1. Bajram Begaj has elected as the new President of Albania
Tags: Person in news International News
Bajram Begaj, who held the post of Chief of General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces (AAF), has been elected as the new President of Albania country.
He is the 8th President of Albania and the third President by military rank.
Bajram Begaz will be sworn in as the new President on 25 July 2022 to replace the incumbent President 'Ilir Meta', who will remain in office till 22 July 2022.
About Albania
The Republic of Albania is a country located in northeastern Europe.
Albania is a member of the United Nations, NATO, the European Organisation for Security and Cooperation, the European Council, the World Trade Organisation, the Organisation of Islamic Conference, etc.
The national and ethnic symbol of the Albanian people is "eagle".
In 1967, Albania became the first atheist country in the world.
The capital of the country is "Tirana".
2. Environmental Performance Index 2022
Tags: Popular National News
Recently, India has been ranked 180th out of 180 countries in the 'Environmental Performance Index' released biennially by 'Yale University'.
The 'Environmental Performance Index' is a joint initiative of Yale University's Centre for Environmental Law and Policy and Columbia University's Centre for International Earth Science Information Network.
The 'Environmental Performance Index'(EPI) is prepared in collaboration with the 'World Economic Forum'.
The EPI scores 180 countries based on climate change performance, environmental health and ecosystem status using 40 performance indicators across 11 categories.
Denmark tops the list
Denmark topped the Environmental Performance Index (EPI), followed by Britain and Finland.
These countries have received the highest scores for greenhouse gas emissions reductions in recent years.
India ranks lowest
According to the report, India stood at the bottom (180th) with the lowest score (18.9).
India's neighbouring countries have performed better, with Pakistan at 176th and Bangladesh at 177th.
Ranking of other major countries
In the Environmental Performance Index, America was ranked 43rd, France 12th, Germany 13th, Australia 17th, Italy 23rd and Japan 25th.
China has been ranked 161 in the report with 28.4 points.
Top 10 countries
Country | Ranking |
Denmark | 1 |
United Kingdom | 2 |
Finland | 3 |
Malta | 4 |
Sweden | 5 |
Luxembourg | 6 |
Slovenia | 7 |
Austria | 8 |
Switzerland | 9 |
Iceland | 10 |
3. India, Vietnam sign joint vision statement on defence partnership for 2030
Tags: International Relations
India and Vietnam signed a 'Vision' document to further widen the "scope" of defence ties by 2030 and a 'Logistic Support' agreement to allow the armies of the two countries to use each other's installations.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh is on a three-day visit to the south-east Asian country.
The MoU on mutual logistics support was inked by both sides.
The two countries also agreed to expeditiously finalise India's defence line of credit of $500 million to Vietnam.
Implementation of the projects through the LoC will significantly enhance Vietnam's defence capabilities and help in taking forward Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Make in India, Make for the world'.
India also announced two 'simulators' and funding to set up a language and IT laboratory at the Air Force Officers Training School to improve the capabilities of the Vietnamese Armed Forces.
India, Vietnam relation
Vietnam is an important member of ASEAN (Organisation of Southeast Asian Nations) and has territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea region.
India is undertaking oil exploration projects in Vietnamese waters in the South China Sea.
India and Vietnam have been working together to enhance their maritime security cooperation over the years to protect common interests.
Vietnam has become an important partner in India's 'Act East Policy' and 'Indo-Pacific Vision'.
The two countries share a rich history of civilizational and cultural ties dating back more than 2,000 years.
The relations between the two countries were accorded the status of "strategic partnership" during the visit of the then Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Tan Dung to India in July 2007.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Vietnam in 2016, this status was raised to a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership".
4. NHAI created World Records for laying 75 Km long Bituminous Concrete Road in record 5 days
Tags: International News
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and its contractors entered the Guinness World Records for laying 75 km long continuous bituminous concrete road in a record 5 days.
The work was carried out in a single lane on the NH-53 section between Amravati and Akola in West Vidarbha.
This section was constructed by private contractor Rajput Infracon.
Earlier also Rajput Infracon had created a world record by building a road between Sangli and Satara in 24 hours.
The NH-53 highway passes through the mineral rich region of India.
It connects major cities like Kolkata, Raipur, Nagpur, Akola, Dhule and Surat.
Earlier this record was held by the Public Works Authority of Qatar - Ashghal on February 27, 2019.
The road was part of the Al-Khor Expressway and took 10 days to complete.
5. Indian Rubber industry can double its exports by 2025
Tags: National News
According to the All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA), the $2 billion non-tire rubber sector is aiming to double its exports by 2025.
AIRIA organised an event for the exchange of ideas and suggestions for the smooth functioning of the rubber industry in the coming years.
The objective of the meeting was to highlight the problems and prospects of the rubber industry in India.
The meeting emphasised that Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) and Export Promotion Councils should educate MSMEs on export procedures, documentation requirements and export finer points.
All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA)
Established - 1945
Head Office - Mumbai
Regional offices - New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai and a Chapter Office at Pune
It is the largest not-for-profit non-government body serving the rubber industry and trade.
Its objective is to safeguard and promote the interests of the Indian rubber industry with over 1200 country-wide members.
It provides a forum for interaction between Indian entrepreneurs within India and the rest of the world.
Some important facts about rubber
Natural rubber is a polymer of isoprene.
Rubber is obtained from the latex of a number of tropical trees of which Hevea brasiliensis is the most important.
Thailand is the largest Producer of Rubber in the World followed by Indonesia, Malaysia, India, China etc.
India is the fourth largest producer and consumer of rubber in the world.
The leading countries importing natural rubber from India are Germany, Brazil, the United States and Italy.
The first rubber plantation in India was established in 1895 on the hill slopes of Kerala.
Kerala is the largest producer of natural rubber in India.
Some other rubber producing states are Tripura, Assam, Andaman and Nicobar, Goa etc.
6. U.K. PM Boris Johnson faces no-confidence vote
Tags: International News
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson won the trust vote on 6 June. The no-confidence motion was brought by MPs from his ruling Conservative Party. Johnson garnered the support of 59% of his lawmakers. He got 211 votes out of a total of 359 MPs.
What is a No-Confidence Motion?
In a parliamentary democracy, the government can be in power only if it has a majority in the directly elected house.
Article 75(3) of the Constitution of India specifies the rule that the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
But there is no mention of a no-confidence motion in the Constitution.
Rule 198 of the Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha provides a mechanism for examining this collective responsibility.
According to this rule, any Lok Sabha MP who has the support of 50 colleagues can move a no-confidence motion against the Council of Ministers.
The MPs who supported the proposal highlight the shortcomings of the government.
The prime minister or minister then responds to the allegations made.
If the government loses the vote of confidence, it is expected to resign.
There is no procedure for bringing a no-confidence motion against the government in the Rajya Sabha.
Process of voting
Voting can be conducted by following mode-
By voice vote the legislators (MPs) respond orally.
By division vote voting is done using electronic gadgets, slips or in a ballot box.
By ballot vote just like how people vote during state or parliamentary elections.
7. Amit Shah inaugurates National Tribal Research Institute in New Delhi
Tags: National News
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated National Tribal Research Institute in New Delhi on 7 June.
The National Tribal Research Institute will play a crucial role in tribal development.
It is being established at a cost of ten crore rupees.
It will be a premier institution that will provide the necessary resources and expertise to address the educational, legislative and executive concerns of the tribal communities.
It will collaborate with other research organisations and academic institutions and supervise the activities of its various research departments and award scholarships to the best students.
It will provide policy inputs to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and State Welfare Departments along with programs and studies that support the socio-economic aspects of the tribes.
It will also help in setting up and running effective tribal museums.
It will also maintain a database of PMAGY, an online repository of information about the tribes of India.
