1. India launches Operation Kaveri to evacuate Indian citizens stranded in Sudan
Tags: National National News
India launched Operation Kaveri to evacuate its nationals from unrest-hit Sudan and it is the latest evacuation operation launched by India to rescue its citizens and those of friendly nations from war zones.
An Overview of the News
Official figures show that there are about 4,000 Indians in Sudan.
Sudan is currently experiencing a violent power struggle between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Force (RSF)across the country.
The conflict arose due to a dispute over an internationally supported plan to establish a new civilian government, four years after the overthrow of authoritarian leader Omar al-Bashir and two years after a military coup.
Both sides have been accusing each other of obstructing the transition, resulting in widespread violence and instability.
About Sudan
Capital - Khartoum
Currency - Sudanese pound (SDG)
Region -North Africa
President - Abdel Fatah al-Burhan (Chairman of the Sovereignty Council)
Official language - Arabic, English
2. India launches Operation Kaveri to evacuate Indian citizens stranded in Sudan
Tags: National National News
India launched Operation Kaveri to evacuate its nationals from unrest-hit Sudan and it is the latest evacuation operation launched by India to rescue its citizens and those of friendly nations from war zones.
An Overview of the News
Official figures show that there are about 4,000 Indians in Sudan.
Sudan is currently experiencing a violent power struggle between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Force (RSF)across the country.
The conflict arose due to a dispute over an internationally supported plan to establish a new civilian government, four years after the overthrow of authoritarian leader Omar al-Bashir and two years after a military coup.
Both sides have been accusing each other of obstructing the transition, resulting in widespread violence and instability.
About Sudan
Capital - Khartoum
Currency - Sudanese pound (SDG)
Region -North Africa
President - Abdel Fatah al-Burhan (Chairman of the Sovereignty Council)
Official language - Arabic, English
3. Union Minister Bhupender Yadav launches new features in eShram Portal
Tags: National National News
Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, launched new features in eShram Portal on 24th April.
An overview of the news
The new features added in eShram portal will enhance the utility of the portal and facilitate ease of registration for unorganised workers.
The eShram registered workers can now connect with Employment opportunities, Skilling, Apprenticeship, Pension Scheme, Digital Skilling and States’ schemes through eShram portal.
The Union Minister also formally launched the Data Sharing Portal (DSP) for sharing of eShram data with the State/ UT Governments.
What are new features added?
Facility to enter details of families of migrant workers has been added in the e-Shram Portal.
This facility can help migrant workers migrating with family to get benefits of child education and women centric schemes.
In addition, a new feature has been added regarding sharing of data of construction workers registered on Eshram with the concerned Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare Board.
It will ensure registration of Ishram construction workers with the concerned BOCW board and ensure access to schemes for them.
About e-Shram portal
The Ministry of Labor and Employment has developed an eSHRAM portal to create a national database of unorganised workers.
It was launched in 2021.
Its aim is to welfare of workers in the unorganised sector who are not members of the EPFO or ESIC.
Registered members will be eligible for a range of benefits after signing up for Shramik Yojana and getting the e-Shram Card.
This will allow workers to receive Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) through e-Shramik Unique ID Number.
4. Union Minister Bhupender Yadav launches new features in eShram Portal
Tags: National National News
Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, launched new features in eShram Portal on 24th April.
An overview of the news
The new features added in eShram portal will enhance the utility of the portal and facilitate ease of registration for unorganised workers.
The eShram registered workers can now connect with Employment opportunities, Skilling, Apprenticeship, Pension Scheme, Digital Skilling and States’ schemes through eShram portal.
The Union Minister also formally launched the Data Sharing Portal (DSP) for sharing of eShram data with the State/ UT Governments.
What are new features added?
Facility to enter details of families of migrant workers has been added in the e-Shram Portal.
This facility can help migrant workers migrating with family to get benefits of child education and women centric schemes.
In addition, a new feature has been added regarding sharing of data of construction workers registered on Eshram with the concerned Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare Board.
It will ensure registration of Ishram construction workers with the concerned BOCW board and ensure access to schemes for them.
About e-Shram portal
The Ministry of Labor and Employment has developed an eSHRAM portal to create a national database of unorganised workers.
