NATIONAL:
1. Speaker’s Power in MLAs Defection
Why in news - The Supreme Court granted interim relief to rebel MLAs of the Shiv Sena raises questions about the powers of the Speaker under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution.
Key points –
• The Tenth Schedule (anti-defection law,1985) gives the Speaker of the House the power to disqualify legislators who ‘defect’ from the party.
• Kihoto Hollohan versus Zachillhu 1992 case – SC upheld the power vested in the Speaker and said that only the final order of the Speaker will be subjected to judicial review. Judicial review cannot be available at prior stage.
• Nabam Rebia v Bemang Felix case 2016 case – SC held that it is ‘constitutionally impermissible’ for a speaker to proceed with disqualification proceedings, if a no-confidence motion against him is pending.
• Keisham Meghachandra Singh v the Hon’ble Speaker Manipur Legislative Assembly & Ors. 2020 case – SC suggested an independent tribunal to substitute the Speaker while dealing with disqualification petitions under the anti-defection law.
2. Uranium in Rajasthan
Why in news - Huge reserves of uranium has been found at Rohil (Khandela Tehsil) in Sikar district, Rajasthan and issued a letter of intent (LoI) to Uranium Corporation of India for excavation.
Key points –
• After Jharkhand (Jadugoda) and Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan is the third state where Uranium has been found.
• Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (Hq - Hyderabad) is mandated to identify and evaluate uranium resources for the indigenous nuclear power program.
• Largest uranium producers - Kazakhstan, Canada and Australia.
• Other producers - Niger, Russia, Namibia, Uzbekistan, the US and Ukraine.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. BRICS Expansion
Why in news - Iran and Argentina have applied to join the BRICS bloc after the summit.
Key points –
• Saudi Arabia too expressed interest to join the grouping.
• At the14th summit (June 23) the BRICS leader made a unanimous voice on the expansion of the BRICS mechanism.
2. Scotland’s Second Referendum
Why in news - Scottish parliament would publish an independence referendum bill to vote on secession on Oct 19, 2023.
Key points –
• Earlier voters in Scotland rejected independence in 2014.
• UK PM Boris Johnson has refused to issue a ‘Section 30’ order which allows Scotland to hold an independence referendum on the subject of Scotland becoming an independent country.
Difference between UK, Great Britain and England
• United Kingdom (UK) - Political unit consisting of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
• Great Britain - Geographical term referring to the island simply known as Britain.
• England - A country within the United Kingdom.
3. Partners in the Blue Pacific (PBP) Initiative
Why in news - To reinforce its Indo-Pacific strategy, the USA announced a new Partners in Blue Pacific (PBP) initiative.
Key points –
• It is a 5-nation ‘informal mechanism’ to support Pacific islands.
• Members – US, Australia, New Zealand, UK and Japan.
• Earlier, US and its partners started the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF).
4. Nazi Trials
Why in news - A German court sentenced Josef S (101¬ years ¬old) to five years in prison. He assisted murder of some 3,500 people at the Sachsenhausen concentration camp.
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)
Why in news - The 26th CHOGM held in Kigali Rwanda from June 22-25, 2022.
Key points –
• External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar led the Indian delegation.
• Theme – ‘Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming’.
• It was the first summit that was held in a country that is not a former British colony or dominion or the United Kingdom itself.
• Togo (55th) and Gabon (56th) joined the commonwealth as members despite never having been under British rule. Both were French colonies.
• Before this, Rwanda was the last country to join the Commonwealth in 2009.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Miss India Worldwide 2022
Why in news - Khushi Patel (from the United Kingdom) has won the Miss India Worldwide title 2022.
Key points -
• 1st runner up - Vaidehi Dongre (USA), 2nd runner up - Shrutika Mane.
• Roshani Razack from Guyana was declared Miss Teen India Worldwide 2022.
• India Festival Committee (IFC) organised the event.
APPOINTMENTS:
1. Akash Ambani
Why in news - Mukesh Ambani has resigned from the board of Reliance Jio handing over reigns to Akash Ambani.
Key points -
• He will be Chairman of the Board of Directors.
• Mukesh Ambani will continue to be the Chairman of Jio Platforms Ltd that owns all Jio digital services brands including Reliance Jio Infocomm.
2. Nitin Gupta
Why in news - Nitin Gupta has been appointed as the new chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT).
3. Mohammed Jalood
Why in news - Mohammed Jalood (Iraq) has been elected as the new President of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF). He became the first Asian to become the President of IWF.
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. Hermit Spyware
Why in news - Hermit is reportedly the new Android spyware that is being used by the governments to target high-profile officials.
