Current Affairs GK 15th July 2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS 15 July, 2024

1. PM MODI BECOMES MOST FOLLOWED GLOBAL LEADER ON X WITH OVER 100 MILLION FOLLOWERS –

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has achieved a significant milestone on social media platform X, surpassing 100 million followers. This milestone solidifies his position as the most followed global leader on X, far ahead of other world figures such as US President Joe Biden, Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed, and Pope Francis.
• PM Modi’s journey to 100 million followers on X marks a staggering growth, with approximately 30 million new followers in the past three years alone. His engaging presence on the platform has attracted a diverse audience, including political leaders, celebrities, and common citizens.
• PM Modi’s follower count on X exceeds not only other political leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal in India but also surpasses global celebrities such as Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga, as well as prominent athletes like Virat Kohli and Neymar Jr.

2. KP SHARMA OLI APPOINTED AS NEPAL’S NEW PRIME MINISTER –

• K.P. Sharma Oli on July 15 was sworn in as Nepal’s Prime Minister for the fourth time. The leader of Nepal’s largest communist party was appointed Nepal’s Prime Minister on July 14, by President Ram Chandra Paudel to lead a new coalition government that faces the daunting challenge of providing political stability in the Himalayan nation.
• Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli (born 22 February 1952) is a Nepali politician who is the current Prime Minister of Nepal, in office since 15 July 2024. He previously served as prime minister from 11 October 2015 to 3 August 2016, and from 15 February 2018 to 13 July 2021, the first prime minister to be appointed following the first general election under the new constitution.
• Mr. Oli, 72, succeeds Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ who lost the vote of confidence in the House of Representatives on June 12, leading to the formation of the new government headed by Mr. Oli. He became the Prime Minister with the support of the Nepali Congress, the largest party in Parliament. Mr. Oli was sworn in by President Paudel at Shital Niwas, the main building of Rashtrapati Bhawan.
• Mr. Oli now needs to secure a vote of confidence from Parliament within 30 days of appointment according to the constitutional mandate. Mr. Oli will need a minimum of 138 votes in the 275-seat House of Representatives (HoR).

3. CENTRE EMPOWERS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR –

• The Centre has strengthened the authority of the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Jammu and Kashmir through amendments to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019. The amended rules, effective immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette, significantly enhance the LG’s powers, particularly in matters related to transfers, postings of all-India service officers, police, and judicial appointments.
• Previously, proposals concerning police, public order, all-India services, and the Anti-Corruption Bureau required the Finance Department’s approval before reaching the LG. Under the new rules, such proposals must be submitted directly to the LG through the Chief Secretary of the Union territory, limiting the role of the elected government in critical governance matters.
• These amendments come amidst speculation of upcoming assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir.

4. INDIA’S POPULATION TO PEAK AT 1.7 BILLION BY 2060S BEFORE DECLINING: UN REPORT –

• India’s population is projected to peak at 1.7 billion in the early 2060s before declining by 12%, as predicted by the United Nations’ World Population Prospects 2024 report. Despite the decline, India will remain the world’s most populous country throughout the 21st century.
• India’s population, currently estimated at 1.45 billion, is expected to increase to 1.69 billion by 2054, peaking at about 1.7 billion in the early 2060s. A decline of 12% is projected, bringing the population to around 1.5 billion by 2100.
• India surpassed China as the world’s most populous nation last year and will retain this status throughout the century. By the end of the century, India’s population will still significantly exceed that of any other country.
• China’s population, currently at 1.41 billion, is projected to decline to 1.21 billion by 2054 and further to 633 million by 2100 due to a low fertility rate of around one birth per woman

5. SPAIN CLINCHES EURO 2024 TITLE WITH DRAMATIC VICTORY OVER ENGLAND –

• In a thrilling finale to Euro 2024, Spain secured their fourth European Championship trophy with a nail-biting 2-1 victory over England at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
• This win cements Spain’s status as the most successful nation in the tournament’s history and marks their third title in the last five editions.
• The opening 45 minutes saw both teams cautiously feeling each other out, with Spain dominating possession but struggling to create clear-cut chances. England managed the first shot on target just before halftime, as Phil Foden’s close-range effort was comfortably saved by Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón.