UN World Population Prospects 2024 Rent

• The latest "World Population Prospects 2024" report by the United Nations provides detailed insights into future global population trends as of July 13, 2024.
• The study indicates that the world's population is projected to peak at approximately 10.3 billion around the mid-2080s and then gradually decrease until the end of the century.
• This peak estimate is significantly lower than previously forecasted, mainly due to declining birth rates in populous countries like China.
• These demographic shifts are expected to impact global demographics and environmental sustainability positively, potentially reducing strain on Earth's resources.
•  However, an aging population presents challenges such as labor shortages and increased healthcare demands for governments worldwide.
•  Understanding these trends is crucial for policymaking, considering their profound implications for social, economic, and environmental landscapes globally.

Deep-water Shark Species Discovered in Kerala  (Environment & Ecology)

• Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovered a new species of deep-water dogfish shark, named Squalus hima, at Sakthikulangara fishing harbor in Kerala on July 13, 2024.
• This finding, published in the journal Records of the ZSI, enhances our understanding of marine biodiversity in the Arabian Sea.
• Dogfish sharks, belonging to the genus Squalus in the family Squalidae, are characterized by smooth spines on their dorsal fins and inhabit various marine environments globally.
• The team conducted extensive morphological and morphometric analyses to distinguish Squalus hima from closely related species like S mitsukurii and S lalannei, focusing on vertebral count, tooth number, and fin morphology.
• This discovery contributes significantly to biodiversity knowledge along India’s southwest coast, crucial for environmental conservation efforts given the commercial exploitation of dogfish sharks.

Antim Panghal and Aman Sehrawat seeded for Paris Olympics 2024

• Indian wrestlers Antim Panghal (women) 53kg category and Aman Sehrawat (men)57kg category have received 4th and 6th seedings for the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games as of July 13, 2024.
• This marks the first instance of seedings being implemented at the Olympics, with the top 8 wrestlers in each weight class being seeded.
• Notably, Vinesh Phogat, a two-time Olympian and a hopeful for India's medal tally, will compete unseeded in the women’s 50kg freestyle category at Paris 2024.
• The seedings were determined based on performances at the 2023 World Championships, the 2024 Continental Championships, the 2024 Zagreb Open Ranking Series, and the 2024 Hungarian Ranking Series.

India Triumphs in World Championship of Legends 2024

•  India Champions secured a memorable victory in the World Championship of Legends 2024, defeating their rivals Pakistan Champions by 5 wickets in a thrilling final on July 13, 2024.
• Pakistan Champions won the toss and chose to bat first, setting the stage for an intense first innings.
• The Indian bowling attack, led by Anureet Singh who took 3 wickets, effectively contained the Pakistani batsmen.
• Support from Vinay Kumar, Pawan Negi, and Irfan Pathan, each claiming one wicket, contributed to a comprehensive bowling performance.
•  India Champions successfully chased the target to win the World Championship of Legends 2024 title, showcasing their prowess in a closely contested match.

35th International Biology Olympiad 2024

• The 35th International Biology Olympiad took place in Astana, Kazakhstan, from July 7 - July 13, 2024.
•  India's participation in the event yielded notable achievements, with 1 student earning a gold medal and 3 students securing silver medals.
• Vedant Sakre, hailing from Mumbai, Maharashtra, clinched the gold medal, while Ishan Pednekar from Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, Shrijith Sivakumar from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and Yashashwi Kumar from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh each earned a silver medal.

James Anderson

• James Anderson, the seasoned English fast bowler, declared his retirement from Test cricket on July 13, 2024, marking the end of a distinguished 21-year career.
•  His final Test match occurred at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, where England secured a resounding victory over the West Indies with an innings and 114 runs on July 12, 2024.
•  James Anderson's decision to retire coincided with his achievement as the leading wicket-taker among fast bowlers in Test cricket history, having taken an impressive 704 wickets.
•  His farewell match was a testament to his enduring skill and contribution to English cricket, celebrated at the venue that witnessed the beginning and culmination of his remarkable journey in the sport.

