ANSWER: C

ANSWER: C

ANSWER: B

ANSWER: A

• PM Modi’s proposal to make the African Union a permanent member of the G-20 has received overwhelming response from the grouping.
• The G-20 operates under the principle of consensus and any dissenting voice at the leaders’ summit may create difficulties.

ABOUT AFRICAN UNION

• The African Union is considered the top grouping representing the voice of Africa.
• It consists of 55 member states that make up the countries of the African continent.
• HQ- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
• It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU).
  • OAU was founded in 1963.
• It has been working towards ensuring the progress and economic growth of African nations.
• The Assembly of the African Union is the highest decision-making body, comprising the heads of state and government of member countries.
• Executive Council, composed of foreign ministers, assists the Assembly in making policy decisions.

ANSWER: B

• July 23^rd marks the birth anniversary of Chandra Shekhar Azad, the fearless freedom fighter of India.
• He was born in Bhabhra village (now in Alirajpur District of Madhya Pradesh) in 1906.
• Born as Chandra Shekhar Tiwari, he joined Mahatma Gandhi’s non-cooperation movement at a young age of 15.
• When he was arrested by the British police and presented before a magistrate, he declared his name to be ‘Azad’, his father’s name as ‘Swatantra’, and his residence as ‘prison’.
• He was the chief strategist of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), a revolutionary group dedicated to armed struggle against the colonial government.
• Azad was also involved in daring acts of resistance, including the Kakori train robbery in 2925 and shooting of JP Saunders at Lahore in 1928 (to avenge the killing of Lala Lajpat Rai).
• Known for his organizational skills and mastery of disguise, he pledged to never be captured alive.
• On February 27, 1931 Azad met two of his comrades at the Alfred Park, Allahabad.
  • When he got surrounded by British police, he shot himself.

ANSWER: C

• A memorial to commemorate the 50,000 Indian Army soldiers who fought for the liberation of Italy from Nazi occupation during the Italian Campaign in World War II was unveiled in Italy.
• The ‘V.C. Yeshwant Ghadge Sundial Memorial’ was unveiled by the Commune of Monotone (in Italy) and Italian military historians at Montone in Perugia as a tribute to Indian troops who died in action during the Italian Campaign.
  • The Italian Campaign refers to the 2-year campaign (1943-1945) by the Allied power — Great Britain, the US and the Soviet Union — to liberate Italy from German occupation.
• The soldiers were part of the 4^th, 8^th and 10^th Divisions of the British Commonwealth forces that fought against the Axis powers — Germany, Italy and Japan.

ELSEWHERE

• Indian forces fought with Germany in Africa, Japanese in Burma, and took part in the invasion of Italy.
• They also played a significant part in battles in the Middle East.

ABOUT           

• Naik Ghadge was a soldier of the Mahratta Light Infantry who served in Italy during World War II (1939-1945).
• According to the National Army Museum of the UK, he was only 22 when he died in action while fighting the Axis powers.
• He received the Victoria Cross posthumously in 1944.

ANSWER: A

• The union health ministry said the Tele-MANAS (Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States) helpline under the National Tele Mental Health Programme has received over 200,000 calls since its launch in October 2022.
• Currently, there are 42 active Tele Manas cells across 31 states and Union Territories.
  • The service handles over 1,300 calls daily in 20 different languages.
• The service is accessible through the toll-free numbers 14416 or 1-800-891-4416, with options to choose preferred languages.
• It is part of the government’s initiative to bolster the nation’s mental health workforce and make mental health services accessible and free to every household.
• Tele-MANAS will be organised in two tier system–
  • Tier 1: It comprises of state Tele-MANAS cells which include trained counsellors and mental health specialists.
  • Tier 2: It will comprise of specialists at District Mental Health Programme (DMHP)/Medical College resources for physical consultation and/or e-Sanjeevani for audio visual consultation.
• Services offered by Tele MANAS:
  • Tele counselling by trained counsellors.
  • Tele Consultation by Mental Health professionals when required.
  • Referral Services to other Mental Health Establishments such as Medical Colleges, District Mental Health Program (DMHP) services and speciality institutes.

ANSWER: A

• China successfully carried out a trial test on the main engine of the Long March-10, a new carrier rocket designed for manned moon landing missions.
• The rocket will be capable of ferrying a crew module along with a lunar lander to Earth-Moon transfer orbit.

ANSWER: D

• Admiral Lisa Franchetti has been nominated by US President Joe Biden to lead US Navy.
• If confirmed by the Senate, Franchetti would become the first female member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, which consists of chiefs of the Army, Navy, Air Force and others.

ANSWER: A

• Sri Lankan batsman Lahiru Thirimanne has announced his retirement from international cricket after a 13-year career.
• The 33-year-old top-order batter made his international debut in 2010 and went on to represent Sri Lanka in 44 Tests, 127 ODIs, and 26 T20Is.

ANSWER: D

• Naveen Patnaik of Odisha has become the second longest serving chief minister of a state in India with a tenure of 23 years and 139 days.
• Patnaik, the five-time Chief Minister of Odisha, took charge on March 5, 2000, and has been holding the post since.
• He surpassed the record of former West Bengal chief minister Jyoti Basu.
• Patnaik is now second only to Pawan Kumar Chamling of Sikkim, who holds the record of being a state CM for the longest time of 24 years and 166 days between December 1994 and May 2019.