Current Affairs (1st July, 2024)

Current Affairs

« »

Why in News?

India has officially implemented three new criminal laws from 1st July 2024.
Criminal Procedure Code and Indian Penal Code, 1860 will be applicable for the old cases.

About New Criminal Laws

Features of New Criminal Laws

BNS, 2023
- Sedition deleted, but another provision penalizing secessionism, separatism, rebellion and acts against sovereignty, unity and integrity of India brought in.
- Provision of death penalty for gang rape of minors and mob lynching.
- Community service introduced as one of the punishments for the first time.
BNSS, 2023
- Time-bound investigation, trial and judgment within 30 days of the completion of arguments.
- Video-recording of the statement of sexual assault victims to be made mandatory.
- New provision for attachment of property and proceeds of crime.
BSA, 2023
- Documents also include electronic or digital records, e-mails, server logs, computers, smart phones, laptops, SMS, websites, locational evidence, mails, messages on devices.
- Digitisation of all records including case diary, FIR, charge sheet and judgement.
- Electronic or digital records shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as paper records.

Why in News?

Avalanche: In this disaster, there is a sudden and rapid flow of snow, ice, and debris down a mountain or slope.

Factors responsible for Avalanche:
- Heavy Snowfall: It deposits snow in hazardous areas, putting stress on the unstable layer of snow and causing avalanches.
- Human Activity: Winter sports that require steep slopes put stress on the snow layer, leading to avalanches.
- Wind Direction: The wind's path determines snow accumulation on mountain slopes.
- Steep Slopes: Avalanches are also triggered by the impact of gravity on steep slopes.
- Warm Temperatures: Melting snowpack and accumulated snow can become fluid, increasing the risk of avalanches.
- Layers of Snow: When existing snow on mountains turns to ice and fresh snow falls on top, it can easily slide down, causing avalanches.
- Earthquakes: Seismic waves generated by earthquakes cause the ground to vibrate. Combined with gravitational pull, this is one of the fastest ways to trigger an avalanche.
Many regions that are prone to avalanches have specialized teams that monitor and control avalanche risks by using various methods such as explosives, snow barriers, and other safety measures.

How are Avalanches different from Landslides?

Avalanches and landslides are both types of mass movements, but they occur in different environments and involve different materials.
An avalanche is a rapid flow of snow, ice, and debris down a mountain or slope, while a landslide is a movement of rock, earth, or debris down a slope or cliff.
Avalanches typically occur in mountainous areas that have heavy snowfall and steep slopes. On the other hand, landslides can occur in a wide range of environments and can be triggered by various factors such as heavy rainfall, earthquakes, volcanic activity, or human activity.
Both avalanches and landslides can be dangerous and potentially deadly, and it is important to take necessary precautions to avoid them.

About Kedarnath

Kedarnath is one of the most sacred pilgrimages of Lord Shiva’s twelve Jyotirlingas.
It is one of the Chardhams and is situated near the head of river Mandakini.
The Mandakini River is a tributary of the Alaknanda River.
The Mandakini River drains into Alaknanda at Rudraprayag.
- The Alaknanda River is one of the major tributaries of the Ganga River.
- Alakhnanda merges with the Bhagirathi River at Devprayag to form the Ganga River.

Why in News?

Researchers devise method to develop eco-friendly supercapacitors using activated carbon produced from coconut husks.

Who Derived This Method of Producing Carbon?

The researchers of the Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram, have devised a method to produce activated carbon, suitable for supercapacitor fabrication, from coconut husks, a major agricultural residue in Kerala.

Benefit of Carbon Produced from Coconut Husk

It is biowaste-derived activated carbon that holds immense promise for sustainable and efficient green solutions for high-performance supercapacitors due to its availability, low cost, and eco-friendly nature.

Why in News?

India clinched their second T20 World Cup title, defeating South Africa by seven runs in a thrilling climax.

About Indian Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup

Why in News?

Vaidehi Chaudhari won the women tennis tournament in Taipei, Taiwan.

Other Achievements of Vaidehi Chaudhary

Why in News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi released three books on the life and journey of former Vice President of India, Venkaiah Naidu.

About the Books

The three books – a biography, a photo chronicle, and a pictorial biography – were released by the PM on the eve of Naidu’s 75th birthday. 
The books are titled:
- Venkaiah Naidu – Life in Service
- Celebrating Bharat – The Mission and Message of Shri M Venkaiah Naidu as 13th Vice President of India.
- Mahaneta – Life and Journey of Shri M Venkaiah Naidu.

About Shri M Venkaiah Naidu.

Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu - born 1 July 1949, is an Indian politician who served as the 13^th Vice President of India from 2017 to 2022.
He also held the positions of Minister of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Urban Development, and Information and Broadcasting in the Modi Cabinet.
Naidu served as the National President of the Bharatiya Janata Party from 2002 to 2004.
Prior to this, he was the Union Cabinet Minister for Rural Development in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.
He took the oath of office as the Vice President of India and the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha on 11 August 2017.
In 2024, the Government of India honoured him with the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award.