DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: July 6, 2023

Facebook's Meta Launches 'Twitter Killer' Social Network Threads

Tags: Science and Technology

Instagram maker Meta recently launched a new social media platform called Threads.

An Overview of the News

• Threads aims to capitalise on the perceived volatility of Twitter, which is currently owned by billionaire Elon Musk.

• The app is now available in over 100 countries and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

• Similar to Twitter, threads allow users to share short text messages that can be liked, reposted, and replied to by other users.

• Threads does not include direct messaging features, which differentiates it from Twitter.

• On threads, users can create posts with up to 500 characters and can also share links, photos and videos of up to five minutes.

About Meta

• Founded - February 2004, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

• Founder - Mark Zuckerberg

• Headquarters - Menlo Park, California, United States

67th TAAI Conference begins in Colombo

Tags: International News

The three-day much-awaited 67th Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) convention began in Colombo on 6th July.

An Overview of the News

• The 67th TAAI Convention began with a star-studded opening ceremony.

• Special guests include Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and High Commissioner of India Gopal Baglay.

Business opportunities for Indian and Sri Lankan travel industry stakeholders:

• The conference provides valuable business opportunities for stakeholders in the Indian and Sri Lankan travel industries.

• It serves as a platform to promote business partnership and cooperation between the two countries.

A major itinerary in the area:

• The 67th TAAI convention cements its position as a premier travel event in the region.

• With 500 participants and 50 Indian media personnel, the conference attracts a large number of industry professionals.

Thought provoking sessions on various topics:

• The agenda of the conference includes thought-provoking sessions on a wide range of topics.

• Topics of discussion included India's tourism vision for 2047, experiential travel, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions), and digital opportunities in the travel industry.

Knowledge Exchange and Partnership Building:

• Industry leaders and travel professionals from India and Sri Lanka get an opportunity to exchange knowledge during the conference.

• The event facilitates networking and partnership building among attendees.

Strengthening ties between India and Sri Lanka:

• The objective of the TAAI Convention is to strengthen the ties between India and Sri Lanka.

• It serves as a platform to enhance bilateral relations and promote mutual development in the tourism industry.

India largest source market for tourism to Sri Lanka:

• India was the largest source market for tourism to Sri Lanka last year.

• This highlights the importance of cooperation and collaboration between India and Sri Lanka in the travel industry.

Ministry of External Affairs announced that the first IIT campus outside India will be set up in Zanzibar, Tanzania

Tags: International News

An MoU for setting up a campus of IIT Madras in Zanzibar was signed in the presence of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwini.

An Overview of the News

• The decision to set up the IIT campus in Zanzibar reflects the long-standing friendship between India and Tanzania and emphasizes India's focus on building people-to-people ties across Africa and the Global South.

• India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 recommends encouraging high-performing Indian universities to set up campuses in other countries, and this initiative is in line with that recommendation.

• During his four-day official visit to Tanzania, Dr. Jaishankar will participate in high-level talks, co-chair the 10th Joint Commission Meeting, visit an India-funded water supply project, and inaugurate the India-Tanzania Business Meeting.

• During his visit, Dr. Jaishankar will participate in high-level talks, co-chair the 10th Joint Commission Meeting, visit an India-funded water supply project, meet top leadership and inaugurate the India-Tanzania Business Meeting .

• Dr Jaishankar will also meet members of India's Parliamentary Friendship Group, address the Indian diaspora and inaugurate a statue of Swami Vivekananda in Dar es Salaam.

About Tanzania

• It is an East African country.

• Serengeti National Park is a popular safari destination in Tanzania.

• Kilimanjaro National Park is located in Tanzania.

• Zanzibar is a tropical island off the coast of Tanzania.

• Mafia is another tropical island in Tanzania.

Capital - Dodoma

Currency - Tanzanian Shilling

Official languages - Swahili, English

President - Samia Suluhu Hasan

Vice President - Philip Mpango

Prime Minister - Kassim Majaliwa

Speaker - Tulia Axon

Chief Justice - Ibrahim Hamis Zuma

Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX 23) 2023

Tags: Defence

The seventh edition of the bilateral Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX 23) 2023 being conducted by the Indian Navy is being conducted at Visakhapatnam from 5 to 10 July 2023.

An Overview of the news: -

• The seventh edition marks the 11th anniversary of JIMEX since its inception in 2012.

Practice Leadership:

• Units of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) under the command of RADM Nishiyama Takahiro while Indian Navy ships under the command of Admiral Gurcharan Singh are participating in the exercise.

