NATIONAL:
1. Kerala Fibre Optical Network (KFON)
Why in news - Kerala officially launched the Kerala Fibre Optical Network (KFON) on June 5.
Key Points –
• Aim –
(a) to reduce the digital divide by ensuring high speed broadband internet access to all houses and government offices.
(b) to accelerate Kerala’s journey towards being a knowledge-based economy.
• Implemented by - Bharat Electronics Limited.
• It is an optical fibre cable network of 30,000 kms, with 375 Points-of-Presence across Kerala.
• Kerala was the first state to declare the right to internet as a basic right.
2. Navigation for Helicopters
Why in news - India conducted Asia's first demonstration of performance-based navigation for helicopters using GAGAN satellite technology.
Key Points –
• Test flight - From Juhu (Mumbai) to Pune.
• All registered aircraft in India to comply with GAGAN by December 2025.
GAGAN –
• GAGAN – GPS-Aided GEO Augmented Navigation.
• Introduced in 2019.
• Space-based augmentation system for providing navigational services over the Indian FIR (Flight Information Region).
• Developed by - Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Airports Authority of India (AAI).
INTERNATIONAL:
1. MV Empress
Why in news - Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off the maiden International Cruise Vessel - MV Empress from Chennai to Sri Lanka.
Key Points –
• International cruise tourism terminal – Chennai.
• The cruise service would sail to 3 Sri Lankan ports; viz. Hanbantota, Trincomalee, and Kankesanturei.
• 3 new international cruise terminals are likely to be completed and become operational by 2024.
• An MoU signed during the 1st Incredible India International Cruise Conference 2022 (Mumbai) to start domestic and international cruise service.
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. India-US Strategic Trade Dialogue (IUSSTD)
Why in news - The inaugural meeting of India-US Strategic Trade Dialogue (IUSSTD), which was held in Washington D.C.
Key Points –
• Both have decided to set up a regular monitoring group to review progress in the bilateral high-tech trade and technology partnership.
• Strategic technology and trade collaboration were envisaged under the India-US initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET).
iCET –
• Launched on the sidelines of the Quad summit in May 2022.
• Aim - forge links between the government, academia, and industry in areas such as AI, quantum computing, 5G/6G, biotech, space, and semiconductors.
• Both sides have identified 6 focus areas of co-development and co-production.
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. EV Battery Plant
Why in news - Tata group signed an outline deal with the Gujarat government for building a lithium-ion cell factory.
Key Points –
• Proposed investment - Rs 13,000 crore ($1.6 billion).
• Location - Sanand, Gujarat.
• Initial manufacturing capacity - 20 Gigawatt hours (GWh).
Value Addition –
• It would help Gujarat meet its targets of adopting 100% electric vehicles and curbing carbon emissions by 50% by 2030.
• India aims to be net zero by 2070, EVs to constitute 30% of all new automotive sales by 2030.
2. Mission on Advanced and High-Impact Research (MAHIR)
Why in news – MAHIR was launched to leverage emerging technologies in power sector.
Key Points –
• Launched by - Ministry of Power and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
• Aim - to identify emerging technologies in the power sector and develop them indigenously for deployment within and outside India.
• Funding – M/o Power, M/o New and Renewable Energy, Central Public Sector Enterprises under the two Ministries and budgetary allocation.
• It would follow the technology life cycle approach of Idea to Product for an initial period of 5 years (2023-24 to 2027-28).
• 8 areas are identified for research e.g.
(a) Alternatives to Lithium-Ion storage batteries
(b) Modifying electric cookers / pans to suit Indian cooking methods
(c) Green hydrogen for mobility (High Efficiency Fuel Cell)
(d) Carbon capture
(e) Geo-thermal energy
(f) Solid state refrigeration
(g) Nano technology for EV battery
(h) Indigenous CRGO technology
• SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• SDG 11 - Sustainable cities and communities.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. World Oceans Day 2023
Why in news – It is celebrated every year on June 8.
Key Points –
• Theme - Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing.
• It was introduced by the Oceans Institute of Canada at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
• In 2008, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution designating 8 June as World Oceans Day.
• Global coordination of World Ocean Day was initiated by The Ocean Project in 2002.
Value Addition –
• Over 70% of Earth is covered in water, which produces at least 50% of the planet’s oxygen.
• SDG 6 - Clean water and sanitation.
• SDG 13 - Climate action
• SDG 14 - Life below water.
2. 5th World Food Safety Day 2023
Why in news – It is observed every year on June 7.
Key Points –
• Theme - Food Standards Save Lives.
• Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) implements the WHO Food Standards Program.
Value Addition –
• Food-borne diseases - Typhoid, E. coli etc.
• Monosodium Glutamate (Ajinomoto) - A flavor enhancer often added to restaurant foods, canned vegetables, soups, deli meats and other foods.
• Concerns wrt Ajinomoto - Fluctuations in blood pressure, migraine, breathing issues while sleeping.
• The Food Safety & Standards (FSS) Act was passed in 2006. It led to the formation of FSSAI (2008), an apex authority responsible for formulating standards for food in India.
• Aflatoxins -
(a) A family of toxins produced by fungi that are found on agricultural crops such as maize (corn), peanuts, cottonseed, and tree nuts.
(b) Main producers - Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus that are abundant in warm and humid regions.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Grand Order of the Chain of the Yellow Star
Why in news – President Droupadi Murmu was conferred with the highest civilian award of Suriname, the Grand Order of the Chain of the Yellow Star.
Key Points –
• She is the first Indian to receive this award.
About Suriname (Capital: Paramaribo) –
• Location - Northeastern coast of South America.
• Smallest sovereign state in South America.
• Tropical country and vegetation is dominated by rainforests.
• Official language – Dutch.
BIHAR:
1. Book “Nalanda”
Why in news – Acclaimed writer Abhay K's new book “Nalanda” to be published by Penguin.
Key Points –
• The book delves into the history of the ancient seat of learning in Bihar.
• It is scheduled to be released in October 2024.
2. NIRF Ranking 2023
Why in news – National Institution Ranking Framework (NIRF-2023) was released by the ministry of education on June 5.
Key Points –
• All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Patna rank - 27th (score - 57.30).
• It is the only medical institute from Bihar in the list.
POINTERS:
• In which city of Australia India to build new consulate – Brisbane.
• Where has the 32nd Summit of the Arab League been held – Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
• Where has All India Radio released weekly bulletin in Gondi dialect – Chhattisgarh.
• Which company has developed ethanol diesel blend ED7 fuel to reduce emissions - BPCL.
• Which country's men's hockey team has won the “Junior Asia Cup 2023” title – India.
• Which state government has announced to give 6000 rupees to the farmers through 'Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Yojana' – Maharashtra.
• Which state government has announced to open drug de-addiction centers in all the districts – Telangana.
• Which country regained its spot as the 5th biggest stock market in the world – India.
• Who has recently won the election of the President of Turkey - Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
• To mark the inauguration of the new Parliament building, PM Narendra Modi released a commemorative coin of how many rupees - Rs 75.