INTERNATIONAL NEWS

International Year of Quantum Science and Technology

The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.

The United Nations can declare one or more themes as the focus of an International Year in order to promote, through awareness and action, the objectives of the theme.

2025 marks 100 years since the publication of a paper by the German physicist Werner Heisenberg, which laid the foundation for quantum mechanics.

To recognise this momentous scientific event, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) General Conference in November 2023 passed a resolution requesting that the United Nations declare 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.

The African country Ghana submitted a resolution,co-sponsored by six other countries in the United Nations General Assembly, to declare 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.

Quantum mechanics is a fundamental theory in physics that describes the behaviour of nature at the sub-atomic level.

 

ECONOMY

World Bank Retains India’s FY25 Growth Forecast at 6.6%

In its latest biannual Global Economic Prospects, the World Bank maintains India’s growth projection at 6.6% for FY25.

The forecast reflects a moderate pace of expansion following a high growth rate in FY 2023/24.

Over the subsequent three fiscal years, India is expected to sustain an average growth of 6.7%, with projections of 6.7% for FY26 and 6.8% for FY27.

The RBI’s upward revision of growth projection for FY25 to 7.2% underscores optimistic prospects driven by various factors.

These include the forecast of an above-normal southwest monsoon, expected to boost agricultural production and rural consumption.

Additionally, buoyancy in services activity, coupled with robust investment sentiment, is anticipated to sustain economic momentum. External demand is also expected to improve, further bolstering growth prospects

 

SPORTS

Canadian Grand Prix

Max Verstappen secured victory at the Canadian Grand Prix for the third consecutive year, adding to his impressive tally of 60 Formula 1 wins and marking his sixth triumph in nine races this season.

The Canadian Grand Prix, an annual fixture in the Formula 1 calendar since 1961, has been a staple of the championship since 1967.

This year's event featured a challenging 70-lap race on a 4.361 km circuit, with a total race distance of 305.27 km, providing a thrilling battleground for the world's elite drivers.

 

RANKS, INDICES & REPORTS

World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index

Visakhapatnam Port has achieved feat by breaking into the top 20 rankings in the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index (CPPI).

The terminal operator, M/s. Visakhapatnam Container Terminal Private Limited (VCTPL), deserves commendation for securing the 18th place in this prestigious index.

The CPPI places exclusive emphasis on quayside performance, assessing the operational efficiency of ports in receiving and handling container ships.

This metric holds substantial importance for customers in selecting ports or terminals, highlighting the significance of operational efficiency in port operations.

VCTPL has excelled in key performance indicators (KPIs), achieving remarkable results in various metrics. With 27.5 moves per crane hour, a Turn Round Time (TRT) of 21.4 hours, and an Idle Time at berth of 13%, the terminal operator has demonstrated outstanding efficiency and effectiveness in its operations.

This achievement underscores the collaborative and coordinated efforts between the port and terminal operators in serving customers efficiently.

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Chandrababu Naidu Sworn in as Andhra Pradesh CM

Nara Chandrababu Naidu, leader of the Telugu Desam Party(TDP), was sworn in as the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh for the fourth time by Governor S Abdul Nazeer at a swearing-in ceremony at Kesarpalli IT Park near Gannavaram Airport in Vijayawada.

Chandrababu Naidu, who was elected from the Kuppam legislative assembly constituency, became the 18th chief minister of Andhra Pradesh.

Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP), in alliance with Pawan Kalyan’s Janasena party and the BJP, swept the recently held Andhra Pradesh legislative assembly poll.

The state Governor also swore in a strong 25-member cabinet, including the chief minister.

The cabinet includes 21 members of the TDP,3 from Pawan Kalyan’s Janasena and one from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The alliance of TDP, BJP, and Janansena won 164 seats out of 175 seats in the Andhra Pradesh legislative assembly.

New Chairman of COAI

The Cellular Operators’ Association of India (COAI) has announced its new leadership for the 2024-25 term, effective from June 2024.

Abhijit Kishore, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Vodafone Idea (VI), has been appointed as the Chairman, while Rahul Vatts, Chief Regulatory Officer (CRO) of Bharti Airtel, will serve as the Vice Chairman.

Abhijit Kishore, with over three decades of experience in the telecom industry, brings a wealth of expertise to his new role.

Rahul Vatts, a seasoned professional with 29 years of experience in telecom, is well-versed in areas such as Telecom and Broadcasting Licensing, Economic Regulations, Spectrum Management, and Regulatory Litigation.

 

DEFENCE

Japan India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX)-24

The 8th edition of the Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX-24) has started at Yokosuka, Japan.

The JIMEX-24 exercise is being hosted by the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF). The Japanese Navy is called the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force.

The Indian Navy’s indigenously built Stealth Frigate INS Shivalik is participating in the JIMEX -24 exercises. The JMSDF is represented by its Guided Missile Destroyer JS Yugiri.

The exercise will include both the harbour and the sea phases.

The main aim of the harbour phase is to further the interaction between the sailors of both navies and strengthen the bond between the two countries' navies.

The sea phase exercise will test the warfighting skills of both navies. It will aim to enhance its interoperability skills through complex multi-discipline operations in the surface, sub-surface and air domains.

The regular exercise between Indian and the Navy is part of the effort of both countries to strengthen their defence relationship.

 

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

ISRO Unveils Aditya-L1 Images of the Sun Captured During May Solar Storm

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released stunning images of the Sun captured by the Aditya L1 satellite during a major geomagnetic storm in May, 2024.

The mission aims to study the Sun, marking India's first space-based solar observatory.

The two remote sensing payloads, namely the Solar UltraViolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) and the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC), along with other payloads, captured these images from the Lagrange point (L1) in space.

Between May 8 and 15, 2024, several powerful solar flares erupted in the active region AR13664 on the Sun.

These were associated with Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) that occurred on May 8 and 9.

The activity originated from a sunspot cluster 17 times the size of Earth.

The images show magnetically active regions, large solar flares, and solar emissions depicting the brightness of sunspots, umbra, penumbra, and plages.

ISRO states that these images will assist astrophysicists in studying solar flares, their energy distribution, sunspots, UV radiation across a wide wavelength range, and long-term solar variations.

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Day Against Child Labour

Every year, World Day Against Child Labour is observed on 12 June worldwide.

The day is observed to focus global attention on the issue of child labour and take measures to protect them and to end their employment in the hazardous sector.

The first World Day Against Child Labour was observed by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on 12 June 2002 in Geneva, Switzerland.

The headquarters of the ILO is in Geneva, Switzerland. Since then, 12 June has been observed across the world as World Day Against Child Labour.

The theme chosen by the ILO for the 2024 World Day against Child Labour is “Let’s act on our commitments: End Child Labour".

 

OBITUTARY

Mumbai Cricket Association Honorary President Amol Kale

Amol Kale, aged 47, and the honorary president of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), passed away due to a cardiac arrest in New York.

Kale, along with MCA secretary Ajinkya Naik and apex council member Suraj Samat, had attended India’s thrilling victory against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup from the stadium on June 9, 2024.

He was elected as the MCA president in October 2022 after defeating World Cup champion Sandeep Patil in a closely contested battle.

During his tenure, Kale played a pivotal role in the decision to double Mumbai’s senior men’s match fees starting from the upcoming season.

Apart from his responsibilities at MCA, Amol Kale was also a co-promoter of the Indian Street Premier League, a tennis-ball franchise cricket league launched earlier 2024.