9th June, 2022 Current Affairs
NATIONAL
India to simultaneously launch first Human Space Mission Gaganyaan & first Human Ocean Mission in 2023
- India will achieve the unique distinction of simultaneously launching the first Human Space Mission Gaganyaan as well as the first Human Ocean Mission in 2023.
- Trials for both the Space and Ocean manned missions have reached advanced stage and the unique feat will be achieved in the second half of 2023.
- Government will soon unveil the Blue Economic Policy and around 40 million people will be employed by ocean-based industries by 2030.The mineral wealth which is hidden in the sea will give new heights to the development of the country.
- Marine businesses in India must reach its full potential as oceans provide living and non-living resources, from fisheries to marine biotechnology and minerals to renewable energy.
INTERNATIONAL
European Parliament votes to ban sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035 to fight climate change
- Members of the European Parliament have voted to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035. The move aims to step up the fight against climate change through the faster development of electric vehicles.
- The voting was held on an amendment that would have allowed some auto emissions from new vehicles after 2035, which was rejected by Members of Parliament.
- The European Union assembly voted in Strasbourg, France to require automakers to cut carbon-dioxide emissions by 100 percent by the middle of the next decade. The mandate would amount to a prohibition on the sale in the 27-nation EU of new cars powered by gasoline or diesel.
- Members of the European Parliament still have to negotiate the final law with ministers from the EU’s 27 national governments. Yesterday's vote has however increased the pressure on governments for a clear end to the internal combustion engine in the EU single market of 447 million people.
- Negotiations to determine the final shape of the law are set for later this year. If an agreement is reached, it effectively spells the end of the combustion-engine car in Europe, marking a radical overhaul of a form of transport.
- EU lawmakers also endorsed a 55 percent reduction in CO2 from automobiles in 2030 compared with 2021.
Japan, NATO agree to step up military cooperation and joint exercises
- Japanese and NATO officials yesterday agreed to step up military cooperation and joint exercises. Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi in a statement said that Japan hopes to strengthen its ties with European countries and welcomes NATO’s expanded involvement in the Indo-Pacific region.
- The security of Europe and Asia are closely intertwined, especially now with the international community facing serious challenges. NATO Military Committee Chief Rob Bauer visit in Tokyo comes as Japan’s Maritime Self-Defence Force is participating in NATO naval exercises in the Mediterranean Sea.
- Japanese Cabinet also approved an annual policy plan that calls for a drastic strengthening of defence capabilities and spending within five years.
- Some media reports say that the plan calls for pre-emptive strike capabilities as well as the development and strengthening of space, cyber and electromagnetic defence and of unmanned weapons a major shift in Japan's policy.
- Japan has been increasing its military capabilities and cooperation with Europe, in addition to its alliance with the United States and partnerships with other countries in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
BRICS countries vow to deepen financial cooperation, customs management
- The BRICS nations comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa have vowed to deepen financial cooperation and customs cooperation.
- Chinese state media reported that BRICS countries agreed to strengthening coordination on macroeconomic policy at a virtual meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors of the five-member bloc which was co-chaired by China's central bank governor Yi Gang and finance minister Liu Kun.
- The meeting discussed topics such as improving the Contingent Reserve Arrangement and the cooperation of transition finance and other areas.
- Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who participated virtually in the meeting, said that India's growth will be driven by fiscal spending.
- Ms. Sitharaman said BRICS should continue to serve as a platform to engage in dialogues and facilitate the exchange of experiences, concerns and ideas for rebuilding a sustainable and inclusive growth trajectory.
- Customs authorities of BRICS countries also vowed to deepen cooperation on intelligent customs at a virtual meeting on Tuesday.
- Customs cooperation between BRICS countries has seen fruitful results since the establishment of the cooperation mechanism in 2013, while bilateral trade has maintained steady growth, said Sun Yuning, deputy head of the General Administration of Customs of China.
Bangladesh GDP to grow at 6.4 percent in FY 2022: World Bank
- GDP of Bangladesh is estimated to grow at 6.4 percent in the Fiscal Year 2022, according to the World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report released.
- The growth rate will go up to 6.7 percent for the Fiscal 2023 boosted by increase in investment and remittance income for the country.
- Stronger than expected rebounds from the pandemic in Bangladesh helped it to maintain robust growth in the fiscal years 2021 and 2022. Till April, the export of goods from Bangladesh registered an impressive 25 percent growth and the manufacturing production registered the fastest pace in at least four years.
- In terms of regional projections, growth in South Asia is forecast to slow down to 6.8 and 5.8 percent in 2022 and 2023, respectively following a robust 7.6 percent rebound in 2021.
Dominican Republic's Environment Minister shot dead in office
- The Dominican Republic's Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Orlando Jorge Mera was shot dead in his office. The Minister was holding a meeting at the time of the attack. At least six shots were heard.
- A Presidential Spokesman identified the assailant describing him as a childhood friend of the Minister. Local media reports that the assailant is now in custody. The motive for the shooting remains unclear.
SPORTS
India Beat Poland 6-4 to Clinch Inaugural FIH Hockey 5s Title
- India beat Poland 6-4 in final to clinch the inaugural FIH Hockey 5s championship in Lausanne in Switzerland.
- Earlier, India first outplayed Malaysia 7-3, pumping in four goals in the second half in a stunning show before beating Poland 6-2 in the second match of the day. India, who had topped the five-team league standings with three wins and one draw en route final, ended their campaign with an unbeaten record.
- India had topped the five-team standings after the round-robin league stage with 10 points from three wins and one draw. India had beaten hosts Switzerland 4-3 and drawn with arch-rivals Pakistan 2-2.
Para-shooting World Cup: Indian shooters Manish Narwal, Rubina Francis win gold in 10 meter air pistol mixed team event
- Indian shooters Manish Narwal and Rubina Francis have won gold in 10 meter P6 air pistol mixed team event, the third for India at the ongoing Para-shooting World Cup in Chateauroux, France.
- The Duo of Narwal and Francis outscored Chinese pair of Yang Chao and Min Li 17-11.
- Led by the Paralympic gold medallist Narwal, the Indian pair totalled 274.3 with Narwal getting 138.7 in the final six shots.
- The Indian duo also created a new world record in the qualification stage with a score of 565 to enter the final at the top position.
- Narwal, SinghrajAdhana, Rahul Jakhar and Akash will be in action in P4 - mixed 50 meter pistol SH1 event.
Legend of Indian Women's cricket Mithali Raj announces her retirement from all forms of international cricket
- The legend of Indian Women's cricket, Mithali Raj announced her retirement from all forms of international cricket at the age of 39 years.
- She retired from T20 way back in September 2019, but continued to play in ODIs and Test matches.
- Mithali retires as the leading run-getter in women's ODIs. She represented India in 232 matches, scoring 7,805 runs at an average of 50.68. Mithali made her international debut in June 1999, in an ODI against Ireland.
- She captained India in the ICC Women's World Cup earlier this year in New Zealand, where India failed to qualify for the semi-finals.