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Current Affairs (15th June, 2024)
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Group of Seven (G7) Summit, 2024
- Member Nations:
- The G7 is an informal forum that brings together Italy, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
- The European Union also participates in the Group and is represented at the summits by the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission.
- Objective:
- This intergovernmental organization, formed in 1973, is made up of the world's largest developed economies.
- Government leaders of these countries meet periodically to address international economic and monetary issues, with each member taking over the presidency on a rotating basis.
- The bloc meets annually to discuss issues of common interest like global economic governance, international security and energy policy.
- Historical Background:
- The G7 expanded into the G8 between 1997 and 2013, with the inclusion of Russia.
- However, Russia’s participation was suspended in 2014 following the illegal annexation of Crimea.
- Why in the News?
- In 2024, the 50th G7 Summit is being held in Apulia, Italy.
- The main focus areas of discussion during this summit are:
- Defence of the rules-based international system
- Russia’s war of aggression on Ukraine and conflict in the Middle East
- The relationship with developing Nations and emerging economies.
- Engagement with Africa and the Indo-Pacific region.
- Challenges of migration, including the climate-energy nexus and food security.
- Artificial Intelligence - to generate great opportunities and address risks affecting geopolitical balances.
Lal, Mursan and Hilsa – Names Given to the Three Craters on Mars
- Understanding Craters:
- Craters are a bowl-shaped depression, or hollowed-out area, produced by the impact of a meteorite, volcanic activity, or an explosion.
- Three craters on Planet Mars were given names:
- Lal Crater: Named after Indian geophysicist and former Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) director Devendra Lal.
- Mursan: Named after a town in Uttar Pradesh.
- Hilsa: Named after a town in Bihar.
- Lal is the largest of the three new craters.
- These names were approved by the International Astronomical Union’s (IAU) Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature (WGPSN).
- Note:
- The International Astronomical Union (IAU) was founded in 1919.
- Mission: To promote and safeguard the science of astronomy in all its aspects, including research, communication, education and development, through international cooperation.
Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, 2012
- The Act came into effect on 14th November 2012.
- It was enacted in consequence to India’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1992.
- The aim of this special law is to address offences of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children, which were either not specifically defined or inadequately penalised.
- The Act defines a child as any person below the age of 18 years and provides punishment as per the gravity of offence.
- The features of the Act are:
- Confidentiality of the victim's identity
- Gender-neutral provisions
- Mandatory reporting of abuse cases
- Child-friendly investigation and trial procedures
National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) Launched Mobile App NCRB Sankalan Of Criminal Laws
- It aims to serve as a comprehensive guide providing complete information about the new criminal laws.
- It is a compilation of new criminal laws namely Bharatiya Nayaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam.
- Note:
- NCRB was founded on 11th March 1986.
- Its headquarters are in Delhi
- Motto: Empowering Indian Police with Information Technology.
Shruti Vora Becomes First Indian to Win 3-Star Grand Prix Equestrian Event
- Held in Lipica, Slovenia; Shruti Vohra – the first Indian to win 3-Star Grand Prix Equestrian Event achieved so by defeating Tatiana Antonenco of Moldova.
- Understanding Equestrian Events:
- Equestrian sports are certain riding events held at horse shows and most specifically competitive horse and rider events held at the summer Olympic Games.
- The three events that comprise equestrian sports are dressage, show jumping, and hunter trails.
World Blood Donor Day 2024
- Observed annually on 14th June, this day aims to raise awareness about the importance of donating blood and supporting communities.
- The theme for the day 2024 is 20 years of Celebrating Giving: Thank You Blood Donors!