NATIONAL:
1. NCRB Sankalan of Criminal Laws
Why in news: National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) has launched a Mobile App “NCRB Sankalan of Criminal Laws” to serve as a comprehensive guide providing complete information about the new criminal laws at one place.
Key points:
• The New criminal laws will come into force from the 1st July 2024.
• This App is a compilation of new criminal laws namely Bharatiya Nayaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam.
• It provides an Index linking all Chapters and Sections of the new laws.
• This App is useful for the General Public, Court Officers, Advocates, Law Students as well as for Police Officers in enhancing their knowledge about the New Criminal Laws.
2. Chennai’s Sustainable Waste Management Goals
Why in news: World Bank Supports Chennai’s Sustainable Waste Management Goals.
Key points:
• The Greater Chennai Corporation with the help of World Bank will improve the way to handle trash and to set up a system that will last until 2026 or 2027.
• These attempts are mostly about stopping people from throwing trash at Kodungaiyur, which is a big dump in the city.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Nuclear Weapons Drills
Why in news: Russia and Belarus Conduct Tactical Nuclear Weapons Drills.
Key points:
• Russia and Belarus have commenced the second stage of joint drills focused on tactical nuclear weapons, aimed at bolstering readiness and deterring Western support for Ukraine.
• These exercises, initiated by Moscow in response to perceived provocations from Western officials, underline the Kremlin’s strategic stance amid heightened tensions.
REPORTS & INDICES:
1. Global Gender Gap Index 2024
Why in news: India ranked 129th in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap index 2024 whereas Iceland topped the list.
Key points:
• In South Asia, India was ranked fifth after Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan while Pakistan was ranked last.
• In the world, Sudan was ranked last on the index of 146 countries.
• Iceland was followed by Finland, Norway, New Zealand and Sweden in the top five. The U.K. was ranked 14th, while the USA was at 43rd place.
2. Kantar’s Most Valuable Brand Report 2024
Why in news: TCS ranks 46 in Kantar’s most valuable brand report 2024, Apple tops the list.
Key points:
• Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is the most valuable Indian brand, ranked 46th globally, followed by Infosys at number 74, according to Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable Global Brands report.
• Apple is the world’s most valuable brand, the report showed that Apple became the first brand in history to surpass $1 trillion in total brand valuation.
• Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon and McDonald’s ranked as the top 5 companies.
• The report included a list of the top 100 brands in the world based on their overall brand valuation.
3. Cornell University Report
Why in news: Researchers at Cornell University recently published a study that Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines at the top of the list of countries in the world in terms of how much microplastics each person eats.
Key points:
• The study shows that people in these countries are eat microplastics, especially when they eat fish.
• Microplastic Contamination in Food Microplastics are very small pieces of plastic that are less than 5 millimeters across.
• They can come from bigger plastic objects breaking down or products containing small plastics, like cosmetics.
4. Nitrous Oxide Emissions
Why in news: Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions increased by 40 percent between 1980 and 2020.
Key points:
• China contributed the most to this emission, India was at second place and America was at third place in Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions.
• The study published in the journal Earth System Science Data shows that 74 percent of N2O emissions in the last decade were due to the use of nitrogen fertilizers and animal manure in agriculture.
• The 10 emitting countries of N2O include China, India, US, Brazil, Russia, Pakistan, Australia, Indonesia, Turkey and Canada. agency
5. University Impact Ranking 2024
Why in news: Times Higher Education (THE) has released the University Impact Rankings of 2024.
Key points:
• India has stood first in terms of representation in this ranking, which is decided on the basis of the impact of higher educational institutions in terms of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
• 105 institutions from India participated in the ranking, whereas in 2019 the number was only 13.
• This ranking aims to highlight which higher education institutions in the world are contributing to improving the future of human civilization.
• In the overall list, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, located in Koryabatur, Tamil Nadu, has been ranked 81st and 2nd in terms of contribution on all 17 goals.
• 2,152 institutions from 125 countries are represented in the ranking.
SCIENCE & TECH:
1. IIT-M and NASA Study Pathogens on ISS
Why in news: Recently, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory worked together to study how bacteria that are resistant to multiple drugs behave on the International Space Station (ISS).
Key points:
• Their research is mostly about Enterobacter bugandensis, which is known for making hospital illnesses hard to get rid of, and how it has changed to survive in space Enterobacter bugandensis
• Enterobacter bugandensis is a pathogen in the ESKAPE group.
• These pathogens are known to be resistant to many drugs, Thatswhy the WHO wants to find new treatments as soon as possible.
2. Donanemab
Why in news: The FDA advisory group recently gave its approval to donanemab, a drug made by Eli Lilly to treat Alzheimer’s.
Key points:
• The advisory’s approval is very important because it sets the stage for the FDA’s final decision on the drug’s approval.
Alzheimer’s Disease
• Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological problem that mostly affects the brain and causes memory loss and dementia.
