Daily Current Affairs 4th July, 2023

Daily Current Affairs 4 July 2023 for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.

NOTE: To read complete Current Affairs, subscribe to our plan. All important news are not covered here.

NATIONAL NEWS

National Anti-Doping Agency, India signs MoU with South Asia Regional Anti-Doping Organization
National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) India and the South Asia Regional Anti-Doping Organization (SARADO) joined forces through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening regional cooperation in anti-doping efforts. 

• The signing took place at the NADA India – SARADO Cooperation Meet in New Delhi, in the presence of Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, and other distinguished delegates.
• The MoU signed between NADA India and SARADO sets the foundation for increased regional cooperation in anti-doping in sports over a three-year period.

AP CM launches Jagananna Amma Vodi scheme to disburse financial aid of Rs 6,393 Cr
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy launched the ‘Jagananna Amma Vodi’ scheme for the fourth year, under which financial assistance of Rs 6,393 crore will be deposited into the bank accounts of 43 lakh beneficiaries, at Kurupam in Parvathipuram Manyam district. 

• Spanning 10 days, Amma Vodi will be distributed in all the mandals benefiting more than 83 lakh students studying in classes 1 to 12 across the state.  Under the Amma Vodi scheme, eligible mothers who send their children to schools will receive Rs 15,000 financial aid to meet the educational expenses. 
• The state has credited a total of Rs 26,067 crore under Jagananna Amma Vodi scheme, including Rs 6,393 crore disbursal set in motion. 

India’s first domestically built 700 MW nuclear reactor starts commercial operations in Gujarat
India’s first indigenously developed 700 MW nuclear power reactor at the Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP) in Gujarat started commercial operations, a senior official said. 

• With great pleasure, this is to inform that our first indigenous 700 MWe Unit, KAPP-3, has become commercial on 30th June 2023 at 1000 Hrs. 
• The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) is building two 700 MW pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs) at Kakrapar, which is also home to two 220 MW power plants.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

New Zealand becomes first country to ban thin plastic bags
New Zealand has taken a momentous step towards reducing plastic waste by becoming the first country to implement a complete ban on thin plastic bags commonly used in supermarkets for fruit and vegetable purchases. 

• Moreover, this move will extend beyond bags, as it also includes banning of plastic straws and silverware. This significant move aligns with the government’s ongoing campaign against single-use plastics, which began in 2019 with the prohibition of thicker plastic shopping bags.

BANKING & FINANCE

SBI opens 34 transaction banking hubs
State Bank of India (SBI) said it has opened 34 Transaction Banking  Hubs in top 21 district centres across the country to provide quick and efficient transaction banking solutions to customers. 

• As part of the transaction banking services and current account-related offerings, SBI is planning to meet all customer needs and provide comprehensive solutions for their transaction, payment, and collection requirements under one roof. 

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Centre’s fiscal deficit at 11.8% of full year target, shows CGA data
The central government’s fiscal deficit stood at Rs 2.1 trillion or 11.8 per cent of the full-year budget estimates at May-end 2023, according to official data.The fiscal deficit was 12.3 per cent of 2022-23.

• In actual terms, the deficit was Rs 2,10,287 crore at May-end 2023, as per the data of the Controller General of Accounts (CGA).
• In the Union Budget, the government aimed to bring down the fiscal deficit during the current financial year 2023-24 to 5.9 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP).
• The deficit was 6.4 per cent of the GDP in 2022-23 against the earlier estimate of 6.71 per cent.

SPORTS

132nd Durand Cup tournament to be organized in Kolkata
The 132nd edition of the Durand Cup, India’s oldest football tournament is scheduled to commence at Kolkata from 03 August to 03 September 2023. 

• The tournament’s Trophy Tour, which was flagged off on June 30, 2023, marks a significant milestone in the history of the Durand Cup. With the participation of foreign teams after a hiatus of 27 years, the upcoming edition is poised to be an extraordinary spectacle for football enthusiasts.

Yuki Bhambri wins maiden ATP doubles title in Spain
Yuki Bhambri clinched his maiden title on the ATP World Tour, winning the doubles trophy at the Mallorca Championships with South African partner Lloyd Harris, in Mallorca. Yuki Bhambri, who is ranked 75, will move up to career-best 58 after this win. 

• The Indo-South African pair defeated the Dutch-Austrian combo of Robine Hasse and Philipp Oswald 6-3 6-4 in the final of the grass court event, the last in the build up to the Wimbledon Championships. The 30-year-old Indian finished the match with a forehand winner between the two opposition players across the court and raised his arms in celebration.

AWARDS

British children’s writer Michael Rosen awarded the PEN Pinter Prize 2023
Renowned children’s writer and performance poet, Michael Rosen, aged 77, has been honored with the esteemed PEN Pinter Prize 2023. 

• This prestigious award is bestowed upon a writer hailing from the United Kingdom, Ireland, or the Commonwealth, whose body of work fearlessly uncovers and reveals truths about the realities of modern-day existence.

Rajindar Singh Dhatt received Points of Light award from UK Prime Minister
Rajindar Singh Dhatt, the driving force behind the “Undivided Indian Ex-Servicemen’s Association” has been honored with the prestigious Points of Light award for his exceptional service and relentless efforts to bring together British Indian war veterans. 

• Dhatt demonstrated his dedication to serving his country by joining the British Indian Army during the Second World War.

Click here to read Daily Current Affairs