1. Former Malaysian PM Muhyiddin Yassin arrested on corruption charges
Tags: Person in news International News
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission on 9 March arrested former Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on the charges of corruption.
An overview of the news
Muhyiddin, who was Malaysia's prime minister for 17 months between 2020 and 2021, has been charged under laws related to abuse of power and money laundering.
He and his party have faced a corruption investigation after losing the November election to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Prime Minister Ibrahim last year ordered a review of billions of dollars of government projects approved by Muhyiddin, including Covid-19 relief programmes, alleging that he did not follow proper procedures.
Muhyiddin, who is also chairman of Barsatu, a major opposition party in Malaysia's ruling coalition, would be the second former prime minister to be indicted.
Another former Malaysian prime minister, Najib Razak, is also serving a 12-year prison sentence for corruption.
About Malaysia
Prime Minister - Anwar Ibrahim
Capital - Kuala Lumpur
Currency - Malaysian ringgit
Official Language - Malay
Official Religion - Islam
2. UN inks first ‘High Seas Treaty’ in a bid to protect ocean bodies of the world
Tags: Environment International News
For the first time in history, the United Nations signed the 'High Seas Treaty' to protect the world's oceans located outside national boundaries.
An overview of the news
The treaty is the result of nearly a decade of negotiations on environmental concerns.
The treaty was agreed upon on 4 March after 38 hours of negotiations at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
The last international agreement on ocean conservation was signed 40 years ago in 1982.
What is the UN High Seas Treaty?
The treaty will create a new body to manage the conservation of marine life and establish marine protected areas in the high seas.
The treaty brings 30 percent of the world's oceans into a protected area, spends more on marine conservation, and sets new rules for ocean mining.
The treaty aims to protect against potential impacts such as deep-sea mining.
The treaty would put restrictions on how much fish could be caught in the high seas.
What are High Seas?
International water bodies that cross the boundaries of nations are considered high seas.
They cover about two-thirds of the world's oceans.
These are water bodies where all countries have the right to fish, sail and conduct research.
But so far only about 1% of this water – known as the high seas – has been protected.
These are also important areas for exploration of valuable minerals, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas reserves.
Vulnerable marine species
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), about 10% of marine species are at risk of extinction.
In addition, 41% of threatened species are affected by climate change.
Shellfish, sharks and whales are under particular pressure due to their use as seafood and medicines.
3. Belarus court jails Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski for 10 years
Tags: Person in news International News
A court in Belarus on March 3 sentenced 2022 Nobel Peace Prize winner and human rights activist Ales Bialiatski to 10 years in prison for financing protests and other crimes.
An overview of the news
He has been given this sentence in the case of activities disturbing public order, financing and smuggling.
A fine of 65 thousand US dollars has also been imposed on 60-year-old Bialiatsky.
He is co-founder of the Viasna human rights group.
In October 2022, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on human rights and democracy.
Along with Bialyatsky, representatives of the Vesna Human Rights Center, Valentin Stefanovich and Vladimir Labkovich, were also sentenced to 9 years and 7 years, respectively.
Investigation revealed that Ales Bialiatsky and other members received funds from various organizations in Lithuania during April 2016 to July 2021.
After this these funds were sent outside the Eurasian Economic Union with the help of many people.
According to the law of Belarus, this is a crime and the maximum punishment for this crime is 12 years.
Baliatsky, a Belarusian litterateur, school teacher and museum director, has been involved in pro-democracy protests since the 1980s.
He was an avid supporter of Belarus' independence from the Soviet Union in the early 1980s, organizing anti-Soviet protests across the country.
4. Jan Aushadhi Train flagged off by Mansukh Mandaviya and Ashwini Vaishnaw
Tags: National International News
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav flagged off the Jan Aushadhi train (Chhattisgarh Sampark Kranti Express) in New Delhi on 3 March.
An overview of the news
The train is dedicated to the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).
The train has been wrapped with branding of Jan Aushadhi scheme to spread the awareness among public about generic medicines available at Jan Aushadhi centers.
Medicines are available at affordable prices in more than nine thousand Jan Aushadhi Kendras in India.
This train will travel through 184 stations covering more than four states in two months.
Jan Aushadhi Kendras provide quality and affordable medicines.
Indian Railways is also running a special campaign for promotion of affordable generic medicines to create awareness among the public.
The Ministry of Railways has decided to open Jan Aushadhi Kendras at some major railway stations which will prove beneficial for the passengers.
This train will travel to more than 4 states in 2 months.
About Jan Aushadhi Scheme
The Jan aushadhi scheme was launched in 2008 by the UPA government.
This scheme was relaunched in the year 2015, by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi.
This campaign was started across the country by selling generic medicines through “Jan Aushadhi Medical Stores”.
In 2015, the name of 'Jan Aushadhi Yojana' was changed to 'Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana' (PMJAY), but it was changed to "Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Yojana" in November 2016.
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) scheme was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India with the objective of providing quality generic medicines available at affordable prices to all.
5. Vo Van Thuong elected as new President of Vietnam
Tags: Person in news International News
Vo Van Thuong, a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), was elected as the country's new President by the National Assembly of Vietnam.
Overview of the news
Thuong's election came after the sudden resignation of the previous president, Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
Thuong is the youngest member of the party's Politburo, the country's top decision-making body.
