Published on: June 25, 2024
Snippets : 25 JUNE 2024
Snippets : 25 JUNE 2024
- Tapan Kumar Deka, known as the ‘superspy’ with commendable expertise in handling terrorism and radicalisation related cases, was given a one-year extension till June 2025 as the chief of the Intelligence Bureau (IB)
- The rise of the “Hamster Kombat” app in Iran highlights the economic desperation among Iranians, driven by Western sanctions, high inflation, and unemployment, ahead of the presidential election to replace the late President Ebrahim Raisi. The app’s popularity reflects a broader cryptocurrency craze as people seek alternative ways to secure financial stability amidst the rapid depreciation of the Iranian rial and soaring living costs. Despite promises from presidential candidates, many Iranians, facing significant economic hardship, are turning to cryptocurrency apps like “Hamster Kombat” out of hope for financial gain, despite uncertainties about the app’s legitimacy and developers.
- The seven-member high- level committee to reform the working of the National Testing Agency (NTA) constituted by the Education Ministry had its first meeting in New Delhi.
- World No. 1 Jannik Sinner won his first-ever grasscourt tournament, beating former champion Hubert Hurkacz 7-6(8), 7-6(2), in the Wimbledon warm-up ATP tournament in Halle, Germany
- Tommy Paul defeated Lorenzo Musetti 6-1, 7-6(8) to win the Queen’s Club tennis final in London. Victory gave the fifth-seeded American his third ATP tour title but first on grass.
- A team of scientists from Assam, Odisha, China, and the United Kingdom have developed a water-repellent catalyst that can cut the cost of producing “environmentally benign” biodiesel substantially from the current levels.
- Recently, Indian botanists and researchers have discovered two new species of plants from two bio-geographic hotspots of the country the Andaman and Nicobar islands and Arunachal Pradesh. Researchers discovered two new plant species namely Dendrophthoe longensis(from Andaman and Nicobar islands) and Petrocosmea arunachalense (from Arunachal Pradesh)
- The Karnataka government recently cleared a proposal of the Centre for reviving gold mining and auctioning of 13 tailing dumps at Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) by the Bharat Gold Mines Ltd. (BGML)
- The ‘India Africa Postal Leaders Meet’ aims to strengthen Indo-Africa ties in the postal sector, showcasing India’s successful postal service model. Delegates from 22 African countries are participating, focusing on capacity building and collaboration for sustainable development and financial inclusion. The event aligns with India’s broader initiatives for global cooperation, emphasizing the role of technology in postal services.. The summit received appreciation for fostering mutual learning and enhancing the global postal network, emphasizing shared goals for postal sector development in the Global South.
- The Ministry of Coal has launched India’s first pilot project for Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) in Jharkhand, aiming to convert coal into valuable gases for industrial use. This innovative initiative by Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) seeks to revolutionize the coal industry by utilizing in-situ coal gasification technology. The project, located at the Kasta coal block in Jamtara District, is expected to produce gases like methane, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide for various applications. This strategic move aligns with the Ministry’s efforts to diversify the coal sector and promote advanced coal gasification technologies. The project’s success could unlock economically unviable coal resources, showcasing India’s leadership in sustainable energy utilization. Supported by comprehensive policy frameworks and collaboration with international partners, the pilot project demonstrates India’s commitment to energy security and environmental sustainability through innovative coal utilization practices
- India is hosting the 64th ISO Council Meeting in New Delhi from June 25th to 27th, 2024. Delegates from over 30 countries and international organizations are participating to discuss critical issues in the sugar and biofuel sector. India, as the world’s largest consumer and second-largest producer of sugar, has been nominated as the Chair of the ISO for 2024. The meeting includes an industrial tour, workshops, and committee meetings focusing on the sugar and biofuel industry’s future perspectives, sustainability, and farmers’ roles. The event also aims to strengthen the Global Biofuel Alliance, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to promote sustainable biofuels globally. Through diverse activities and discussions, India’s leadership and commitment to the sugar and biofuel sectors are highlighted during this week-long programme
- The Bengaluru Climate Action Cell, formed by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) six months ago, is implementing the Bengaluru Climate Action Plan (BCAP). This initiative collaborates with NGOs and knowledge organizations and engages citizens through the “Friends of the Climate Action Cell” program. Key initiatives include tech-driven projects like Mapathon and surveys to identify green spaces and open wells, and a fellowship program for young professionals. The BCAP, adopted in November 2023, aims for carbon neutrality by 2050, addressing urban heat, flooding, and air pollution. Bengaluru co-leads the C40 Cities Global Air Quality Network and has a target to reduce carbon emissions by 2030. The plan involves multiple stakeholders and sectors, with consultancy from the World Resources Institute (WRI).
- The Kerala Assembly has passed a resolution urging the Centre to rename the state as ‘Keralam’ in the Constitution. This aligns with the historical demand for a united Kerala for Malayalam-speaking communities. The resolution requests a constitutional amendment to change the state’s name in the First Schedule and reflect it in all languages listed in the Eighth Schedule. The renaming process requires parliamentary approval under Articles 3 and 4, starting with a bill introduced in Parliament upon the President’s recommendation. The President sends the bill to the state assembly for its views, followed by parliamentary deliberation and approval by a simple majority. Finally, the bill receives Presidential assent to become law. States can initiate renaming proposals, which the Home Ministry processes before preparing a note for the Union Cabinet and introducing a Constitution Amendment Bill in Parliament.
- The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) received the 2024 Blue Planet Prize from Japan’s Asahi Glass Foundation. Established in 2012, IPBES aims to enhance the science-policy interface for biodiversity and ecosystem services, providing objective scientific assessments and tools for sustainable use. Inspired by the IPCC and Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, it is not a UN body but is supported by UNEP, with membership including countries like India. The IPBES Secretariat is located in Bonn, Germany. The Blue Planet Prize, which includes a $500,000 award, honors significant scientific research contributions addressing global environmental challenges.
- Chang’e-6 is the first spacecraft to return samples from the far side of the Moon. The far side, with its thicker crust and more craters, differs significantly from the near side. Scientific exploration of these samples aims to uncover mysteries about the Moon’s origin and evolution. The 53-day mission included phases of orbiting, landing, sampling, and returning. The lander targeted the South Pole-Aitken basin, using scooping and drilling techniques to collect samples. These samples are expected to provide insights into the Moon’s interior and the differences between its sides
