https://www.gktoday.in | For printed books: GKTBOOKS.COM 2  @PDFCurrent MAFIA Affairs Articles Compilation [PDF] - July, 2024 Fact Sheet: Sampoornata Abhiyan.......................................................................................................... 36 What is 'junk' DNA? - Current Updates (July, 2024)........................................................................ 37 India, Bangladesh to Renegotiate Ganga Waters Treaty.................................................................... 38 Hemant Soren Sworn In as Jharkhand CM Again.............................................................................. 39 Top Expensive Cities 2024...................................................................................................................... 40 SpaceX's Polaris Dawn Mission: First Commercial Spacewalk......................................................... 41 July 6, 2024......................................................................................................................................................... 42 Global Conclave on Plastics Recycling and Sustainability (GCPRS)................................................ 42 What is 'Robot Suicide'?............................................................................................................................ 43 Madhya Pradesh CM Launches 'Lokpath Mobile App' for Road Issues........................................ 43 What is Aphelion?...................................................................................................................................... 44 India-Russia JV Completes AK-203 Rifle Production Phase............................................................. 45 Telecom Act 2023..................................................................................................................................... 45 Who is Rachel Reeves, Britain's First Woman Finance Minister?.................................................... 47 Gujarat FDI Jumps 55%, Hits $7.3 Billion in FY 2023-24............................................................... 47 Tamil Writer Sivashankari Wins National Literary Award................................................................ 48 Who is Keir Starmer, the next British Prime Minister?...................................................................... 49 July 8, 2024......................................................................................................................................................... 50 What is Digital Bharat Nidhi?.................................................................................................................. 50 Fact Sheet: Great Nicobar Project........................................................................................................... 51 Air India Welcomes First A320 Neo Aircraft....................................................................................... 52 Who is Yaroslava Mahuchikh?................................................................................................................. 52 West Antarctica’s Vulnerability................................................................................................................. 53 New Horned Frog Species Discovered in Northeast India............................................................... 54 Jharkhand Mica Mines Declared Child Labour Free........................................................................... 55 IIT Bombay, IRS Collaborate on Maritime Safety Tool..................................................................... 56 Who is Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran's New President?............................................................................ 56 July 9, 2024......................................................................................................................................................... 57 NASA's GOLD Satellite Discovers Unusual Ionospheric Shapes..................................................... 57 India Creates 46.7 Million Jobs in Fiscal 2023-24............................................................................. 58 Rajasthan Becomes First State to Adopt a Road Safety Action Plan............................................... 59 Philippines, Japan Sign Key Military Cooperation Deal...................................................................... 59 Elisa de Anda Madrazo - FATF Presidency.......................................................................................... 60 India Unveils 'Zorawar' Tank for High-Altitude Warfare.................................................................. 61 Maharashtra Wins Best Agriculture State Award 2024.................................................................... 62 Gautam Gambhir Appointed India's New Cricket Head Coach...................................................... 62 July 10, 2024....................................................................................................................................................... 63 IUCN Red List Update............................................................................................................................... 63 Exercise Pitch Black................................................................................................................................... 64 India, Russia Aim for $100 Billion Trade Target by 2030............................................................... 65 NASA's Mars Simulation Mission: Recent Updates............................................................................ 65 India to ratify High Seas Treaty: Recent Agreement and Significance........................................... 66 PM Modi Awarded Russia's Highest Civilian Honor.......................................................................... 67 What is a Super-Earth?............................................................................................................................. 68 NATO Military Alliance: Recent Updates............................................................................................. 69 What is Draft Digital Competition Bill?................................................................................................. 70 July 11, 2024......................................................................................................................................................... 71 © 2024 GKToday | All Rights Reserved | https://www.gktoday.in | For printed books: GKTBOOKS.COM 3  @PDFCurrent MAFIA Affairs Articles Compilation [PDF] - July, 2024 James Webb Telescope Captures Quasar's 'Einstein Ring'................................................................. 71 What is Project 2025?............................................................................................................................... 72 Lt Gen Shankar Narayan Assumes Command at Army Hospital.................................................... 73 Why Indo-Pacific Countries are Joining the NATO Summit?.......................................................... 73 India Ranks Fifth in Global Generative AI Innovations...................................................................... 74 Gagan Narang Named Chef-de-Mission for Paris 2024 Olympics................................................ 75 What is Angel Tax? - Current Updates (July, 2024)......................................................................... 76 Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Approves Purchase of New VVIP Jet...................................................... 77 World’s Largest Ramayan Temple in Bihar.......................................................................................... 78 July 12, 2024....................................................................................................................................................... 79 First Budget of NDA 3.0 - Current Updates(July 2024).................................................................. 79 Romania, Bulgaria, Greece Boost NATO Eastern Flank Mobility................................................... 80 Massive Black Hole Discovered in Omega Centauri........................................................................... 81 New Microcontinent Discovered Off West Greenland...................................................................... 82 What is Medical Devices Information System(MeDevIS)?................................................................ 83 Bangladesh Joins Colombo Security Conclave as Fifth Member..................................................... 83 India-Taiwan Agreement Boosts Organic Product Trade................................................................ 84 Who is Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, the Principal Adviser for TB Elimination?............................. 85 July 13, 2024....................................................................................................................................................... 86 NASA’s CHAPEA Project......................................................................................................................... 86 NABARD Launches Rs 750 Crore Agri-SURE Fund for Startups.................................................. 87 World Population Prospects 2024: UN................................................................................................. 88 New Deep-Water Shark Species Discovered in Kerala..................................................................... 89 IMF Agrees to $7 Billion Loan Program for Pakistan....................................................................... 90 July 14, 2024....................................................................................................................................................... 90 Nagaland Wins Best State in Horticulture Award 2024................................................................... 90 Vietnam - Most Affordable Country for Expats in 2024................................................................... 91 Philippines Chosen to Host U.N. Climate Fund Board....................................................................... 92 July 15, 2024........................................................................................................................................................ 93 What is an Extreme Solar Particle Event?.............................................................................................. 93 China, and Russia Conduct Joint Pacific Naval Patrol........................................................................ 94 IIT Madras Aims to Make India Global Chess Powerhouse............................................................. 95 NITI Aayog Launches Hackathon for Zero-Emission Trucks......................................................... 