Daily Current Affairs June 27 2023 | Latest News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

Indian Bank partners with Manipal technologies to offer customised banking solutions

• Manipal Technologies Limited (MTL) has partnered with state-owned Indian Bank to drive financial inclusion by offering customised banking products.

Aim :

• To build a sustainable network of corporate business correspondents (CBCs) that will enhance the availability, affordability, and accessibility of financial services, particularly in underserved markets and rural areas.

Key Highlights :

• As part of this association, MTL will work closely with Indian Bank to offer tailor-made banking products in rural locations.
• The initial focus will be serving more than 600 locations and gradually expanding the presence in newer regions in states such as Tamil Nadu (TN), Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh (UP), Kerala, Maharashtra, Haryana, and
• The Indian Bank aims to empower individuals with seamless access to financial services, ranging from account opening, withdrawals, deposits, lead generation, opening FDs (fixed deposits), and applying for loans.
• MTL’s extensive network of trained field business correspondents will enable Indian Bank in reaching out to individuals in remote areas and ensuring they have convenient access to financial services.
• MTL has diversified businesses across domains, including fintech, financial inclusion, doorstep banking, fraud risk management, gold loans, digital solutions, print management, cards, commercial print, and secure solutions.
• For the year ended March 2023, the Chennai-based lender’s profit increased by 34% to Rs 5,282 crore against Rs 3,945 crore in FY2022.
• MD and CEO of MTL : Abhay Gupte

About Indian Bank :

• Founded : 15 August 1907
• Headquarters : Chennai, Tamil Nadu
• MD & CEO : Shanti Lal Jain
• Tagline : Your Own Bank/ Apka Apna Bank

Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance Launches New Guaranteed Pension Plan – ABSLI Nishchit Pension Plan

• Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance Company Limited (ABSLI), the life insurance arm of Aditya Birla Capital Limited (ABCL), has launched a new retirement solution called ABSLI Nishchit Pension Plan.

About ABSLI Nishchit Pension Plan  :

• The ABSLI Nishchit Pension Plan is a non-linked, non-participating individual pension plan.
• It allows policyholders to plan for their retirement by accumulating a 100% guaranteed corpus, which may be used to assure an uninterrupted income throughout the golden years.
• The Pension Plan offers customization options to policyholders based on their retirement goals.
• It provides flexible Premium Payment Term (PPT) and Policy Term (PT) options.
• It allows individuals to choose from various premium payment term durations, including 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 years, or regular pay options.

Eligibility :

• The plan sets a maximum entry age of 65 years and a minimum entry age of 30 years.
• The minimum annualised premium required is 20,000.
• Policyholders can avail the vesting benefit until the age of 75, with a minimum vesting age of 45 years.

What is Vesting?

• The age at which the insured starts to receive the pension is called the vesting age.
• Once the vesting age is reached, the policy begins to release the annuity payout amount in the frequency mentioned in the policy.
• All life insurance policies do not come with a vesting age clause.

About Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance :

• Established : August 4th, 2000, and began operations on January 17th, 2001
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• MD & CEO : Kamlesh Rao
• ABSLI is a 51:49 joint venture between the Aditya Birla Group and Sun Life Financial Inc., a Canadian worldwide financial services organisation.

World Bank Approved USD 255.5 Million Loans to Enhance Technical Education in Govt-run Institutions

• The World Bank has approved a USD 255.5 million loan for improving the quality of technical education in government-run institutions in India.

Aim :

• To enhance the skills and employability of students enrolled in government-run technical institutions across the nation.
• Over the next 5 years, approximately 275 selected institutions will benefit from this funding, positively impacting the lives of more than 350,000 students annually.

Key Highlights :

• The Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education Project will focus on improving student skills and employability through various measures.
• The project will emphasise enhanced research capabilities, entrepreneurship, and
• Additionally, it aims to improve the governance of technical institutions.
• Under this initiative, students will gain access to upgraded curricula that include emerging technologies in communication and climate resilience.
• The project will also facilitate improved internship and placement services, providing students with networking opportunities within professional associations.
• The project aligns with the Indian government’s National Education Policy 2020, which emphasises the modernization of the education sector.
• It also places special emphasis on improving female participation in technical education.
• The project aims to organise outreach programmes to provide prospective female students, parents, and guardians with accurate and comprehensive information about technical education options.
• It also seeks to address gender-related misconceptions and promote the inclusion of women in STEM fields.