• Memory loss, confusion, and changes in behavior and attitude are some of the most common signs.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Four Thousand Year Old Airport Structure
Why in news: Four thousand year old airport structure found at Crete island in Greece.
Key points:
• The ruins of a 4000 year old building have been discovered, which are wheel shaped.
• Based on this discovery, archaeologists are speculating that this structure could be an airport.
• According to the Ministry of Culture of Greece, this is a unique and extremely interesting discovery of the Minoan civilization of Crete.
BOOKS & AUTHORS:
1. Viswasapoorvam
Why in news: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan Released "Viswasapoorvam," The Autobiography of Islamic Scholar A. P. Aboobacker Musliyar.
Key points:
• The book was published by the Malaibar Foundation for Research and Development.
• Shashi Tharoor, a Member of Parliament (MP), received the first copy from the CM during the book release event.
2. I Have the Streets: A Kutti Cricket Story
Why in news: Renowned Indian international cricketer, Ravichandran Ashwin unveiled his autobiography titled, "I Have the Streets: A Kutti Cricket Story,"
Key points:
• The book was written by Ravichandran Ashwin with author Sidharth Monga & was published by Penguin Random House India (PRHI).
• The book highlights Ashwin's journey from a cricket-loving child in Chennai to becoming one of India's finest cricketers.
APPOINTMENTS:
1. P K Mishra
Why in news: Former IAS officer P K Mishra has been re-appointed as the Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Key points:
• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Dr P.K. Mishra, IAS (Retired) as Principal Secretary to Prime Minister with effect from June 10, 2024.
• His appointment will be co-terminus with the term of the Prime Minister or until further orders whichever is earlier.
2. Ajit Doval
Why in news: Ajit Doval Reappointed National Security Adviser (NSA) .
Key points:
• The Centre on June 13 reappointed former IPS officer Ajit Doval as the National Security Adviser (NSA).
• His appointment will be co-terminus with the term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi or until further orders.
3. Pema Khandu
Why in news: Pema Khandu Sworn In for Third Term as Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister.
Key points:
• Pema Khandu of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took the oath as the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh for the third consecutive time.
• Total legislative assembly seats of Arunachal Pradesh-60
• Total loksabha seats- 2
4. Harsh Pati Singhania
Why in news: Harsh Pati Singhania Elected as Fist Vice-Chair of International Chamber of Commerce.
Key points:
• Harsh Pati Singhania has been elected as the First Vice-Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) headquartered in Paris, France.
• Philippe Varin has been elected as Chair of the ICC.
OBITUARIES:
1. Pandit Rajeev Taranath
Why in news: Legendary Sarod Maestro Pandit Rajeev Taranath Passes Away at 91.
Key points:
• He was honored with the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2019 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 2000.
2. Saulos Chilima
Why in news: Vice-President of Malawi, Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima died in an airplane crash in the Chikangawa forest in Malawi.
Key points:
• The victims of the plane crash also included former 1st lady Shanil Dzimbiri, the ex-wife of former Malawian President Bakili Muluzi.
• The military plane carrying Chilima and others went missing during a flight from Lilongwe to Mzuzu, about 380 kilometers to the north.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. World Blood Donor Day
Why in news: World Blood Donor Day, celebrated on June 14th every year.
Key points:
• The theme for World Blood Donor Day 2024 is: "20 years of celebrating giving: thank you blood donors!"
STATES:
1. Soil Health Scheme in Tamil Nadu
Why in news: Chief Minister Stalin Launches Soil Health Scheme in Tamil Nadu.
Key points:
• Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister started “Chief Minister’s Mannuyir Kaathu Mannuyir Kaappom” plan, which was a big step toward sustainable farming in Tamil Nadu.
• With a budget of ₹206 crore, this project aims to improve the health and fertility of the soil across the area.
• A key part of the plan is to keep the land fertile by using green manure methods.
• The project plans to spread green manure seeds over about 200,000 acres starting in 2024–25, that will directly help over 200,000 farmers.
2. Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina
Why in news: Assam Launches ‘Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina’ Scheme to Promote Girl Education.
Key points:
• The Assam government has taken a commendable step towards promoting girl education and addressing the issue of child marriage in the state.
• This scheme will significantly increase the gross enrollment ratio of girls. All girl students studying in classes 11 and 12 will get Rs 1,000 per month while degree students will get Rs 1,250 and post graduation students will get Rs 2,500.
• Except daughters of ministers, MLAs and MPs and girl students studying in private colleges, all girls will be included in the scheme, irrespective of their economic status.
3. Uttrakhand’s Joshimath renamed as Jyotirmath
Why in news: Joshimath tehsil of Chamoli district of Uttarakhand will now be known by its ancient name Jyotirmath.
Key points:
• Similarly, the name of Koshyakutauli tehsil of Nainital district has been changed to Kainchidham tehsil.
• Proposals were sent regarding changing the names of these two tehsils, which have been approved by the Central Government.
• It is believed that in Joshimath, Adi Guru Shankaracharya attained divine knowledge by doing penance under the immortal Kalpavriksha.
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