About Vo Van Thuong
Thuong began his political career in 1993.
In 2003, Thuong became secretary of the Communist Youth Union of Ho Chi Minh City.
Thuong was elected as a member of the SPV Central Committee for the third time in 2021 and became a member of the Politburo for the second time.
About Vietnam
It lies in South East Asia and it is a member of Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN)
Capital: Hanoi
Currency: Dong
President: Vo Van Thuong
6. India and Australia sign a framework mechanism for mutual recognition of qualifications
Tags: International News
India and Australia on March 2 signed a framework mechanism for mutual recognition of qualifications that will help ease the movement of students and professionals between the two countries.
An overview of the news
The agreement was signed after a bilateral meeting between India's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Australian Education Minister Jason Clare in New Delhi.
The agreement is part of the commitment shown by the Prime Ministers of both the countries at the 2nd India-Australia Virtual Summit to be held on 21 March 2022.
Under this, the two leaders agreed to set up a joint task force for mutual recognition of qualifications.
Accordingly, a task force was constituted consisting of senior officials from the Ministries of Education and Skills and regulatory bodies from both sides.
About Australia
Head of State: British Monarch, King Charles III
Prime Minister: Anthony Albanese
Currency: Australian Dollar
Capital: Canberra
7. China launches Zhongxing-26 satellite
Tags: Science and Technology International News
China has launched the Zhongxing-26 satellite in February 2023 at a cost of $333 million.
An overview of the news
The Zhongxing-26 satellite was launched on a Long March 3B rocket. The main objective of this satellite is to provide broadband connectivity for aviation and shipping related operations.
Zhongxing-26 was launched by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST). CAST plans to launch 60 more in 2023.
The rocket uses liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen fuel in the third stage. Liquid rocket fuel requires controlled temperature to remain in its form.
China is about to launch more than 200 spacecraft in its 60 missions in the coming time.
China plans to launch Tianzhou-6, a cargo craft, by the end of 2023.
Also, to strengthen its Tiangong Space Station, there are plans to launch crewed missions like Shenzhou-16 and Shenzhou-17.
8. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz calls on President Droupadi Murmu
Tags: International Relations International News
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called on President Draupadi Murmu, in New Delhi on February 25.
An overview of the news
India and Germany enjoy a long-standing relationship, based on shared values and shared goals for both countries.
Bilateral relations cover a wide spectrum, reflecting the mutual trust that has been nurtured over the decades.
Germany is India's largest trading partner in Europe and also among the top investors in India.
Germany is also India's second largest development cooperation partner and has played an important role in India's development journey.
In recent years, Germany has emerged as a preferred destination for Indian students and researchers seeking to pursue higher education, especially in science and technology.
India and Germany also have strong cultural ties, with a long tradition of German Indologists working in India.
India and Germany share a common objective in maintaining democratic values, rules-based international order, multilateralism, as well as reform of multilateral institutions.
Federal Republic of Germany
Germany is also known as Deutschland.
Capital : Berlin
Currency : Euro
President : Frank-Walter Steinmeier
Chancellor : Olaf Scholz
The German Chancellor is equivalent to the Prime Minister in India.
9. Indian Air Force contingent reaches in UAE to participate in Exercise Desert Flag VIII
Tags: Defence International News
An Indian Air Force contingent of 110 Air Warriors reached Al Dahfra airbase of United Arab Emirates on 25 February for participating in Exercise 'Desert Flag VIII'.
An overview of the news
Tejas, the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) made in India, will make its first appearance at a multinational exercise in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The IAF would be participating with five LCA Tejas and two C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.
About Exercise Desert Flag
It is a multilateral air exercise in which air forces from the United Arab Emirates, France, Kuwait, Australia, United Kingdom, Bahrain, Morocco, Spain, Republic of Korea and the United States will also participate.
This exercise will run from 27 February to 17 March.
The objective of the exercise is to participate in multiple combat events and learn from best practices of air forces of different countries.
TEJAS fighter aircraft
It is an 'Indigenous Light Combat Aircraft'.
It has been jointly developed by 'Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA)' and 'Hindustan Aeronautics Limited' (HAL).
It is the smallest-lightweight single-engine 'Multirole Tactical Fighter Aircraft'.
It has been designed with an aim to reduce India's dependence on Russia's MiG-21 fighter jets and move towards self-reliance in the field of national security.
It is designed to carry a range of air-to-air, air-to-surface weapons.
It is capable of refueling in the sky during the journey and has a maximum payload capacity of 4000 kg.
It can achieve a maximum speed of Mach 1.8 and has a range of 3,000 km.
10. Germany to pursue $5.2-billion deal with India to build 6 submarines
Tags: Defence International News
Germanywill sign a $5.2 billion deal to jointly build six conventional submarines with India during German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's visit to India on February 25-26.
An overview of the news
The naval project is the latest attempt by the Western military manufacturing power to end India's dependence on Russia for military hardware.
India is looking to replace 11 of its 16 conventional submarines that are more than two decades old, as it seeks to counter China's growing presence in the Indian Ocean.
The Indian Navy also has two indigenous nuclear-powered submarines.
Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) is one of the two international bidders for the submarine project Berlin will back the deal.
Under the deal, a foreign submarine maker will have to partner with an Indian company to build submarines in India.
