NATIONAL:
1. Bedti-Varada River Interlinking Project
Why in news - Environmental groups in Karnataka have criticized the project calling it unscientific and a waste of public money.
Key Points –
• The plan aims to link the Bedti (drain into the Arabian Sea) with the Varada (a tributary of the Tungabhadra river).
• It was envisaged in 1992 to pump about 524 million cubic meters of water from Sirsi in Uttara Kannada to the arid regions of Raichur and Koppal districts.
• Dams to be built at - Hirevadatti (Gadag district), Menasagoda (Sirsi, Uttara Kannada district).
2. Garuda Aerospace
Why in news - India's Garuda Aerospace has teamed up with Malayasia-based HiiLSE Drones to invest Rs 115 crore in Malaysia to set up a 2.42-hectare drone factory.
Key Points –
• Mahendra Singh Dhoni is a shareholder and brand ambassador for the company.
• Founder and CEO of Garuda Aerospace - Agnishwar Jayaprakash.
INTERNATIONAL:
1.G7 Summit 2022
Why in news - PM Narendra Modi attended the 48th G7 Summit (June 26-27) in Munich, Germany.
Key Points –
• Special invitees - Argentina, India, Indonesia, Senegal, South Africa and Ukraine.
• G7 chair 2022 - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
• Britain, the United States, Japan and Canada agreed to ban on new Russian gold imports.
• The G7 leaders launched ‘The Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment’ to raise $600 billion for developing countries to counter China's growing influence.
About G7:
• Members - Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.
• G6 was founded in 1975 by France, West Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Canada joined in 1976.
• First G7 summit took place in Puerto Rico (USA) in 1976.
• Russia joined in 1997 and became the G-8.
• Russia was ousted as a member in 2014 and again became G-7.
2. Zuljanah
Why in news - Iran has tested its Zuljanah satellite launcher for a second time.
Key Points –
• It is capable of putting payloads weighing up to 220 kg into the orbit at an altitude of 500 km.
• In March, Iran launched military satellite Noor 2 into orbit.
3. Yagon-35
Why in news - Three new remote sensing satellites were successfully launched by China as part of the Yaogan-35 family.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. National MSME Award 2022
Why in news - Ministry of MSME (GoI) has announced National Awards 2022 for the MSMEs.
Key Points –
• MSMEs department of Odisha has been awarded first prize in the category National MSME Award 2022 to States/UTs for outstanding contribution.
• ‘National MSME Award 2022 to Aspirational districts for outstanding contribution in the promotion and development of MSME Sector’ – Kalahandi (3rd prize).
2. Golden Achievement Award
Why in news - India’s Vijay Amritraj has been named the 2021 recipient of the Golden Achievement Award.
Key Points –
• Awarded by the International Tennis Hall of Fame and International Tennis Federation.
APPOINTMENTS:
1. Shyam Saran
Why in news - Former foreign secretary Shyam Saran appointed as the new president of the India International Centre. He succeeded N N Vohra.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Siren for Elephants
Why in news - The Odisha forest department plans to install automatic sirens near its national highway to protect elephants from accidents.
Key Points –
• The sensor-based sirens would alert drivers within a distance of up to 1 km.
• Initiative by ‘Change’ and Dhenkanal Forest Department.
• First siren tower is located along Dhenkanal-Anugul NH 55.
2. Udaipur’s ‘Bird Village’
Why in news – Menar village in Udaipur district is set to be notified as Rajasthan’s new wetland.
Key Points –
• Brahma and Dhandh lakes in the village host a large number of migratory birds during the winter season.
• It will help in getting the Ramsar site status under the Ramsar convention, 1971.
• Both freshwater lakes would get protection under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2019.
• Keoladeo Ghana (Bharatpur) and Sambhar Salt (Jaipur) lake are two Ramsar sites in Rajasthan.
OBITUARIES:
1. Zhang Jun
Why in news – Chinese paid emotional tribute to Zhang Jun (1933-2012), China’s legendary dancer of Bharatanatyam, Kathak and Odissi.
SPORTS:
1. Ranji Trophy 2022
Why in news – Madhya Pradesh won their maiden Ranji Trophy title beating 41-time champion Mumbai by 6 wickets in the final.
Key Points –
• Venue - M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
• MP captain - Aditya Shrivastava, Coach - Chandrakant Pandit.
• Man of the Tournament - Sarfaraz Khan (Mumbai). Scored 982 runs at an average of 122.75.
• Mumbai has won this tournament the most by 41 times.
• The competition is named after the first Indian cricketer Ranjit Singh, who played international cricket.
BIHAR:
1. 4th National Wheel Chair Rugby Championship 2022
Why in news – The national event concluded at Patliputra Sports Complex indoor stadium, Patna.
Key Points –
• Karnataka won the championship title defeating Bihar by 19-16.
• Top 3 – Karnataka (1st), Bihar (2nd), Haryana (3rd).
• Education Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary handed over the trophy to the Karnataka Wheelchair Rugby team.
2. Amrit Sarovar
Why in news – 2852 Amrit Sarovar would be developed in all 38 districts of Bihar.
Key Points –
• Construction work on 1050 ponds have been started.
• Development of 75-75 ponds is to be done on an average at state level under MNREGA scheme.
• Maximum – Katihar (101 ponds), Minimum – Sheohar (27).
3. India Today MDR 2022 Survey
Why in news – India Today MDR 2022 survey prepared data on top educational institutions in the country.
Key Points –
• In arts category, Patna Women's College got the first rank in the eastern region (30th in country).
• In Science category, AN College ranked first in Bihar (42nd in country).
POINTERS:
• The country which has been retained in the 'Grey List' of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) – Pakistan.
• Recently, fast bowler Katherine Brunt of which country has announced retirement from Test cricket – England.
• The player who has recently become the oldest Indian player to score T20 half-century - Dinesh Karthik.
• Recently, the city in which India has approved the establishment of BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Center- Colombo, Sri Lanka.
• Who has recently won gold medal in Under-15 Asian Junior Squash Championship - Anahat Singh.
• Recently, the BJP-led NDA has nominated whom for the Presidential election- Draupadi Murmu.
• Recently, which the organization has approved a loan of $ 245 million to modernize the freight and logistics infrastructure of the Indian Railways - World Bank.
• The leading Indian-American legal expert has been named General Counsel in the Department of Veterans Affairs by US President Joe Biden - Anjali Chaturvedi.
• CPCB has prepared to ban how many items related to Single Use Plastic (SUP) from July 1– 19.
• Recently, which country has successfully launched 'Nuri Rocket' - South Korea.