IMPORTANT DAYS
International Plastic Bag Free Day observed on 03 July
• International Plastic Bag Free Day is observed every year on 3rd July to raise awareness about the harmful effects of plastic.
• It was first observed on 3 July 2008 by Rezero, a member of Zero Waste Europe (ZWE).
• In 2002, Bangladesh became the first nation to ban plastics.
• A plastic bag takes 1,000 years to disintegrate in a landfill.
• India has imposed a ban on single-use plastics from 1 July 2022.
• Single-use plastics are non-recyclable plastic products that cannot be used after a single use.
APPOINTMENTS
Dick Schoof Sworn in as Dutch Prime Minister
• On June 3, Dick Schoof, former head of the Dutch secret service, became the new Prime Minister of the Netherlands.
• He leads a broad right-wing coalition and promises the "strictest-ever" immigration policy.
• King Willem-Alexander officiated the swearing-in ceremony at Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague.
• The coalition includes Geert Wilders' Freedom Party (PVV), the Farmers Party (BBB), the liberal-conservative VVD, and the anti-corruption party NSC.
• Schoof succeeds Mark Rutte, who will become NATO's next Secretary-General on October 1, replacing Jens Stoltenberg.
New Appointment in National Security
• TV Ravichandran and Pawan Kapoor have been appointed as deputy National Security Advisors (NSAs).
• Ravichandran, a 1990 batch IPS officer, is currently the special director in the Intelligence Bureau.
• Kapoor, a 1990 batch IFS officer, has served in the Ministry of External Affairs and the Prime Minister's Office.
• Rajendra Khanna, previously deputy NSA, has been named additional NSA.
• Deputy NSA Vikram Misri was recently appointed as the Foreign Secretary.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
India Participates in Third UN-led Conference on Afghanistan
• India participated in the third UN-led conference on Afghanistan in Doha, among 25 other countries.
• This meeting is significant as it marks the first time the Taliban are attending the talks.
• India was represented by J.P. Singh, MEA Joint Secretary of the Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran (PAI) division.
• The conference faced strong criticism from women's rights activists, who highlighted concerns over the plight of women in Afghanistan.
• Key topics discussed included Afghanistan's economy and the impact of Western sanctions.
• Discussions also focused on the threat of drugs and other issues.
• Prior to the UN meeting, the Taliban held talks with diplomatic delegations from Uzbekistan, Russia, and Saudi Arabia.
DEFENCE
Exercise ‘Nomadic Elephant’ Begins in Umroi, Meghalaya on 3 July
• The 16th edition of 'Nomadic Elephant,' an India-Mongolia joint military exercise, started in Umroi, Meghalaya on 3 July.
• This two-week training event will conclude on 16 July.
• The exercise aims to enhance communication between the troops of both countries in semi-conventional operations in semi-urban and mountainous areas.
• The training event alternates each year between Mongolia and India.
• The 15th edition took place in 2023 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
• In 2023, soldiers from the Indian Army's Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regiment and Mongolian Armed Forces Unit 084 participated in the drill.
• The 12th Joint Working Group conference between the Indian and Mongolian defence ministries was held in Ulaanbaatar from May 16–17 this year.
• The status of several bilateral defence cooperation projects was reviewed during the meeting.
India-Thailand Joint Military Exercise "Maitree" 2024
• The 13th edition of the India-Thailand Joint Military Exercise "Maitree" is taking place from 1 to 15 July 2024 at Fort Wachiraprakan, Tak Province, Thailand.
• Both armies have sent contingents of 76 personnel each.
• The Indian Army contingent primarily includes a battalion of the Ladakh Scouts and personnel from other branches and services.
• The Royal Thailand Army contingent mainly consists of the 1st Battalion of the 14th Infantry Regiment of the 4th Division.
• The previous edition of this exercise was held in September 2019 at Umroi, Meghalaya.
• Exercise "Maitree" aims to promote military cooperation between India and Thailand.
• The exercise focuses on enhancing joint capabilities to conduct counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in jungle and urban environments under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.