About World Bank :

• Established : July 7, 1944
• Headquarters : Washington, D.C., United States
• President : Ajay Banga
• The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans and grants to the governments of low- and middle-income countries for the purpose of pursuing capital projects.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Shri Parshottam Rupala launched NANDI Portal

• The Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala launched Nandi – NOC Approval for New Drug and Inoculation System portal New Delhi.
• With this portal, DAHD will facilitate the regulatory approval process with transparency to assess and examine veterinary product proposals will be more streamlined through seamless integration with the SUGAM portal of Central Drugs Standard Control Organization.
• Shri Rupala expressed appreciation for the outstanding work of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) and highlighted the initiative as a significant step towards advancing Digital India and promoting the well-being of livestock and the livestock industry.
• The launch of the NANDI portal is another notable undertaking following the animal vaccination coverage initiative and Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs).
• This initiative would also provide valuable support to researchers and industries from a commercial perspective.
• By raising awareness among livestock rearers and improving logistical facilities, there would be an increase in the consumption of drugs.
• Union Minister stressed the importance of monitoring the portal’s activities closely for a few months to establish a robust system.
• Shri Rupala expressed appreciation for the contributions of all stakeholders, including CDAC, in the development of the NANDI portal.

Centre approves Rs. 56,415 crores to 16 States for Capital Investment under ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2023-24’ Scheme

• The Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, has approved capital investment proposals of Rs. 56,415 crores in 16 States in the current financial year. Approval has been given under the scheme entitled ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2023-24’.
• The Capital investment projects in diverse sectors have been approved including health, education, irrigation, water supply, power, roads, bridges and railways.
• Funds for meeting the State share of Jal Jeevan Mission and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana have also been provided to the States under this scheme to enhance pace of the projects in these sectors.
• In view of a higher multiplier effect of capital expenditure and in order to provide boost to capital spending by States, the scheme ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2023-24′ was announced in the Union Budget 2023-24.
• Under the scheme, special assistance is being provided to the State Governments in the form of 50-year interest free loan up to an overall sum of Rs. 1.3 lakh crore during the financial year 2023-24.
• The scheme has eight parts, Part-I being the largest with allocation of Rs. 1 lakh crore.
• This amount has been allocated amongst States in proportion to their share of central taxes & duties as per the award of the 15th Finance Commission.
• Other parts of the scheme are either linked to reforms or are for sector specific projects.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India and UAE signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement for Authorized Economic Operators

• India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for Authorized Economic Operators (AEO).
• The agreement was formally inked on the sidelines of the 141st/142nd sessions of the World Customs Organization’s (WCO) Customs Co-operation Council meeting held in Brussels, Belgium.

Aim :

• To promote trade facilitation, improve the ease of doing business, and encourage investments.
• Earlier in September 2021, India and the United States (US) had signed a MRA AEO.

Key Highlights :

• The Mutual Recognition Arrangement establishes a framework that enables the recognition of Authorised Economic Operators (AEOs) from both countries.
• By mutually recognizing the AEO status, India and the UAE seek to streamline and expedite customs procedures, reducing administrative burden and costs for authorised businesses.
• The MRA comes as the continuation of historic India-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which was signed between the two nations on 18 February 2022 and officially came into force on 1 May 2022.
• CEPA is expected to increase the total value of bilateral trade in goods to over 100 billion US Dollars and trade in services to over 15 billion US Dollars within 5 years.

