Daily Current Affairs 18 June 2024

1. US, India launched NASA-ISRO synthetic aperture radar to Combat Climate Change

The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission is a collaboration between NASA and ISRO to launch a satellite equipped with advanced radar imaging.
This dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar will provide detailed observations of Earth, aiding in understanding and monitoring ecosystem disturbances, ice-sheet collapses, and natural hazards.
The mission aims to support climate change studies by measuring Earth’s complex processes with unprecedented precision, contributing significantly to environmental conservation and disaster management efforts.

2. EU Environment Ministers approved Nature Restoration Law to rehabilitate ecosystems

EU Environment Ministers have endorsed the Nature Restoration Law, aiming to rehabilitate ecosystems across member states.
This landmark legislation mandates restoring habitats to their natural state, reforesting areas, rewetting moors, and freeing rivers.
It’s a critical component of the EU Green Deal, targeting at least 20% of EU land and sea areas for restoration by 2030.
The law addresses biodiversity loss and supports climate goals, reflecting the urgency of protecting nature for economic sustainability and resilience.

3. India & US hold deliberations on initiative of critical and emerging technology

India and the US have launched the iCET (Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology) to strengthen cooperation in advanced technology sectors.
This partnership focuses on artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors, and wireless telecommunication.
The initiative aims to foster joint research and development, promote innovation, and ensure technological advancements align with shared strategic interests.
It represents a significant step in bilateral relations, enhancing both nations’ technological capabilities and global competitiveness.

4. Sahitya Akademi announced Yuva Puraskar, Bal Sahitya Puraskar winners for 2024

The Sahitya Akademi has announced the winners of the Yuva Puraskar and Bal Sahitya Puraskar for 2024.
The awards recognize outstanding literary works by young authors and children’s literature, respectively.
This year’s recipients include authors from various Indian languages, reflecting the rich linguistic diversity of India’s literary landscape.
The winners will receive a plaque and a cash prize, honoring their contributions to Indian literature and encouraging the pursuit of literary excellence among young writers and children’s authors.
The Yuva Puraskar has been awarded for 10 poetry books, seven collections of short stories, two collections of articles and one of essays, one novel, one book of ghazals and one memoir.

5. India to host its first multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti in August

India is set to host its inaugural multinational air exercise, Tarang Shakti, in August 2024.
This landmark event will feature air assets from 12 countries, with six nations actively participating with their frontline fighter aircraft, transport aircraft, and mid-air refuellers.
The remaining six will join as observers.
The exercise aims to enhance interoperability, exchange best practices, and strengthen military cooperation among the participating nations.

6. Vinod Ganatra becomes first Indian honoured with ‘Nelson Mandela Lifetime Achievement Award’

Vinod Ganatra has made history as the first Indian to receive the ‘Nelson Mandela Lifetime Achievement Award’.
This prestigious accolade was presented to him at the 7th Nelson Mandela Children’s Film Festival, recognizing his exceptional contributions to children’s cinema.
An eminent filmmaker and editor from Gujarat, now based in Mumbai, Ganatra’s work has significantly impacted the genre, earning him global acclaim.

7. IGNCA signed MoU with renowned artist Deepak Gore in Delhi

The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) has formalized a significant partnership with renowned artist Deepak Gore through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
This collaboration has led to Gore’s generous donation of his extraordinary collection of 115 oil paintings, which vividly portray the life and coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
This MoU not only enriches IGNCA’s cultural repository but also ensures the preservation and celebration of Shivaji Maharaj’s illustrious legacy for future generations.

8. India’s Environment Performance in 2024

In the 2024 Environment Performance Index (EPI), India has been ranked 176th out of 180 countries, with a score of 27.6.
This represents a slight improvement from its previous position at the bottom of the index in 2022.
Despite this progress, India remains among the lowest performers globally in environmental health.
The EPI, formulated by Yale and Columbia universities, assesses countries based on various environmental factors.
India’s ranking indicates a need for significant environmental policy reforms and actions to improve its standing and address pressing ecological challenges.

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