NATIONAL NEWS

Industrial Decarbonization Summit 2022

• On 16 June 2022, Inaugurating Industrial Decarbonization Summit 2022 Inaugurated Industrial Decarbonization Summit 2022 in New Delhi.

• The summit will focus on a variety of research topics related to decarbonization, Climate Change including their management, policy issues and sustainability.

• He announced that the government's priority is green hydrogen and by using biotechnology, can increase the productivity of Biomass.

Non-Electric Cooling Cabinet

• Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the National Standards Body of India has developed an Indian Standard for non-electric cooling cabinet made of clay.

• It is named as 'Mitticool refrigerator'.

• Shri Mansukh Bhai Prajapati from Gujarat is the innovator of the refrigerator which projects an eco-friendly technology.
• It operates on the principle of evaporative cooling. These cabinets may be used to store perishable foodstuff without the need of electricity.
• This standard helps BIS in fulfilling 6 out of 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Finance Dialogue Between India and Japan

• On 16 June 2022, India and Japan held Finance Dialogue in New Delhi.

• It is to exchange their views on the macro-economic situation, financial system, financial digitalization and investment environment in both the countries.
• Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs of Japan Masato Kanda and Secretary of Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance Ajay Seth led this first India-Japan Finance Dialogue.
• The participants confirmed that both sides will continue to work closely together as they hold Presidency of G-20 and G-7 next year.
• It also promotes financial cooperation and strengthen bilateral relations.
•  The next round of the Dialogue will be held in Tokyo.

Delhi Government in Partnership with UNDP

• Delhi Government in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India, has set up an oxygen generation plant at G. B. Pant Hospital in Delhi to augment the oxygen supply capabilities.

• The oxygen plant utilizes pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technology to produce over one thousand liters of oxygen per minute.

• It will serve approximately 750 hospital beds, including those supported by ventilators and the Intensive Care Unit.
• The hospital is a super-specialty tertiary care centre and manages referrals from across the country.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India-EU First-ever Security and Defence Consultations

• The first-ever India-European Union (EU) Security and Defence Consultations held in Brussels, Belgium.

• The consultations were held by the decision taken at the India-EU Summit in July 2020.

• The consultations were co-chaired by the Ministry of Defence Joint Secretary (IC) Somnath Ghosh and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Joint Secretary (Europe West) Sandeep Chakravorty from the Indian side and Joanneke Balfoort, Director of Security and Defence Policy from the EU.
• The two sides noted several positive developments in the area of security and defense cooperation in recent years including the establishment of a regular maritime security dialogue.

BANKING

NPCI Signs MoU with Lyra Network

• National Payments Corporation of India's (NPCI) international arm has signed a memorandum of understanding MoU with Lyra Network of France for acceptance of UPI and Rupay in the country.

• It will allow Indian to pay using UPI and Rupay cards at terminals and machines of Lyra Networks in France.

• It will be the first time that UPI will be accepted in any European Country.
• Countries like Singapore, UAE, Bhutan, and Nepal have adopted India's UPI payment system.
• With the MoU between NPCI International and Lyra Network, Indian tourists will be able to make seamless payments during their travel to France.

Indian Bank launches KCC Digital renewal scheme

• Public sector Indian Bank has launched Kisan Credit Card (KCC) digital renewal scheme enabling eligible customers to renew their Kisan Credit Card accounts via digital modes.

• The initiative is part of the bank’s digital transformation under project ‘WAVE’ – World of Advanced Virtual Experience.

• The account renewals can be done using Indian Bank’s IndOASIS mobile app, internet banking through its website.
• The facility is available through SMS for feature phone users with no internet or with limited internet access.
• It is being offered to customers having outstanding loans below ₹60 lakh.

RANKS, INDICES & REPORTS

Global Startup Environment Report

• Kerala has been placed top in Asia in the Affordable Talent in Global Startup Environment Report, providing a boost to the state's start-up ecosystem (GSER).

• The State has been placed fourth in the GSER 2022.

• The report was given by Startup Genome, a policy advisory and research organization and the Global Entrepreneurship Network.
• Bengaluru has climbed to number 22 in the Global Startup Ecosystem rating.
• It brings together global governments and business leaders, as well as inspirational start-up founders and investors, to explore the impact of technology on society.
• Kerala was placed 5th in Asia and 20th globally in the first GSER issued in 2020.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Scientific Advisor to US President

• President of United States Joe Biden nominated Indian-origin physicist Aarti Prabhakar as his Scientific Advisor.

• Arati Prabhakar was as the head of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).

• She will replace Eric Lander.
• Arati also served in top roles during the presidential tenures of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Family Remittances

• International Day of Family Remittances is celebrated every year on 16 June.

• This day highlights the great resilience of migrant workers during economic insecurities, natural and climate-related disasters and a global pandemic.

• The theme for the year 2022 is ‘Recovery and resilience through digital and financial inclusion.’
• The day observes the efforts of the migrant workers who help to improve the living standards of their families back at home.
• The day was first observed in 2015.

World Sea Turtle Day

• World Sea Turtle Day is celebrated every year on 16 June.

• It is observed to highlight the need to save this aquatic species from extinction.

• Sea turtles in India are protected by the wild life (Protection) Act, 1972.
• Plastic is one of the major threats to the survival of sea turtles.

OBITUTARY

Renowned Critic and Linguist Professor

• One of the most respected Urdu critics, theorists and linguists Professor Gopi Chand Narang has passed away. He was at the age of 91.
• He was recipient of Padma Bhushan and Sahitya Akademi Awards.
• Narang published more than 65 scholarly and critical books on language, literature, poetics and cultural studies in Urdu, Hindi and English.
• He was born in Dukki, Pakistan.