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1. Bhartruhari Mahtab has been appointed as the pro-tem Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha and administered the oath by the President of India. The pro-tem Speaker, appointed by the President under Article 95(1) of the Constitution, serves temporarily until a new Speaker is elected. The term "pro-tem" is Latin for "for the time being." Typically, the senior-most member of the house is chosen as the pro-tem Speaker. The pro-tem Speaker's duties include presiding over the first sitting of the Lok Sabha, administering the oath to newly elected MPs, conducting the vote for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, and administering the floor test. The office of the pro-tem Speaker ceases to exist once the new Speaker is elected by the House.
2. The Union Cabinet has approved the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme for offshore wind energy projects, with a total outlay of Rs. 7453 crore. This scheme includes the installation and commissioning of 1 GW of offshore wind energy projects, primarily off the coasts of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, with an outlay of Rs. 6853 crore for 500 MW projects. Offshore wind energy, known for its higher adequacy and reliability and lower storage requirement, benefits from this scheme. Overseen by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the VGF scheme aligns with the National Offshore Wind Energy Policy of 2015. VGF, a government grant of up to 40% of the total project cost, supports infrastructure projects that are economically justified but not financially viable. This government support aims to reduce the cost of power from offshore wind projects, making them viable for purchase by Distribution Companies (DISCOMs).
3. Scientists have discovered a new genus of freshwater diatom, Indiconema, in the clean rivers of the Eastern and Western Ghats. Named to reflect its restricted distribution in India, Indiconema features unique valve symmetry and a distinct valve structure, differing from other members of the Gomphonemoid group. It has pore fields at both the head and foot poles, unlike others which have them only at the foot pole. Found in both the Eastern and Western Ghats, Indiconema indicates shared endemic elements between these mountain systems, similar to other endemic-rich groups like reptiles. Morphologically, it is closely related to Afrocymbella, a genus endemic to East Africa, highlighting biogeographic connections between Indian and East African diatom species.
4. The summer solstice, marked on June 21st in the Northern Hemisphere, signifies the beginning of summer or midsummer when one of Earth's poles is maximally tilted towards the sun. Its origins trace back to around 200 BC when Greek scholar Eratosthenes measured Earth's circumference by observing sunlight directly down a well in Aswan, Egypt. The solstice is the longest day of the year, with the sun at its highest point. During this time, Earth's axis is tilted such that the North Pole is towards the sun and the South Pole is away. This axis is always tilted at 23.5 degrees with respect to the sun. At the Arctic Circle, the sun never sets. The Northern Hemisphere, especially regions near the Tropic of Cancer, receives more direct sunlight, making this the nearest point to the sun. Culturally, the summer solstice is celebrated with various festivals and rituals globally.
5. The 10th International Day of Yoga (IDY) is celebrated on June 21, 2024, with the theme “Yoga for Self and Society.” The United Nations declared June 21 as IDY in 2014, following a resolution proposed by India and endorsed by 175 member states. The first IDY in 2015 had the theme "Yoga for Harmony and Peace" and set two Guinness World Records in New Delhi for the largest yoga session (35,985 participants) and the most nationalities (84) in a single session. The World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledges yoga as a tool for promoting a healthier lifestyle, improving physical and mental health, and controlling noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Yoga contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including a 15% reduction in physical inactivity by 2030. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports recognized yoga as a sports discipline and placed it in the ‘Priority’ category in 2015.
6. Australia aims to finalize the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) with India within the next 6-7 months, ahead of their mid-2025 federal elections. CECA, a comprehensive trade agreement, is broader than the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), which came into force in December 2022 as a limited trade agreement. CECA negotiations began in May 2011, were suspended in 2016, and re-launched in 2021. CECA covers five main tracks: goods, services, digital trade, government procurement, and Rules of Origin/Product Specific Rules Schedule. New areas of interest include competition policy, MSMEs, innovation, agri-tech, critical minerals, and sports. In 2023-24, India's imports from Australia decreased by 15% to USD 16.15 billion, while exports to Australia increased by 14.23% to USD 7.94 billion. Australia ranks as India's 13th largest export destination and 14th largest import source.