CURRENT AFFAIRS 03-07-2024

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.

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