About UAE :

• President : Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
• Prime Minister : Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
• Capital : Abu Dhabi
• Currency : UAE dirham

CURRENT AFFAIRS : STATE NEWS

India’s 1st hydrogen-powered train expected to run from Jind district of Haryana                              

• In a first in India, hydrogen-powered trains are expected to start from Haryana’s Jind district by March 2024 and the first hydrogen plant of the country is being set up in the district.
• This move will provide a significant boost to the nation’s transport network’s greening.
• The first prototype of the hydrogen train is expected to be introduced in the financial year 2023-2024 between Jind and Sonipat (Haryana) on the Northern Railway.
• The Jind plant now under construction has entered its final stage of development and is anticipated to be finished by December 2023.

Key Highlights :

• The hydrogen plant will produce hydrogen from water.
• These trains run on hydrogen fuel cells, unlike others that run on conventional diesel engines.
• The hydrogen fuel cells combine oxygen and hydrogen to create electricity, this electricity is later used to drive the motors of the train.
• Hydrogen trains are way more environmentally beneficial as compared to traditional diesel trains.
• Higher officials visited the site to take stock for setting up the hydrogen pump at Jind and to set up the required infrastructure.

Note :

• Germany became the first country to operate the world’s first-ever hydrogen-powered passenger train fleet.

About Haryana :

• Governor : Bandaru Dattatreya
• Chief Minister : Manohar Lal Khattar
• Capital : Chandigarh
• National Park : Sultanpur National Park, Kalesar National Park, Rajaji National Park.
• Wildlife Sanctuary : Purna Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary

Paytm inks MoU with Arunachal Pradesh for creating startup ecosystem

• Paytm Payment Services Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Arunachal Pradesh Innovation and Investment Park (APIIP) to create a startup ecosystem for the youth.
• The MoU was signed at the APIIP, the first state-owned marquee incubator here in the presence of its CEO Tabe Haidar.

About the MoU :

• Under an MoU, Paytm Incubation Centre will provide its product to early-stage startups at a discounted price.
• It also offers free credits through the Paytm Startup toolkit to aid youths’ business ventures in their early growth stage.
• This will nurture the startup ecosystem in the state and motivate young entrepreneur

About Arunachal Pradesh :

• Governor : Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik
• Chief Minister : Pema Khandu
• Capital : Itanagar
• National Park : Namdapha National Park, Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, Nameri National Park

About Paytm :

• Founded : August 2010
• Headquarters : Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
• Founder & CEO : Vijay Shekhar Sharma

World’s Largest Ramayan Temple in Bihar To Be Completed By 2025

• The construction work of the ‘world’s largest Ramayan temple’ started in the East Champaran district of Bihar.
• The Viraat Ramayan temple will be a three-storeyed structure completed by the end of 2025.
• The ‘Ramayan temple’ in Bihar will be taller than the 12th-century Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia.
• The estimated cost of the temple’s construction is ₹500 crore.
• The design of the temple draws inspiration from the Angkor Wat complex, as well as temples in Ramanathaswami temple in Rameshwaram and the Meenakshi Sundareshwarar temple in Madurai.

Key Highlights :

• East Champaran is an administrative district in the state of Bihar in India.
• It is also believed that Champaran used to be a major part of King Janak’s empire.
• It is located at a distance of 60 km from Vaishali and at a distance of 120 km from Patna, the capital of Bihar, 13 km from Chakia, and 96 km from Raxaul.
• Its exact location is at Janaki Nagar near Kesaria in East Champaran district in North Bihar.
• The Ramayan temple will consist of 12 domes with the tallest reaching a height of 270 ft, and 22 sanctums for various deities, the temple will span 2,800 ft in length, 1,400 ft in width, and 405 ft in height.
• A total of 20,000 people can be accumulated in the temple at a time.
• Additionally, the complex will include marriage halls and guest houses.

