NATIONAL:
1. EKAMRA Plan
Why in news – Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik laid the foundation stone for the Rs 280-crore EKAMRA project.
Key Points –
• Aim - for the development of areas surrounding the 11th-century Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar.
• It was launched in 2019, under the Ekamra Kshetra (ancient name of Bhubaneswar) Amenities and Monuments Revival Action (EKAMRA) plan.
About Lingaraj Temple –
• Dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• Constructed by King Jajati Keshari in the 10th Century. Completed by King Lalatendu Keshari in the 11th Century.
• Kalinga School of Temple Architecture.
• It signifies the syncretisation of Shaivism and Vaishnavism sects in Odisha.
2. Tele-MANAS Chatbot
Why in news – J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha launched India’s first Tele-MANAS chatbot in Jammu and Kashmir.
Key Points –
• Aim – to ensure 27X7 services of mental health counsellors, clinical psychologists and consultants.
• The Centre had in Budget 2022 announced the National Tele Mental Health Programme of India, Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS).
3. Global Crisis Response Group (GCRG)
Why in news - India has joined the Champions Group of the Global Crisis Response Group (GCRG).
Key Points –
• GCRG was set up by the UN Secretary-General in March 2022 to address urgent and critical global issues pertaining to interlinked crises in food security, energy, and finance.
• GCRG is overseen by the Champions Group comprising of HOS/ HOGs of Bangladesh, Barbados, Denmark, Germany, Indonesia and Senegal.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Flight PS752
Why in news - International Court of Justice (ICJ) indicted Iran for downing the Ukrainian passenger jet PS752 in 2020.
Key Points –
• The flight bound for Kyiv was shot down (human error) shortly after take-off from Tehran on January 8, 2020.
• Canada, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Ukraine tabled their case under the Montreal Convention.
• The Montreal Convention 1999 (MC99) establishes airline liability in the case of death or injury to passengers, as well as in cases of delay, damage or loss of baggage and cargo.
2. Dutch Government Collapsed
Why in news - Dutch PM Mark Rutte resigned over "insurmountable" differences about measures to curb migration.
Key Points –
• Rutte was the Netherlands' longest-serving leader.
3. Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC)
Why in news - Taiwan announced opening a new office (TECC) in Mumbai.
Key Points –
• Taiwan’s 3rd office in India, after Delhi (1995) and Chennai (2012).
• Under ‘China-Plus-one’ strategy i.e., encouraging businesses to expand their operations outside of China while maintaining their presence in China.
Value Addition –
• India adheres to the One-China policy.
• Taiwan has established TECC in India to conduct business here.
• In the absence of an embassy, they represent Taiwan’s interests in India.
• Its office in Delhi functions as an embassy, the center in Chennai operates as a consulate.
• Taiwan produces close to 70% of the world’s semiconductors and over 90% of the most advanced chips.
• India and Taiwan bilateral trade - USD 8.9 billion (2021).
• Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy - to enhance cooperation and exchange between Taiwan and 18 countries in Southeast Asia, South Asia and Australasia.
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. 67th Travel Agents Association of India 2023 (TAAI)
Why in news – TAAI convention held in Colombo (Sri Lanka) from July 6-9, 2023.
Key Points –
• Theme - Transcending Borders, Transforming Lives.
• It was held after an 18-year hiatus.
• The Cultural Cooperation Agreement was signed by the Governments of India and Sri Lanka in 1977.
SCIENCE -TECH:
1. Threads Platform
Why in news - Meta launched a new microblogging platform called Threads.
Key Points –
• It is a text-based social messaging app in which users can post short messages that others can like, share, and comment upon.
• It is built on the Instagram network.
• It is seen as a direct rival to Twitter, Mastodon, and Bluesky.
2. Starlink
Why in news - Mongolia has granted two licenses to SpaceX allowing millions of internet users in Mongolia to access high-speed connection via Starlink.
Key Points –
• Starlink has built a fast-growing network of more than 3,500 satellites in low-Earth orbit that can provide connectivity in remote areas.
SECURITY:
1. 7th JIMEX 23
Why in news - The bilateral Japan-India Maritime Exercise 2023 (JIMEX 23) was held at/ off Visakhapatnam from July 05 -10, 2023.
Key Points –
• It is the 11th anniversary of JIMEX, since its inception in 2012.
• 2 phases - Harbour phase and sea phase.
• India's first indigenously built Guided Missile Destroyer INS Delhi participated.
SPORTS:
1. FIH Hockey Pro League
Why in news - The Netherlands Men’s Hockey Team (35 points) won their 2nd FIH Hockey Pro League title.
Key Points –
• Defeated Belgium by 4-2 in the final.
• Netherlands - 1st team in the men’s competition to win a second title.
• Indian men’s hockey team finished 4th (30 points).
BIHAR:
1. Gandak-Ganga River Link
Why in news - The Gandak-Ganga river interlinking scheme would be started soon.
Key Points –
• Beneficiary districts - Gopalganj, Siwan and Saran.
• A 170 km long link channel would be constructed.
• Coverage - Gandak river near Hirapakad in Gopalganj to Ganga river near Haispur in Saran district.
2. Barh Super Thermal Power Project (STPP)
Why in news - NTPC Ltd has commissioned the 660 megawatt (MW) unit-2 of the stage-I (3 x 660 MW) of the plant.
Key Points –
• Bihar’s share - 58% electricity (383 MW). Remaining share - Jharkhand, Odisha and Sikkim.
• Bihar’s average daily scheduled power share from NTPC plants increased to 6943 MW (current - 6560 MW).
• Total generation capacity of the Barh plant increased to 2640 MW (current -1,980 MW). [targeted installed capacity - 3,300 MW (5 x 660MW)].
• The Barh plant presently supplies 1,526 MW electricity to Bihar that will now go up to 1,909 MW.
• The NTPC supplies around 90% of the state’s average daily power requirement (6,000 MW and 6,500 MW).
POINTERS:
• With whom has the Directorate General of Civil Aviation signed MoU for cooperation in Unmanned Aircraft Systems - European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
• Who has been named the chairman of BCCI's senior men's selection committee - Ajit Agarkar.
• Which union minister has launched the 'India 6G Alliance' in New Delhi - Ashwini Vaishnav.
• Which country will ban Mobile phones, tablets and smartwatches in classrooms – Netherlands.
• Which mobile App was launched by Ministry of Rural Development to be used as a more effective platform for marketing of the products made by women of self-help groups - eSARAS App.
• Which country has announced the establishment of a new Ministry of Investment, for developing the investment vision of the country - United Arab Emirates (UAE).
• Who has become the first woman player from Assam to make it to the Indian women's cricket team - Uma Chhetri.
• Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is negotiating with how many countries to join the organization – 4 (Azerbaijan, Malaysia, Brunei, and Mexico).
• A 269-member tri-services contingent of the Indian armed forces participated in the Bastille Day parade in which country – France.
• Which city will host the ‘India-Africa International Millet Conference’ in August 2023 – Nairobi (Kenya).