NATIONAL NEWS

India assumes Chair of Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre

• India has taken over the Chair of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) for 2024-25.

• Rajendra Singh from the National Disaster Management Authority is the new Chair, succeeding China.

• ADPC was established in 1986 and is headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership has enhanced India's global and regional role in disaster risk reduction.

• India's initiatives include the International Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.

• ADPC focuses on disaster risk reduction and climate resilience in Asia and the Pacific.

• The ADPC has additional country offices in Bangladesh, Lao PDR, and Myanmar.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCES

The GEEF Global WaterTech Award honored to CWS at the Global Water Tech Summit 2024.

• The Central Water Commission (CWC) received the GEEF Global WaterTech Award for ‘Water Department of the Year’ at the Global Water Tech Summit 2024.

• The award was presented at the Global Water Tech Summit, organized by the Global Energy and Environment Foundation (GEEF) in New Delhi.

• The Global WaterTech Award recognizes achievements in water technology, innovation, and sustainable development.

• The CWC was honored for its role in hydro-meteorological data collection, flood forecasting, and water quality monitoring.

• The award also acknowledged CWC’s efforts in managing reservoir storage and resolving inter-state water issues.

• The GEEF highlighted CWC’s initiatives to improve coordination with state water departments.

• The Global Water Tech Summit celebrates advancements in water, sewage, and desalination sectors.

• The CWC’s collaboration with state departments aims to enhance overall synergy in water resource management.

SPORTS

Manu Bhaker has made her name in history by winning her second bronze medal at the Paris Olympics 2024.

• Manu Bhaker won her second bronze medal at the Paris Olympics 2024, making history as the first Indian athlete to achieve two medals in the same Summer Games.

• She secured a bronze in the mixed 10m air pistol event with partner Sarabjot Singh, defeating Korean competitors Oh Ye Jin and Lee Wonho.

• Bhaker previously won a bronze in the women's 10m air pistol event on July 28.

• She joins PV Sindhu as the second Indian female athlete to win two Olympic medals.

• Wrestler Sushil Kumar is the only male athlete from India to have won two Olympic medals.

• British-Indian Norman Pritchard was the first Indian to win two Olympic medals, achieving silver in both the 200-meter race and 200-meter hurdles at the 1900 Summer Olympics.

• Manu Bhaker's achievement at Paris 2024 highlights her as a significant figure in Indian sports history.

• Her success at the Olympics underscores her remarkable skill and consistency in shooting.

STATE NEWS

UP Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion (Amendment) Bill

• The UP Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion (Amendment) Bill now includes a broader definition of "love jihad."

• The amended bill proposes life imprisonment for individuals accused of "love jihad."

• Punishments for offenses defined in the bill have been increased, with the penalty for conversion now ranging from one to 10 years.

• Previously, the bill invalidated conversions done solely for marriage and deemed conversions obtained through deceit a crime.

• Individuals must notify a magistrate two months in advance for voluntary conversions.

• The bill aims to prevent any direct or indirect conversions.

• The proposed amendments were discussed and approved in the Uttar Pradesh state Assembly.

MISCELLANEOUS

Engineering exports in June 2024 have grown 10.27% (year-on-year) to $9.39 billion

• Engineering exports in June 2024 increased by 10.27% year-on-year to reach $9.39 billion, driven by higher shipments of electrical machinery, motor vehicles, iron and steel products, auto components, and industrial machinery.

• Cumulative engineering exports from April to June 2024 grew by 4.34% to $27.92 billion.

• Overall goods exports from India in June 2024 rose by 2.6% year-on-year, totaling $35.2 billion.

• For the April-June 2024-25 period, total goods exports increased by 5.84% to $109.96 billion.

• North America and the EU were the top destinations for engineering exports, with shares of 21% and 17%, respectively.

• The US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Singapore, the UK, and Mexico showed growth in exports during April-June 2024-25, while exports to Germany, Italy, Korea, Nepal, and Bangladesh declined.

• In June 2024, exports of iron and steel, non-ferrous products, and other items like industrial boilers and office equipment saw a decline.