IMPORTANT DAYS

World Oceans Day 2024 celebrated on 8 June

• World Oceans Day is celebrated annually on June 8 to underscore the importance of oceans in sustaining life on Earth and to motivate actions towards their preservation.

• The theme for World Oceans Day 2024 is 'Awaken New Depths'.

• The United Nations officially designated June 8 as World Oceans Day in 2008.

• The concept of World Oceans Day was first proposed in 1992 during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

• International Marine Organization established in 1973, the International Marine Organization was created to address issues such as marine pollution from ships, oceanic garbage, and air pollution caused by maritime vessels.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

New Non-Permanent Members of the UN Security Council

• Pakistan, Denmark, Greece, Panama, and Somalia have been elected as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

• Their terms will commence on January 1, 2025, following their election by secret ballot in the UN General Assembly.

• New Members: Pakistan, Denmark, Greece, Panama, and Somalia will replace Mozambique, Japan, Ecuador, Malta, and Switzerland on the Security Council.

• This marks the eighth time Pakistan has been elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

• Somalia received 179 votes. Pakistan secured 182 votes in the category for African and Asia-Pacific countries.

• In the Latin American and Caribbean States group, Panama received 183 votes.

• For the Western European and other States, Denmark received 184 votes, and Greece got 182 votes.

• The five permanent members of the Security Council are the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, and France.

• In 2023, Algeria, Guyana, South Korea, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia were elected as non-permanent members.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

India-France TRISHNA Mission Details by ISRO

• On World Environment Day, ISRO shared information about the collaborative TRISHNA mission with the French National Space Agency (CNES).

• Mission Name: TRISHNA (Thermal Infrared Imaging Satellite for High-resolution Natural Resources Assessment).

• TRISHNA aims to monitor Earth's surface temperature, emissivity, and biophysical and radiative variables to assess the surface energy budget on regional to global scales.

• The mission will tackle critical issues related to water and food security by examining the effects of human-induced climate change and promoting efficient water resource management through evapotranspiration monitoring.

• This mission is designed to address significant environmental challenges, leveraging advanced thermal infrared imaging to provide critical data for sustainable resource management and climate change mitigation.

NATIONAL NEWS

Development of Prerana Sthal by Lok Sabha Secretariat

• The Lok Sabha Secretariat is developing Prerana Sthal within the Parliament House Complex.

• This dedicated area will feature statues of the country's great leaders and freedom fighters, which were previously scattered across different parts of the Complex.

• Statues of prominent leaders and freedom fighters are being consolidated at Prerana Sthal to ensure they are easily visible to visitors.

• Modern technology will be employed to provide detailed information about these leaders, their lives, and their philosophies, thereby inspiring visitors.

• Following the construction of the new Parliament Building, a comprehensive action plan has been initiated to enhance the aesthetics of the Parliament Complex.

• Jurisdiction: The Parliament House Complex falls under the jurisdiction of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

• Prerana Sthal is designed to not only honor the legacy of the nation’s great leaders but also to educate and inspire all who visit the Parliament Complex.

BANKING, ECONOMY AND FINANCE

Introduction of King Charles III Currency Notes

• For the first time, banknotes featuring King Charles III have entered circulation.

• The Bank of England has requested that people return their old banknotes bearing the image of Queen Elizabeth II as these new notes are introduced.

• The new banknotes will feature the image of King Charles III, making him the second British monarch to appear on Bank of England notes.

• Design Changes: The only change in the new notes is the image of King Charles III; all other details remain unchanged.

• Images of the new notes were first unveiled in December 2022, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September of that year.

• New notes will be printed only to replace old ones and to accommodate the overall increase in demand for currency.

• People can exchange their old banknotes worth up to £300 for new ones from June 5 to June 30.

• The old banknotes with Queen Elizabeth II's image will still be valid and will circulate alongside the new ones.

• The Bank of England’s initiative marks a significant transition in British currency, honoring the new monarch while maintaining the practicality and continuity of existing banknotes.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCES

India-UAE Digital Payments Advancements Unveiled at Dubai Conclave

• The Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC) in Dubai, along with representatives from NPCI and RBI, highlighted major advancements in digital payments at a recent conclave held at the Taj Dubai.

• Objective: The conclave aimed to boost economic cooperation and streamline cross-border transactions between India and the UAE.

• A key highlight was the Local Currency Settlement framework, a significant outcome of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UAE earlier this year.

• This framework leverages the Indian Rupee's stability and advanced digital payment technologies to reduce transaction costs and enhance financial transparency.

• The initiative aims to create a seamless financial ecosystem benefiting businesses and consumers while strengthening economic ties between the two nations.

• RuPay and UPI: RuPay cards are now accepted in the UAE through the Mercury payment gateway, and UPI payments are supported via Mashreq Bank.

• Future Launches: The RuPay stack, named “JAYWAN” in the UAE, is set to launch in July 2024, with further enhancements planned for October 2024.