AICTE comes up with AI Certificate Course

• The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) announced short-term courses on June 2, 2024, to teach faculty members in core engineering under quality-improvement programs in developing fields like data science and artificial intelligence.
• This year, the second most sought-after course in Tamilnadu institutions is AI and data science. Private colleges in Tamilnadu provide a number of certification programs.
•  More attempts are being made to provide courses in artificial intelligence and data science analytics due to the growing market need.
• 25000 seats are being added to Anna University's engineering colleges for the current academic year.
• Faculty with at least 5 years of experience in the mechanical, civil, electrical, and electronics departments may apply for programmes such as AI, Data Science, Robotics, IoT, cyber physical systems, virtual reality, machine learning.

21st Shangri-La Dialogue Concluded in Singapore

• The 21st edition of the Asia Pacific top defense forum, also known as the Asian Security Summit or Shangri-La Dialogue, concluded in Singapore from May 31 - June 2, 2024.
•  The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) and the Singaporean government work together to organize the Shangri-La Dialogue.
• The event is always held at Singapore's Shangri-La Hotel, which was inspired by the fabled utopian paradise of Shangri-La from James Hilton's book "Lost Horizon."
•  The Shangri-La Dialogue was started in the 1990s by British strategist Sir John Chipman, the head of IISS, with backing from former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.
• In 2002, the first conversation took place. In 2020 and 2021, the event was canceled because of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Innovative Fire Rescue Drone of IIT Dharwad

• A ground-breaking team led by Sudheer Siddapureddy and Ameer Mulla of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Dharwad unveiled a fire rescue helper drone on June 2, 2024.
•  This is a fresh advancement in fire safety. This unique concept was demonstrated at the 2-day DDANFR 2024 training on Drone Design and Autonomous Navigation in Fire Rescue, which was supported by the NMICPS, Government of India, and the TiHAN Foundation.
• The drone's ability to maneuver in cramped spaces and hot weather is crucial for fighting fires in challenging environments.
•  Professor Siddapureddy discussed the challenges of creating a device that is both incredibly compact and powerful.
•  The Fire and Thermal Research Laboratory (FTRL) has done some valuable work.
• They've developed sensors that can withstand exposure to soot, and they've created flexible protective shields that have been extensively tested in fire conditions.

Chang’e-6 Lands on the far side of the Moon (Space)

• The far side of the moon, which has not been explored as much as the near side, had a significant landing by a Chinese spacecraft on June 2, 2024.
• The massive South Pole-Aitken Basin saw the module land successfully, as confirmed by the China National Space Administration.
•  As part of China's sixth mission in its Chang'e moon exploration series—named after a Chinese moon goddess—this is a critical moment in the study of the moon.
•  Obtaining soil and rock samples is the mission's primary objective, building on the samples that Chang'e-5 collected from the moon's near side in 2020.
• China's lunar program is a component of a bigger effort to explore space, and it shows that the country is becoming a world leader in aerospace.

Safe Nipah-Virus like Particles Developed (Health & Nutrition)

• Researchers at the Institute of Advanced Virology (IAV) in Thonnakkal, Thiruvananthapuram, have developed a novel method for producing Nipah virus-like particles (VLPs), on June 2, 2024 which resemble the wild-type Nipah virus (NiV) but are not infectious.
•  This novel finding opens the door to the development of more effective and safe antibodies that neutralize NiV under less biosafety-sensitive conditions.
•  Up to 80% of victims of the extremely deadly zoonotic disease Nipah virus may not survive. NiV must be handled and examined with Biosafety Level-4 due to its contagious nature.
•  However, the lack of research that uses virus neutralization tests makes it more difficult to develop targeted therapies and vaccinations.
• The IAV's approach involves using genes carried by plasmids to create NiV-VLPs tagged with "HiBiT."
•  These VLPs contain crucial structural proteins of the virus. Although these lab-created VLPs share similarities in function and appearance with the natural Nipah Virus, they can't replicate because they lack viral genetic material.