About Bihar :

• Governor : Rajendra Arlekar
• Chief Minister : Nitish Kumar
• Capital : Patna
• National Park : Dudhwa National Park, Valmiki National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuary : National Chambal Sanctuary, Gautam Budha Wildlife Sanctuary

Tamil Nadu police Launches New Scheme for Women Traveling Alone at Night -‘Pengal Pathukaaptu Thittam’

• The Tamil Nadu (TN) police have introduced a new scheme called ‘Pengal Pathukaaptu Thittam’ (Women Safety Scheme) in Chennai city, TN for Women Travelling Alone at Night.
• Chennai city women, who return from work between 10 pm and 7 am, can use a police patrol vehicle to reach their residence safely.
• This scheme has been started because more women are working in different shifts and sometimes, they are dropped by the office vehicle at such places from where they have to walk alone to their homes.
• Women who feel unsafe while travelling alone at night can dial helpline numbers such as 1091, 112, 044-23452365, and 044-28447701.
• In case of emergency situations, the police had asked people to use the ‘Kavalan’ SOS mobile application.
• In October 2022, the Coimbatore Police launched an ambitious project ‘Police Akka’ aimed at curbing crimes against girl students.

About Tamil Nadu :

• Governor: Ravindra Narayan Ravi
• Chief minister: M. K. Stalin
• Capital: Chennai
• Dance : Bharatnatyam, Karakattam
• National Park : Mudumalai National Park, Mukurthi National Park, Guindy National Park, Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries : Kalakad Wildlife sanctuary, Karikili Bird Sanctuary, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
• Tiger Reserve : Anamalai Tiger Reserve
• Biosphere Reserve : Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve

World’s first 3D-printed temple to come up in Telangana

• Telangana is set to build the world’s first 3D-printed Hindu temple.
• The temple will be built in a tie-up between a Hyderabad-based construction company Apsuja Infratech and Simpliforge Creations, a 3D-printed construction company.
• The 3D-printed temple will be situated within Charvitha Meadows, a gated villa community at Burugupally in Siddipet.

Key Highlights :

• The 3D-printed temple structure is being built in an area of 3800 square feet.
• The 3D technology used to build the temple utilises indigenously developed materials and
• The 3 sanctums, or garbhas, within the structure, represent a ‘modak’, dedicated to Lord Ganesha; a Shivalay, a square abode devoted to Lord Shankar; and a Lotus shaped home for Goddess Parvati.“
• In March,2023 Simpliforge Creations along with IIT-Hyderabad, built the prototype of the bridge within 2 hours.
• CEO of Simpliforge Creations : Dhruv Gandhi

About Telangana :

• Governor : Tamilisai Soundararajan
• Chief Minister : K. Chandrashekar Rao
• Capital : Hyderabad
• National Park : Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park, Mahaveer Harina Vanasthali National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuary : Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary, Lanja Madugu Siwaram Wildlife Sanctuary

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports invites nominations for Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award-TANNA 2022

• The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has invited nominations for the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award-TANNA 2022.
• These National Adventure Awards are conferred by the Ministry to youth in order to recognise the achievements of persons associated with the field of adventure.
• The aim of giving this award is also to encourage young people to develop the spirit of endurance, risk-taking, cooperative teamwork and quick, ready and effective reflexes in challenging situations.
• The Ministry said that the award consists of a bronze statuette with a certificate and award money of 15 Lakh rupees.
• The Awards are presented to the winners along with Arjuna Awards by the Government of India.
• The Ministry said that any person having excellent performance and outstanding qualities of leadership, a sense of adventure discipline and continuous achievement in one particular field of adventure, may apply for the award by the 14th of next month through awards.gov.in.
• The Ministry informed that guidelines for the award are available at the official website of the Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry.

PM Narendra Modi conferred Egypt’s highest civilian honour ‘Order of The Nile’

• Prime Minister (PM) Shri Narendra Modi was conferred with the ‘Order of the Nile’, Egypt’s highest honour, by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi at the Presidential palace in
• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is the first Indian to receive the award.
• Over the last 9 years, PM Modi has received many international awards and this is the 13th highest state honour conferred upon PM Modi.
• PM Modi is in Egypt for a two-day state visit.
• This is his first visit to Egypt, as well as the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country since 1997.

About ‘Order of the Nile’ :

• The Order of the Nile was established in the year 1915 by Sultan Hussein Kamel of Egypt & was one of the Kingdom of Egypt’s principal orders until the monarchy was abolished in 1953.
• The order is named after the Nile River, whic h is the lifeline of Egypt.
• The ‘Order of the Nile’ which is conferred upon heads of state, crown princes, and vice presidents who offer Egypt or humanity invaluable services.
• It is awarded to both Egyptians and foreigners for distinguished service to Egypt, either in the military or in the civilian sector.

