SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Bharat Biotech and GSK Collaborate to Develop Shigella Diarrhoea Vaccine

Bharat Biotech partnered with GSK plc to develop a vaccine for Shigellosis, a severe form of bacterial diarrhoea.

The vaccine candidate, altSonflex1-2-3, was developed by GSK and is now advancing through a strategic collaboration with Bharat Biotech.

This vaccine candidate is among the most advanced Shigella vaccines globally.

Currently, there is no licensed Shigella vaccine available, and antimicrobial resistance is rising.

The vaccine candidate offers broad serotype coverage and uses an innovative Generalized Modules for Membrane Antigens (GMMA)-based platform with robust early clinical results.

Bharat Biotech Executive Chairman Krishna Ella highlighted the urgent need for scalable, science-backed solutions, especially for low and middle-income countries.

Under the agreement:Bharat Biotech will lead further development, including Phase 3 clinical trials, regulatory approval, and large-scale manufacturing.

GSK will assist with clinical trial design, securing external funding, and contribute to Access and Delivery Plans and commercialisation strategy.

 

BANKING

Scapia Partners with Federal Bank to Launch New Dual-Network Card

Scapia, a travel fintech platform, has launched a new credit card in partnership with Federal Bank named Scapia Federal RuPay Credit Card.

The card supports dual networks: VISA and RuPay, enabling online, offline, UPI, and international transactions on a single credit card statement.

Users can manage both credit and UPI spends through RuPay in one consolidated place.

The card offers zero forex markup on all international transactions.

Cardholders get unlimited domestic airport lounge access and complimentary dining, shopping, and spa benefits at all airport outlets.

Reserve Bank of India Permits STRIPS Trading in State Government Bonds

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has allowed a special trading facility called STRIPS for state government securities, expanding the existing framework for central government bonds.

STRIPS stands for Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities. It allows interest and principal payments of fixed-coupon bonds to be traded separately.

Eligible Securities Criteria:

Must be state government fixed-coupon bonds.

Must have residual maturity up to 14 years.

Must have an outstanding amount of at least ₹10 billion (~$116.93 million).

Must be eligible to meet banks’ Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR)

It enables dealers to sell principal and interest components independently, thereby boosting liquidity in the state government securities market.

The move was taken after consultations with state governments and market participants.

The guidelines are aligned with those for central government securities where STRIPS trading is already permitted.

 

DEFENCE

Cyber Suraksha Exercise Launched to Boost Cyber Resilience in Defence

To bolster the country's cyber resilience, especially in the defence domain, a comprehensive Cyber Security Exercise code-named ‘ Cyber Suraksha’ was launched on 16 June 2025. The multi-phased exercise commenced on 16 June and will continue until 27 June 2025.

The exercise assumes significance after reports that there were significant cyber attacks on the country during Operation Sindoor.

The hackers sympathetic to Pakistan targeted the defence sector’s public sector enterprises and vendors. They also targeted critical infrastructure like ports, airports, power grids, telecom companies, the Indian railways network, etc.

According to the Union Minister for Power, Manohar Lal Khattar, over two lakh cyber attacks were conducted on the power grids during Operation Sindoor.

The Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff under the Union Ministry of Defence organised the Cyber Suraksha Exercise.

The exercise involves around 100 people from the defence sector, national-level agencies, and stakeholders involved in cybersecurity.

During the exercise, real cyber threats will be simulated, and the participants will attempt to thwart the cyber attack.

It will test the analytical skills of the cyber experts in dealing with a cyber attack.

 

AWARDS & PRIZES

PM Modi Receives Cyprus Highest Honour: Grand Cross of Makarios III

Cyprus has become the latest country to honour Prime Minister Narendra Modi with its highest civilian award, the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a three-nation official tour of Cyprus, Canada, and Croatia from June 15 to 19, 2025.

In the first leg of his visit, he visited Cyprus on 15 and16th June 2025.

This is the first foreign visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi after India launched Operation Sindoor to hit terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir on the night of 6/7 May 2025.

The award was instituted by the Cypriot government in 1991 in memory of its first President, Archbishop Makarios III.

The award is given to the Head of State /Head of Government and global leaders for exceptional service, leadership, or contributions that have positively impacted the country or the world.

It is Cyprus's highest civilian award.

Alexander Payne to Receive Honorary Leopard at Locarno Film Festival 2025

American filmmaker Alexander Payne will be conferred with the Honorary Leopard (Pardo d’Onore) at the 78th Locarno Film Festival, to be held from August 6–16, 2025.

The award, presented on August 15, recognizes Payne’s distinguished cinematic career and lasting impact on international filmmaking.

The Honorary Leopard, sponsored by Manor, is Locarno’s highest tribute for career excellence in global cinema.

Payne is widely respected for films like Election, Sideways, The Descendants, Nebraska, and The Holdovers, noted for their emotional depth and subtle humor.

He will screen and discussThe Descendants and Nebraska, and hold a public dialogue with audiences.

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Deputy Chief Executive Officer of SBI General Insurance

Mohd Arif Khan has been appointed as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Deputy CEO) of SBI General Insurance.

