1.Science and Technology
Rare space object called Active Asteroid discovered near Jupiter
Active Asteroids are celestial bodies that look like a comet but have asteroid like orbits.
The Active Asteroid near Jupiter is called 2019 LD2 and is part of an asteroid swarm called Jupiter Trojans.
2019 LD2 was discovered by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS)
Quick Fact: Elst Pizarro was the first active asteroid to be discovered.
2.Science and Technology
SpaceX becomes first private space company to send NASA astronauts to space
SpaceX has sent NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken to the International Space Station
The spacecraft being used for this purpose is called Crew Dragon.
The suits worn by the astronauts inside Crew Dragon are called the Starman suits.
Quick Fact: SpaceX is the first private company in the world to return rockets back to the earth.
3.Economy
NPCI launches AI virtual assistant PAi
National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) has launched an artificial intelligence (AI) based chatbot, PAi to increase financial inclusion in India
It is a 24*7 AI virtual assistant helping users understand NPCI products
NPCI products include FASTag, RuPay, UPI and AePS
Quick Fact: Artificial intelligence or Machine intelligence refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines
4.Sports
Rohit Sharma nominated for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award
BCCI has nominated Rohit Sharma for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awards 2020
This is the highest sporting award in India awarded for outstanding sports performance for a period of 4 years
Rohit Sharma is the first T20 cricketer to score 4 centuries and the first to score 5 ODI centuries in a single edition of the World Cup
Quick Fact: The award is presented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
5.International Affairs
China objects the presence of US THAAD missile in South Korea
For China, the presence of the missile indicates the US interfering with its long term relations with South Korea
US has announced this step as a countermeasure against potential attacks by North Korea
THAAD is an anti-ballistic missile system and stands for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense
Quick Fact: The capital of South Korea is Seoul
6.Environment
Rare fish, Scorpaenospsis neglecta, found in Gulf of Mannar
The fish has been found by researchers at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute
The fish is locally called Scorpion Fish for its venomous tail which can inject venom in someone who touches it
This species has been found alive in the Indian waters for the first time.
Quick Fact: Gulf of Mannar is India’s largest biosphere reserve
7.Miscellaneous
PM Modi launches video blogging contest “My Life My Yoga”
The contest will inspire people to participate in the sixth International Day of Yoga (21st June, 2020)
It will be conducted as a joint effort of Ministry of AYUSH and ICMR
As part of the contest, the participants have to upload a 3 minutes video on yogic practices and give the message about how yoga influenced their life.
8.Person in News
Venkataramani Sumantran becomes new independent director of Indigo
Venkataramani Sumantran has become the independent director of airline company IndiGo.
His appointment will be for a tenure of five years.
He is currently serving as the chairman and managing director of Chennai-based Celeris Technologies.
Quick Fact: Indigo airlines was established in 2006
