25th June, 2024 Current Affairs

NATIONAL
SAMEER, MeitY and MCTE, Indian Army Forge Strategic Partnership for Technological Advancement

• In a landmark event, the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE) of the Indian Army and the Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering & Research (SAMEER) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on ‘Next Generation Wireless Technologies for the Indian Army’.
• The MoU was signed by Lt Gen K H Gawas, Commandant MCTE and Colonel Commandant Corps of Signals, and Dr P H Rao, Director General SAMEER.
• The initiative is aligned with the Indian Army’s declared vision for 2024 as the ‘Year of Technological Absorption’.
• The collaboration aims to enhance national security and technological infrastructure.
• Projects will target deployable solutions in 5G, 6G, advanced cellular technologies, Software Defined Radios, Cognitive Radios, Satellite Communications, Antenna Design, Free Space Optics, Tropo-scatter communications, AI, Quantum, and military-specific chip design.

INTERNATIONAL
Sweden Tops, India at 63rd Rank on Global Energy Transition Index: WEF

• According to the Global Energy Transition Index released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) on 19 June 2024, India has been ranked 63rd out of 120 countries, improving three ranks from last year’s 67th position. Sweden has again topped the Index, reflecting its continued leadership in energy transition. The WEF highlighted India’s significant advancements in energy equity, security, and sustainability.
• The Global Energy Transition Index, published annually by the WEF in association with Accenture, evaluates nations’ progress and preparedness in building an equitable, secure, and sustainable energy future. It tracks government policies and their effectiveness in reducing carbon dioxide emissions, promoting non-fossil-based power sources, and enhancing energy efficiency.
• European nations dominate the 2024 Index’s top ranks:
• Sweden
• Denmark
• Finland
• Switzerland
• France
• China is ranked 20th, while India stands at 63rd. The report indicates that 107 out of 120 countries have shown progress in their energy transition over the past decade, despite challenges such as economic volatility and geopolitical tensions.

Tajikistan Government Bans Hijab and Other ‘Alien Garments’

• The upper house of the Tajikistan parliament, Majlisi Milli, passed a law prohibiting “alien garments,” which primarily targets the hijab and other traditional Islamic clothing.
• The lower chamber, Majlisi Namoyandagon, had passed the bill on May 8. This move has sparked debate among Tajikistan’s predominantly Muslim population in the tightly governed ex-Soviet republic.
• Tajikistan has been unofficially restricting the hijab since 2007. Initially, the Ministry of Education banned Islamic attire and Western-style miniskirts for students, later extending this to all public institutions. Enforcement included special teams and police raids, although officials have denied reports of women being fined for wearing the hijab.

Also Read: May 9th Current Affairs GK quiz: Top 15 GK Questions Quiz on Major International Organizations and Their Headquarters

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ECONOMY
FDI to India Drops by 43% in 2023, Ranked 15th Globally: UNCTAD

• According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), foreign direct investment (FDI) to India in 2023 decreased by 43% compared to 2022, dropping India’s rank to 15th among global FDI recipients. This decline mirrors a global trend where overall FDI fell by 2%.
• FDI to developing countries fell by 7% to $867 billion, with developing Asia seeing an 8% drop to $621 billion. Notably, FDI to China, India, West Asia, and Central Asia also declined. India’s FDI inflow in 2023 was $28 billion, down from $49 billion in 2022, resulting in its global FDI recipient ranking falling from 8th to 15th.
• Despite the decline, India remained a significant player in attracting FDI for greenfield projects and international project finance deals. It ranked fourth in greenfield project FDI announcements and retained the second position for FDI in international project deals. However, India’s FDI outflows, which refer to investments by Indian companies abroad, saw an improvement, with the country ranking 20th, up from 23rd in 2022.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
India is hosting 64th ISO Council Meeting from 25th-27th June 2024

• India is hosting a global event in sugar sector ‘ISO Council Meeting’ in New Delhi from 25th till 27th June, 2024. Delegates from more than 30 countries and representatives of many international organisations are joining to deliberate on critical issues of sugar and biofuel sector
• As India is the world’s largest consumer and second largest producer of sugar, ISO Council nominated India as the Chair of the organisation for 2024. As part of the meeting, India is starting the series of events with industrial tour of the international delegates to one grain-based distillery at Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh on 24 June 2024 to showcase India’s adoption of latest technology in production of biofuels and other by-products.
• International Sugar Organisation (ISO) is a UN affiliated body having HQ at London. ISO has about 85 countries as members covering almost 90% of sugar production in the World. It is mandated to bring major sugar producing, consuming and trading nations together to bring mutual understanding and progressive approach in dealing with issues pertaining to the sugar sector. ISO has also been working on biofuels, especially, ethanol as sugarcane is the second major feedstock for ethanol production in the world.

SPORTS
Olympics Medalist Bajrang Punia Suspended by NADA for Anti-Doping Rule Violation

• Olympic bronze medalist wrestler Bajrang Punia has been suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for a second time for refusing to provide a urine sample during selection trials.
• This suspension comes after NADA revoked his previous suspension due to procedural issues. Punia’s legal team plans to challenge the suspension, arguing he did not refuse to provide a sample but sought clarification on expired kits used previously.
• NADA initially suspended Bajrang Punia on April 23 for refusing to give a urine sample during selection trials in Sonepat on March 10. The global governing body for wrestling, United World Wrestling (UWW), also suspended him.

Published date : 26 Jun 2024 10:01AM