- Report by Top 10VPN
- According to a report by virtual private network tracker Top 10VPN, India had the longest internet shutdown in 2023 in terms of user hours.
- The internet was completely affected for 7,956 hours in India, impacting around 59.1 million users in India.
- Internet shutdown is imposed under Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017 and Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973.
- It can be issued only by Union Home Secretary or State Home Secretary.
2. U.N. forecasts 2.7% growth for world economy
- According to United Nations’ mid-2024 report, the world economy is projected to grow by 2.7% in 2024.
- A 2.7% growth rate would equal growth in 2023, but still be lower than the 3% growth rate before the pandemic.
- United Nations – Headquarters – New York
- Formation – 1945.
3. Space Park
- Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Limited (TIDCO) is developing a Space Park near Kulasekarapattinam in Thoothukudi.
- TIDCO has recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with IN-SPACe to establish a space industrial and propellants park and a Centre of Excellence (CoE).
- IN-SPACe – Formation – June 2020
- A single-window nodal agency.
- Aim – To boost the private space sector economy in India.
- ISRO is establishing a second spaceport at Kulasekarapattinam
4. Cauvery Water Regulation Committee
- The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee instructed Karnataka to release approximately 1.25 thousand million cubic feet (tmc ft) towards environmental purpose.
- The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) was established to implement and monitor the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal’s award and regulate the distribution of water according to its provisions.
- The Cauvery dispute involves 3 states and one Union Territory: Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Puducherry
5. Elimination of mercury-containing medical devices
- The Governments of Albania, Burkina Faso, Montenegro, Uganda including India have united to launch a $134-million project to eliminate the use of mercury in medical devices.
- This project will be,
- Led by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
- Funded by Global Environment Facility (GEF)
- Executed by the World Health Organization (WHO)
ONE LINER
- T.K.Ramanathan award for Rethin Pranav Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA)
- Nearly 6 million trees disappeared from Indian Farmlands in three years – University of Copenhagen, Denmark
