NATIONAL NEWS

Union Cabinet Approves NFIES Scheme for Forensic Infrastructure Development

The government of India has approved a new central sector scheme to strengthen the criminal forensic infrastructure in the country to aid an efficient criminal justice system.

The National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme (NFIES) was approved by the Union Cabinet in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 19 June 2024.

The “National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme (NFIES) scheme will be implemented by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

The central government has allocated Rs 2254.43 crore for the National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme.

The money for the scheme will come from the budgetary allocation for the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

The duration of the National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme is five years from 2024-25 to 2028-29.

The aim of the NFIES scheme is to strengthen the forensic science infrastructure in the country to aid the scientific investigation of crime.

Indian Railways Sets Record in Limca Book of Records

Indian Railways has achieved a significant milestone by entering the prestigious Limca Book of Records for organizing the largest public service event across multiple venues in India.

The event, orchestrated by the Ministry of Railways garnered participation from an impressive 40,19,516 people spread across 2,140 venues

This recognition not only celebrates Indian Railways' organizational capabilities but also commemorates its ongoing efforts to enhance connectivity, infrastructure, and public services across the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The event was convened for the inauguration of road over/road under railway bridges and for laying the foundation stones of railway stations.

It was graced by the presence of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, underscoring its national importance and scale.

The record-breaking event underscores Indian Railways' integral role in India's infrastructure development and public service initiatives.

Karnataka Governor Inaugurates National Yoga Olympiad 2024

Karnataka Governor inaugurated the ninth National Yoga Olympiad (NYO) 2024, at the convocation hall of Karnataka State Open University (KSOU), in Mysuru.

Yoga has been a part of Indian culture and tradition since ancient times.

The importance of yoga is mentioned in our scriptures and it is a part of the whole world today.

On September 27, 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called upon all the countries of the world to adopt yoga and proposed to celebrate Yoga Day every year.

The proposal was adopted and implemented by the United Nations General Assembly in 90 days.

More than 400 students and 100 teachers are participating in the three-day NYO, at the Regional Institute of Education (RIE) of National Council National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT),

The theme for NYO 2024 is 'Yoga for Self and Society'.

The students also demonstrated yoga as part of the programme.

 

INTERNATIONAL DAYS

China Has 500 Nuclear Warheads According To SIPRI Report

China has beaten its fellow superpowers when it comes to growing its stockpile of nuclear warheads, a European think tank stated in a report.

According to SIPRI, China has increased its nuclear warheads from 410 in 2023 to 500 at the start of this year.

North Korea has increased its warheads by two-thirds over the past year, going from 30 in 2023 to 50 this year, per the think tank.

China could have over 1,000 warheads by 2030

Expanding its nuclear arsenal isn't China's only military goal.

The country has also been focused on bolstering its naval capabilities.

According to a 2021 US Navy Institute report, China has the world's largest navy, with over 355 vessels in its fleet.

 

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Google Brings Gemini Mobile App to India

Google has launched the Gemini app in India, supporting 9 Indian languages.

The AI chatbot, which was only available in English, now lets users type or talk in Hindi, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu.

To get Gemini on Android, users can either download the app from the Play Store or opt-in using Google Assistant.

Similar to Google’s previous voice assistant, which appears as an overlay, you can summon Gemini by saying ‘Hey Google’.

Just like OpenAI’s ChatGPT,you can use the Gemini app can help you draft messages, help write emails, analyse images and upload files and ask questions about them.

The chatbot can also search the internet for information on your behalf and is integrated with various Google services like Gmail and Maps.

The tech giant says Gemini 1.5 Pro will be able to “understand vast amounts of information, from lengthy documents and emails to even hours of video and extensive codebases” in the near future.

The company also announced that it is rolling out Gemini into Google Messages in English for Indian users today.

Apart from India, Google also launched the Gemini app in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Turkey.

 

DEFENCE

Indian Army Launches First Skin Bank

The Indian Army announced the opening of a state-of-the-art skin bank facility at the Army Hospital (Research & Referral).

The facility offers the latest modern treatment for severe burn injuries received by armed forces personnel and their families.

This will be the first of its kind to be established within the Armed Forces Medical Services to cater to the three kinds of patients the Army hospitals see: injuries from domestic fire accidents, electrical incidents, and kerosene warmers jawans and officers use to keep themselves warm at high altitudes.

The skin bank will be staffed by highly-trained medical professionals, including plastic surgeons, tissue engineers, and specialised technicians.