96 Sabeera Haris Wins Bronze at ISSF Junior World Cup..................................................................... 97 Wolbachia Bacteria..................................................................................................................................... 97 Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 - Recent Updates.................................... 98 Germany to Phase Out Huawei, ZTE in 5G Networks..................................................................... 99 Government to Propose Insurance Act Amendments in Budget Session.................................... 100 India’s Longest Urban Tunnel Between Borivali and Thane............................................................ 101 July 16, 2024...................................................................................................................................................... 101 What is Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act (FRBM Act)?................................... 101 New High-Efficacy Malaria Vaccine Launched in Cote d'Ivoire..................................................... 102 India Hosts Second Asia Pacific Aviation Conference...................................................................... 103 What is the Yuan Challenge?................................................................................................................. 104 MANAS - India's First toll-free National Anti-Narcotics Helpline................................................. 105 INS Delhi Wins Best Ship of Eastern Fleet 2024.............................................................................. 106 PM Modi - Most Followed Leader on X with over 100 Million Followers................................. 107 © 2024 GKToday | All Rights Reserved | https://www.gktoday.in | For printed books: GKTBOOKS.COM 4  @PDFCurrent MAFIA Affairs Articles Compilation [PDF] - July, 2024 July 19, 2024..................................................................................................................................................... 108 National Quantum Mission - Current Updates (July, 2024).......................................................... 108 Cave on the Moon: New Discovery for Space Exploration............................................................. 109 Maharashtra Special Public Security (MSPS) Act, 2024.................................................................. 110 OpenAI Launches Cost-Effective GPT-4o Mini AI Model................................................................ 111 Madhya Pradesh Tops Best Performing State in SVANidhi Scheme.............................................. 111 Ivory Coast Joins UN Water Convention as 10th African Member................................................ 112 Andhra Pradesh Wins 2024 Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity.......................................................... 113 Why is Jupiter’s Great Red Spot Shrinking?........................................................................................ 114 Von Der Leyen Re-elected as EU Commission President.................................................................. 115 July 20, 2024...................................................................................................................................................... 116 Asia's First Pre-Clinical Network Facility Inaugurated in Faridabad.............................................. 116 Assam’s Foreigners Tribunals function................................................................................................. 116 Two Flower Fly Species Reported from Kerala for the First Time................................................ 117 IIT Guwahati Researchers Explore African Swine Fever Virus Protein......................................... 119 NASA Discovers Six New Exoplanets................................................................................................... 119 IISR Wins Best Technology Award....................................................................................................... 120 China Unveils World’s First Carbon Fiber High-Speed Train.......................................................... 121 Who Is Vinay Mohan Kwatra, India's Next Ambassador to the US?............................................. 122 July 22, 2024...................................................................................................................................................... 123 Japanese Scientists Create Smiling Robots Using Living Skin......................................................... 123 New Plant Species Discovered in Arunachal Pradesh Sanctuary................................................... 124 Union Budget 2024 - Recent Updates................................................................................................. 124 Kush Maini Secures First Formula 2 Win in Hungary...................................................................... 125 Joe Biden withdraws from US Presidential Elections........................................................................ 126 Apollo 11 Anniversary............................................................................................................................... 127 Economic Survey 2023-24 - Recent Updates.................................................................................... 128 Indian Astrophysicist Prahlad Agrawal Wins COSPAR Award 2024........................................... 128 National Flag Day on July 22................................................................................................................. 129 July 23, 2024..................................................................................................................................................... 130 What are Rogue Waves?.......................................................................................................................... 130 Mizoram's Aizawl Became the Fourth Capital in Northeast India to gain Railway Connectivity................................................................................................................................................................. 131 U-WIN Portal............................................................................................................................................. 132 Israel Approves Bill Declaring UNRWA a Terrorist Organization................................................. 133 ESA Prepares RAMSES Mission to Study Asteroid Apophis........................................................... 134 BCCI Grants Rs 8.5 Crore for Indian Olympic Contingent............................................................ 135 Who is Manolo Marquez, Head Coach of the Indian Football Team?......................................... 135 India Ranks Third in Global Forest Area Gains................................................................................. 136 July 24, 2024..................................................................................................................................................... 137 What is a Climate Finance Taxonomy?................................................................................................ 137 Budget 2024: Defence Ministry Receives ₹6.22 Lakh Crore Budget Allocation........................ 138 Researchers Discover 'Dark Oxygen' Production on Seafloor........................................................ 139 Rajiv Gandhi Civil Abhaya Hastham Scheme Launched by Telangana........................................ 140 World’s Most Powerful Passports 2024: India ranks at 82nd......................................................... 141 World Leaders Summit 2024................................................................................................................. 142 Abhinav Bindra Awarded Olympic Order in Paris Ceremony........................................................ 143 © 2024 GKToday | All Rights Reserved | https://www.gktoday.in | For printed books: GKTBOOKS.COM 5  @PDFCurrent MAFIA Affairs Articles Compilation [PDF] - July, 2024 National Maritime Domain Awareness Centre.................................................................................. 144 July 25, 2024..................................................................................................................................................... 144 What is the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism?...................................................................... 144 July 21 Marks Hottest Day Recorded Globally Ever.......................................................................... 145 Chinese Lunar Probe Finds Water Traces in Moon Soil.................................................................. 146 DRDO Successfully Tests Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence System............................................ 147 Nita Ambani re-elected as International Olympic Committee member....................................... 148 The State of the World’s Forests 2024 Report.................................................................................. 149 Meta Introduces Llama 3.1..................................................................................................................... 149 What is Agristack and how will it work?............................................................................................ 150 Shah Rukh Khan Honored With Gold Coins At Grevin Museum.................................................. 151 July 26, 2024..................................................................................................................................................... 152 Why Paris 2024 Will Be The Riskiest Olympics Ever....................................................................... 152 What are Bharat Small Reactors?.......................................................................................................... 153 Rashtrapati Bhavan’s Durbar Hall and Ashok Hall, now renamed................................................ 154 South Africa Passes its First Sweeping Climate Change Law......................................................... 154 What is ODF Plus?.................................................................................................................................... 155 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas........................................................................................................................... 156 Digital Assets Ease Payment Issues Between Russia and China...................................................... 157 Exercise KHAAN QUEST 2024............................................................................................................ 158 Vriksharopan Abhiyan 2024.................................................................................................................. 