Demonstration of practice weapons:

• The exercise will see the participation of INS Delhi, India's first indigenously built Guided Missile Destroyer, INS Kamorta, an indigenously designed and built Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette, Fleet Tanker INS Shakti, Maritime Patrol Aircraft P-8I and Dornier.
• The JMSDF will be represented by the guided missile destroyer JS Samidare and its integral helicopters.

Six Day Practice:

• The exercise will be conducted over six days in two phases - a harbor phase at Visakhapatnam which will include professional, sports and social interactions.
• Both the navies will jointly hone their warfare skills at sea and enhance interoperability in the surface, sub-surface and air domains through complex multi-discipline operations.

Japan:

• Capital: Tokyo
• King: Prince Naruhito (The reign of the 126th king will be known as 'Riwa'.)
• Prime Minister: Fumio Kishida
• Currency: Japanese Yen

NMDC Receives Two Prestigious Awards at ASSOCHAM Business Excellence Awards 2023

Tags: Awards

National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) was honored with two prestigious awards at the ASSOCHAM Business Excellence Awards 2023 in Kolkata.

An Overview of the News

• The awards received by NMDC were the 'Mineral Development Award' and the 'Employer Brand of the Year Award.'

• These awards recognize NMDC's significant contributions to the mining sector and its exemplary human resources practices.

• The awards were presented by Anurag Srivastava, IAS, Secretary of the Industry, Commerce, and Enterprise Department, Government of West Bengal.

• NMDC is the largest producer of iron ore in India and the sixth largest in the world, playing a pivotal role in the country's mineral development.

• The company's state-of-the-art Research and Development (R&D) Centre focuses on enhancing productivity, promoting sustainable mining practices, and developing advanced beneficiation technologies.

• NMDC is committed to zero-waste mining and continuous innovation, contributing to the growth and advancement of the mining industry.

National Mineral Development Corporation:

• It is a Navratna Public Sector Enterprise.

• It comes under the Ministry of Steel.

• Chairman & Managing Director - Sumit Deb

• Headquarters - Hyderabad

Aadhav Arjuna Elected as President of the Basketball Federation of India (BFI)

Tags: Sports News

Aadhav Arjuna, the president of the Tamil Nadu Basketball Association (TNBA), emerged victorious in the election held at Nehru Stadium and secured the position of president of the Basketball Federation of India (BFI).

An Overview of the News

• Aadhav received an impressive 38 out of the 39 votes, defeating the incumbent president, K Govindaraj.

• Kulvinder Singh Gill, a former player and the president of the Madhya Pradesh Basketball Association, was elected as the secretary general.

The Basketball Federation of India (BFI) 

• It was established in 1950 and is the governing body for basketball in India. It holds affiliation with FIBA Asia and the Indian Olympic Association.

• Basketball in India has its roots dating back to the early 1900s, introduced by Christian missionaries and YMCAs. 

• The first national basketball championships took place in 1934, and India joined FIBA in 1936.

• The BFI's primary responsibility is to foster the development and promotion of basketball in India. 

• This includes organising national and international tournaments and providing training and support to players and coaches.

DGCA Signs MoU with European Union Aviation Safety Agency for Unmanned Aircraft Systems & Innovative Air Mobility

Tags: International News

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) India and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have signed an MoU for collaboration in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Innovative Air Mobility.

An Overview of the News

Focus of the MoU:

• The MoU aims to enhance cooperation between DGCA and EASA in the field of unmanned aircraft systems and innovative air mobility.

Areas of Collaboration:

• Development of certification standards and environmental standards for UAS and innovative air mobility operations.

• Licensing of personnel, training, air traffic management, and infrastructure.

• Establishment of Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) standards and services.

Harmonized Standards and Accelerated Growth:

• The collaboration between DGCA and EASA is expected to result in harmonized standards for UAS and contribute to the accelerated growth of the Indian unmanned aviation sector.

Previous Letter of Intent:

• Prior to the MoU, DGCA had signed a letter of intent (LoI) with EASA during the EU-India Aviation Summit in April 2023, expressing their intention to collaborate on UAS and innovative air mobility.

Minister of State for Defence Inaugurates CSD Depot in Ambala

Tags: State News

Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt inaugurated the new premises of the Canteen Store Department (CSD) Depot in Ambala on July 5, 2023.

An Overview of the News

• The construction of the premises was carried out by Dedicated Freight Corridor India Limited, a subsidiary of the Railway Ministry.

• The land of the old CSD depot was exchanged for the new premises.

Recognition of CSD's Work

• CSD provides excellent service to the armed forces, veterans, and their families.

• The department was acknowledged for completing 75 years of service to the armed forces and their families.