Key points -
• It was first spotted in Kazakhstan in April 2022.
• It was likely developed by Italian spyware vendor RCS Lab and Tykelab Srl.
• Hermit is distributed via SMS messages
• Other spywares – Pegasus, Candiru.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. National Statistics Day 2022
Why in news – The day is celebrated every year on June 29 to mark the birth anniversary of late Prof Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis.
Key points -
• He was born on June 29, 1893 in Calcutta and is known as the father of Indian statistics.
• He invented a formula called ‘Mahalanobis Distance’ widely used in the field of cluster analysis and classification.
• He established the Indian Statistical Institute in Calcutta on December 17, 1931.
• He was a member of the Planning Commission of India from 1955 to 1967. The second Five-Year Plan was based on the Mahalanobis model.
OBITUARIES:
1. Pallonji Mistry
Why in news - Pallonji Mistry, the Indian-born billionaire, has passed away in Mumbai.
Key points –
• His landmark projects include RBI, Oberoi Hotel (Mumbai) and the blue-and-gold Al Alam palace for the Sultan of Oman.
• According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index – His net worth is $29 billion.
• He was the largest individual shareholder (18.4%) in the Tata Group.
• He surrendered his Indian nationality and became an Irish citizen in 2003.
2. Varinder Singh
Why in news - Indian hockey stalwart and member of the gold medal-winning 1975 World Cup team, Varinder Singh passed away.
3. V. Krishnamurthy
Why in news - Former chairman of SAIL and Maruti Udyog Limited, V. Krishnamurthy, passed away.
FESTIVALS:
1. Ambubachi Mela
Why in news – It has been organized at the Kamakhya temple (Nilachal Hills) in Guwahati, Assam.
Key points –
• It marks the annual menstruation of the presiding Goddess in the temple.
• It is one of 51 shakti peethas or holy sites for the followers of the Shakti cult.
• According to the legends, it was built by Narakasura but records show Koch king Naranarayana rebuilt the temple in 1565.
• The attainment of womanhood in Assam is celebrated with a ritual called Tuloni Biya, meaning a small wedding.
BIHAR:
1. Ayushman Bharat
Why in news – Under the scheme, 3,98,531 people of the state have got free treatment.
Key points –
• Till May 31, 2022, 35,03,410 families (total beneficiaries – 75,57,002) have been issued Ayushman card.
• 606 government and 363 private colleges have been listed.
• Total Ayushman card to be made for 1,08,95,000 families. (Rural – 1,00,29,655 and Urban – 8,65,521).
2. Anti-Narcotics Task Force
Why in news – On the guidelines of Union Home ministry, Anti-narcotics task force has been constituted afresh.
Key points –
• It would work under the leadership of ADG or IG of the Economic Offences Unit (EOU).
• Other members –
A. One SP or ASP
B. Two DSPs
C. Two Inspectors
D. Four Sub- Inspectors
E. Four computer educated constables
F. 4-6 armed forces
• It would work as secretariat of the Central Agency Narco Coordination Centre.
• 23-member committee headed by Chief Secretary would monitor the drug trafficking and national policy related to it.
3. New Health Centers
Why in news – Health Minister Mangal Pandey said that 1544 health centers are to be constructed in 38 districts of the state.
Key points –
• Also, Physiotherapy Registration Council will be formed within a month.
4. Startup of the year Award
Why in news – Dr Ajay Kumar has been honored at an event held in Bihar Vidyapeeth.
Key points –
• His initiative ‘Cognosmed Laboratories Private Limited’ won the ‘Startup of the year award’ at the India Business summit, Mumbai.
POINTERS:
• The Defense Ministry has approved the setting up of 'BRO Cafes' at - 75 locations.
• Which organization has set standards for Electric Vehicle (EV) batteries - Bureau of Indian Standards.
• Government of India to transfer Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances from Ministry of Finance which ministry - Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Who approved $245 million loan for Railway Logistics Project - World Bank.
• Which has become the first state in the country to launch Night Navigation Mobile App in rivers –Assam.
• Which integrated one-stop solution has been launched by Indian Railways for passengers? – Rail Madad.
• Which mission has been launched by the Indian Railways to track the lost luggage of the passengers – Amanat.
• PM Narendra Modi launched the historic torch relay for the 44th Chess Olympiad on Sunday at - Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi.
• 'Operation Sankalp' is associated with which armed force - Indian navy.
• Which state replaced Bihar and West Bengal to become the largest state in terms of outstanding portfolio of microfinance loans - Tamil Nadu.