NATIONAL:
1. Contentful Connectivity
Why in news - Microsoft and AirJaldi signed a 3-year MoU to advance access to high-speed internet and meaningful connectivity.
Key Points –
• AirJaldi is a leading innovator and implementer of technically and economically viable internet connectivity solutions for rural areas.
• Target states (in next 3 years) - Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
• To increase the number of network locations from 40 to 62 in 12 states.
• Activities - face-to-face training, online sessions and online Learning Management System (LMS) courses delivered through the Microsoft Community Training platform.
• Microsoft Airband initiative - to bring transformative connectivity to underserved communities around the world.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Atlantic Declaration
Why in news – The US and Britain have announced a new strategic pact called “Atlantic Declaration” reaffirming their “special relationship”.
Key Points –
• Aim - to enhance industry collaboration in defense and renewable energy sectors in response to China’s growing competition.
• Focus area - Civil Nuclear partnership, Artificial Intelligence, Critical minerals etc.
• UK-US “Data Bridge” - The declaration includes a commitment in principle to a UK-US “data bridge” that facilitates the transfer of data between British and US businesses without unnecessary bureaucracy.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. 'Har Ghar Jal' Program
Why in news – WHO report highlighted the significant impact of 'Har Ghar Jal' program on public health and economic savings.
Key Points –
• Safe drinking water benefits –
(a) Avert nearly 400,000 deaths caused by diarrheal diseases.
(b) Prevent 14 million Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) related to these diseases.
(c) Cost savings - upto $101 billion.
• India’s Achievements –
(a) increase in rural tap water connections from 16.64% in 2019 to 62.84% in a span of 3.5 years.
(b) In 2023 so far, on average, one tap connection has been provided every second.
(c) Mission’s approved cost of INR 3,600 billion (US $ 43,62 billion) stands recovered twice over due to 13.8 million DALYs averted valued at US$ $ 100.8 billion.
About 'Har Ghar Jal' program (August 15, 2019) –
• Implemented by - Jal Jeevan Mission under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• Aim - to provide every rural household adequate supply of safe drinking water through taps.
• Aligned with the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (JMP) to monitor progress on SDG 6.
Value Addition –
• Geogenic contaminants - Arsenic, Fluoride, heavy metals, etc.
• Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) - A WHO initiative to provide safe drinking water, healthy livelihoods and proper sanitisation.
• SDG 6 - Clean water and sanitation for all
REPORTS & INDICES:
1. “The e-Conomy of a Billion Connected Indians” Report
Why in news – The report titled “The e-Conomy of a Billion Connected Indian” was released by Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company.
Key Points –
• Finding - India’s internet economy to soar to $1 trillion by 2030 ($175 billion in 2022).
• Internet share in India’s technology sector - 48% in 2023 (62% by 2030).
• Internet economy’s share on India’s GDP - 4-5% in 2023 (12-13% in 2030).
• Reasons –
(a) Widespread adoption of digital technology in Tier 2+ cities and beyond.
(b) Traditional businesses embracing digitization.
(c) Success of India’s homegrown digital public goods, also known as the ‘India Stack’.
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. Hypersonic Wind Tunnel
Why in news – China now has the world’s most powerful hypersonic wind tunnel named JF-22.
Key Points –
• JF-22 can simulate extreme flight conditions at Mach 30.
• Purpose - developing Beijing’s hypersonic weapons programme and passenger air travel.
• It can generate air flow speeds up to 10km (6.2 miles) per second.
• Molecular dissociation –
(a) At five times the speed of sound, air molecules around an aircraft begin to become highly compressed and heated.
(b) The air molecules break apart into their constituent atoms, which can then react with each other to form new chemicals.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Spinoza Prize
Why in news – Indian-origin scientist Joyeeta Gupta has been awarded the Spinoza Prize.
Key Points –
• It is the highest distinction in Dutch science.
• Referred to as the ‘Dutch Nobel Prize’.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. 21st World Day Against Child Labour 2023
Why in news – It is observed annually on June 12 since 2002.
Key Points –
• Theme - Social Justice for All. End Child Labour!
• Organized by - International Labour Organization (ILO).
• Highest child labour – Africa (20%), Asia and the Pacific (7%), Americas (5%), Europe and Central Asia (4%), the Arab States (3%).
• International Year for the Eradication of Child Labour – 2021.
About ILO –
• Established in 1919 by the Treaty of Versailles.
• Became the first specialized agency of UN in 1946.
• Only tripartite UN agency, bringing together governments, employers and workers representatives.
• Headquarters - Geneva, Switzerland.
• Received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1969.
• India is a founding member of the ILO and it has been a permanent member of the ILO Governing Body since 1922.
Value Addition –
• Article 24 if Indian Constitution - Prohibits the employment of children in factories, mines and other hazardous work.
• Article 39(f) - Childhood and youth are protected against exploitation
• Article 45 - Free and compulsory education for children up to the age of 6 years.
• National policy on child labour - 1987.
• Child Labour Act (Prohibition and Regulation) – 1986.
• PENCIL portal - Platform for Effective Enforcement for No Child Labour.
• SDG 8 - Decent work and economic growth.
• Convention 182 (1999) - Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour.
SECURITY:
1. 1st India, France and UAE Exercise
Why in news - The 1st edition of India, France and UAE Maritime Partnership Exercise held in the Gulf of Oman.
Key Points –
• It included surface warfare, helicopter cross-deck landing operations, advanced air defense exercises and boarding operations.
SPORTS:
1. ICC World Test Championship 2023
Why in news - Australia crowned 2023 ICC World Test Champions after defeating India.
Key Points –
• Australia secured a resounding 209-run victory over India.
• Venue – Oval, London.
2. French Open 2023
Why in news - Novak Djokovic (Serb) won his 23rd Grand Slam title with a victory over Casper Ruud (Norwegian) in French Open Final.
Key Points –
BIHAR:
1. A++ Grade
Why in news – Central University of South Bihar (CUSB), Bodh Gaya has become the first university in the state to receive an A++ grade.
Key Points –
• It is the highest in its grading scale, from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).
• Criteria - Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.51 to 4.00.
• It put CUSB on the list of elite institutions like the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru etc.
About CUSB (2009) -
• Previous name - Central University of Bihar (CUB).
• One of the 16 central universities set up by the central government under the Central Universities Act in 2009.
• Of all the central universities set up in 2009, CUSB is the only one that has got the highest grade to be in the list of high-performance institutions.
POINTERS:
• Which country will host the first global conference on 'Artificial Intelligence safety' – Britain.
• IRDAI has granted the certificate of registration to which new life insurer to carry life insurance business in India - Go Digit Life Insurance.
• Who has inaugurated the first-ever National Training Conclave at the International Exhibition and Convention Centre in Delhi's Pragati Maidan - PM Narendra Modi.
• In which state 'District Good Governance Index' has been released for the first time in north-east India - Arunachal Pradesh.
• Which is the most expensive city for expatriates, in India according to Mercer's Cost of Living survey – Mumbai.
• An indigenous innovative Rapid Haemoglobin Detection Test Kit named 'SenzHB' has been developed by whom - CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology.
• Which country will host the 71st edition of Miss World 2023 beauty pageant – India.
• Who will represent India in the Miss World pageant 2023 - Sini Shetty.
• ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) has signed an MoU with whom to empower farmers - Amazon Kisan.
• What is the position of India in the medal tally of ISSF Junior World Cup - 1st place.