The MoD stated that the facility will adhere to the highest quality control and safety standards, ensuring the integrity and reliability of the skin grafts.

The skin bank now completes the organ donation programme the Army is pushing to save the lives of its soldiers and their families.

A doctor explained that only a few millimetres from the top layer, not the entire skin, is scalped through an instrument, ‘electrical dermatomes’.

To keep the sensitivity of family members of organ donors, the Army doctors take out skin only from the lower limbs and back and leave hands and other portions of the dead to avoid the body getting mutilated.

 

RANKS, INDICES & REPORTS

Global Energy Transition Index: WEF

According to the Global Energy Transition Index released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) on 19 June 2024, India has been ranked 63rd out of 120 countries surveyed in the index.

In 2023 India was ranked 67th, an improvement of three ranks.

Sweden has again topped the Index.

According to the WEF, India has shown considerable improvement across energy equity, security, and sustainability.

The Global Energy Transition Index is published by the WEF in its annual report ‘Fostering Effective Energy Transition’.

 The annual report is published by the WEF in association with Accenture.

The WEF Energy Transition Index tracks the progress and preparedness of selected nations across the world to build an equitable, secure and sustainable energy future.

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Sudhakararao Papa Appointed Next Director Of BSNL

Sudhakararao Papa is set to be the next Director (Enterprise) of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).

He has been recommended for the post by the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) panel on June 15.

Presently, he is serving as Chief General Manager (Chennai Telecom District Circle) in the same organisation.

As Director (Enterprise) of BSNL, Papa will be a member of the Board of Directors and reports to the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD).

He will act as head of the Enterprise Business unit and will be responsible for business from big corporate customers and small & medium enterprises (SMEs).

He will be responsible for all aspects of the business including product design, product pricing, sales, marketing, customer service etc.

Dhanlaxmi Bank appoints Ajith Kumar KK as MD and CEO

Private sector Dhanlaxmi Bank stated it has appointed Ajith Kumar KK as Managing Director (MD) of the bank.

He will take charge on June 20, Kerala-based Dhanlaxmi Bank stated in a regulatory filing.

The board at its meeting approved the appointment of Ajith Kumar KK as Managing Director and CEO of the bank for a period of three years with effect from June 20, 2024, and on such remuneration as approved by RBI vide letter dated April 18, it stated.

The bank will seek approval of the shareholders for the stated appointment within the prescribed time period in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and SEBI regulations, it stated.

He is a seasoned banker with over 36 years of experience with the Federal Bank in various facets of banking including Credit, Human Resources, Business, Branch Banking etc.

 

SPORTS

2024 Copa America Football Tournament

The 48th edition of the Copa America football tournament will kick off in the United States on 21 June 2024.

This is the second time in the 108-year history of the Copa America Cup that the event is being held outside South America. In 2016, the United States hosted the Copa America Cup.

Defending champions Argentina will face debutants Canada in the opening match at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on June 21, 2024.

The United States will host the tournament from 21 June to 15 July 2024 in fourteen cities.

Neeraj Chopra Wins Gold Medal at Paavo Nurmi Games

India's Olympic and world champion javelin thrower, Neeraj Chopra, claimed his maiden gold medal at the Paavo Nurmi Games, showcasing his dominance upon returning to competitive action after a month-long break.

Neeraj Chopra secured the gold with a throw of 85.97m in his third attempt, leading the field for most of the competition.

Toni Keranen won the silver with a personal best of 84.19m, while 2022 gold-medallist Oliver Helander took bronze with 83.96m.

Chopra began his season in May, finishing second with a throw of 88.36m, the ninth-best mark of his career.

He also secured gold at the National Federation Cup Senior Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar with a throw of 82.27m.

Chopra will compete next at the Paris Diamond League on July 7.

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Refugee Day

Every year on June 20th, World Refugee Day is commemorated to raise awareness of the plight of refugees and the difficulties they face.

World Refugee Day traces its origins to Resolution 55/76 of the United Nations General Assembly, adopted on December 4, 2000.

This resolution was introduced to raise awareness about the increasing global refugee population and to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention.

The 1951 Refugee Convention emerged in the aftermath of World War II and established the foundational legal framework for protecting and ensuring the rights of refugees.

It set forth the criteria for identifying individuals as refugees, delineated their entitlements, and defined the responsibilities of nations in providing them with safety and support.

This convention has played a pivotal role in upholding the rights and welfare of those compelled to flee their homes due to persecution or conflict.