158 July 27, 2024..................................................................................................................................................... 159 ISRO Seeks ESA Collaboration for Apophis Asteroid Mission....................................................... 159 India - US Signed Cultural Property Agreement............................................................................... 160 India Advances 6G Technology Development with IITs Collaboration....................................... 161 India’s 500th Community Radio Station in Aizawl............................................................................ 161 UK and India Launch New Technology Security Initiative.............................................................. 162 What is the Oropouche Virus?............................................................................................................... 163 OpenAI Launches SearchGPT............................................................................................................... 164 Rajbhasha Gaurav Samman 2023-24 Award..................................................................................... 165 Assam's Charaideo Moidams Added to UNESCO World Heritage List....................................... 166 July 29, 2024..................................................................................................................................................... 167 India's First Integrated Agri-Export Facility at Jawaharlal Nehru Port......................................... 167 SpaceX and NASA Set Crew-9 Launch for August 18................................................................... 168 What is LTCG Tax?................................................................................................................................. 168 India Assumes ADPC Chairmanship for 2024-25............................................................................ 169 What Is Money Dysmorphia?................................................................................................................ 170 Manu Bhaker Wins Historic Bronze in Women’s 10m Air Pistol................................................... 171 Japan's Sado Gold Mines Added to UNESCO World Heritage List............................................... 171 India's First Sunken Museum to Open at Humayun Tomb............................................................ 173 July 30, 2024..................................................................................................................................................... 174 WHO Launches Project to Develop H5N1 Vaccines Using mRNA............................................... 174 Turkey Parliament Approves Controversial Stray Dog Euthanasia Law...................................... 175 Project Tiger Displaces 5.5 Lakh Tribal Communities, Report Reveals....................................... 175 Laos Unveils World's First Stamp of Lord Rama............................................................................... 176 NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) Satellite - Recent Updates.............................. 177 Pakistan Seeks Debt Re-Profiling for IMF Bailout Package............................................................ 178 © 2024 GKToday | All Rights Reserved | https://www.gktoday.in | For printed books: GKTBOOKS.COM 6  @PDFCurrent MAFIA Affairs Articles Compilation [PDF] - July, 2024 SpaceX's Polaris Dawn Mission - Recent Updates............................................................................ 178 India to Host Men's Asia Cup Cricket in 2025................................................................................. 179 What is South Africa’s New Law on Climate Change?.................................................................... 180 July 31, 2024....................................................................................................................................................... 181 Bhupender Yadav Launches Ideas4LiFE Initiative at IIT Delhi........................................................ 181 India aims for $30 Trillion Economy by 2047.................................................................................. 182 Sturgeon Poaching Threatens Endangered Species in Danube River........................................... 183 DAE Launches 'One DAE One Subscription' Initiative in Mumbai............................................... 183 Dr. Jitendra Singh Receives Lifetime Achievement Award in Diabetology.................................. 184 India's Scientists Develop Enhanced DNA-Editing System.............................................................. 185 What are Metacrimes?............................................................................................................................. 186 Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021 - Recent Updates............................................................................................................................................................... 187 © 2024 GKToday | All Rights Reserved | https://www.gktoday.in | For printed books: GKTBOOKS.COM 7  @PDFCurrent MAFIA Affairs Articles Compilation [PDF] - July, 2024 July 1, 2024 What is Teesta Treaty? In June 2023, when Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, paid a state visit to India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that a technical team would go to Bangladesh to talk about how to protect and control the Teesta River. The Teesta water-sharing pact has been a point of contention between India and Bangladesh for over a decade. This brought it back to the public’s attention. India’s Stand on Teesta Water Sharing After Modi’s speech, India’s Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra made it clear that the talks were more about controlling the flow of water in the Teesta than making deals to share water. While the central government agreed with this position, West Bengal’s Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, disagreed. She said that talks about the Teesta waters should not continue without the state’s participation. She was worried that sharing Teesta’s water would have bad effects on the people in north Bengal. Background of the Teesta Dispute The Teesta River is a big river that starts in Sikkim and flows into Bangladesh. It is important for farming and the environment. As part of the planned treaty from 2011, which was almost agreed upon by India’s UPA-II government, India would get 42.5% of the water and Bangladesh would get 37.5%. But the deal didn’t go through because Mamata Banerjee was against it, saying that it could be bad for West Bengal. Political and Environmental Considerations There are also political and environmental issues at play in the argument over the Teesta water-sharing plan. India’s hydroelectric projects and barrages in the river’s top catchment areas are thought to have slowed it down, which has hurt the environment and the people in Bangladesh who depend on it for their livelihoods. There are pressures on Bangladesh’s Awami League government to complete the treaty from within the country as well as from outside, such as China’s plans for large-scale dredging and infrastructure projects along the Teesta River. Broader Implications and Future Perspectives Managing and sharing Teesta’s waters is connected to problems of sustainability and working together in the region as a whole. Environmentalists and political leaders in India and Bangladesh are still trying to figure out how to handle resources, follow international law (The Helsinki Rules), and deal with the unique social and economic situations in their countries. The current talks, along with the need to renew the Ganga water sharing treaty, show how difficult it is to manage transboundary rivers in a way that is fair, long-lasting, and takes into account everyone’s needs. Korea Balloon War South Korean activists sent posters and USB drives with South Korean media into North Korea in May 2024. This started the latest “balloon war” round between the two countries. The group called “Fighters for Free North Korea” did this, and North Korea responded by sending trash- and maybe even manure-filled balloons back into South Korea. © 2024 GKToday | All Rights Reserved | https://www.gktoday.in | For printed books: GKTBOOKS.COM 3  @PDFCurrent MAFIA Affairs Articles Compilation [PDF] - July, 2024 Step-by-Step Explanation of the Escalation In May 2024, South Korean activists start the war by using balloons to send propaganda over North Korean land. At the end of May 2024, North Korea reacts by sending about 250 balloons full of trash into South Korea. That’s the start of a trade of balloon-launched items going both ways across the border. Early in June 2024, North Korea sends out another wave of trash-filled balloons, making things even worse. As a response, South Korea starts playing news and K- pop songs over loudspeakers near the border. In the middle of June 2024, tensions rise when Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, publicly condemned South Korea’s actions. This could lead to a worsening of tensions. Historical Background After World War II, in 1945, the Korean Peninsula was split into North Korea and South Korea. After that, there was the Korean War, which lasted from 1950 to 1953. There was an armistice, but not a formal peace treaty, so the two Koreas were still legally at war. Since then, there have been different levels of conflict and diplomatic activity on the peninsula. North Korea’s nuclear goals have made things more difficult. Use of Balloons in Psychological Warfare Korean War: Leaflets were dropped from balloons to encourage North Korean and Chinese men to leave the army. After the Cold War and Beyond: The United States and South Korea kept sending propaganda rockets into North Korea that were against communism. Technological Evolution in Balloon Warfare “Smart balloons” are a result of modern progress. They have technology that lets them send messages deep into North Korea. To get around North Korea’s information blockade, these balloons can carry handouts and pre-recorded messages that can be played on speakers. Legal and Social Implications In 2020, the South Korean government first banned balloon launches because they were worried about security. However, a court later lifted the ban, saying that people had the right to free speech. However, the practice is still controversial, with some South Koreans worried about retaliation from the North and questioning how safe and effective such efforts are. North Korea Fires Missiles Amid US-South Korea Drills The military of South Korea reported that North Korea fired off two ballistic missiles. This happened just one day after North Korea said it would react “offensively and overwhelmingly” to a new military exercise led by the US that included South Korea and Japan. Details of the Missile Launch Ten minutes apart, the missiles were fired from Jangyon, a town in the southeast of North © 2024 GKToday | All Rights Reserved | https://www.gktoday.in | For printed books: GKTBOOKS.COM 4  @PDFCurrent MAFIA Affairs Articles Compilation [PDF] - July, 2024 Korea. The first missile flew about 370 miles and landed in the water near the city of Chongjin in eastern North Korea. The second missile, on the other hand, flew much shorter, only 120 kilometers (75 miles). It is thought to have crashed in North Korea’s interior, though the exact damage was not immediately clear. Background and International Response Soon after the “Freedom Edge” military drills between the US, South Korea, and Japan ended, the missile tests took place. The goal of these drills was to improve joint operations in air and naval warfare and to strengthen defenses against ballistic missile threats. This was done as worries about North Korea’s nuclear capabilities and China’s assertiveness in the area grew. North Korea’s Position and Strategic Intentions The Foreign Ministry of North Korea condemned the drills and compared the relationship between the US, South Korea, and Japan to an “Asian version of NATO.” These drills are seen as direct threats to North Korea’s sovereignty and the safety of the area by North Korea. The fact that they responded with missile tests is seen as proof that they are ready to use strong military measures to protect their country’s interests. North Korea and Russia just signed an official defense pact that promises to help each other defend themselves. This shows that North Korea’s military moves are becoming more daring. More About North Korea-South Korea relations Establishment and Division: North Korea and South Korea were formally established as separate states in 1948 following the end of Japanese occupation. The Korean War (1950-1953) further deepened their divide, resulting in separate regimes without a peace treaty, leaving only an armistice in place. Moments of Thaw and Cooperation: Relations have seen rare moments of thaw, such as the 2000 and 2007 summits, and symbolic gestures like jointly marching under a unified flag at multiple Olympics. The Kaesong Industrial Complex, initiated in 2004, stands as a rare example of economic cooperation between the two Koreas. Ongoing Tensions and the DMZ: Even though there is some communication, events like the sinking of a South Korean warship in 2010 and the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island keep emotions high. The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which is highly fortified with guard posts and landmines, is a stark reminder of the ongoing stalemate. What Is Snowblind Malware? As more people use mobile banking, they are enjoying never-before-seen levels of convenience when handling their money. But this change has also caught the attention of hackers who want to steal private user data. Promon, a cybersecurity company, recently found a new danger called “Snowblind” malware. This malware targets Android devices to steal banking information. What is Snowblind Android Malware Snowblind is made to get into Android devices, get banking login information, and make deals without permission. Very smart malware hides itself by repackaging safe programs as harmful ones. This way, it avoids being found by security software. People take © 2024 GKToday | All Rights Reserved | https://www.gktoday.in | For printed books: GKTBOOKS.COM 5  @PDFCurrent MAFIA Affairs Articles Compilation [PDF] - July, 2024 advantage of accessibility features to steal private data and take control of an infected device from afar. Method of Distribution Social engineering is the main way that Snowblind gets spread. People are tricked into getting malicious apps that look like they are safe. Most of the time, you won’t find these apps in official app shops. This suggests that they are spread through other platforms or phishing. How Snowblind Operates The way Snowblind is different from other malware is that it uses a function in the Linux kernel called “seccomp” to check for any changes made to the system. Injecting harmful code before seccomp is turned on is how Snowblind gets around built-in security. Once the malware gets past these defenses, it uses accessibility services to keep an eye on the device’s screen, steal login information, and mess up banking sessions. With this feature, Snowblind can turn off important security features like biometric and two-factor login systems (2FA), which makes fraud and identity theft much more likely. Recognition and Prevention Because Snowblind works quietly in the background, users may not be aware that it is there until transfers are made without their permission. It is important to only download apps from reliable sources, like official app stores, and to be wary of download links you get through email or chat apps that you didn’t ask for. Always choose apps with lots of downloads and good reviews, and if you want extra protection against these kinds of threats, you might want to use reliable security apps made just for Android devices. Indian Navy Joins World's Largest Naval Exercise RIMPAC As a participant in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) 2024, the Indian Navy has made a strong statement in the world of military exercises. This exercise is the world’s biggest international maritime warfare exercise, and it takes place in Hawaii with a huge group of troops from around the world. Recent Context In 2024, the exercise had over 150 planes, 40 surface ships, 3 submarines, people from over 29 countries, and a total of over 25,000 people. The Hawaiian Islands are the focus of this huge show of military power and cooperation, which runs until August 01. The Indian Navy sent the INS Shivalik, a cutting-edge multi-role stealth frigate, to this important military gathering. INS Shivalik’s Deployment The INS Shivalik, a guided missile stealth frigate that was planned and built in India, shows how technically advanced and flexible the Indian Navy is. The frigate was sent to Pearl Harbor to take part in different parts of RIMPAC 2024. It had been sent to key areas like the South China Sea and the North Pacific Ocean before. That the ship traveled 9000 Nautical Miles to take part in the drill shows how far the Indian Navy can go. Phases of RIMPAC 2024 RIMP began with a phase in the harbor that lasted from June 27 to July 7. This was © 2024 GKToday | All Rights Reserved | https://www.gktoday.in | For printed books: GKTBOOKS.COM 6  @PDFCurrent MAFIA Affairs Articles Compilation [PDF] - July, 2024 followed by a carefully planned phase at sea. The last phase is split into three smaller phases. During these phases, the naval forces that are taking part will carry out some complicated maritime activities. An aircraft carrier battle group, submarines, maritime reconnaissance planes, and remotely piloted surface ships will all be moving around, and amphibious force landing operations will also be shown. Objective and Significance Commander of the US 3rd Fleet and the RIMPAC 2024 Combined Task Force, Vice Admiral John Wade, talked about the exercise’s two goals: to strengthen ties between countries and make it easier for allied forces to work together. The main objective is to improve everyone’s skills in maritime operations, which will help keep the Indo-Pacific area peaceful and stable. In a nutshell, this is what this year’s RIMPAC theme, “Partners: Integrated and Prepared,” means. About Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) Largest Maritime Warfare Exercise: The Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) is the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise, initiated in 1971 and led by the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet. It is held biennially in the waters around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. Extensive International Participation: RIMPAC began with five nations and has grown to include participants from 26 countries, including non-NATO members like China and India. This expansion improves international maritime relations and stability across the Pacific Rim. Diverse Activities and Innovation: The exercise encompasses various activities such as gunnery, missile, anti-submarine, and air defense exercises, along with humanitarian and counter-piracy operations. Additionally, RIMPAC is unique for its live innovation fair, where new technologies are tested and demonstrated. Researchers Develop Anti-Insecticide Fabric That Neutralizes Pesticides The Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem) in Bengaluru has come up with a revolutionary solution, a fabric that kills insects. Pesticides that are based on organophosphates are neutralized by this cloth. This makes it safer for everyone to use, especially farmers who are often exposed to these chemicals. Background of the Research Integrative stem cell researchers first tried to neutralize organophosphate pesticides by making a gel that could be put on the skin and stop these dangerous chemicals from working. The team looked into more realistic options, though, because of problems with consistent use and following the rules. With this new focus, a special cloth was made that is better at solving the same problem. Scientific Foundation of the Anti-Insecticide Fabric Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is an important enzyme for neuromuscular processes that organophosphate-based pesticides stop working. This can have very bad health effects, like suffocation, paralysis, and muscle weakness. A group of scientists lead by Dr. Praveen Kumar Vemula created a fabric that has small molecules on it that can break down © 2024 GKToday | All Rights Reserved | https://www.gktoday.in | For printed books: GKTBOOKS.COM 7  @PDFCurrent MAFIA Affairs Articles Compilation [PDF] - July, 2024 pesticides in water before they can hurt the skin. The cellulose in the cotton fabric is covalently linked to these molecules. This makes the fabric not only good at killing pests but also resistant to wear and tear. Advancements in Fabric Technology Because the small molecules that stop the pesticides from working are directly attached to the fabric’s threads, the protective properties stay the same through up to 150 wash cycles, this fabric is one of a kind. Because it lasts longer and is easier to use, this new idea, which was created with the help of Sepio Health Pvt Ltd, is a big step up from previous options like the topical gel. This is mostly because users are more likely to stick with it. Effectiveness and Practical Application Tests on rats in the lab showed that the fabric did work. Different from rats that were exposed to regular fabric, rats that were protected by the anti-insecticide