NATIONAL NEWS

Karnataka's Anna Bhagya Scheme

• The Karnataka government is facing challenges in implementing the Anna Bhagya scheme starting from 01 July due to the unavailability of the required amount of rice.
• The state government intends to increase the allocation of free rice from 5 kg to 10 kg per person on Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards under the Anna Bhagya scheme.
• This discontinuation of rice supply has created difficulties for the implementation of the Anna Bhagya scheme.
• However, Punjab has in principle agreed to supply rice to Karnataka in the required quantity.
• The aim of this increase in free rice allocation is to provide more support and food security to the persons belonging to BPL category.
• The implementation of this revised allocation is scheduled to begin from July 1.
• The increased allocation of free rice will cost the state government an estimated ₹840 crore per month.
• Annually, the scheme is expected to cost Rs 10,092 crore to the state exchequer.

Chief Guest at International Day of Yoga, 2023

• The Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar has been invited as the chief guest for the International Day of Yoga (IDY 2023) celebrations in Jabalpur.
• He will address the gathering and lead a mass yoga performance at the event.
• The motto of IDY 2023 is "Yoga for 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'", which emphasizes on treating the world as one family.
• The United Nations recognized June 21 as International Yoga Day in 2014, and this year marks the ninth anniversary of the global celebration.
• The global celebration of IDY 2023 will be led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States.
• The celebration of IDY aims to promote yoga worldwide, highlighting its many benefits for physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

New Landmark Trading Scheme for Developing Countries

• The UK launched the Developing Countries Trade Scheme (DCTS).
• This trade scheme provides a significant opportunity for India and 65 other poor and developing countries.
• The scheme simplifies trading rules and cuts tariffs on products entering the UK from 65 developing countries, including Bangladesh.
• This is a preferential trading program that has been introduced by the United Kingdom.
• The DCTS replaces similar arrangements that were previously in place during the UK's membership in the European Union.
• The primary objective of the scheme is to support trade and promote economic growth for 65 poor and developing countries.
• Through the DCTS, these countries are granted preferential treatment in terms of trade, with reduced or eliminated tariffs on certain products imported into the United Kingdom.
• By providing favorable trading conditions, the DCTS aims to enhance market access for these countries, stimulate economic activity, and foster mutually beneficial trade relationships.
• It plays a role in diversifying local and international supply chains, which contributes to job creation and economic growth in these countries.

BANKING

Kotak Mahindra Bank Launched “Activmoney”

• Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (KMBL) announced the launch of its ActivMoney feature which gives customers the benefit of fixed deposit (FD)-like interest rates of up to 7% per annum with no charges on premature withdrawal.
• Once a customer avails the ActivMoney feature in the savings account, it automatically transfers the balance above the threshold (defined as per account variant) in multiples of Rs 10,000 to a Fixed Deposit (FD) of 180 days currently at an interest rate of 7% per annum.
• In case a customer wishes to use the funds, the entire balance in savings and FD is instantly available.
• Through ActivMoney, excess funds in the account, beyond a defined threshold, are automatically transferred to an FD, thereby offering you the chance to earn a higher interest on your savings.
• Default minimum threshold over which the surplus funds earn FD like higher interest rate is Rs 25,000 for savings/salary/811 accounts and Rs 50,000 for current accounts.

SPORTS

Asian Shot-Put Record at Inter-State Championships

• India's top shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor created a new Asian shot-put record at the Inter-State Championships in Bhubaneswar.
• Tajinderpal Singh Toor broke his previous Asian record with a throw of 21.77m, surpassing his earlier record of 21.49m in 2021.
• His remarkable throw placed him ninth in the global rankings for longest shot-put distance recorded this season.
• Toor cleared the qualifying mark of 21.40m to secure his place in the upcoming World Championships.
• Toor also qualified for the Asian Games by clearing the required distance of 19 metres.

India's First Medal in Asian Fencing Championships

• Bhavani Devi won the bronze medal in the women's sabre event at the Asian Fencing Championships held in Wuxi, China.
• Bhavani lost her semi-final match against Uzbekistan's Zainab Daybekova with a score of 14-15.
• In the quarterfinals, Bhavani defeated defending world champion Misaki Emura of Japan by a score of 15-10.
• Bhavani's next challenge will be the World Championships to be held in Milan from July 22 to 30.