Notable International Figures Honored With The ‘Order Of The Nile’ :

• President Jimmy Carter, President of the United States (1979)
• Emperor Akihito of Japan (1993)
• Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa (1999)
• Adly Mansour, acting President of Egypt (2013)
• Dr Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu, Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (2015)

About Egypt :

• President : Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
• Prime Minister : Moustafa Madbouly
• Capital : Cairo
• Currency : Egyptian pound

Shankar Mahadevan receives Honorary Doctorate from Birmingham City University

• Renowned musician-singer & Padmashree Awardee Shankar Mahadevan has been conferred an honorary doctorate by Birmingham City University (BCU) in London, England in recognition of his contribution to music and the arts.
• He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Pr ofessor Philip Plowden, Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham City University during a ceremony held in Birmingham.
• He was accompanied by fellow musicians Zakir Hussain and John McLaughlin at the ceremony.

About Shankar Mahadevan :

• Shankar Mahadevan was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
• Mahadevan’s repertoire encompasses Indipop, film, folk and spiritual music as well as Indian classical music, jazz and world music.
• The 56-year-old singer, who is a member of the accomplished Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy trio of music composers.
• He is best known for songs like ‘Breathless’, ‘Mitwa’ and ‘Lakshya’.
• In 2019, he was conferred the Padma Shri for his contribution to the arts.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

Indian Army Conducted Massive Military Exercise- Agneyastra 1 in eastern Ladakh

• Indian Army took part in Agneyastra 1 military exercise in eastern Ladakh.
• Various artillery platforms of the Indian Army, including the newly-inducted Korean K-9 Vajra-T 155mm/52 calibre self-propelled howitzer (SPH), FH-77 Bofors 155mm/39 calibre towed howitzer and mortars took part in the exercise.
• Anti-tank missiles and Carl Gustav rocket launchers (RLs) were also used in the exercise.

Key Highlights :

• Agneyastra means firearms.
• Ideaforge’s Switch UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), a fixed wing and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) Hybrid UAV, was used to provide the real time imagery of the exercise area.
• The Indian Army had earlier conducted an exercise – Buland Bharat, in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang and West Kameng districts.
• The exercise was organized just three days after 16 June, 2023 which marks 3 years of the Galwan clash.
• Indian and Chinese troops are involved in the ongoing standoff near Line of Actual Control (LAC) for three years.

About Indian Army :

• Headquarters : New Delhi, Delhi
• Chief of Defence Staff : General Anil Chauhan
• Chief of the Army Staff : General Manoj Pande

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

SpaceX launched 47 Starlink satellites, lands rocket at sea

• The Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) launched 47 Starlink internet satellites by Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, United States of America (USA).
• The Falcon 9’s first stage returned to Earth as planned about 8 minutes and 45 seconds after launch.
• It performed a pinpoint touchdown on the SpaceX droneship Of Course I Still Love You, which was stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
• SpaceX has now launched more than 4,600 Starlink satellites, the vast majority of which are currently operational

About SpaceX :

• Founded : March 14, 2002
• Headquarters : Hawthorne, California, United States
• CEO & Chairman : Elon Musk
• SpaceX is an American spacecraft manufacturer, launcher, and satellite communications company.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare signed an MOU with Pixxel Space India Pvt. Limited

• Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare signed an MOU with Pixxel Space India Pvt. Limited in the presence of the Shri Manoj Ahuja, Secretary, DA&FW, Pramod Kumar Meherda, Additional Secretary, DA&FW and other senior officers of the Ministry at New Delhi.
• Shri C. S. Murthy, Director, MNCFC signed the MOU on behalf of the Government of India, whereas Shri Abhishek Krishnan, Chief of Staff represented M/s Pixxel Space India Pvt. Limited.
• It aims to develop various geospatial solutions on a pro bono basis for the Indian Agriculture Ecosystem using Pixxel’s hyperspectral dataset.
• The project focuses on leveraging sample hyperspectral data from Pixxel’s pathfinder satellites to develop analytics models focused on the crop mapping, crop stage discrimination, crop health monitoring, and soil organic carbon assessments.
• This will enable the Government to develop use cases with hyperspectral data provided by PIXXEL.
• MNCFC on behalf of the DA&FW will associate with the Pixel team for developing and implementing the suitable methodologies.