It was launched in 2021.
Its aim is to welfare of workers in the unorganised sector who are not members of the EPFO or ESIC.
Registered members will be eligible for a range of benefits after signing up for Shramik Yojana and getting the e-Shram Card.
This will allow workers to receive Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) through e-Shramik Unique ID Number.
5. "Locked Shields" cyber-defense exercise 2023 to be held by NATO in Tallinn
Tags: Defence International News
The 2023 edition of the annual exercise "Locked Shields" was hosted by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence in Tallinn (Estonia).
An Overview of the News
"Locked Shields" is an annual cyber defence exercise hosted by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence in Tallinn. The exercise started on 18 April 2023.
More than 3000 participants from 38 countries including NATO alliesand partners took part in the exercise.
The exercise simulates real-time attacks and tests strategic decision making in critical situations.
The exercise highlights the importance of international collaboration and cooperation in the field of cyber defence.
The NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence helps participating countries and organisations improve their cyber defence capabilities.
About Locked Shields
It is an annual cyber defence exercise that simulates a large-scale cyber incident.
Rapid Reaction Teams from different countries work together to assist a fictional nation in managing a massive cyber attack.
Blue Teams made up of CCDCOE member nations protect the mock state's information systems and critical infrastructure from thousands of attacks.
The aim of the exercise is to improve the skills and capabilities of the participating teams and enhance international cooperation and communication in cyber defence.
The exercise includes both defensive and offensive operations, with Red Teams simulating attacks and Blue Teams defending.
About the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
Established -4 April 1949
Founders -United States, United Kingdom, France, Canada, Italy
Headquarters - Brussels, Belgium
Secretary General - Jens Stoltenberg
6. First ever census on Water Bodies in India
Tags: National News
For the first time in the country's history, the Ministry of Jal Shaktirecently released the first census report of water bodies, providing important insights into the country's water resources.
An overview of the news
The census provides a comprehensive list of India's water resources, which includes natural and man-made water bodies such as ponds, tanks, lakes, etc.
It has collected data on encroachment of water bodies.
The census also highlighted disparities between rural and urban areas and different levels of encroachment and revealed important insights into the country's water resources.
Major findings of the census
24,24,540 water bodies have been enumerated in the country, out of which 97.1% (23,55,055) are in rural areas and only 2.9% (69,485) are in urban areas.
Top 05 States in terms of number of water bodies - West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Assam which constitute around 63% of the total water bodies in the country.
Top 05 States in terms of number of water bodies in urban areas- West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and Tripura.
Top 05 States in terms of number of water bodies in rural areas - West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Assam.
59.5% of water bodies are ponds, followed bytanks (15.7%), reservoirs (12.1%), Water conservation schemes/percolation tanks/check dams (9.3%), lakes (0.9%) and others (2.5%).
55.2% of water bodies are owned by private entities whereas 44.8% of water bodies are in the domain of public ownership.
Top 05 States which lead in the private owned water bodies - West Bengal, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Jharkhand.
Top 05 States wherein major use of water bodies is in pisciculture - West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh;
Top 05 States wherein major use of water bodies is in irrigation - Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, West Bengal and Gujarat.
78% water bodies are man-made water bodies whereas 22% are natural water bodies.
1.6% (38,496) water bodies out of all the enumerated water bodies are reported to be encroached out of which 95.4% are in rural areas and remaining 4.6% in urban areas.
7. Asia Pacific Malaria Leaders Conclave 2023
Tags: Summits National News
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare organisd the Asia Pacific Leaders’ Conclave on Malaria Elimination in New Delhi on 24 April in partnership with the Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA).
An overview of the news
The conclave was organized under the guidance of Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers.
The purpose of the conclave is to reaffirm political commitment to inspire action to eliminate malaria by 2030.
The conclave will provide a forum for leaders from the Asia Pacific region to discuss ongoing efforts towards malaria elimination and revive national and regional momentum towards the goal of a malaria-free Asia Pacific by 2030.
The conclave was presided over by Dr VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog.
Remarkable progress towards malaria eradication in India
India has made remarkable progress towards malaria elimination in recent years and has been appreciated globally.
Of the 11 countries that are part of the World Health Organisation's 'High Burden to High Impact' initiative, only India has reported a decline in malaria cases.
