NATIONAL:
1. Cyclone Mocha
Why in news - Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts there is a strong possibility of a cyclone forming in the Bay of Bengal.
Key Points –
• It would be named Cyclone Mocha.
• Name was recommended by Yemen.
• It is expected to bring rainfall in Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.
Value Addition -
• Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology - Pune, Maharashtra.
• National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting - Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
• India Meteorological Department (1875) Hq - New Delhi.
• IMD formation - Kolkata (1889), Shimla (1905), Pune (1928) and New Delhi (1944).
Cyclone Formation –
2. International Multimodal Logistics Park
Why in news - Sarbananda Sonowal reviewed progress of India’s first international multimodal logistics park at Jogighopa, Assam.
Key Points –
• Jetty at Jogighopa Multi Modal Park to be completed within 2023.
• Provide direct waterways, road, rail & air connectivity.
• Being developed under Bharatmala Pariyojana.
• Rupsi airport is in Assam.
3. Manipur Unrest
Why in news - Violent clashes broke out at various places in Manipur during the course of a “Tribal Solidarity March”.
Key Points –
• Manipur High Court order that the Meitei community be included in the list of the state’s Scheduled Tribes (ST) was opposed by other tribal communities.
• Reasons for opposition - Dominance of Meiteis both in –
(a) Population (64.6%) and
(b) Political representation (40 out of 60 Assembly constituencies are in the valley).
• Manipuri language of the Meiteis is included in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution.
• Opposing tribes – Kuki, Nagas, Chin, Zomi, Thadou, Hmar, Paite, Vaiphei and Zou.
About Meiteis –
• Largest community in Manipur.
• Predominantly Hindu, some Muslims.
• Reside in Imphal valley (10% of the landmass of Manipur).
• Today’s valley districts of Imphal were part of the erstwhile kingdom of Kangleipak, ruled by the Ningthouja dynasty.
• Constitute roughly 64.6% of the state’s population.
4. Article 355
Why in news - The Centre has invoked Article 355 of the Constitution in Manipur as the situation in the violence-hit State worsened.
Key Points –
• A total of five companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) of the CRPF were flown to Imphal.
About Article 355 –
• Part of emergency provisions contained in Part XVIII of the Constitution of India (Article 352 to 360).
• Empowers the Union government to protect every state in India against external aggression and internal disturbances.
• Based on the principle of “duty to protect”.
• The directions can only be given when there is a failure of the state machinery to comply with or give effect to any Union law or regulation.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. RSV Vaccine
Why in news - US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Arexvy (respiratory syncytial virus vaccine, adjuvanted).
Key Points –
• Purpose - Prevention of lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in individuals 60 years of age and older.
• This is the first RSV vaccine for older adults to be approved anywhere in the world.
• Developed by - Pharmaceutical company GSK.
2. First Republic Bank
Why in news - First Republic Bank became 3rd major US lender to fail in 2 months.
Key Points –
• Seized by - California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation.
• To be sold to - JP Morgan Chase and Co.
• Previous bank - Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank.
• JPMorgan Chase & Co is the biggest U.S. bank.
ECONOMY:
1. Currency and Finance Report
Why in news - The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released a report on currency and finance for the financial year (FY) 2022-23.
Key Points –
• Theme – “Towards a Greener Cleaner India”.
• It assesses future challenges to sustainable high growth in India.
• Covers 4 major dimensions of climate change –
(a) Unprecedented scale and pace of climate change
(b) Its macroeconomic effects
(c) Implications for financial stability
(d) Policy options to mitigate climate risks.
• India’s green financing requirement is estimated to be at least 2.5% of GDP annually till 2030.
• To achieve net zero target by 2070, India requires an accelerated reduction in the energy intensity of GDP by around 5% annually and a significant improvement in its energy mix in favour of renewables to around 80% by 2070-71.
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. SCO Foreign Ministers Meet
Why in news - Foreign ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member countries in a Goa.
Key Points –
• Pakistan Foreign minister Bhutto Zardari attended the meeting in person.
• All 8 foreign ministers attended the meeting.
Value Addition -
• Iran and Belarus are set to be admitted as full members in 2023.
• First-ever expansion of SCO – India and Pakistan were admitted as a full members in 2017.
• In 2015, India was admitted as an observer along with Iran and Pakistan.
• “Neighbouring Countries of Afghanistan” group members - Pakistan, Iran, China, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
About SCO –
• 8 members - China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
• 4 observers – Iran, Belarus, Afghanistan and Mongolia.
• 6 dialogue partners - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Turkey.
SCIENCE – TECHNOLOGY:
1. StarBerry Sense
Why in news - India's low-cost star tracker is up and running in space.
Key Points –
• Main function - to identify the stars it sees in the field of view.
• It has been designed to quickly calculate where the satellite is pointing.
• Developed by - Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru.
• It was launched onboard the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) by PSLV-C55.
SPORTS:
1. Doha Diamond League 2023
Why in news - Neeraj Chopra finished first at the Doha Diamond League 2023.
Key Points –
• He won a Diamond League leg for the 2nd time in his career (1st - Zurich).
• Best throw - 88.67 m.
STATES/UTs:
1. Ramaland
Why in news - Uttar Pradesh to develop a theme park “Ramaland” modelled on Disneyland to narrate the story of Lord Ram.
Key Points –
• Template – “learning with entertainment”.
• Besides, river Saryu cruise would be launched.
• Part of the “Ayodhya Vision 2047” theme.
• Estimated value - Rs 30,000 crore.
BIHAR:
1. Environmental Compensation
Why in news - The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a Rs 4,000 crore environmental compensation on Bihar.
Key Points –
• Reason - for failing to scientifically manage solid and liquid waste, in accordance with the “polluter pays” principle.
• The amount be deposited in a ring-fenced account within two months.
• The amount would be used for setting up solid waste processing facilities, remediation of legacy waste and setting up of sewage treatment plants (STPs).
2. Coal Blocks in Bhagalpur
Why in news - Two more huge coal blocks found in Bhagalpur.
Key Points –
• Two new coal blocks - Mirzagaon and Lakshmipur.
• Mirzagaon coal block - estimated reserve of 2300 MTs.
• Lakshmipur coal block - tentative coal reserve of 1035 MTs.
• Identified by - Coal Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDIL), Ranchi.
POINTERS:
• Who has been selected as the next Chairman and Managing Director of Coal India (CIL) - Polavarapu Mallikharjuna Prasad.
• Who has been appointed as new Deputy Chief of Air Staff - Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit.
• Fast bowler Shabnim Ismail quits international cricket. He belongs to which country - South Africa.
• Which body had suo-moto floated a Consultation paper on Ease of Doing Business in the telecom and Broadcasting Sector – TRAI.
• Indian Astronomical Observatory captured a rare phenomenon as a geomagnetic storm struck Earth's magnetic field, creating unique auroras over which hill - Mount Saraswati.
• Which state has launched the “Mukhyamantri Udyaman Khiladi Unnayan Yojana” – Uttarakhand.
• Which ministry has decided to introduce 30% Millets in the meals of personnel of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) - Ministry of Home Affairs.
• King Charles III awarded Britain's honorary MBE to whom - Dr M.N. Nandakumara.
• The World Bank (WB) will provide how much amount to Bangladesh to support projects related to growth and regional connectivity - 2.25 billion dollars.
• Sri Lanka's Dialog Axiata has proposed a merger with which Indian telecom company - Bharti Airtel.