1. India hosts SCO-RATS meeting
Tags: Summits International News
Counter-terrorism experts from India, Pakistan and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) discussed ways to enhance cooperation in tackling various regional security challenges in a meeting hosted in New Delhi on May 16.
The meeting is being held under the regional counter-terrorism framework of the SCO.
A major focus of the discussion was on the situation in Afghanistan where all countries are threatened by terrorist groups operating in the Taliban-ruled country.
Pakistan has sent a three-member team for the meeting.
The Afghan issue has figured prominently in almost all the major meetings of the SCO.
Council of Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of SCO (RATS SCO)
India assumed the presidency of the SCO (RATS SCO) on 28 October last year for a period of one year.
India has shown keen interest in deepening its security-related cooperation with the SCO and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Framework (RATS).
This specifically deals with issues relating to security and defence.
The SCO is an influential economic and security bloc and has emerged as one of the largest inter-regional international organisations.
The member states of the SCO
Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan
Afghanistan is among the observer states of the SCO.
2. Pilot project launched to skill tribal youth
Tags: National News
A pilot project was launched by the Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to skill tribal youth from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
Under this pilot project, about 250 beneficiaries of 17 clusters of 17 districts selected from six states will be given training.
The six states selected for the pilot project include Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Odisha.
Under this pilot project, training will be given in five disciplines (multi skilling)-
Electricity and Solar Energy
agricultural mechanisation
e-governance
Plumbing and Masonry
Repair and maintenance of two wheelers.
The training under these five subjects will help the tribal youth to set up their own business and generate employment opportunities for other youth in their locality.
3. Ramgarh Vishdhari Sanctuary gets the status of fourth tiger reserve of Rajasthan
Tags: National News
Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav informed that Ramgarh Vishdhari Sanctuary in Rajasthan has been notified as the 52nd Tiger Reserve of India.
This will be the fourth tiger reserve in Rajasthan after Ranthambore, Sariska and Mukundra.
The National Tiger Reserve Authority (NTCA) had on July 5 last year given in-principle approval to make Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary and its adjoining areas as tiger reserves.
The specialty of Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve is its ecosystem and tiger friendly environment.
With its declaration as a Tiger Reserve, along with the conservation of biodiversity, the population of the forest fauna living in the area will be protected, this will enable the region to write a new chapter of ecology, tourism and development at the local level.
This protected area is an ideal habitat for wild animals like wolf, leopard, striped hyena, bear, golden jackal, chinkara, nilgai and fox.
Apart from tiger conservation, this sanctuary is also famous for its ecosystem as well as flower species.
Total number of tigers in the country
According to the Status of Tiger in India report released in 2019, there are currently 2,967 tigers in 20 states across the country.
Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttarakhand have more than 50% of the total tiger population in the entire country, which number 1,492.
Madhya Pradesh has the largest number of tigers, whose number is 526.
There are about 4,200 tigers left in only 13 countries of the whole world, out of which 70% tigers are in India.
International Tiger Day is celebrated every year on 29 July.
4. Elisabeth Bourne appointed new Prime Minister of France
Tags: Person in news International News
French President Emmanuel Macron has named Elisabeth Born as the country's new prime minister.
She is the second woman to become prime minister in France. Prior to this, Edith Cresson took the responsibility of the post of Prime Minister in 1991-1992.
French Prime Minister Jean-Casteux resigned in a move expected after Emmanuel Macron was re-elected, with 61-year-old Elisabeth Born as the new prime minister.
Born was Labor Minister in Macron's previous government since 2020. Earlier she had also been the Transport Minister.
In France, Macron and Bourne are likely to appoint a full government in the coming days.
About France -
France is a country located in Western Europe
It is the largest country in the continent of Europe in terms of area.
Capital- Paris
President- Emmanuel Macron
currency - euro
5. National Cyber Forensic Laboratory inaugurated
Tags: National News
Home Minister Amit Shah launched the National Cyber Forensic Laboratory(NCFL) on the premises of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory(CFSL) in Hyderabad.
The Ministry of Home Affairs had approved setting up of NCFL for evidence purposes at CFSL, Hyderabad in December 2021.
NCFL is planning to expedite the resolution of cyber crime cases in the country.
As per the present information, 28 States and Union Territories have established Cyber Forensic cum Training Laboratories.
The Government of India is setting up a modern cyber lab ecosystem across the country which will help in increasing the conviction rate of cyber crimes.
Important for exams -
Union Home Minister- Amit Shah
Union Minister of State for Home- Ajay Kumar Mishra
6. Foundation stone of India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage at Lumbini
Tags: International News
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi along with the Prime Minister of Nepal, Shri Sher Bahadur Deoba, laid the foundation stone for the construction of the India International Center for Buddhist Culture and Heritage at Lumbini Monastery Area, Lumbini, Nepal.
The centre will be constructed by International Buddhist Association (IBC), New Delhi on a plot of Lumbini Development Trust (LDT), which was allotted to IBC under an agreement signed between IBC and LDT in March, 2022.
The two prime ministers also unveiled a model of the centre after the foundation stone was laid by monks from three major Buddhist traditions, Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana.
It will be a modern building that will meet NetZero standards in terms of energy, water and waste management and will also house a prayer hall, meditation centre, library, exhibition hall, cafeteria, offices and other facilities.
