1. Skyroot Aerospace test-fires advanced fully 3D-printed cryogenic engine
Tags: Science and Technology National News
In Nagpur, private space vehicle company Skyroot Aerospace test-fired its 3D-printed Dhawan II engine for a duration of 200 seconds on 4 April.
An overview of the news
This is the second cryogenic rocket that has been successfully test-fired by Skyroot, following the Dhawan-I engine that was tested in November 2021.
The achievement comes after the November 2022 launch of Vikram-S, making Skyroot the first Indian private company to send a rocket into space.
The engine has been developed by the company for its heavy vehicle Vikram II.
This cryogenic engine will be used as an advanced stage of the updated version of Vikram-II.
The cryogenic engine series is named after Dr. Satish Dhawan, a renowned Indian rocket scientist who played a key role in the development of the Indian space programme.
Utilisation of Skyroot’s cryogenic rocket engines
Skyroot's cryogenic rocket engines use two high-performance rocket propellants, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquid oxygen (LOX), which require cryogenic temperatures (below -150 °C) for storage and operation .
Fully cryogenic engines are ideal for rocket upper stages due to their high specific impulse, which increases payload carrying capacity.
Skyroot Aerospace
Skyroot Aerospace is a spacetech start-up that aims to address growing concerns in the global space industry.
It provides low cost launch solutions to reach space in short time.
The startup's three launch vehicles - Vikram I, II and III - can carry payloads ranging from 200 kg to 700 kg to low Earth orbit.
Currently, the team is testing a 3D printed liquid propellant engine and a fully composite (carbon fiber) and high-performance solid rocket motor.
Headquarters - Hyderabad, Telangana
2. Bahrain Launches Golden License To Make Large-Scale Investments
Tags: International News
Bahrain launched the Golden License Initiative to encourage investment and job creation in the country and aims to provide streamlined services and benefits to local and foreign businesses with large-scale investment projects in Bahrain.
An Overview of the News
Companies with important strategic projects and investments of more than US$50 million or creating more than 500 jobs in Bahrain will be eligible for the licence.
The Golden License offers various benefits, including priority land allotment for investment, infrastructure services, utilities, and streamlined access to government services such as business licensing and building permit approval.
The licence will also provide support from Tamkin and the Bahrain Development Bank.
The initiative was launched by Bahrain's cabinet, chaired by Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, to attract local and international investment to create job opportunities.
India has the largest expatriate population in Bahrain, with around 350,000 Indians living in the country.
About Bahrain
It is an island country located in western Asia on the Persian Gulf and consists of 50 natural islands and 33 artificial islands, of which Bahrain Island is the largest.
The capital of Bahrain is Manama, which serves as the commercial and financial centre of the country.
The majority of the population is Muslim, with Sunni and Shia Muslims being the largest groups.
3. 2nd G20 Empower meeting of Ministry of Women and Child Development begins in Thiruvananthapuram
Tags: Summits National News
The Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched the 2nd G20 Empower meeting in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala under the theme “Women Empowerment: Win-win for Equality and Economy”.
An Overview of the News
The meeting includes various side events that address important issues related to women's safety, health, wages and insurance.
Issues such as women empowerment, women entrepreneurship, leadership development and economic prosperity through women's participation in non-traditional sectors will be discussed in the meeting.
G20 Empower 2023, under the chairmanship of India, aims to promote India's women-led development agenda.
About the G20
It is an international forum of the world's leading economies established in 1999.
Its primary objective is to promote international financial stability and sustainable economic growth.
The G20 serves as a forum to discuss and coordinate policies related to a wide range of economic and financial issues such as trade, investment, employment, energy and climate change.
State Health Minister of Kerala - Veena George
Chairperson of G20 Empower - Dr. Sangita Reddy
Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development - Munjpara Mahendrabhai
4. MF Hydra: World's first liquid hydrogen ferry
Tags: International News
Norwegian company Norld launched the world's first ferry to run on MF Hydra liquid hydrogen.
An Overview of the News
The vessel, named MF Hydra, is a hybrid and uses both batteries and liquid hydrogen fuel cells for power.
The Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) granted approval to operate the yacht.
An important step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the marine industry.
Hydrogen fuel cells produce only clean water as a byproduct, making them an environmentally friendly option for powering ferries and other marine vessels.
The MF Hydra was to be delivered in 2021 and measures 82.4 metres in length, with a passenger capacity of 300 and a capacity to carry 80 vehicles.
