NATIONAL:
1. Tipu Sultan’s Sword
Why in news - Tipu Sultan’s (1782-1799) bedchamber sword auctioned for 14 million pounds in London.
Key Points –
• It has broken all auction records for an Indian object at Islamic and Indian Art sale week.
• The sword is described as a fine gold koftgari hilted steel sword referred to as sukhela – an emblem of authority.
• It was manufactured by Mughal swordsmiths following the model of German blades.
• It was presented to Major General David Baird by the Army of the East India Company.
• Tipu Sultan – known as the Tiger of Mysore.
• On 4 May, 1799 British army stormed and captured Tipu's capital, Seringapatam and killed him.
Value Addition –
• Anglo-Mysore wars –
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Warning Labels on Alcohol
Why in news - Ireland to become the first country in the European Union to put health warnings on alcohol.
Key Points –
• Alcoholic products to prominently mention that their consumption is directly linked to liver disease and cancer.
• Mandatory after May 22, 2026.
Value Addition –
• Currently, only South Korea warns of the link between alcohol and cancers.
• South Africa had enacted a law requiring stringent alcohol warning labels in 2017, but repealed it in 2020.
• Alcohol - Listed as a class 1 carcinogen (cancer-causing agent) by a WHO agency since 1990.
About Alcohol (Ethyl Alcohol) –
• Methyl alcohol (methanol) –
• It is wood alcohol, which is poisonous if it's ingested (blindness and death).
• Used as a solvent and an antifreeze as well as a fuel.
• Alcohol affects the cerebellum and consequently affects bodily movements.
• Alcohol thermometer (Ethanol) is used in cold areas because freezing point of alcohol is less than -100°C and can measure very low temperature.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. UDAN 5.1
Why in news – M/o Civil Aviation launched UDAN 5.1 to achieve last-mile connectivity through helicopters.
Key Points –
• Airfare caps have been reduced by as much as 25% to make flying in helicopters more affordable for passengers.
• For the first time under RCS-UDAN, this round is designed specifically for helicopter routes.
• Till date 46 helicopter routes have been operationalized under previous rounds of the scheme.
2. SAMARTH Campaign
Why in news - Shri Giriraj Singh launched SAMARTH campaign to promote digital transactions in 50000 Gram Panchayat Level in Lucknow.
Key Points –
• By - Ministry of Rural Development (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojna- National Rural Livelihoods Mission).
• SHG’s NPA came down from 9.58 % in 2013 percent to below 2%.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Urban Climate Film Festival
Why in news - The first-ever Urban Climate Film Festival would take place in New Town, Kolkata (June 3 to 5, 2023).
Key Points –
• Aim –
(a) To enlighten audiences about the environmental, social and economic impacts of climate change on urban settlements.
(b) To encourage citizens to undertake “environmentally responsible behavior” in line with the LiFE Mission.
• Organised by - National Institute of Urban Affairs, New Delhi.
Value Addition –
• National Mission on Sustainable Habitat (2010) - to make cities more sustainable by enhancing building energy efficiency etc.
• Sustainable city features -
2. Global Greenhouse Gas Watch
Why in news - World Meteorological Congress approved Global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Watch.
Key Points –
• It is a new GHG monitoring initiative to support urgent action to reduce heat-trapping gases which are fuelling temperature increase.
• It is built under the auspices of the Global Atmosphere Watch (1989) and its Integrated Global Greenhouse Gas Information System.