Taiwan Athletics Open 2024

• The Indian team wrapped off their campaign at the Taiwan Athletics Open 2024 on June 2, 2024, with an incredible haul of total 7 medals, consisting of 3 golds, 3 silvers, and 1 bronze. 

Paris Olympic Quota for Boxing Secured by Two Indians

• Indian boxers Amit Pangal and Jasmine Lamboria won the coveted Paris Olympic quotas on June 2, 2024, thanks to their outstanding achievements.
• Amit Pangal defeated Liu Chuang of China in the men's 51 kg quarterfinal with a decisive score of 5-nil.
•  Jasmine Lamboria, on the other hand, easily overcame Marine Camara of Mali in the women's 57 kg quarterfinal round, winning 5 - 0.
• 4 more Indian wrestlers have also qualified for the Paris Olympics thus far, in addition to Amit and Jasmine.
• This includes bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain from the Tokyo Olympics, Nishant Dev, Nikhat Zareen, and Preeti Pawar.
• Another Indian boxer, Sachin Sivach, lost to Munarbek Seiitbek Uulu of Kyrgyzstan in the men's 57 kg category, preventing him from qualifying for the future Olympics.

R. Praggnanandhaa

• After winning the 5th round of the Norway Chess tournament in Stavanger on June 2, 2024, Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa moved up to the top 10 of the global rankings with a decisive victory over the United States' Fabiano Caruana, ranked second in the world.
• Hikaru Nakamura of the United States defeated China's Ding Liren, the world champion, to increase his lead over Magnus Carlsen of Norway to one full point.
•  At the halfway mark of this $161000 prize money tournament, Nakamura leads Carlsen by a full point with 10 points.
• Carlsen defeated French chess player Firouzja Alireza in a drawn rook and pawn endgame.

Helen Mary Roberts

• In Pakistan's 77-year military history, Helen Mary Roberts, a Christian woman, became the first female to be promoted to the rank of one-star officer on June 2, 2024.
• Her rise to prominence corresponds with heightened awareness of crimes committed against minorities in the country where Muslims make up the majority, especially against Christians.
• The Pakistani Army, which is predominantly Muslim, made history by promoting Christian Dr. Helen Mary Roberts to the prestigious rank of Brigadier.
• Roberts' promotion to the rank of one-star general in the Pakistan Army comes at a time when the country's crimes against minorities—Christians in particular—are being scrutinized. 

Claudia Sheinbaum

• Claudia Sheinbaum became the first female president of Mexico on June 2, 2024.
•  With 58.3 - 60.7 % of the vote, Claudia Sheinbaum, the candidate of the ruling Morena party, was declared the winner of the presidential election by the nation's National Electoral Institute.
• A historic contest for president was held, with 2 women emerging as the front-runners. Xochitl Galvez, the candidate of the opposition party supported by the PRI, which has ruled Mexico for 71 years, presented Sheinbaum with a fierce challenge.
•  Jorge Álvarez Máynez, the third contender, received a lower proportion of the total votes.
• Claudia Sheinbaum received between 58.3- 60.7% of the vote, followed by Xóchitl Gálvez with between 26.6- 28.6% and Jorge Álvarez Máynez with between 9.9- 10.8%, according to the National Electoral Institute of Mexico.

First Astro-Tourism Initiative in Uttarakhand

• The Uttarakhand government hosted India's first astro-tourism event, 'Nakshatra Sabha,' in Mussoorie, on June 1-2, 2024.
• The inaugural event took place at George Everest Peak, renowned for its stunning views of the Doon Valley and the snow-capped Himalayas.
•  This astro-tourism initiative aims to attract astronomy enthusiasts, adventurers, and travelers, offering them a chance to explore the universe while enjoying Uttarakhand's natural beauty.
• The initiative also promises skill development for locals interested in astronomy and tourism, boosting the local economy.
• To further support astro-tourism, the state plans to establish dark sky conservatories and implement a dark sky preservation policy.
• Organized by the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board and Starscapes, the event's success has led to plans for similar events in Harsil-Jadung, Benital, Rishikesh, Jageshwar, and Ramnagar.