It uses two 200 kW fuel cells, two 440 kW generators and two Shottel thrusters to reach a speed of 9 knots.
The hydrogen system was provided by Linde Engineering, the fuel cell by Ballard and the battery by Corvus Energy. The ferry was completed by Westcon and systems integrator SEAM.
About Norway
Capital- Oslo
Currency- Norwegian Krone
King- Harald V of Norway
5. NASA announces four-member team of astronauts to travel to the Moon
Tags: Science and Technology International News
For the first time in five decades, NASA announced a team of four astronauts for its human spaceflight mission to the Moon.
An overview of the news
The team of four astronauts will fly around the moon for a 10-day mission next year.
NASA has announced the four astronauts who will go to lunar orbit and return with the Artemis 2 mission.
Who are these Artemis 2 astronauts?
These four Artemis 2 astronauts are - Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Jeremy Hansen and Christina Koch.
NASA’s Reid Wiseman will be the commander of the Artemis 2 mission.
Victor Glover will serve as the pilot for Artemis 2. Glover was previously the pilot of NASA's SpaceX Crew-1 mission.
Jeremy Hansen will represent the Canadian Space Agency during the mission.
NASA astronaut Christina Koch will be the mission specialist for Artemis 3.
Koch visited the space station in 2019, where she was part of the first all-woman spacewalk in history.
The Artemis II flight team will have three American and one Canadian astronauts, the first since the historic Apollo mission ended in 1972.
Artemis 2 mission
The Artemis 1 mission will allow NASA to test the foundation of its latest human space exploration capabilities.
This includes the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, the Orion spacecraft, and all associated ground systems.
Artemis 2 will be the first crewed mission to test all of these.
About NASA
NASA was formed under the National Aeronautics and Space Act on July 19, 1948, in place of its predecessor, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA).
NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Headquarters- Washington D.C.
Administrator - Bill Nelson
6. India, Netherlands hold first Ministerial-level meeting of Joint Working Group
Tags: International Relations International News
The 1st Ministerial-level meeting of the Joint Working Group between India and the Netherlands was held on 3 April in New Delhi.
An overview of the news
The meeting was held in the presence of Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Minister for Infrastructure and Water Management, Government of the Netherlands, Mark Harbours.
The 'Strategic Water Partnership' was launched during a virtual meeting between the Prime Ministers of India and the Netherlands in April 2021.
The partnership provides the necessary impetus to expand bilateral water cooperation.
The Netherlands is associated with various states and municipalities, including Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat, Punjab, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra, in various water resources projects.
River-city alliance between the two countries for river-sensitive cities and technologically driven nature-based solutions for river rejuvenation.
India-Netherlands Relations
India and the Netherlands enjoy long-standing warm and friendly relations based on shared values of democracy, rule of law, human rights and historical bonds of friendship.
Both countries share common ideals of democracy, pluralism and rule of law.
Bilateral relations have been marked by strong economic and commercial ties.
The Netherlands signed the Framework Agreement of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and became the 64th signatory member country.
There are over 200 Indian companies operating in the Netherlands.
The total bilateral trade stood at US$ 6.28 billion in the financial year 2018-2019.
The Netherlands was India's fourth largest trading partner in the European Union after Britain, Germany and Belgium.
About Netherlands
The Netherlands, also known as Holland, is a country located in northwestern Europe.
Monarch: King Willem-Alexander
Prime Minister: Mark Rutte
Capital: Amsterdam
Currency: euro
7. 5th International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure
Tags: Summits National News
The Prime MInister, Narendra Modi on 4 April addressed the 5th International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI) 2023 via a video message.
An overview of the news
He called upon the world for an integrated approach to deal with the impact of disasters.
The PM pointed out that in a few years, more than 40 countries have become part of the CDRI.
The summit is becoming an important forum for both advanced economies and developing economies, large and small countries.
CDRI's theme for this year's conference is 'Delivering Resilient and Inclusive Infrastructure'.
Last year, the Infrastructure Resilience Accelerator Fund was announced and this 50 million-dollar fund has generated immense interest among developing countries.
About Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)
India officially launched the CDRI on 23 September 2019 at the 2019 United Nations Climate Action Summit in New York.
It is an international coalition of countries, United Nations agencies, multilateral development banks, the private sector and academic institutions.
Its aim is to promote disaster-resilient infrastructure.
Headquarters: New Delhi, India (Interim Secretariat)
Founder countries - India, Australia, Bhutan, Fiji, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Maldives, Mexico, Mongolia, Rwanda, Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom. (13 countries).