Role of CSD

• Canteen Store Department (CSD) was established in 1948 and operates through 34 regional depots across the country.

• CSD ensures the uninterrupted supply of essential commodities to the beneficiaries.

• The department's contribution during the pandemic in providing essential commodities was exemplary and commendable.

British writer Michael Rosen honored with Pen Pinter Prize, 2023

Tags: Awards

Renowned British poet and author Michael Rosen has been awarded the prestigious PEN Pinter Prize, 2023 for his literary contribution.

An Overview of the news:-

• Michael Rosen is known for making poetry accessible to children through his work and performances.
• The subjects of Rosen's writings are often social, political, and moral.

Pen Pinter Award:

• It was established in the year 2009 by PEN Institute of UK.
• It is the founding center of a global literary network.
• This institution promotes literature and human rights.
• It is awarded annually to a writer living in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, the Commonwealth or a former Commonwealth.
• The winner must be an author of plays, poems, essays or fiction of literary excellence written in English.
• Lemon Sissey, Hanif Qureshi, Mallory Blackman etc. are the main ones among the former recipients of this award.

Ajit Agarkar Appointed Chairman of Senior Men's Selection Committee

Tags: Person in news Sports News

The Board of Control of Cricket (BCCI) has appointed Ajit Agarkar as the chairman of the Senior Men's Cricket Selection Committee.

An Overview of the News

• The decision was made by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), consisting of Sulakshana Naik, Ashok Malhotra, and Jatin Paranjape.

• After conducting interviews with several applicants, the CAC unanimously selected Ajit Agarkar for the position of chairman.

Composition of the Selection Committee:

• The Senior Men's Selection Committee now consists of Ajit Agarkar as the chairperson.

• Other members of the committee include Shiv Sundar Das, Subroto Banerjee, Salil Ankola, and Sridharan Sharath.

• This committee will play a crucial role in selecting players for various international matches and tournaments.

Agarkar's Cricketing Career:

• Ajit Agarkar is a former India all-rounder, known for his contributions to Indian cricket.

• He represented the country in 26 Tests, 191 ODIs, and four T20Is.

• Agarkar also has an impressive record in domestic cricket, having played 110 first-class matches, 270 List A matches, and 62 T20 matches.

About Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)

• It is the national governing body of cricket in India.

• The headquarters of the BCCI is located at the Cricket Center near the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

• The BCCI is responsible for the administration and organisation of cricket activities in India at both the national and international levels.

Establishment - December 1928

President - Roger Binny

CEO - Hemang Amin

Vice President - Rajeev Shukla

Men's Coach - Rahul Dravid

India's First 'Police Drone Unit' Launched in Chennai for Enhanced Aerial Surveillance and Quick Detection of Criminal Activities

Tags: State News

The Greater Chennai City Police (GCP) has introduced the groundbreaking 'Police Drone Unit' to bolster aerial surveillance capabilities and expedite the identification of criminal activities. 

An Overview of the News

• The initiative, which involves an investment of approximately Rs 3.6 crore, was inaugurated by the outgoing Tamil Nadu Director General of Police (DGP) C Sylendra Babu, in the presence of Chennai Police Commissioner Shankar Jiwal at Besant Avenue, Adyar.

Purpose and Benefits of the Police Drone Unit:

• Aims to enhance aerial surveillance over vast areas for improved law enforcement.

• Enables quick detection and response to criminal activities.

• Provides an additional tool to monitor and secure large areas efficiently.

• Assists in identifying potential threats and monitoring crowd gatherings.

• Aids in traffic management and control.

Inauguration and Personnel Present:

• The launch event was attended by the outgoing Tamil Nadu DGP and Chennai Police Commissioner.

• The inauguration took place at Besant Avenue, Adyar.

Drone Categories and Capabilities:

• Quick Response Surveillance Drones (6): Designed for swift deployment and real-time monitoring.

• Heavy Lift Multirotor Drone (1): Capable of carrying heavier payloads for specialized operations.

• Long Range Survey Wing Place (2): Enables extended-range surveillance and reconnaissance.

• All drones are equipped with advanced surveillance technology and built-in artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.

• Operable from a ground station, with an operational range of 5-10 km.

About Tamil Nadu

• The state was formed on 26 January 1950 but its boundaries were redrawn on 14 January 1969.

• It is situated at the mouth of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.

• Tamil Nadu is the largest producer of bananas and flowers, second largest producer of mangoes, rubber, groundnut, coconut and third largest producer of coffee.

Governor - Ravindra Narayan Ravi

Chief Minister - MK Stalin

Assembly seats - 235 seats

Rajya Sabha seats - 18

Lok Sabha seats - 39