NATIONAL NEWS
46th UNESCO World Heritage Committee Session in New Delhi
• India is set to host the 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in New Delhi from July 21 to 31 at the Bharat Mandapam.
• Over 2,500 delegates, including State Parties, advisory bodies, senior diplomats, heritage experts, scholars, and researchers from 195 countries, will attend.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the session on July 21.
• The World Heritage Committee currently consists of 21 members, including countries like Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, India, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, and Kenya.
• This committee is tasked with overseeing the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, established under the Convention on the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage.
• This convention was adopted during UNESCO's 17th General Conference on November 16, 1972.
• The previous, 45th session of the committee was hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
NITI Aayog is launching ‘Sampoornata Abhiyan’
• NITI Aayog is launching the "Sampoornata Abhiyan," a three-month campaign running from July 4 to September 30, 2024.
• The campaign aims to achieve saturation of six key indicators in both aspirational districts and blocks through persistent efforts.
• The "Sampoornata Abhiyan" targets 112 Aspirational Districts and 500 Aspirational Blocks under the Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programmes.
• Districts and blocks are encouraged to organize activities listed by NITI Aayog as part of the campaign launch.
• To maintain momentum and engagement, districts and blocks are urged to conduct regular outreach initiatives.
• A three-month action plan will be created by each district and block to fully implement the six Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Progress towards saturation will be monitored monthly, with efforts focused on behavior change and awareness-raising.
APPOINTMENTS
Dr. B.N. Gangadhar has been appointed as National Medical Commission’s chairperson.
• Dr. B.N. Gangadhar has been named chairperson of the National Medical Commission by the Appointment Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
• He previously served as the President of the Medical Assessment and Rating Board.
• Dr. Sanjay Behari, the Director of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, is now the President of the Medical Assessment and Rating Board.
• Both appointments are for four years or until they reach the age of 70, whichever comes first.
• The National Medical Commission, a statutory body, was established on September 25, 2020.
• It succeeded the Medical Council of India and is headquartered in New Delhi.
• The Commission oversees medical education, professionals, institutions, and research.
SPORTS
India achieved top position at the Under 23 Asian Wrestling Championship 2024 in Amman, Jordan
• India secured the top spot at the Under 23 Asian Wrestling Championship 2024 in Amman, Jordan.
• Indian wrestlers clinched a total of eight freestyle wrestling medals: four gold, two silver, and two bronze.
• Gold medals were won by Abhimanyu (70 kg), Jointy Kumar (92 kg), Sahil Jaglan (97 kg), and Anirudh Kumar (125 kg).
• Silver medals went to Rohit (65 kg) and Jaideep (74 kg).
• Bronze medalists were Shubham (57 kg) and Amit (79 kg).
• Kazakhstan finished in second place, with Kyrgyzstan in third.
BANKING, ECONOMY AND FINANCE
India's services sector growth picks up in June.
• India's services sector growth accelerated in June, driven by new orders and a significant increase in international sales.
• The HSBC India Services Business Activity Index increased from 60.2 in May to 60.5 in June.
• A record rise in international orders was observed, with new work coming from Australia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and the US.
• The HSBC India Composite Output Index improved from 60.5 in May to 60.9 in June.
• Private sector employment grew rapidly, marking the fastest expansion since 2005.
• The HSBC India Services PMI, compiled by S&P Global, is based on responses from 400 service sector companies.