About Lumbini -
Lumbini is the birth place of Lord Buddha.
It is located in Nepal.
In the Ashoka Pillar established by Emperor Ashoka at this place, there is an inscription describing the birth place of Buddha in Brahmi scripted Prakrit language.
This place is one of the four major Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
7. Bengaluru based startup Pravaig to supply batteries to European armed forces
Tags: International News
Bengaluru-based energy and technology startup Pravaig Dynamics has announced that it has received an order to supply compact energy storage to the European Armed Forces.
The startup said the made-in-India tactical batteries will power equipment used by European combat forces.
About Pravaig
It is a heavy-duty power bank that is portable and weighs 14 kilograms.
It is of great utility to the digitally connected modern military and Special Forces personnel who have to operate in high-risk zones.
They require constant power back-up while using gadgets.
These batteries are designed, engineered and manufactured in India.
Significance
This supply marks a major shift in the defence landscape of India.
It marks a turning point in the reversal of India's high technology defence industry, from users to developers, from importers to exporters.
The field pack can be used to energise a military person’s duties and it can be used to deploy remote sensors.
A powerful tactical battery can be used even to operate larger military equipment such as drones.
It can also help coordinate tactical operations that involve multiple weapon systems.
8. PM Narendra Modi visited Lumbini in Nepal on occasion of Buddha Purnima
Tags: National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Lumbini, Nepal, to participate in the Buddha Jayanti (Buddha Purnima) celebrations at the Mayadevi temple on May 16.
Lumbini (Nepal) is the birthplace of Gautama Buddha.
The Prime Minister took a flight from Kushinagar International Airport to Lumbini.
Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone of India International Center for Buddhist Culture and Heritage at Lumbini Monastery Area, Lumbini, Nepal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also visited the Mayadevi temple in Lumbini, Nepal.
About Buddha Purnima
Buddha Purnima marks the birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.
It is believed that he attained enlightenment on this day.
People who adopt Buddhism in India prefer to wear white clothes and avoid consuming non-vegetarian food.
People pour water into the root of the Bodhi tree, give alms and meditate.
On the occasion of Buddha Purnima, many devotees visit Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Bodh Gaya, Bihar.
Bodhi Temple is the place where Lord Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment.
About Kushinagar
Kushinagar is an international tourist destination which is closely associated with Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.
It is one of the four holy places of Lord Buddha.
Buddha delivered his last sermon in Kushinagar and attained Mahaparinirvana (salvation) in 483 BC and was cremated at Rambhar Stupa.
The reclining nirvana statue of Lord Buddha inside the temple is 6.10 mt long and is made of monolith red-sandstone of the 5th century A.D.
It represents the ‘Dying-Buddha’ reclining on his right side with his face towards the west.
About Maya Devi Temple
It is one of the most ancient Buddhist Temples in Lumbini.
It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It is known as the birthplace of Gautam Buddha.
The temple is situated in the middle of the park grounds called Lumbini Development Zone.
This temple marks the spot where Maya Devi gave birth to Gautam Buddha.
9. Sheikh Mohammed named UAE President
Tags: Person in news International News
On May 14, the rulers of the United Arab Emirates unanimously appointed Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as the nation's president.
The country's seven sheikhs, who are the rulers of the UAE, took the decision at a meeting held at the Al Mushrif Palace in Abu Dhabi.
The post fell vacant after the country's president and ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, 73, died on 13 May.
The transition of power marks only the third time this U.S.-allied nation of seven sheikhdoms has selected a President since becoming an independent nation in 1971.
The UAE has had a presidential system since it emerged as an independent nation in 1971.
Important facts about UAE
There are no rivers in the UAE
The UAE was the first country in the world to appoint a minister for artificial intelligence
The Arabian Oryx is the national animal of the UAE
Six of the world’s tallest hotels are in the UAE
It is located on the southeast end of the Arabian Peninsula.
The country's form of government is an absolute monarchy.
Each emirate of the UAE is ruled by a separate royal family.
The falcon is the UAE's national symbol
Capital city - Abu Dhabi
7 Emirates of the UAE - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain.
Religion - Muslims 76%, Christians 19%
Language - Arabic
Currency - Dirhams
National Day - 2 December
10. UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed passes away
Tags: Person in news International News
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan (73 years), the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, passed away on May 13, 2022.
Expressing his deepest condolences on the passing away of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Indian Prime Minister said that India-UAE relations have prospered under his guidance.
The Government of India has declared a day of national mourning on his death. During this time no public festival will be celebrated in any government offices.
The UAE government has declared 40 days of national mourning in the country on the death of Sheikh Khalifa. During this, the national flag will remain at half-mast. All government offices and private institutions including ministries will also remain closed for three days.
The world's tallest building 'Dubai's Burj Khalifa' was also named after the late President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum to be Acting President :
According to the UAE's constitution, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the ruling Vice President and Premier of Dubai, will take over as acting president until the country's Federal Council meets within 30 days to elect a new president.
Born in 1948, Sheikh Khalifa became the President of the UAE in 2004 after the death of his father. He was the country's second president and the 16th leader of Abu Dhabi.
About UAE -
Capital- Abu Dhabi
Prime Minister- Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Currency- UAE Dirham
