NATIONAL:
1. Cyclone Biparjoy
Why in news - A cyclonic storm, named Biparjoy, has developed in the Arabian Sea (850 km west of Goa).
Key Points –
• It is expected to keep the monsoon a little subdued.
• Named by Bangladesh. The word means ‘disaster’ or ‘calamity’ in Bengali.
Value Addition –
• Worldwide, there are 6 regional specialized meteorological centers (RSMCs) and 5 regional Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWCs) for issuing advisories.
• IMD is one of the 6 RSMCs to provide tropical cyclone advisories to 13 countries under the WMO/Economic and Social Commission for Asia-Pacific (ESCAP) Panel.
• 13 countries - Bangladesh, India, Iran, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
• RSMC, New Delhi is also mandated to name the Tropical Cyclones in north Indian Ocean (NIO), including the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.
• The naming of cyclones began in September 2004.
• Bay of Bengal is slightly warmer than the Arabian Sea.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Non-Permanent Members in UNSC
Why in news – 5 countries have been elected as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council.
Key Points –
• 5 countries - Algeria, Guyana, Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone and Slovenia.
• Term is starting in January 2024 for a 2-year period.
• They would take up seats currently occupied by Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana and UAE when their 2-year terms end on 31 December.
Value Addition –
• The Security Council is composed of 15 countries –
(a) 5 permanent members (veto power) - China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
(b) 10 non-permanent members - elected by the General Assembly for 2 years.
• Voting is conducted by secret ballot.
• Candidates must receive a 2/3rd majority or 128 votes, even if they run uncontested.
• Geographical distribution by region –
ECONOMY:
1. Crude Steel Producer
Why in news - India has emerged as the 2nd largest producer of crude steel in the world.
Key Points –
• It was said by Jyotiraditya M. Scindia in a press conference on the theme 9-years of Government's "Seva, Sushasan and Gareeb kalyan".
• India is a net exporter of steel. (Export of finished steel in 2022-23 - 6.72 MT).
National Steel Policy 2017 (NSP 2017) –
• Target by 2030-31 –
(a) total crude steel capacity of 300 MTPA
(b) total crude steel demand/production of 255 MTPA
(c) enhance the operational capacity of crude steel production of SAIL from the existing 19.51 MTPA to around 35.65 MTPA tentatively.
Value Addition –
• ‘Brand India’ labeling - to differentiate Indian quality steel from the others.
• Productivity Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI) in steel sector –
(a) to generate an investment of about Rs. 30,000 Crores.
(b) additional capacity creation of about 25 Million Tonnes of specialty steel in the next 5 years.
SECURITY:
1. Agni Prime Missile
Why in news - Nuclear-capable “Agni Prime” ballistic missile cleard pre-induction test.
Key Points –
• Test carried out by - Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• Location – Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.
About Agni Prime –
• 2-stage canisterized solid propellant nuclear-capable ballistic missile.
• Canister mode benefit - rapid deployment, storage and mobility.
• Range - 1,000-2,000 km.
Value Addition –
• Agni series missiles - Part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Project (IGMDP) initiated by MoD in 1982.
2. MoUs on Submarine Project
Why in news - German and Indian companies signed an agreement that envisions the possible building of 6 military submarines for India.
Key Points –
• Aim - to engineer and design 6 non-nuclear submarines.
• Signed between - ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and Indian Mazagon Docks Ltd (MDL).
• To be built by - Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders.
• Presently the Indian submarine fleet has 16 conventional submarines, and 6 recently-built submarines (Project 75 ‘I’).
Strategic Partnership Model:
• It was done under India’s strategic partnership (SP) model.
• It envisages indigenous manufacturing of major defence platforms by an Indian strategic partner who will collaborate with a foreign original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to set up production facilities in the country.
3. Air Defender 2023 Exercise
Why in news - Germany is preparing to host the biggest air deployment exercise in NATO's history.
Key Points –
• To see 10,000 participants and 250 aircraft from 25 nations.
• Sweden and Japan are also taking part in the exercise.
REPORTS & INDICES:
1. Brand Finance Global 500 2023 List
Why in news – The list was released by Brand Finance.
Key Points –
• India’s most valuable brand –
(a) Tata Group ($26.4 billion)
(b) Infosys ($13 billion)
(c) LIC ($9.8 billion)
• This is the 1st time that an Indian brand has breached the brand value mark of $25 billion to feature in the top 100.
2. Tracking SDG7: The Energy Progress Report 2023
Why in news – The world is facing challenges in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) by 2030.
Key Points –
• Released by collaboration between the International Energy Agency (IEA), International Renewable Energy Agency, United Nations Statistics Division, World Bank, and the WHO.
• SDG 7 - Affordable and clean energy.
India’s Status –
• India is ‘On-Target’ to meeting universal access to electricity.
• In April 2018 India achieved its goal, ahead of schedule, of providing electricity to every village in India
BOOKS & AUTHORS:
1. Novel – “Ajay to Yogi Adityanath”
Why in news - Author Shantanu Gupta launched his new graphic novel – “Ajay to Yogi Adityanath” for young readers.
Key Points –
• It was launched in 51+ schools of Uttar Pradesh on June 5, the 51st birthday of Yogi Adityanath.
• In past Shantanu Gupta has written two bestselling titles on Yogi Adityanath
(a) The Monk Who Became Chief Minister.
(b) The Monk Who Transformed Uttar Pradesh.
POINTERS:
• World Bank has estimated India's GDP growth rate for FY-24 to be what percent - 6.3%.
• Which country has tested first autonomous flying taxi taxi – Israel.
• Nyay Vikas Portal has been created by which department to monitor the implementation of centrally sponsored scheme - Department of Justice.
• Which country has set a target of making women at least 30% directors in major farms by 2030 – Japan.
• Which bank has started UPI cash withdrawal facility at its ATMs - Bank of Baroda.
• Muthmiz Selvi has become the first woman from which state to climb Mount Everest - Tamil Nadu.
• Who has released the first 'Sustainability Report for FY 2021-22' on Environmental Responsibility - National Highways Authority of India.
• The central government has given permission to how many primary agricultural credit societies to open Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra (PMBJAK) - 2,000.
• Which state government has started 'Tiffin Pe Charcha' campaign to increase the working style of the party - Uttar Pradesh.
• Which medal has Sunil Kumar won in the decathlon of the Asian Under-20 Athletics Championships - Gold Medal.