Daily Current Affairs 29 June 2024

Daily Current Affairs 29 June 2024

1. Denmark imposes world’s first carbon tax on livestock emissions

• Denmark has pioneered by imposing the world’s first carbon tax on livestock emissions.
• In 2030, cattle farmers will be taxed for greenhouse gases emitted by their cows, sheep, and pigs.
• The tax aims to reduce methane emissions, a potent contributor to global warming.
• Initially set at 300 kroner ($43) per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent, it will increase to 750 kroner ($108) by 2035.

2. JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha appointed as party’s working president

• During a national executive meeting held in Delhi, the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) appointed Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Kumar Jha as the party’s working president.
• This decision, proposed by JD-U national president and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, was accepted unanimously.
• Notably, Nitish Kumar will continue to hold the top party post. Jha’s appointment is significant, given his role in JD-U’s return to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
• His close coordination with the alliance partner, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), aims to strengthen the party’s pan-India base ahead of the 2025 Bihar assembly polls.

3. 18th Statistics Day

• The 18th Statistics Day is celebrated on 29 June, honoring the birth anniversary of eminent statistician (Late) Prof. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis.
• Since 2007, June 29 has been designated as National Statistics Day in India.
• This year’s theme is “Use of data for decision-making.”
• The event emphasizes data-driven policy-making and public awareness about statistics’ role in socio-economic planning and development.

4. Uttar Pradesh to establish Rs 2000 Crore Bioplastic Park

• The Uttar Pradesh government is pioneering a bioplastic park in Gola Gokarnnath, Lakhimpur Kheri district, with a substantial investment of ₹2,000 crore.
• Developed by the Balrampur Sugar Mills Firm across 1,000 hectares in Kumbhi village, this initiative aims to combat environmental pollution.
• Bioplastics, made from natural materials like corn, sunflower, or sugar beet, decompose quickly, reducing pollution.
• The park’s establishment follows a public-private partnership (PPP) model, and it holds promise for job creation and supporting industries.

5. India tops global remittance with $125 Billion in 2023

• India has secured the top spot in remittance inflows globally, receiving a staggering $125 billion in 2023.
• This significant amount reflects the funds sent by Indians living abroad to their families back home.
• Mexico and China follow, with remittance inflows of $67 billion and $50 billion, respectively.
• The United States, the United Kingdom, and Singapore play crucial roles as major contributors to India’s remittance inflow.
• Additionally, initiatives like the UPI linkage between India and Singapore and cooperation in payments with the UAE have fueled this growth.
• South Asia, with India at the forefront, witnessed a 7.2% increase in remittance inflow.

6. PM Modi to release three books on life and journey of former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu

On the eve of former Vice President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu’s 75th birthday, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will release three books about his life and journey.

The event is scheduled for June 30th at 12 noon via video conferencing. Here are the books to be released:

• “Venkaiah Naidu – Life in Service”: This biography, authored by Shri S. Nagesh Kumar (former Resident Editor of The Hindu, Hyderabad edition), delves into the remarkable journey of Shri Venkaiah Naidu.
• “Celebrating Bharat – The Mission and Message of Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu as 13th Vice–President of India”: A photo chronicle compiled by Dr. I.V. Subba Rao (Former Secretary to Vice-President of India), highlighting Shri Naidu’s impactful tenure.
• “Mahaneta – Life and Journey of Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu”: Authored by Shri Sanjay Kishore, this pictorial biography in Telugu provides insights into Shri Naidu’s illustrious career.

7. Former Rajya Sabha Member Dharmapuri Srinivas passed away

• Dharmapuri Srinivas, a senior Congress leader and former Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president, passed away at the age of 76 in Hyderabad on 29 June 2024.
• Srinivas rose from the ranks of Youth Congress to become an MLA, Minister, and PCC chief twice.
• His political acumen and cordial relations with Chief Ministers like Marri Channa Reddy and Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy set him apart.

8. Global Liveability Index 2024

• The Global Liveability Index 2024, compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), assesses lifestyle challenges in 173 cities worldwide.
• Despite geopolitical conflicts, civil unrest, and housing crises, this year’s average score has slightly risen.
• For the third consecutive year, Vienna in Europe claims the top spot.
• The index evaluates cities across five categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.

9. India becomes world’s 3rd-largest domestic aviation market

• India has recently surpassed Brazil and Indonesia to become the third-largest domestic aviation market globally.
• This achievement is attributed to the country’s leading airlines, IndiGo and Air India, which have a combined order for over 1,000 aircraft.
• These carriers account for 9 out of 10 domestic airline seats in India.
• While the United States and China remain the top two largest aviation markets worldwide, India’s domestic aviation sector is experiencing significant growth.

10. IFS Officer Vikram Misri named next Foreign Secretary

• Vikram Misri, a 1989 batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, has been appointed as India’s next Foreign Secretary.
• He will succeed the incumbent Vinay Mohan Kwatra, with the appointment effective from 15 July, 2024.
• Misri, known for his expertise on China, previously served as India’s ambassador to China from 2019 to 2021.
• His extensive diplomatic career includes stints in various Indian missions, including Spain, Myanmar, and Belgium.
• Notably, he has also been a private secretary to three Prime Ministers: Inder Kumar Gujral, Manmohan Singh, and Narendra Modi.