Aalia Neelum

• Justice Aalia Neelum made history by becoming the first woman to take the oath as Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court (LHC) in Pakistan on July 11, 2024.
• The oath was administered by Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan. The ceremony was also attended by Punjab’s first female Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz.
• Justice Aalia Neelum, who was third in the seniority list of LHC judges, was nominated for the chief justice position by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan, chaired by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa.
• Justice Aalia Neelum, born on November 12, 1966, earned her LLB from Punjab University in 1995 and became an advocate in 1996.
•  She was admitted to the Supreme Court Bar in 2008 and was appointed to the LHC in 2013, becoming a permanent judge in March 2015.
•  Her association with the ruling PML-N has been highlighted in social media.

Gitanas Nauseda

• Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda was inaugurated for his second 5-year term in a formal ceremony at the Lithuanian Parliament, the Seimas on July 13, 2024.
• Gitanas Nausėda took the presidential oath while placing his hand on the Constitution.
• In his address, the 60-year-old economist proposed increasing Lithuania’s defense budget to 4 % of its GDP.
• This initiative aims to finance the development of long-range air defense systems, a missile shield along the Baltic Sea coast, and fortified borders.

Hans Von Henting Award

• Retired professor K. Chockalingam from Tamil Nadu, India, was honored with the prestigious Hans von Hentig award on July 13, 2024.
• This recognition underscores the global influence of Indian scholarship in the study of crime victims and their interactions with the criminal justice system.
• Professor Chockalingam, a distinguished academic from Tamil Nadu, has devoted his career to advancing victimology.
• His research has significantly enhanced understanding of victims’ rights, support mechanisms, and the broader societal impacts of victimization.
• Named after the renowned German criminologist Hans von Hentig, who made notable contributions to victimology in the mid-20th century, this award stands as a pinnacle of achievement in the fields of victimology and criminal justice studies.

‘IT Saksham Yuva Scheme’ of Haryana Launched

• The Haryana Cabinet on July 13, 2024 approved the IT Saksham Yuva Scheme, 2024, aiming to employ 5000 youths in its initial phase.
•  Aligned with the 'Mission 60000' initiative from the 2024-25 budget, the scheme targets young individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Graduates or postgraduates in IT fields will undergo specialized short-term training courses lasting a minimum of three months.
• After training, they will be placed in various sectors including government departments, corporations, and private entities.
•  Initially, participants will receive ₹20000 per month for 6 months, increasing to ₹25000 thereafter. Those not placed will receive an unemployment allowance of ₹10000 per month.

Eastern India’s First Disabled Varsity at Ranchi

• The Jharkhand government is developing plans to establish eastern India's first university dedicated to physically challenged students in Ranchi as of July 13, 2024.
• The university aims to offer tailored courses and provide specialized educational equipment to accommodate the diverse needs of its students.
• Additionally, the government has proposed the 'Navothan Scholarship Scheme' to fully reimburse course fees (up to ₹10 lakh annually) for meritorious orphaned and physically challenged students in the state.
• These students will also receive ₹48000 per year for lodging and food expenses.
•  The government is also considering plans to establish new universities in various districts including Giridih, Sahebganj, Deoghar, Khunti, Gumla, and Jamshedpur.

The Longest and Largest Urban Tunnel in Maharashtra inaugurated

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Thane Borivali Twin Tunnel, an 11.8 km tunnel on July 13, 2024.
• It is designed to cut travel time between Thane and Borivali to just 12 minutes and shorten the distance by 12 km.
• This project is part of a larger infrastructure initiative valued at ₹29000 crore, aimed at improving connectivity in Mumbai.
• The tunnel features a 10.25 km bored section with cross passages every 300 meters and utilizes India's largest tunnel-boring machine.