Malaria cases and deaths have declined by 85.1% and 83.6%, respectively, from 2015 to 2022.
Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centres and Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission are contributing immensely towards strengthening India's fight against malaria.
About Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA)
In November 2014, the Asia-Pacific Heads of Government ("Leaders") adopted the goal of making the region malaria-free by 2030.
The Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA) is a coalition of leaders dedicated to achieving that goal.
It seeks to address last-mile challenges to accelerate malaria control and elimination.
APLMA is working to ensure that the people of the entire region are free from this scourge.
8. Cabinet approves LIGO-India, gravitational-wave detector
Tags: Science and Technology National News
The Union Cabinet approved a project to build an advanced gravitational-wave detector in Maharashtra at an estimated cost of Rs 2,600 crore. The facility’s construction is expected to be completed by 2030.
An overview of the news
This mega-science project includes the construction, commissioning and joint scientific operation of a state-of-the-art, advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) in India in collaboration with the NSF-funded LIGO Laboratory, USA.
About LIGO-India Project
It will be an advanced gravitational-wave observatory located in Maharashtra, India, as part of a worldwide network.
It is envisaged as a collaborative project between a consortium of Indian research institutions and the LIGO Laboratory in the United States of America as well as its international partners.
It will be built by the Department of Atomic Energy and the Department of Science and Technology with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Science Foundation, US, along with several national and international research and educational institutions.
It was given "in-principle" approval by the Union Cabinet in February 2016 with the objective of providing wider opportunities to Indian youth to pursue research careers in cutting-edge areas of science and technology.
Significance of LIGO-India
It will significantly enhance global capabilities in the field of gravitational-wave astronomy and astrophysics.
It will provide opportunities for Indian youth to pursue research careers in cutting-edge areas of science and technology.
It will lead to the development of cutting-edge technologies such as lasers, optics, vacuum, quantum metrology and control-system technologies.
9. India, Guyana sign Air Services Agreement
Tags: International Relations International News
India and Guyana signed an Air Services Agreement (ASA) on 22nd April to facilitate easier travel between the two nations.
An overview of the news
The agreement was signed between Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill and India's High Commissioner to Guyana KJ Srinivas in the presence of External Affairs MinisterS Jaishankar, who is on a 3-day visit to Guyana.
The agreement's signing is consistent with the government's objective to establish ties between Guyana and the rest of the world.
It will also complement the more than 50 air service agreements Guyana has negotiated with other ICAO governments for the advancement of interstate air travel.
The agreement encourages the development of international air services between the two countries and the global airline market.
What is an Air Services Agreement?
Air Services Agreement (ASA) provides the legal framework for air operations between two countries.
It is based on the sovereignty of the nations, the nationality of the carriers and the commercial opportunity for each side's designated airlines.
Prior to this there was no Air Services Agreement between the Government of India and the Government of Guyana.
About Guyana
Prime Minister: Mark Phillips
President: Mohamed Irfaan Ali
Capital:Georgetown
Currency : Guyanese dollar (G$)
10. India, Guyana sign Air Services Agreement
Tags: International Relations International News
India and Guyana signed an Air Services Agreement (ASA) on 22nd April to facilitate easier travel between the two nations.
An overview of the news
The agreement was signed between Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill and India's High Commissioner to Guyana KJ Srinivas in the presence of External Affairs MinisterS Jaishankar, who is on a 3-day visit to Guyana.
The agreement's signing is consistent with the government's objective to establish ties between Guyana and the rest of the world.
It will also complement the more than 50 air service agreements Guyana has negotiated with other ICAO governments for the advancement of interstate air travel.
The agreement encourages the development of international air services between the two countries and the global airline market.
What is an Air Services Agreement?
Air Services Agreement (ASA) provides the legal framework for air operations between two countries.
It is based on the sovereignty of the nations, the nationality of the carriers and the commercial opportunity for each side's designated airlines.
Prior to this there was no Air Services Agreement between the Government of India and the Government of Guyana.
About Guyana
Prime Minister: Mark Phillips
President: Mohamed Irfaan Ali
Capital:Georgetown
Currency : Guyanese dollar (G$)