India and Belgium have signed Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) in criminal matters

• India and Belgium have signed Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) in criminal matters which obligates both the countries to execute each other’s search warrants and summons against fugitives wanted by individual investigating agencies.
• The MHA is the nodal ministry for executing court orders under the MLATs.
• Till 2019, India had entered into MLATs in criminal matters with 42 countries. These are the bilateral treaties, entered between the countries for providing international cooperation and assistance, stated the MHA.

About Belgium:

• Capital: Brussels
• The euro is the official currency of Belgium.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING AND REPORTS

Tata Power becomes the most attractive employer brand

• Tata Power Company has emerged as India’s most ‘attractive employer brand’, followed by Amazon and Tata Steel, reveals the findings of Randstad Employer Brand Research (REBR) 2023.
• Tata Power was at the ninth spot in 2022.
• IT major Tata Consultancy Services secured the 4th position in the top 10 most ‘attractive employer brand’, followed by Microsoft, Samsung India, Infosys, Tata Motors, IBM and Reliance Industries.
• According to the report, employees rated automotive (77 per cent) as the most attractive sector followed by IT, ITeS and Telecom (76 per cent) and FMCG, Retail and e-commerce (75 per cent).
• Big Basket, the online megastore emerged as the most attractive start-up employer brand in the country.
• The report reveals that work-life balance, good reputation and attractive salary and benefits are the three most important drivers for the Indian workforce when choosing an employer.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

Table Tennis: Indian women’s doubles pair of Sutirtha and Ayhika clinches WTT Contender tournament title in Tunis

• The Indian women’s doubles pair of Sutirtha Mukherjee and Ayhika Mukherjee won the World Table Tennis, (WTT) Contender tournament in Tunis, after beating the Japanese pair of Miyuu Kihara and Miwa Harimoto.
• The Indian duo won 3-1 (11-5, 11-6, 5-11, 13-11) in a challenging final.
• The pair also became the first Indians to win a Contender title this year.
• The Indian pair had advanced to the final after beating Korean duo of Shin Yubin and Jeon Jihi 3-2 (7-11, 11-9, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9) in a hard-fought last-four clash.
• Meanwhile, the Indian mixed doubles pair of Manika Batra and G Sathiyan as well as the men’s doubles duo of Manav Vikash Thakkar and Manush Utpalbhai Shah had lost their respective semifinal matches.

Hasaranga becomes 1st ODI spinner to take three consecutive 5-wicket hauls

• Wanindu Hasaranga of Sri Lanka has achieved a remarkable feat in cricket by becoming the first spinner and second overall player in history to take three consecutive 5-wicket hauls in the One Day Internationals (ODIs).
• With Hasaranga’s remarkable performance of 5-wicket hauls, Sri Lanka bundled out Ireland at 192 to secure the Super Six spot after defeating Ireland by 133 runs in their ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Qualifiers match in Bulawayo.
• He has taken six wickets by conceding only 24 runs in the match
• He has placed himself equal to the legendary Pakistani bowler Waqar Younis.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

Co-Inventor Of Rechargeable Li-ion Battery Inventor & Oldest Winner Of Nobel Prize John Goodenough Passed Away

• The American co-inventor of Lithium-ion batteries and a co-winner of 2019 Nobel prize for Chemistry, John Bannister Goodenough passed away at the age of 101.

About John Bannister Goodenough :

• Goodenough was born in Jena,
• He was an American materials scientist, a solid-state physicist.
• After studying mathematics at Yale University, he served the US Army during the Second World War as a meteorologist.
• He is widely credited with the identification and development of the lithium-ion battery, for developing the Goodenough–Kanamori rules in determining the sign of the magnetic superexchange in materials, and for seminal developments in computer random-access memory.
• He perfected it with a cobalt-based cathode to create a product that today touches nearly everyone’s life.
• He played a significant role in the development of Random Access Memory (RAM) for computers.
• In 2008, Goodenough wrote his autobiography, Witness to Grace, which he called “my personal history”.
• The book touches upon science and spirituality.
• He also worked at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Oxford University.
• From August 27, 2021, until his death, he was the oldest living Nobel Prize laureate.

Awards & Honors :

• Along with Stanley Whittingham, and Akira Yoshino, Goodenough was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2019 for their work on “the development of lithium-ion batteries.”.

Veteran Congress leader & former Sultanpur MP Raj Karan Singh passed away

• Veteran Congress leader and former Sultanpur MP Raj Karan Singh has passed away at the age of 90.
• From 1984 until 1989, he was a member of the Sultanpur Legislative Assembly.

Daily CA One- Liner: June 27

• The Manipal Technologies Limited (MTL) has partnered with state-owned Indian Bank to drive financial inclusion by offering customised banking products.
• Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance Company Limited (ABSLI), the life insurance arm of Aditya Birla Capital Limited (ABCL), has launched a new retirement solution called ABSLI Nishchit Pension Plan.
• The World Bank has approved a USD 255.5 million loan for improving the quality of technical education in government-run institutions in India.
• Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala launched Nandi – NOC Approval for New Drug and Inoculation System portal New Delhi
• The Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, has approved capital investment proposals of Rs. 56,415 crore in 16 States in the current financial year. Approval has been given under the scheme entitled ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2023-24’
• The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has invited nominations for the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award-TANNA 2022
• Prime Minister (PM) Shri Narendra Modi was conferred with the ‘Order of the Nile’, Egypt’s highest honour, by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi at the Presidential palace in
• India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for Authorized Economic Operators (AEO).
• In a first in India, hydrogen-powered trains are expected to start from Haryana’s Jind district by March 2024 and the first hydrogen plant of the country is being set up in the district.
• Paytm Payment Services Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Arunachal Pradesh Innovation and Investment Park (APIIP) to create a startup ecosystem for the youth.
• The construction work of the ‘world’s largest Ramayan temple’ started in the East Champaran district of Bihar.
• The Tamil Nadu (TN) police have introduced a new scheme called ‘Pengal Pathukaaptu Thittam’ (Women Safety Scheme) in Chennai city, TN for Women Travelling Alone at Night.
• Telangana is set to build the world’s first 3D-printed Hindu temple.
• Indian Army took part in Agneyastra 1 military exercise in eastern Ladakh.
• The Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) launched 47 Starlink internet satellites by Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, United States of America (USA).
• Renowned musician-singer & Padmashree Awardee Shankar Mahadevan has been conferred an honorary doctorate by Birmingham City University (BCU) in London, England in recognition of his contribution to music and the arts
• Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare signed an MOU with Pixxel Space India Pvt. Limited in the presence of the Shri Manoj Ahuja, Secretary, DA&FW, Pramod Kumar Meherda, Additional Secretary, DA&FW and other senior officers of the Ministry at New Delhi
• India and Belgium have signed Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) in criminal matters which obligates both the countries to execute each other’s search warrants and summons against fugitives wanted by individual investigating agencies.
• Tata Power Company has emerged as India’s most ‘attractive employer brand’, followed by Amazon and Tata Steel, reveals the findings of Randstad Employer Brand Research (REBR) 2023
• The Indian women’s doubles pair of Sutirtha Mukherjee and Ayhika Mukherjee won the World Table Tennis, ( WTT) Contender tournament in Tunis, after beating the Japanese pair of Miyuu Kihara and Miwa Harimoto
• Wanindu Hasaranga of Sri Lanka has achieved a remarkable feat in cricket by becoming the first spinner and second overall player in history to take three consecutive 5-wicket hauls in the One Day Internationals.
• The American co-inventor of Lithium-ion batteries and a co-winner of 2019 Nobel prize for Chemistry, John Bannister Goodenough has passed away at the age of 101.
• Veteran Congress leader and former Sultanpur MP Raj Karan Singh has passed away at the age of 90.