Indonesia Open 2023

• Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty became the first Indian pair to win the doubles title at a BWF Super 1000 event at the Indonesia Open 2023.
• They defeated the Malaysian world champion pair of Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik in the final.
• The win made them the first doubles team from India to win the Indonesia Open.
• They also became the first pair from India to win a Badminton World Federation (BWF) Super 1000 title.
• Indonesia Open 2023 took place at Istora Gelora Bung Karno in Jakarta, Indonesia.

AWARDS & PRIZES

European Essay Prize

• Arundhati Roy received the 45th European Essay Prize for Lifetime Achievement and the award is presented by the Charles Whelan Foundation.
• Arundhati Roy's book of essays, 'Azadi' (2021), especially the French translation, received acclaim.
• 'Azadi' explores the concept of freedom in an increasingly totalitarian world, with an emphasis on fiction and alternative imaginations.
• Roy is known for his notable works, including the Booker Prize-winning novel The God of Small Things.
• The award ceremony will be held on September in Lausanne, Switzerland.
• It is the first literary award dedicated solely to the genre of the essay.
• The award recognizes outstanding essays that criticise current societies, their practices and ideologies.

DEFENCE

Joint Exercise 'Khaan Quest’ 2023'

• With the participation of military contingents and observers from more than 20 countries, the multinational peacekeeping joint exercise "Ex Khan Quest 2023" began in Mongolia.
• The ceremony was inaugurated by Mongolian President Ukhnagin Khurelsukh at the exercise site.
• The exercise is jointly sponsored by the Mongolian Armed Forces (MAF) and the United States Army Pacific Command (USARPAC).
• The Indian Army is being represented by a contingent of the Garhwal Rifles.
• The 14-day exercise aims to improve interoperability among the participating countries, facilitate exchange of experiences and provide training to uniformed personnel for United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKO).
• The exercise will help prepare participants for future UN peacekeeping operations, enhance peacekeeping capabilities and improve military preparedness.

India Gifts Missile Corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam

• Defense Minister Rajnath Singh announced the gift of an indigenous in-service missile corvette, INS Kirpan, to the Vietnam People's Navy.
• The announcement is expected to significantly enhance the capabilities of the Vietnamese Navy.
• The announcement was made during talks between Defense Minister Singh and Defense Minister of Vietnam General Phan Van Gang in Delhi.
• During the meeting, bilateral defense cooperation initiatives between India and Vietnam were reviewed and both sides expressed satisfaction at the progress of the ongoing engagements.
• The Ministers identified opportunities to further enhance cooperation, particularly in areas such as defense industry cooperation, maritime security and multinational cooperation.
• The strengthening of defense ties between India and Vietnam underscores the strategic partnership between the two countries and their shared commitment to regional security and cooperation.
• INS Kirpan is a missile corvette belonging to the Khukri class with a displacement of about 1,350 tonnes.
• It was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 12 January 1991.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Refugee Day

• World Refugee Day is observed every year on 20 June.

• World Refugee Day is an internationally recognized day established by the United Nations.

• Its purpose is to pay tribute to refugees around the world.

• The day serves as a platform to acknowledge the bravery and determination of individuals who have been forced to flee their homeland due to conflict or persecution.

• The theme for World Refugee Day 2023 is ‘Hope away from home’.
• The theme emphasizes the importance of mental well-being for refugees in rebuilding their lives and striving for a brighter future.

OBITUTARY

Legendary Malayalam Actor Poojappura Ravi

• A renowned malayalam actor, primarily performing comedy roles in Malayalam films, Poojappura Ravi passed away at the age of 82, in Idukki, Kerala.

• He acted in over 800 movies and 4,000 plays.

• He made his acting debut with ‘Veluthampi Dalawa’ in 1962.
• He was also a part of several prominent movies including ‘Poochakkoru Mookuthi’, ‘Odaruthammava Aalariyam’, etc.