fabric kept their normal amounts of AChE after being exposed to the pesticide. That the carefully coated fabric protected rats from the harmful effects of the pesticides and saved their lives, as shown by the fact that all the rats that were wearing the fabric survived while those that weren’t didn’t. Indian Army Deploys Indigenous 4G Mobile Base Station Indian Military Communication Technology Gets Better on Its Own In a historic move, the Indian Army recently got its first 4G mobile base station made in India. It was built by Signaltron in Bangalore. The purchase was made possible by the Government e- Marketplace (GeM) site, which shows that India has made big steps toward becoming self- sufficient in important technology areas. This development not only improves the military’s ability to communicate, but it also marks a big step toward using technology made in the United States for strategic reasons. Origins and Development In 2010, Himamshu Khasnis started Signalchip, a fabless semiconductor business, to make local chips for advanced communication networks like 4G and 5G. This was the start of Signaltron. The Sahyadri LTE base stations are powered by a chip made by Signalchip, an Indian company that has been a leader in creating these important parts. India provides its telecommunications system with more independence and safety by creating and using its chip technology. Technical and Operational Features Signaltron’s Sahyadri Network In a Box (NIB) system stands out thanks to its strong security filters and flexible operational options, which make it work in both standalone and cellular modes. It makes sure that both old analog and new IP phone systems work together without any problems, meeting the high standards needed in military communication systems. The Sahyadri NIBs are portable and easy to redeploy because they only weigh 7 kilograms. This is an important trait for tactical military use. Strategic Significance and Industry Impact Most of the base stations that were put in place in India before used chips from other © 2024 GKToday | All Rights Reserved | https://www.gktoday.in | For printed books: GKTBOOKS.COM 8  @PDFCurrent MAFIA Affairs Articles Compilation [PDF] - July, 2024 countries, which was a strategic weakness. The smart use of Sahyadri NIBs that were made in India helps reduce this risk by improving security. It is also expected that the Indian base station market will grow to about USD 24 billion by 2029. This means that Indian companies like Signaltron can not only help protect the country but also make money from the growing market. Using these kinds of homegrown technologies shows how they might affect India’s GDP and how much foreign currency it could save by making more things in India. In areas like defense and railways, where the need for advanced communication systems is always growing, this growth also opens the door for wider modernization. Market Prospects and Global Opportunities By 2030, the Captive Network-Private Network (CNPN) 4G/5G market is estimated to be worth more than USD 30 billion around the world. India could get a piece of this growing market with its creative solutions, which would help its products get cheaper as they are used more. This could make India an even bigger player in the international market for making communication technology. This fits with India’s larger national goals of becoming a star in technological innovation and self-reliance. India Wins T20 World Cup 2024, BCCI Announces Rs 125 Crore Prize India’s cricket team won the T20 World Cup, beating South in a historic win. It was their first title in 13 years. It hit the effects in an exciting final that took place in Barbados. This win was extra meaningful because it marked the retirement of some important players and a big change in the team’s direction. High-Profile Retirements After the win, there was a lot of feeling as key players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli said they were quitting T20 internationals. Soon after, Ravindra Jadeja also said he was retiring from T20Is. However, all three legends will still play other types of cricket. As the team moves forward, these losses mark a big change in how they work together. Another important thing about the win is that it was the last game for Rahul Dravid as head coach of the Indian team. The change in coaching is likely to start a new era in Indian cricket, with a focus on developing the next generation of players. Celebratory Reactions and Recognition There was a lot of praise for the Indian team’s accomplishment, including comments from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Because the team did so well, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) gave the players a big prize of Rs. 125 crore. Critical Match Moments In the final, India was in a tough spot because South Africa was getting close to their goal—they only needed 30 runs from 30 balls. With seven wickets between them, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Hardik Pandya played key roles in turning the tide back in India’s favor, and they finally won at 169-8. Captain Rohit Sharma praised his team’s toughness and drive, pointing out that they could do well under pressure and work together when things went wrong. His thoughts brought out the teamwork and energy © 2024 GKToday | All Rights Reserved | https://www.gktoday.in | For printed books: GKTBOOKS.COM 9  @PDFCurrent MAFIA Affairs Articles Compilation [PDF] - July, 2024 that helped them win the campaign. Not only is this win in the T20 World Cup a big deal for Indian cricket, it also marks the beginning of a time of change and renewal. Full list of T20 World Cup winners and runners-up EDITION HOST NATION WINNERS RUNNER-UPS 2007 South Africa India Pakistan 2009 England Pakistan Sri Lanka 2010 West Indies England Australia 2012 Sri Lanka West Indies Sri Lanka 2014 Bangladesh Sri Lanka India 2016 India West Indies England 2021 UAE and Oman Australia New Zealand 2022 Australia England Pakistan 2024 USA and West Indies India South Africa Who is Sujata Saunik, Maharashtra's First Female Chief Secretary? According to reports, Sujata Saunik is the first woman in Maharashtra history to be named Chief Secretary. In a ceremony on June 30, she officially took over from Nitin Karir in this important position. She was previously the Additional Chief Secretary (Home). Elected Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis both agreed on Sujata Saunik’s election. Significance of Women Leadership in Maharashtra As Rashmi Shukla is also in charge of the Maharashtra Police Department, this appointment sets a big example for women to hold the two highest administrative posts in the state. The state government is pushing women-focused programs like “Ladali Bahena” through the Women and Child Development Department at the same time that the leaders are aligning themselves. Bettering the government’s care for women’s well- being is a bigger goal than these projects alone, especially with the upcoming assembly elections coming up. Who is Sujara Saunik? Sujata Saunik has worked as a supervisor for more than thirty years and is known for being very straight-forward. Before becoming Chief Secretary, Saunik was very important in many roles across the state, such as as Additional Chief Secretary in several offices, such as Home and General Administration. She has a lot of experience in many areas, such as healthcare, finance, education, disaster management, and keeping the peace at the district, state, federal, and foreign levels, including work for the UN. Impact of Leadership on Public Policy She has a lot of experience managing complicated portfolios, which shows that she can lead the way in changing public policies and government models. Her unique job path shows a consistent and effective way of running things, which is likely to affect Maharashtra’s future administrative plans. To sum up, Sujata Saunik’s appointment is a © 2024 GKToday | All Rights Reserved | https://www.gktoday.in | For printed books: GKTBOOKS.COM 10  @PDFCurrent MAFIA Affairs Articles Compilation [PDF] - July, 2024 big deal in Maharashtra’s government, coming at a time when women’s roles in leadership and running the state are getting more attention. António Costa - President of European Council António Costa, who used to be the prime minister of Portugal, has been chosen to be the next President of the European Council. This is the second most important job in the European Union (EU). In Brussels, the council made this surprising choice, picking Costa even though he wasn’t on the first list of candidates. This shows a shift toward looking at more choices and shows that Portugal is becoming more powerful in the EU. António Costa’s Political and Leadership Profile António Costa, born in 1961 and initially a lawyer, has had a lengthy political career that includes terms as a cabinet minister in Portugal, the vice president of the European Parliament, and the mayor of Lisbon. During his tenure as the Prime Minister of Portugal, Costa was pivotal in implementing reforms aimed at revitalizing both the economy and social fabrics of Lisbon and Portugal. He is also known for his pragmatic leadership style, which is balanced by a strong commitment to social justice. Notable Achievements and Recognition Costa, often referred to as the “Gandhi of Lisbon” due to his modest lifestyle and Indian descent, was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman by the President of India in 2017, emphasizing his notable contributions to the Indian diaspora. He also holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. Background of the European Council Presidency While the Treaty of Lisbon was being signed on December 13, 2007, it set up the job of President of the European Council. Herman Van Rompuy was the first person to hold the job. The President plays a key part in achieving agreement and guiding discussions within the council, ensuring that all EU member states agree on common policies. António Costa is running against Charles Michel because he wants to promote freedom and European unity. This change in the strategic leadership of the European Union sheds light on the ongoing dynamics and changing governance within the union, which helps member states work together to achieve shared social and economic goals. July 2, 2024 India Becomes the First Country to Prepare Full List of Fauna India recently launched the “Fauna of India Checklist Portal,” which is a major step toward protecting wildlife. This complete collection lists 1,04,561 species, making India the first country in the world to record all of its wildlife. The launch took place in Kolkata on the 109th Foundation Day of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI). Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav led the event. Significance of the Fauna Checklist The ‘Fauna of India Checklist Portal’ has 121 checklists for 36 phyla and gives detailed information on known taxa, such as endemic, endangered, and scheduled species. This plan is very important for many reasons: Conservation and Protection:It sets up a basic way to track changes in biodiversity © 2024 GKToday | All Rights Reserved | https://www.gktoday.in | For printed books: GKTBOOKS.COM 11  @PDFCurrent MAFIA Affairs Articles Compilation [PDF] - July, 2024 and finds species that need immediate conservation action. Scientific Research: The checklist is useful for scientific research because it gives a thorough list of the animals that live in an area. This helps scientists learn more about the variety of life in an area and manage natural resources in a way that doesn’t harm them. Policy and Planning: The detailed information helps make smart rules and programs to safeguard wildlife, keep habitats safe, and control the environment as a whole. Global Leadership and Conservation Initiatives India’s success in making this checklist shows that it is a star in documenting biodiversity and sets a standard for other countries to follow. The Minister talked about some programs that show India’s dedication to protecting the earth. Some of these are the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” project and the International Big Cat Alliance. The recent successful cheetah relocations show that these are good ways to protect wildlife. Impact and Future Prospects The checklist will be very helpful for taxonomists, researchers, academics, policymakers, and people in charge of protection efforts. It shows how serious India is about protecting biodiversity and strengthens its role as a global environmental steward. This important work lays the groundwork for continued leadership in protecting the environment around the world. Who is Ashwin Ramaswami? An Indian-American man named Ashwin Ramaswami, 24, has been backed by US Senator Jon Ossoff for the Georgia State Senate spot in District 48. It is important to note that Ramaswami is the first Gen-Z candidate to run for a US state government. Shawn Still, a Republican State Senator, is running against him. Still has been charged with trying to change the results of the 2020 election with former president Donald Trump. Candidate Profiles and Political Contrast Ramaswami is a Democrat who used to work as an expert in voting security. He is very different from the current candidate, Shawn Still, who is a Republican and is part of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement. Senator Ossoff’s support for Ramaswami contrasts his dedication to election security and Still’s claimed role in tampering with the 2020 election results. Election Significance and Ramaswami’s Platform If Ramaswami wins, he will be the youngest and first Indian American state lawmaker in Georgia. This would be a historic event. His campaign, which has raised a lot of money, is focused on important problems like making housing and healthcare more accessible. Ramaswami’s platform and plan for running a grassroots campaign show that he is committed to protecting democratic processes and state government from far-right influences. Ossoff’s Endorsement and Implications As a member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, © 2024 GKToday | All Rights Reserved | https://www.gktoday.in | For printed books: GKTBOOKS.COM 12  @PDFCurrent MAFIA Affairs Articles Compilation [PDF] - July, 2024 Senator Ossoff’s support is important because that committee oversees the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Ramaswamy is an expert in keeping elections safe, and Ossoff’s backing for him shows how important this state senate race is on a national level. Ramaswami thanked Ossoff for the support and linked his campaign to his work on building infrastructure, fighting climate change, and making defense stronger. This election for the state senate is an example of bigger problems facing the whole country, such as the integrity of elections, hacking, and how different groups are being represented in US politics. India, Bangladesh Sign Defence Industrial Partnership Deal Since Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s trip to India in June, the two countries’ military cooperation has come a long way. This visit paved the way for a stronger defense relationship between the two countries. Contract for Oceangoing Tug The Bangladesh Navy’s decision to buy an 800-ton oceangoing tug that was “Made in India” is a big result of this better defense cooperation. The Indian company Garden Reach Shipbuilding & Engineers Ltd (GRSE) made this ship, and India is paying for it with a line of credit. The deal is timed to go along with Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi’s trip to Bangladesh as India’s Chief of Naval Staff. Vessel Capabilities Tow ships, helping with berthing and casting off, and do rescue and salvage work are just some of the important jobs that the oceangoing tug is built to do. It can change its position on the water even in rough conditions, like sea state 5. This shows that it has advanced maritime skills with strong features like firefighting and some pollution control. Broader Defence Cooperation Framework The agreement comes after GRSE signed a new deal to send a Trailing Suction Hopper (TSH) dredger to Bangladesh. This shows that companies working together on defense gear are becoming more common. During PM Hasina’s visit, India and Bangladesh signed several deals that strengthened their relationship in areas such as space, telecommunications, maritime security, and the ocean economy. The fact that Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Bangladesh to the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative shows how important these deals are from a strategic point of view. Along with important cooperation against terrorism, ongoing joint military exercises, medical aid, and training programs strengthen the defense links. Both countries want to keep the region stable and build strong bilateral ties in a strategically important South Asian area, so they are working to improve their defense-industrial relations. About the India-Bangladesh Defence Partnership Bilateral Defense Agreement and Joint Exercises: Since they signed a bilateral defense agreement in 2017, India and Bangladesh’s military relationship has grown a lot. Joint military drills like “Sampriti,” which focus on counterterrorism and disaster management, are an example of a collaborative effort. Coordinated Maritime Patrols: The Indian Navy and the Bangladesh Navy have © 2024 GKToday | All Rights Reserved | https://www.gktoday.in | For printed books: GKTBOOKS.COM 13  @PDFCurrent MAFIA Affairs Articles Compilation [PDF] - July, 2024 started patrolling together along the sea border they share to make it safer and build trust. Both countries also take part in the annual trilateral naval exercise “IN- BN-THAI CORPAT” with Thailand, which improves maritime cooperation in the area. Economic and Strategic Support: India gave Bangladesh a $500 million Line of Credit in 2019 to buy military equipment. This showed that India supports Bangladesh economically as well as strategically. These projects are part of a strong framework that aims to improve stability and safety in the area. 41,000-Year-Old Ostrich Nest Found in Andhra Pradesh In Prakasam, Andhra Pradesh, archaeologists found an ostrich nest that is 41,000 years old. This is the oldest known nest of its kind anywhere in the world. The site gave us important information about the megafauna of prehistoric India, including possible hints about how they went extinct. Assistant professor Devara Anil Kumar at MS University, Vadodara, led the group that found what used to be a nest that could hold 30 to 40 eggs, but only 9 to 11 egg shells were found. What is Megafauna? Megafauna are usually big animals that weigh more than 50 kg. The word refers to a group of big animals, such as mega omnivores like ostriches, which can grow to be nine feet tall and weigh between 90 and 140 kg. This group helps us learn more about their eating habits and ecological roles, as well as their life cycles and times when they go extinct. The Significance of the Ostrich Discovery This discovery is very important because it backs up proof that ostriches lived in southern India 41,000 years ago. This find, along with others, adds to the conversation about the extinction of megafauna in the Indian subcontinent. Such information had been given by fossils and artifacts discovered in other places, like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. This led to talks about how species move around the world because of continental drift and human activity. Implications for Extinction Studies New studies, like the 2020 Yale University and Smithsonian studies, show that the arrival of humans 30,000 years ago in India is linked to the loss of large species there. These results are important for the “co-evolution hypothesis,” which says that living together with hominins and things like being in a remote area could have caused rapid extinction phases. Finding and studying fossils all the time is important to support this idea and get a better picture of the subcontinent’s biodiversity in the past. What is Project Nexus by RBI? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has joined Project Nexus, a worldwide effort to make it easier for people to send money instantly across borders. To do this, Fast Payment Systems (FPSs) in different countries are linked together. In this plan, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) of India will link to the FPSs of Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. This is all part of the project. © 2024 GKToday | All Rights Reserved | https://www.gktoday.in | For printed books: GKTBOOKS.COM 14  @PDFCurrent MAFIA Affairs Articles Compilation [PDF] - July, 2024 About Project Nexus The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) Innovation Hub started Project Nexus to bring about a new way of doing things in international payments. Nexus’ main goal is to improve international money transfers by combining different local Instant Payment Systems (IPS) in a way that doesn’t cause any problems. With this promise, Project Nexus will be the first live implementation-focused project for the payments industry by the BIS Innovation Hub. The framework of the project supports an open, quick, and safe space for sending money across borders, supporting connectivity for both Person to Person (P2P) and Person to Merchant (P2M) payments. Advantages of Project Nexus Project Nexus is unique because it can standardize the connectivity methods for instant payments around the world. In the past, each country’s FPS needed its unique links to each other’s. With Nexus, these systems only need one way to connect to the platform. This makes the process much easier and cuts down on the time and money needed for integration. Some of the biggest benefits are faster purchases (often finished in less than 60 seconds) and lower costs, which lead to more users and happier users. Membership and Expansion Founding Members of Project Nexus: At its commencement, Project Nexus will include the Fast Payment Systems (FPSs) of four Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)—Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand—alongside India. These nations, recognized as the founding members of the Nexus platform, formalized their participation and mutual commitment at a signing event held in Basel, Switzerland, on June 30, 2024. Future Expansion Plans: Looking into the future, additional countries like Indonesia have expressed intentions to join the initiative, indicating potential growth and broader interconnectivity within global payment networks. Economic Impact and Efficiency: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and its partners want to strengthen the economy so that digital transactions across borders are not only possible but also as common and quick as those conducted within the country. What is SEBEX 2, Most Powerful Non-Nuclear Explosive Developed by Indian Navy? Together with Solar Industries, the Indian Navy has created SEBEX 2, a cutting-edge bomb that is 2.01 times more powerful than TNT. This is a very important step forward for India’s Defense Export Promotion Scheme. Advantages of SEBEX 2 SEBEX 2 is made from High-Melting Explosives (HMX), which means it can greatly increase the destructive power of many weapons, like bombs, gun shells, and warheads, without adding any extra weight. With its approval, it is one of the most powerful non-nuclear explosives in the world. Comparative Lethality Before SEBEX 2, the strongest conventional explosive used in India, mostly in BrahMos weapons, was about 1.50 times as powerful as TNT. On the other hand, most global © 2024 GKToday | All Rights Reserved | https://www.gktoday.in | For printed books: GKTBOOKS.COM 15  @PDFCurrent MAFIA Affairs Articles Compilation [PDF] - July, 2024 weapons have TNT equivalences between 1.25 and 1.30, which shows that SEBEX 2 is more effective. Other Notable Developments Economic Explosives Limited (EEL) is also working on a different type of explosion that will have 2.3 times the power of TNT in six months. Also, the Indian Navy has approved the first thermobaric explosive, SITBEX 1. It has been used in recent conflicts because it has a long blast duration and produces a lot of heat, which makes it perfect for attacking well- fortified enemy areas. Another important step forward is the approval of SIMEX 4, which makes handling and storing it safer. This makes it necessary for sensitive uses like submarine torpedo weapons. About Indian Navy Historic Evolution and Key Milestones: The Indian Navy, established in 1612 as the East India Company’s Marine, played a pivotal role during WWII and transitioned fully into a Republic’s force post-Independence in 1950. The navy’s first aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, acquired in 1961, was instrumental in the 1971 Indo-Pak war. It also operated one of the world’s oldest active ships, INS Viraat, until its retirement in 2017. Training and Diverse Operations: The Indian Naval Academy, the largest in Asia, is a cornerstone of naval training. In 2018, an all-woman crew circumnavigated the globe aboard the INSV Tarini, showcasing the Navy’s commitment to diverse and inclusive operations. The Navy’s special forces unit, MARCOS, specializes in amphibious warfare, counter-terrorism, and special reconnaissance missions. Submarine Arm and Advanced Capabilities: The Indian Navy’s submarine arm, which was launched in 1967, greatly expands its three-dimensional operational powers, adding to its strength on land, sea, and air. This development shows that the Navy is putting a lot of strategic importance on keeping a strong and flexible marine force. India Implements New Laws, Replaces Colonial-Era Codes Three new crime laws were put into effect in India on July 1, 2023. This was a big change in the country’s legal system. The goal of these laws is to bring the current legal system up to date by replacing laws from the colonial era with ones that reflect Indian ideals and social norms. New Legal Framework The newly enacted laws encompass: 1. Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS): The Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) has been replaced by this law, which changes the rules and methods for criminal cases. 2. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS): The BNS replaces the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and changes the definitions and punishments for many crimes. It does this by cutting the number of parts from 511 in the IPC to 358. 3. Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam: This law replaces the Indian Evidence Act and aims © 2024 GKToday | All Rights Reserved | https://www.gktoday.in | For printed books: GKTBOOKS.COM 16  @PDFCurrent MAFIA Affairs Articles Compilation [PDF] - July, 2024 to make the standards for evidence used in court cases easier to follow and better. Objectives and Impact The main goal of these laws is to get rid of any traces of colonial rule that are still present in the Indian judicial system. Not only are these laws meant to punish people, but they are also meant to make sure justice, protect human rights, and make sure that civil rights are better protected. Another important thing is that the criminal justice system is much less likely to be delayed. Revised Sections and Key Offences A number of well-known parts of the IPC have been renumbered and changed by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Changes that stand out include: Murder (Section 103 BNS): This used to be Section 302 IPC. Attempt to Murder (Section 109 BNS): This crime used to be under Section 307 IPC. Rape (Section 63 BNS): This crime used to be under Section 375 IPC. Cheating (Section 318 BNS): This change to the numbers takes away the bad reputation that comes with the word “420,” which used to be known as Section 420 IPC. About Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita “Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,” which is also called the “Indian Code of Justice,” is a historical collection of Indian laws and court procedures from the past. It was affected by texts like Manusmriti and Arthashastra. A complex body of law that combines civil, criminal, and process law can be seen in it. The Nyaya Sanhita focuses on dharma, or moral duty, and has sections on royal responsibilities, inheritance, and contract law. Its ideas shaped later Indian laws and showed a unique mixing of law, philosophy, and morals. It favored restorative justice systems over punitive ones and was one of the first examples of legal pluralism. About Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita The “Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita” (Indian Civil Protection Code) is a suggested set of laws in India that would make laws about people’s safety and security stronger and more unified. This code aims to bring together different national and state-level laws into a single, all-encompassing law that covers things like crisis management, public health emergencies, civil defense, and internal security. Its goal is to bring response systems up to date and make people better prepared for different kinds of situations so that all levels of government can work together. This project comes from what we’ve learned from recent disasters and crises that showed us where current systems are lacking. About Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam To reflect evolving technology, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) amends the 1872 Indian Evidence Act. This revised method addresses evidence-handling difficulties as technology pervades legal processes. The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam develops more precise and universal court practice for handling case facts and situations through evidence, unlike the former law, which could not accommodate digital and electronic channels. It treats digital documents like paper records, making them admissible and © 2024 GKToday | All Rights Reserved | https://www.gktoday.in | For printed books: GKTBOOKS.COM 17  @PDFCurrent MAFIA Affairs Articles Compilation [PDF] - July, 2024 enforceable. Secondary evidence is increased by the act. Included are mechanical reproductions, copies verified against originals, and counterparts of unsigned papers. Hearing from witnesses who saw the paper and can match its hash # is secondary evidence. Legal reform ensures strength and technological relevance. Tata Leads as India's Most Valuable Brand, Grows 9% Tata Group is still India’s most valuable brand, with a value of US$ 28.6 billion, which is 9% more than the previous year. With this kind of progress, Tata is almost ready to become the first Indian brand to be worth more than $30 billion. Leading Brands and Rankings The second most valuable company is Tata Group, followed by Infosys. The third most valuable company is the HDFC Group, which moved up to second place after merging with HDFC Ltd. Notably, Taj is known as India’s strongest brand, with an impressive Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 92.9 out of 100 and a AAA+ ranking. Sectoral Growth Brand value grew by an amazing 61% in the telecom business, mostly thanks to big names like Jio, Airtel, and Vi. The banking industry also grew by a big 26%, and State Bank of India (SBI) became the second most important bank in the country. Fastest Growing Brands Westside became the fastest-growing brand, with a 122% rise in its brand value. Motherson comes in second with an 86% rise, and Sonata Software comes in third with an 83% rise. In the IT field, Hexaware had the most growth, with a 20% rise in brand value. Because more money is being put into manufacturing and infrastructure, the mining, iron, and steel businesses have grown by 16%. Companies like Zetwerk have become major players; in fact, Zetwerk is now the second most valuable engineering name, worth $543 million. Aviation and Emerging Brands A 26% rise in brand value has made Indigo Airlines worth more than $1 billion, which is a big deal. New players in the market, like HMEL and CIEL HR, have also made big changes to the scene. Global Influence and Strategic Focus The managing director of Brand Finance India, Ajimon Francis, talked about India’s growing impact around the world, especially in the “Global South.” He focused on ideas like development, independence, and freedom. In keeping with these ideas, India is quickly becoming a popular place for manufacturing, engineering services, and research and development. Companies like Tata, Infosys, SBI, and Airtel are examples