Khan is a seasoned banking professional with over 25 years of experience at State Bank of India (SBI).

He has held several strategic and leadership roles across various banking domains including:Retail banking, Training and development, Core Banking Solution (CBS) implementation

Khan started his career with SBI in 2000 as a Probationary Officer.

In his most recent role, he was General Manager – Network-I at SBI’s Local Head Office in Thiruvananthapuram.

At SBI, he led large-scale business and operational initiatives contributing to the bank’s transformation and growth.

His appointment is a key leadership addition aimed at strengthening SBI General Insurance’s growth trajectory and operational excellence.

CEO and MD of Life Insurance Corporation of India

The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) has recommended R Doraiswamy for the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD) at Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).

R Doraiswamy has been a Managing Director at LIC since September 2023.

FSIB conducted interviews on June 11, 2025, for the CEO and MD post with four candidates from LIC:R Doraiswamy, Sat Pal Bhanoo, Dinesh Pant, Ratnakar Patnaik

Based on performance in the interview, overall experience, and existing parameters, FSIB recommended R Doraiswamy for the role.

The government had recently entrusted Sat Pal Bhanoo with financial and administrative powers and functions of CEO and MD for three months starting June 8, 2025.

 

SPORTS

Munich ISSF World Cup 2025

India finished its campaign at the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol in Munich with four medals- two gold and two bronze. On the medal table, India finished third behind China and Norway.

The ISSF World Cup/Rifle was held in Munich, Germany, from 8 to 15 June 2025, and was organised by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF).

At the first ISSF World Cup of the 2025 season, held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, India won 8( four gold, two silver, and two bronze) medals. India finished second behind China on the medal table.

At the Munich event, India sent a 36-member shooting contingent.

India won four - two gold and two bronze medals at the Munich event..

Gold medal

Suruchi Singh- women’s 10m air pistol event.

Arya Borse/Arjun Babuta- 10m air rifle mixed team

Bronze medal winner

Sift Kaur Samra- women’s 50m rifle 3 positions

Elavenil Valarivan - women’s 10m air rifle

 

MoU and Agreements

NPCI and IDRBT Signed MoU

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and the Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aiming to enhance cybersecurity and resilience in India’s rapidly evolving digital payments ecosystem.

This collaboration will focus on capacity building, certification, and improved threat intelligence sharing to safeguard the financial infrastructure.

The MoU aims to strengthen cyber resilience in India's retail and digital payment systems, especially amid rising cyber threats.

An NPCI-certified security programme will be introduced to upskill professionals in cybersecurity and data privacy, in line with regulatory standards.

NPCI and its partners will gain access to IDRBT’s upgraded threat intelligence platform, सचेत (IBCART 3.0), enhancing real-time threat detection.

Joint initiatives will include specialized training programs for professionals in both urban and rural banking ecosystems.

The collaboration aims to develop a culture of proactive cyber risk mitigation and awareness across the financial sector.

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

Global Wind Day

Global Wind Day 2025 is observed all over the world on 15th June.

On June 15, Global Wind Day, also known as World Wind Day, is commemorated. It's a day for learning about wind energy, and its potential for reshaping energy systems, decarbonizing economies, and boosting employment and growth.

In 2007, The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) organized the first Wind Day.

In 2009 the EWEA joined forces with the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) and made it a worldwide event.

In recent years, WindEurope and the GWEC have organized the day together.

In 2012, the organization sponsored a photo competition. People around the world were encouraged to enter photos that best captured the theme for the year.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

On June 15th, every year the world commemorates World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

This day is marked in order to raise awareness about the plight of the elderly who are abused and harmed.

Theme for the day is Addressing Abuse of Older Adults in Long Term Care Facilities: Through Data and Action

In 1978, SAGE was formed and the Advocacy and Services for LGBT elders were created.

In 1983, The first book on elder abuse, “Abuse and Maltreatment of the Elderly: Causes and Interventions”, was published.

In1988, The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) was established by the U.S. Administration on Aging.

In 2003, A group of UCI professors created the nation’s first-ever Elder Abuse Forensic Center

The day was officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2011 bypassing the resolution 66/127 of the United Nations following a request by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA), which first established the commemoration in June 2006.

 

OBITUTARY

Apple Software Pioneer Bill Atkinson

Bill Atkinson, a pioneering software designer, died at the age of 74 at his home in Portola Valley, California, due to pancreatic cancer.

He was born in Washington and studied computer science and neurobiology at the University of Washington.

Atkinson was a key figure at Apple Computer, best known for:Programming QuickDraw, a foundational graphics library used in Apple Lisa and Macintosh computers &Being the visionary behind the Macintosh graphical user interface (GUI).

He is credited with inventing major graphical computing features like:Pull-down menus, The “double-click” gesture

QuickDraw was initially designed for the Lisa computer (introduced in January 1983) and later became crucial to the Macintosh GUI (launched in January 1984).

Atkinson also created MacPaint, a digital drawing program bundled with the original Macintosh:Enabled users to draw pixel by pixel, Introduced the “tool palette”, now standard in graphic design software

 

 

 

 

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