India’s First Sunken Museum Inaugurated

• India's first sunken museum was inaugurated at the Humayun's Tomb complex in Delhi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on July 29, 2024.
• This innovative museum offers a unique perspective on Mughal history, blending historical elements with modern technology.
• The museum, showcases India's rich cultural heritage.
•  The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) collaborated with various stakeholders to create this world-class experience.
• The museum's design, inspired by traditional water tanks, seamlessly connects modernity with history.
• It celebrates Mughal emperor Humayun's legacy and explores the Nizamuddin area's rich heritage.

Stray Dog Euthanasia Law Approved in Turkey

• Turkey's parliament on July 29, 2024 passed a controversial law permitting the euthanasia of certain stray dogs, sparking debates on animal welfare.
•  The law, with 17 parts, allows for the euthanasia of dogs deemed sick or aggressive, aiming to curb dog attacks and rabies spread.
•  The government, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, argues that the stray dog population poses a growing issue, necessitating immediate measures.
•  They plan to capture stray dogs, provide shelter, promote adoption, and euthanize those deemed dangerous.
• However, opposition parties and animal rights activists question the morality and effectiveness of the law.
• The law's criteria for euthanasia include aggressive behavior and contagious diseases, with mayors potentially facing imprisonment for non-compliance.
• This law raises concerns about public health, animal welfare, and political authority.

Long-Term Capital Gains Tax

• The Union Budget for 2024–2025 brought significant changes to the long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax system, eliminating the indexation benefit as of July 29, 2024.
• This decision led to confusion and concern among taxpayers, as indexation adjusts an asset’s acquisition price for inflation, providing a more accurate calculation of capital gains or losses upon sale.
•  With the removal of indexation, gains may appear inflated, potentially increasing tax liabilities.
• However, the LTCG tax rate has been reduced from 20% to 12.5% for assets like gold and real estate.
• For assets acquired before April 1, 2001, the fair market value on that date will be used as the acquisition cost to ease the tax burden on inherited properties.
• The government argues that these changes simplify the tax system and could benefit most taxpayers.

Ideas4LiFE initiative Launched

• Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav launched the Ideas4LiFE initiative at IIT Delhi on July 29, 2024.
• The program invites innovative ideas and solutions online for products and services that promote environmentally friendly lifestyles.
• The initiative seeks to involve academic and innovative minds in the global Mission LiFE movement for environmental sustainability.
• Submissions can be made on the Ideas4Life.nic.in website. Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh and other dignitaries also attended the event.

WHO to develop H5N1 vaccine using mRNA (Health)

• The World Health Organization (WHO) announced a new initiative to accelerate the development of bird flu vaccines using mRNA technology, focusing on poorer countries on July 29, 2024.
•  Led by Argentina's Sinergium Biotech, the project aims to create H5N1 bird flu vaccine candidates.
• The H5N1 strain, first identified in 1996, has been spreading among birds and, more recently, mammals, raising concerns about a potential human pandemic.
•  This effort is part of the WHO's mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to address global vaccine shortages.
• The initiative includes 15 manufacturing partners across various countries, aiming to enhance vaccine access and production.

SInternational Physics Olympiad 2024

• The Indian team achieved significant success at the 54th International Physics Olympiad 2024, held in Isfahan, Iran from July 21 to July 29, 2024.
• All five Indian participants won medals, securing 2 gold and 3 silver.
• Rhythm Kedia from Chhattisgarh and Ved Lahoti from Madhya Pradesh won gold, while Akarsh Raj Sahay from Maharashtra, Bhavya Tiwari from Uttar Pradesh, and Jaiveer Singh from Rajasthan received silver medals.
• Out of 193 students from 43 countries, India ranked fourth in the medal tally, tied with Vietnam. China led the tally, followed by Russia and Romania.

Jiya Rai

•  Jiya Rai became the youngest and fastest female para swimmer to swim solo across the English Channel on July 29, 2024.
• The 16-year-old covered the 34 km distance from Abbots Cliff in England to Pointe de la Courte-Dune in France in 17 hours and 25 minutes.
• An international open water para swimmer, Jiya holds a world record and has accomplished remarkable feats despite her disability, including crossing Palk Bay.
• She received numerous awards, including the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMB) – 2022.
• Jiya Rai dedicated her English Channel achievement to raising autism awareness.
• The Indian Navy and Western Naval Command congratulated her. Jiya is the daughter of a naval personnel based in Mumbai.

Arjun Babuta

• India's Arjun Babuta finished fourth in the Men's 10m Air Rifle event at the Paris Olympics on July 29, 2024.
• He was the second Indian shooter to miss a medal that day, following Ramita Jindal, who placed seventh in the women's 10m air rifle final.
•  In the same event, China's Sheng Lihao won the gold medal, Sweden's Victor Lindgren secured silver, and Croatia's Miran Maricic took home the bronze.

Nicolas Maduro

• Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE) declared Nicolas Maduro the winner of the presidential election, securing his position for another term from 2025 to 2031 on July 29, 2024.
• This will mark Nicolas Maduro's third term as Venezuela's president. Maduro first took office in 2013 after the death of President Hugo Chávez.
• Before becoming president, he held several significant roles under Chávez, including President of the National Assembly from 2005 to 2006, Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2006 to 2013, and Vice President from 2012 to 2013.
• Nicolas Maduro has been a key figure in Venezuelan politics, continuing his leadership role with this new term.