8. Bandipur completes 50 years as a Project Tiger Reserve
Tags: Environment National News
Bandipur completed 50 years as a Project Tiger Reserve 1 April 2023.
About Bandipur Tiger Reserve
This reserve is located in the state of Karnataka and is spread over an area of 912.04 sq km.
It is located in two districts of Karnataka, Mysore and Chamarajanagar.
It is considered one of the world's premier tiger habitats and is an important component of the country's first biosphere reserve - the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
It was launched by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1973 with the aim of arresting the decline in the tiger population.
Bandipur was one of the first nine sanctuaries to be brought under the flagship program of Project Tiger in 1973.
Bandipur Tiger Reserve is surrounded by-
Nagarahole Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu) in the North West (Kabini Reservoir separates the two).
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu) in the South.
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) in the South West.
Project Tiger
Project Tiger was started by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in the year 1973.
Under this program, central assistance is provided to the states having tiger populations for conservation of tigers.
The initial reserves covered under Project Tiger were Jim Corbett, Manas, Ranthambore, Simlipal, Bandipur, Palamu, Sundarbans, Melghata and Kanha National Parks.
At the time of the launch of Project Tiger in the year 1973, there were only 9 Tiger Reserves in the country, at present the total number of Tiger Reserves in the country has increased to 54.
Other Tiger Reserves in Karnataka
Bhadra Tiger Reserve
Nagarahole Tiger Reserve
Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve
9. India and Romania sign agreement for 'Practical Cooperation between Armed Forces'
Tags: International News
India and Romania signed a defence agreement during a meeting between Romania's Deputy Defense Minister Simona Cojocaru and India's Defense Secretary Giridhar Aramane in New Delhi.
An Overview of the News
This agreement is the first defence cooperation agreement between the two countries and is a practical cooperation between the armed forces of India and Romania.
The defence pact represents the basis for the establishment and expansion of military relations between the two countries. It will provide more opportunities to work together in various fields such as military education, training, cyber defence, military medicine, military history and other areas that can benefit both the countries.
Representatives from the Romanian Institute for Political Studies of Defense and Military History are part of the delegation accompanying Cojocaru, and they are set to collaborate with the Indian Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses.
Romania and India have worked together in multinational environments such as UN missions, and both countries are making important contributions to enhancing stability and strengthening peace and security in regions marked by the horrors of war.
About Romania
It is located in southeastern Europe, bordering Hungary, Ukraine, Moldova, Bulgaria, and the Black Sea.
Its rich history includes influences from the Roman Empire, the Ottoman Empire and the Soviet Union. It gained independence in 1877 and became a republic in 1947 after World War II.
Most Romanians are Orthodox Christians, but there are also populations of Catholics, Protestants and Muslims.
The economy is mixed with manufacturing, agriculture and services as its main industries.
President - Klaus Iohannis
Capital - Bucharest
Official languages - Romanian, Romanian Sign Language
Government - republic, unitary state, parliamentary republic, semi-presidential system
Continent - Europe
Currency - Romanian leu
10. OPEC members announce cut in oil production exceeding one million barrels per day from next month
Tags: International News
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On April 2, Saudi Arabia and other OPEC Plus members announced that they would further reduce oil production amounting to around 1.16 million barrels per day.
An overview of the news
The move is aimed at bringing stability to the market.
The announcement was made at a virtual meeting of the OPEC Plus ministerial panel.
The unexpected cuts announced by Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Algeria and Oman will begin in May and last until the end of the year.
This would be the biggest reduction since oil producers cut two million barrels per day in October 2022.
The move follows a drop in oil prices last month (down to $70 a barrel) and concerns that the global banking crisis could hit demand.
Production cuts announced by OPEC Plus members, as per their official statements-
Russia - 500,000 bpd
Saudi Arabia -500,000 bpd
UAE - 144,000 bpd
Kuwait - 128,000 bpd
Kazakhstan - 78,000 bpd
Algeria - 48,000 bpd
Oman - 40,000 bpd
About OPEC
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is a permanent, intergovernmental organisation that was established in 1960 at the Baghdad Conference by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.
The purpose of this organisation is to coordinate and integrate the petroleum policies of its member countries and to ensure the stabilisation of oil markets to ensure efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to the consumer.
Headquarters - Vienna (Austria).
Member Countries (15)- Algeria, Angola, Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, IR Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela.
OPEC plus
It is a coalition of OPEC members and the world's 10 major non-OPEC oil exporting countries.
Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Russia, South Sudan and Sudan.