of global leaders in these fields. Top 10 Most Valued Brands in India 2024 1. Tata Group 2. Infosys 3. HDFC Group 4. LIC Group © 2024 GKToday | All Rights Reserved | https://www.gktoday.in | For printed books: GKTBOOKS.COM 18  @PDFCurrent MAFIA Affairs Articles Compilation [PDF] - July, 2024 5. Reliance Group 6. SBI Group 7. Airtel 8. HCLTech 9. Larsen & Toubro Group 10. Hindustan Petroleum Nomadic Elephant-2024 The 16th “Nomadic Elephant” Joint Military Exercise will take place between the Indian Army and the Mongolian Army from July 3, 2024, to July 16, 2024. They are going to do this military drill in Umroi, Meghalaya. The goal of the exercise is to improve the two forces’ ability to work together and communicate during semi-normal operations in semi-urban and mountainous areas, as directed by the UN. Objective and Significance of the Exercise ‘Nomadic Elephant’s’ main goal is to help players get better at tactical and operational skills in joint action situations. The goal of the practice is to get both armies ready for UN peacekeeping missions by focusing on semi-conventional warfare. This makes it easier for them to work together in different environments, which improves military relations and shared understanding. Historical Context and Recent Developments “Nomadic Elephant” takes place every year in India and Mongolia, switching between the two countries. Mongolia took care of the 15th version of the exercise in Ulaanbaatar. Indian troops from the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regiment were among those there, and Mongolia was represented by Armed Forces Unit 084. The ongoing drills show that the two countries are working together strongly on the military level, which is in line with their stronger strategic ties. In May 2023, the 12th Joint Working Group meeting looked over and moved forward with defense cooperation projects. This showed that the resolve to strengthen military ties was still strong. Future Impact The continuation of the “Nomadic Elephant” series shows that India and Mongolia are becoming more strategic partners, especially when it comes to defense. Both countries want to strengthen their cooperation and readiness to handle complex military operations by holding regular high-level military drills. This will help keep the peace and stability in their areas and beyond. July 3, 2024 Agenda for the 16th Finance Commission According to Article 280 of the Indian Constitution, the 16th Finance Commission (FC) of India has started its work. This is to make sure that the combined fund is shared fairly among all levels of government, including local bodies. New changes, mostly the 73rd and 74th, have raised the standing of local governments within the federal system and told the Commission to look into ways to give panchayats and municipalities more money. © 2024 GKToday | All Rights Reserved | https://www.gktoday.in | For printed books: GKTBOOKS.COM 19  @PDFCurrent MAFIA Affairs Articles Compilation [PDF] - July, 2024 Significance of Cities in the Indian Economy India’s cities are important economic hubs; they bring in about 66% of the country’s GDP and 90% of its government income. This important addition shows that cities are important places for national growth. Despite this, cities face big problems, such as not getting enough money from higher levels of government, which makes it harder for them to build new infrastructure and grow existing ones. Challenges in Fiscal Devolution to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) It is about 0.5% of GDP that the state and national governments give to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). This is a lot less than what other developing countries get. This is called intergovernmental transfers (IGTs). This lack of help has made municipalities’ finances worse, which has a negative impact on the productivity and living standards of cities. Moreover, the introduction of the Goods and Service Tax (GST) has greatly decreased the sources of income for ULBs, leaving them more reliant on the unpredictable IGTs. Parallel Agencies and Fiscal Distortion Local governments have lost more and more control over their jobs and finances, even though changes to the constitution were meant to give them more power. These overlapping duties make it harder for local governments to do their jobs well and keep their finances in order. Also, programs like the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme make things even more complicated when it comes to money by changing the way planned fiscal devolutions and jobs work. The Imperative of Updated Census Data Putting in place evidence-based economic policies and devolutions is harder to do when the 2021 Census is delayed. Using 2011 statistics as a starting point doesn’t fully show the big changes in population and urbanization, especially the growth of existing cities and the appearance of many new ones. The 16th Finance Commission needs accurate, up-to- date data to make smart choices about how to spend money. Recommendations for the 16th Finance Commission To improve the financial health and facilities of cities, the 16th Finance Commission needs to work on several important issues. These include pushing for a big rise in the share of GDP that goes to IGTs for ULBs, changing property tax rules to match what the state GST says should be done, and making sure there is enough money for basic services like water, sewers, and trash collection. India’s cities will need to deal with these problems if they want to keep growing as economic engines. World's First Brain Implant for Epilepsy Control Oran Knowlson, a teenager from the United Kingdom, has made medical history as the first person in the world to receive a brain implant designed to control epileptic seizures. A deep brain stimulation (DBS) implant, a new and innovative device, has made his life a lot better by cutting down on his everyday seizures by 80%. Understanding Epilepsy and Its Challenges People who have epilepsy often have seizures, which are rapid electrical bursts in the brain that can make people jerk their muscles, become temporarily confused, stare © 2024 GKToday | All Rights Reserved | https://www.gktoday.in | For printed books: GKTBOOKS.COM 20  @PDFCurrent MAFIA Affairs Articles Compilation [PDF] - July, 2024 blankly, or even lose consciousness. About half of the time, no one knows for sure what causes epilepsy. However, things like head injuries, brain tumors, and some genetic conditions can make the disorder more likely to happen. Anti-seizure drugs are usually used as standard treatment, but about 30% of people do not improve with these drugs. What is Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)? Deep brain stimulation, or DBS, is a medical process in which an electrical stimulator is implanted into the brain to target certain areas. DBS is mostly used to treat movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease, but it has also been looked at as a way to treat seizures. In DBS, the gadget is usually put under the skin in the chest. Wires connect it to the brain, where electrical pulses change activities that aren’t working normally. Innovation in Treatment: DBS Directly in the Brain Surgeons did something very new when they put a DBS device right into Oran Knowlson’s head. The electrodes reach the thalamus, which is a key part of the brain for sending sensory and movement signals. This new technique of direct brain implantation is meant to make DBS work better at reducing seizures. Procedure and Recovery During the surgery, two electrodes were put deep into the brain and linked to a neurostimulator that was put in the skull. After surgery, the device was turned on as soon as Knowlson was feeling better, and his seizure control got better right away. Interestingly, the device can be charged electrically, which makes it easier for the patient to take care of. Economic Considerations of DBS Even though DBS has benefits, it is still an expensive operation. Dr. Manjari Tripathi from AIIMS, New Delhi, says that the neurostimulator device itself costs about 12 lakh rupees, and the total cost could reach 17 lakh rupees if the surgery is added in. On the other hand, traditional brain surgery might only cost between Rs 20,000 and Rs 30,000. This means that money is a big part of choosing a treatment. Aditya-L1 Completes First Orbit at Sun-Earth L1 Point With its station at the Sun-Earth Lagrangian point L1, the Aditya-L1 mission is India’s first attempt to study the sun. The spaceship, which was launched on September 2, 2023, reached its target halo orbit around L1 on January 6, 2024. What is Halo Orbit? The orbit that Aditya-L1 is in is called the halo orbit, and it has a revolution time of 178 days around the L1 point. This path crosses the line that connects the Sun to Earth. At this point, the spacecraft’s orbital motion is balanced by the pull of gravity. Challenges in Maintaining Orbit Along its path, the mission’s path is affected by many forces that can cause it to deviate, such as radiation from the sun and the pulls of other heavenly bodies. To fix the problem, ISRO has done station-keeping maneuvers to make sure the spaceship stays on the right path. © 2024 GKToday | All Rights Reserved | https://www.gktoday.in | For printed books: GKTBOOKS.COM 21  @PDFCurrent MAFIA Affairs Articles Compilation [PDF] - July, 2024 Recent Manoeuvres and Software Validation Aditya-L1 has performed three important station-keeping maneuvers: on February 22, June 7, and July 2. These complicated moves are very important for keeping the halo circle around the L1 point stable. These maneuvers were successful, which is proof of the ISRO’s advanced flight dynamics software that was made in-house. This proves that the operations were honest and accurate. Visual Representation and Trajectory Management In ISRO’s press release, there was a picture of the trajectory that showed the planned orbit (in blue) and a possible deviation (in green) that might have happened without careful maneuvers. The X-Y plane diagram makes it easy to see the mission’s path in relation to the Lagrangian point L1. This makes the spacecraft’s complicated three- dimensional trip dynamics easier to understand. Uttar Pradesh NIRMAN Bill-2024 In recent developments within Uttar Pradesh (UP), the state government has passed the draft for the Uttar Pradesh Nodal Investment Region for Manufacturing (Construction) Area Bill (NIRMAN)-2024. This initiative, chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is part of a broader strategy to uplift the state’s economy to the one trillion dollar mark. Objective and Framework Special Investment Regions (SIRs) are supposed to be set up all over UP by the NIRMAN-2024 bill. The plan is for these areas to be spread out evenly across the state’s four geographical zones. To make these SIRs, cluster regions for big investments a