NATIONAL:
1. Vizhinjam Port
Why in news: Vizhinjam port welcomes 1st mothership on 11th July
Key points:
• The 300 metre long Marshall Islands flagged ship berthed at VISL arrived from Xiamen in China.
• The Vizhinjam international seaport is India’s first deepwater transshipment port, near Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
• It has a natural depth of more than 18 m, scalable up to 20 m.
• Vizhinjam is being executed by Adani Ports and SEZ Private Ltd on a design, build, finance, operate and transfer (DBFOT) model.
2. Battery Energy Storage Capacity of India
Why in news: Battery energy storage capacity of India increased by more than quadruples to 219 MW in March 2024.
Key points:
• By March 2023, this capacity was 47.6 MWh.
• India started small pilot projects in 2013, with 100,000 MWh, which increased to 219.1 MWh by March 2024.
• 120 MWh of installed capacity was added in the January-March period this year alone.
3. India’s First Oil & Gas ETF
Why in news: ICICI Prudential Launches India’s First Oil & Gas ETF.
Key points:
• This pioneering product marks the introduction of India’s first exchange-traded fund (ETF) specifically focused on the oil and gas sector.
• The fund is designed to track the performance of the Nifty Oil & Gas TRI.
• It is an index that serves as a barometer for the listed companies operating within this crucial economic sector.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Colombo Security Conclave
Why in news: Colombo Security Conclave Welcomes Bangladesh as Fifth Member.
Key points:
• The Colombo Security Conclave welcomed Bangladesh as its fifth member during the 8th Deputy National Security Adviser meeting hosted virtually by Mauritius.
• The CSC includes India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and the Maldives, with Seychelles participating as an Observer State.
8th DNSA Level Meeting
• The meeting was attended by representatives from India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Maldives, Bangladesh, and Seychelles.
• The meeting reviewed progress on the CSC’s Roadmap of Activities for 2023-2024 and decisions from previous meetings.
STATES/UTs:
1. People’s Biodiversity Register
Why in news: Kerala set to become the first state in India to publish People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR) across all local bodies.
Key points:
• This document is dynamic, requiring periodic updates on ecosystem details, landscapes, species, and traditional knowledge.
• The Kerala state biodiversity board (KSBB) complete the updation of the PBR in 50% of local bodies in the State before the end of 2024.
• Thazhakara (Alappuzha) has become the 1st Gram panchayat in Kerala to update and publish the 2nd volume of the comprehensive PBR.
• The PBR’s 2nd volume serves as a comprehensive report on the biodiversity across all 21 wards.
REPORTS/INDICES:
1. Global Energy Monitor Report
Why in news: According to Global Energy Monitor report, China tops in wind-solar energy, India at 8th position.
Key points:
• In the report of Global Energy Monitor, America is in second place and Brazil is in third place, Britain and Spain are at number fourth and fifth respectively.
• India is at eighth place in the list, with 7.4 gigawatt energy under construction.
SCIENCE & TECH:
1. North India’s First Weather Balloon
Why in news: ISRO to launch North India’s first weather balloon in AMU.
Key points:
• Two scientists of ISRO will launch North India’s first weather balloon in the Geography Department of Aligarh Muslim University.
• The balloon will Installed at a height of 35 kilometers, will give weather forecast within a radius of about 100 kilometers.
• For this, ISRO had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AMU.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. UNESCO
Why in news: UNESCO Expands World Network of Biosphere Reserves by adding 11 new biosphere reserve.
Key points:
• UNESCO has recently approved the designation of 11 new Biosphere Reserves.
• This expansion brings the total number of sites in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves to 759 in 136 countries worldwide.
Newly Designated Biosphere Reserves:
1. Kempen-Broek Transboundary Biosphere Reserve - Belgium, Kingdom of the Netherlands
2. Darien Norte Chocoano Biosphere Reserve - Colombia
3. Madre de las Aguas Biosphere Reserve - Dominican Republic
4. Niumi Biosphere Reserve - Gambia
5. Colli Euganei Biosphere Reserve - Italy
6. Julian Alps Transboundary Biosphere Reserve - Italy, Slovenia
7. Khar Us Lake Biosphere Reserve- Mongolia
8. Apayaos Biosphere Reserve - Philippines
9. Changnyeong Biosphere Reserve - Republic of Korea
10. Val d’Aran Biosphere Reserve - Spain
11. Irati Biosphere Reserve - Spain
2. Ibiza Wall Lizard
Why in news: The Ibiza wall lizard transitioned to “Endangered” from “Near Threatened” on IUCN red list.
Key points:
• The Ibiza wall lizard transitioned to Endangered due to 50% population decline since 2010.
• The population decline is attributed to the invasive horseshoe whip snake (Hemorrhois hippocrepis) in its territory.
• The Ibiza wall lizard is native to the islands of Ibiza and Formentera in the Balearic Islands in Spain.
3. Uropeltis Caudomaculata
Why in news: A New Shield Tail snake Species, named Uropeltis caudomaculata Discovered In Western Ghats.
Key points:
• A team of researchers from Tamil Nadu, Kerala and the United Kingdom have discovered it in the Meghamalai- Munnar hill region of the Western Ghats.
• The discovery was published in the international journal Zootaxa, New Zealand-based Magnolia Press.
• Shield-tail snakes are small, subterranean creatures, typically about the thickness of a finger and growing up to 37 cm in length.
• Uropeltis caudomaculata is only found in three localities: Meghamalai Tiger Reserve (TN), Periyar Tiger Reserve and Yellapetty, Munnar (Kerala).
SPORTS:
1. PUMA
Why in news: PUMA partners with Indian Olympic Association for Paris Olympics 2024.
Key points:
• Sports brand PUMA India has announced the partnership with the Indian Olympic Association to becoming the Official Footwear Partner for the Indian contingent at the Paris Olympics 2024.
• Recently, Adani Group Announced as Principal Sponsor for Indian Team at 2024 Paris Olympics.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Best State in Horticulture Award 2024
Why in news: Nagaland awarded with Best State in Horticulture in Agriculture Leadership Awards 2024 at the 15th Agriculture Leadership Conclave held in New Delhi.
Key points:
• Nagaland won this award for its outstanding work in introducing innovative programs and policies for horticulture development.
• Nagaland achieved Geographical Indication (G.I.) registration for three horticultural crops i.e. Naga Mircha, Naga Tree Tomato, and Naga Sweet Cucumber.
• The Department of Horticulture has mobilized the formation of 13 Nos of FPCs and so far been able to bring an area of 6800 Ha under Organic Certification.
BIHAR:
1. World Deaf Chess Championship
Why in news: Bihar’s Anima Kumari won silver medal in World Deaf Chess Championship held in Belgrade, Serbia.
Key points:
• Anima Kumari was selected in the Indian Deaf Chess team after her excellent performance in the competition organized by All India Deaf Sports Council, New Delhi.
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