Some important facts about Tribes
Population of Scheduled Tribes in India - Approximately 10.43 crores
Rural population of STs in India - approximately 9.38 crores
Urban population of STs in India - approximately 1.05 crores
Notified Tribes in India - 705
Indian state that has the largest population of STs - Madhya Pradesh has 14.7% of total STs population, followed by Maharashtra (10.1%)
Indian states/UTs have no listed STs - Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, NCT of Delhi, Puducherry
8. Nirmala Sitharaman launched single nodal agency dashboard
Tags: International News
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched the Single Nodal Agency Dashboard on 7th June during the iconic week celebrations of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav in New Delhi.
About Single Nodal Agency (SNA) dashboard
This Single Nodal Agency (SNA) dashboard will provide a platform to the Ministries/Departments to monitor the transfer of funds to the States and their utilisation.
SNA Dashboard is developed by the Public Financial Management System (PFMS).
This is a part of a major public financial management reform that was initiated in 2021 with regards to the manner in which funds for Centrally Sponsored Schemes are released, disbursed and monitored.
This revised process, now referred to as the SNA model, requires each state to identify and designate one SNA for each plan.
All funds for that state in a particular scheme will be deposited in this bank account, and all expenses will be borne by all other implementing agencies linked to this account.
The SNA model ensures that funds for centrally sponsored schemes are allocated to the states in a time bound manner and after fulfilling various conditions.
Significance of SNA Dashboard
It will bring greater efficiency in fund utilisation, tracking of funds, viability and timely release of funds to the states of Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
This will contribute to better cash management of the government.
9. President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the Sant Kabir Academy and Research Centre at Maghar
Tags: National Person in news
President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the Sant Kabir Academy and Research Centre Swadesh Darshan Yojana at Maghar, Uttar Pradesh on June 5.
Kabir and the Bhakti movement
The Bhakti movement began in the 7th century in South India to spread across north India in the 14th and the 15th centuries.
The movement included popular poet-saints, who sang devotional songs in local languages, with several preachings for the abolition of the varna system and for Hindu-Muslim unity.
They emphasised a deep emotional attachment with God.
Within the Bhakti movement there was a school Nirguna tradition and Sant Kabir was a prominent member of it.
In this tradition, God was understood as a universal and formless being.
Kabir was a 'low caste' weaver, Raidas was a leather worker and Dadu was a cotton carder.
His campaign against conservatism and rejection of caste made him extremely popular among the masses and his ideology of egalitarianism spread across India.
His early life
He was born in Varanasi and lived between the years 1398 and 1448, or until the year 1518 according to popular belief.
According to other belief, Kabir was born to a Brahmin widow, who placed him in a basket and set him afloat on a pond, after which he was rescued and adopted by a Muslim couple.
He is also believed to be a disciple of the famous guru Ramananda, a 14th century Vaishnava poet-saint.
His verses are found in the Guru Granth Sahib, the scripture of Sikhism.
His work was collected by the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev.
Kabir's works were written in Hindi language, which was easy to understand.
Kabir Granthawali, Anurag Sagar, Bijak and Sakhi are his main texts.
10. UN agrees to change Turkey’s official name to ‘Türkiye’
Tags: International News
Turkey will henceforth be officially known as 'Turkeys' at the United Nations, after agreeing to Ankara's formal request.
This is a part of a rebranding campaign launched by the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2021.
Why does Turkey want to change its name?
Turkish President Erdoan argued that instead of matching the name of a bird (Turkey), it better represented the country if it was called Turkiye.
According to the Cambridge English Dictionary, the meaning of turkey is fool or loser.
Erdoan said that Turkiye best represents the culture, civilization and values of the people of this country and it also best expresses them.
The country's government was not happy with the Google search results for the word 'Turkey'.
Some of these results included the large bird that is served for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals in North America.
Countries that changed its name in the past
The Netherlands was changed from Holland in 2020.
Macedonia changed its name to North Macedonia due to a political dispute with Greece.
Swaziland, a landlocked country in Southern Africa changed to Eswatini in 2018.
Iran used to be called Persia, Siam is now called Thailand, and Rhodesia was changed to Zimbabwe.
