NATIONAL:
1. Uniform Civil Code (UCC)
Why in news - 22nd Law Commission of India sought the views of religious organizations and the public on the issue of UCC.
Key Points –
• 22nd Law Commission chairman - Ritu Raj Awasthi (former Karnataka HC Chief Justice).
• 21st Law Commission (2018) said that it is “neither necessary nor desirable at this stage” to have a Uniform Civil Code.
About UCC –
• Article 44 - State shall endeavor to secure a UCC for citizens throughout the territory of India.
• One law for the entire country for all religious communities, in their personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption etc.
• Currently, Separate laws govern Hindus (Sikhs, Jains and Buddhist), Muslims, Christians etc.
• In Goa, all religions have a common law regarding marriages, divorces, and adoption.
Value Addition –
• Lex Loci Report (1840) – It emphasized the need and necessity of uniformity in the codification of Indian law, particularly in the areas of crimes, proof, and contract.
• B N Rau Committee (1941) - to examine the question of the necessity of common Hindu laws.
• Supreme court cases related to UCC - Ms Jordan Diengdeh case (1985), Shah Bano Case (1985), Sarla Mudgal Vs Union of India (1995), Daniel Latifi Case (2001), John Vallamathon Vs Union of India (2013), Shayara Bano case (2017).
2. Nehru Memorial Museum & Library (NMML)
Why in news - The name of Nehru Memorial Museum & Library (NMML) was changed to Prime Ministers’ Museum & Library (PMML).
Key Points –
• It is situated in the Teen Murti Complex which was the official residence of Jawaharlal Nehru for 16 years.
• It was turned into a memorial dedicated to him in 1964 by then-President S Radhakrishnan.
• It was built in 1929-30 as part of Edwin Lutyens’ imperial capital.
• Earlier it was known as Flagstaff House and was the official residence of the Commander-in-Chief of the British armed forces in India.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Black Sea Grain Deal
Why in news - President Vladimir Putin said that Russia was considering withdrawing from the Black Sea grain deal.
Key Points –
• The United Nations and Turkey brokered the Black Sea Grain Initiative July 2022.
• Aim – to tackle a global food crisis worsened by Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and blockade of its Black Sea ports.
• It allows food and fertilizer (ammonia) to be exported from 3 Ukrainian ports – Chornomorsk, Odesa and Pivdennyi (Yuzhny).
• Russian exports of food and fertilizer are not subject to Western sanctions (payments, logistics and insurance are sanctioned).
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Miyawaki Forests
Why in news - PM Narendra Modi during his latest ‘Mann ki Baat episode spoke about Miyawaki plantation.
Key Points –
• Practised in India in Kerala and Maharashtra (Mumbai).
• Benefits - fight climate change, curb pollution levels, and increase the green cover.
About Miyawaki Forests -
• Japanese method of creating dense urban forests in a small area.
• Developed in the 1970s.
• Create dense urban forests in a small area.
• Method - Planting two to four different types of indigenous trees within every square metre.
• Trees become self-sustaining and they grow to their full length within three years.
• Common indigenous plants used - Anjan, Amala, Bel, Arjun and Gunj.
2. “Fish kill” Phenomenon
Why in news - Thousands of dead fish washed up on multiple beaches of southeast Texas, USA due to a phenomenon called “fish kill”.
Key Points –
• Dead fish include – Menhaden, sharks, trout, bass, catfish and stingrays.
About “Fish Kill” –
• Sudden and unexpected death of many fish or other aquatic animals over a short period.
• Reason - Mainly due to low levels of dissolved oxygen in the water that causes suffocation of the fish.
• Causes –
(a) Warm water - Oxygen dissolves easily in colder water in comparison to warmer water.
(b) Calm seas - One of the ways for oxygen to enter the water is by mixing with wind and waves.
(c) Cloudy skies - Phytoplankton are unable to carry out the process of photosynthesis resulting in decreased dissolved oxygen concentration.
Value Addition –
• Dissolved Oxygen (DO) - The higher amounts of waste increase the rates of decomposition and O2 consumption thereby decreases the DO content of water.
• Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) - Amount of dissolved oxygen needed by bacteria in decomposing the organic wastes. Higher value of BOD indicates low DO content of water.
• Chemical oxygen demand (COD) - Amount of oxygen (in ppm) required to oxidize organic (biodegradable and non-biodegradable) and oxidizable inorganic compounds in the water.
SECURITY:
1. Predator UAVs (MQ-9 UAV)
Why in news - Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the procurement of 31 MQ-9s Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) from the USA.
Key Points –
• India is buying UAVs from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) at a cost of over $3 billion.
About Predator UAV –
• Manufactured by - General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI), USA.
• Provides long-endurance (>27 hours), persistent surveillance (operate up to 50,000 feet), and strike capability (1,746 kg payload) for the warfighter.
• Sea Guardian - Maritime variant of the MQ-9 UAV
REPORTS & INDICES:
1. 12th Digital News Report 2023
Why in news - Digital News Report 2023 was released by Reuters Institute.
Key Points –
• Most trusted electronic media organizations in India - DD India and All India Radio.
• India’s rank in trust level – 24th.
• Trust Level –
(a) Highest - Finland (69%).
(b) Lowest - Greece (19%).
• There is a small decrease of 3 percentage points in overall trust in news.
• Facebook - One of the most-used social networks overall, but its influence on journalism is declining.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Gandhi Peace Prize 2021
Why in news - Gita Press, Gorakhpur, has been selected for the Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2021.
Key Points –
• Reason - Outstanding contribution towards social, economic and political transformation through non-violent methods.
• The prize was instituted by the government in 1995 to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
• Last year winner - Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (former Bangladesh president).
About Gita Press (1923) –
• Publisher of Hindu religious texts.
• Its monthly magazine - Kalyan, started in 1926.
• Publishes in 15 languages.
• The Gita Press campus was inaugurated by then-President Rajendra Prasad in April 1955.
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. Phosphorus on Enceladus
Why in news – Phosphorus has been discovered Saturn's moon Enceladus.
Key Points –
• NASA's Cassini spacecraft shows icy grains spewed into space as geysers from the interior ocean of Enceladus.
• NASA's Cassini spacecraft is the first to the planet.
• For the first time Phosphorus has been discovered in an ocean beyond Earth.
• Enceladus is the 6th largest among Saturn's 146 known natural satellites.
• 62 new moons were discovered orbiting Saturn in May 2023. Became the 1st planet with over 100 satellites.
• Phosphorus is a fundamental unit of the structure of DNA and RNA and, a vital part of cell membranes and energy-carrying molecules.
BIHAR:
1. Dr. Anugrah Narayan Sinha Jayanti
Why in news – Bihar Vibhuti Dr. Anugrah Narayan Singh's 135th birth anniversary celebrated on June 18, 2023.
Key Points –
• He was born on June 18, 1887 at Poiawa in Aurangabad district.
• He did a great job in the creation of modern Bihar earning him the title “Bihar Vibhuti”.
• He accompanied Gandhiji in Champaran satyagraha.
• In December 1920, he participated in the annual session of the Congress held in Nagpur.
POINTERS:
• In which state the state cabinet has withdrawn the anti-conversion law proposed by previous government – Karnataka.
• Which district has won the best district award in the 4th National Water Awards - Ganjam (Odisha).
• Which state has been awarded for achieving the Highest Wind Capacity addition during the financial year 2022-23 – Rajasthan.
• In which state India's largest natural arch made 184 million years ago has been discovered by GSI – Odisha.
• Which state's Chief Minister has launched Fintech Cities and intech Tower to create 90,000 jobs in the state - Tamil Nadu.
• In which country the first women's Kabaddi League has been inaugurated – UAE.
• The Chief Minister of which state has renamed the jails as 'Reform Homes' - Uttar Pradesh.
• The third Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) class ship 'Anjadeep' has been launched in which city – Chennai.
• Britain has appointed Jane Marriott as the first female envoy to which country - Pakistan.
• Which day is celebrated all over the world on 18th June 2023 - Autistic Pride Day.