1. 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.
2. PM inaugurates ‘Barisu Kannada Dim Dimava’, Amrit Mahotsav of Delhi-Karnataka Sangha
Tags: Festivals National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘Barisu Kannada Dim Dimava’ cultural festival at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi on 25 February.
An overview of the news
The festival is organised under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and celebrates the culture, traditions and history of Karnataka.
In line with the Prime Minister's vision of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat', the 'Barisu Kannada Dim Dimva' cultural festival is being organized to celebrate the culture, traditions and history of Karnataka.
Held under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the festival will provide an opportunity to hundreds of artistes to showcase the cultural heritage of Karnataka through dance, music, drama, poetry etc.
Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat
The Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme was launched by the Prime Minister Modi on 31st October, 2015 on the occasion of the 140th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
This programme is a unique initiative by the Government to promote the spirit of national integration and to strengthen the fabric of emotional bonds between the people of our country.
Every State and UT in the country would be paired with another State/UT for a time period, during which they would carry out a structured engagement with one another in the spheres of language, literature, cuisine, festivals, cultural events, tourism etc.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 'Neutral Citation' system to be launched for Supreme Court judgments
Tags: National National News
Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on February 23 announced that the Supreme Court will adopt a “neutral citation system” for its judgments.
An overview of the news
The Chief Justice hoped that the High Courts would also follow the neutral citation for their judgements.
The Delhi, Kerala and Madras High Courts have already introduced neutral citations.
What is a “citation”?
The citation of a case is essentially an identification tag for the decision.
Typically, this will include a reference number, the year of the decision, the name of the court that issued the decision, and shorthand for the journal that published the decision.
What is a neutral citation?
A neutral citation would mean that the court would provide its own citation, separate from that provided by traditional law reporters.
Law reporters are periodicals or annual digests that publish judgments.
Why is implementation of the neutral citation system required?
Steps have been taken to introduce and implement a uniform, reliable and secure methodology for identifying and citing Supreme Court judgments.
The Court is using machine learning tools to translate its judgments from English to local languages.
2,900 judgments of the Supreme Court have been translated so far.
It has also asked district courts to examine machine learning translations of judgments.
About 30,000 judgments will have neutral citations.
6. 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.
7. Russian space agency launches Soyuz spacecraft to bring back 3 astronauts stranded on ISS
Tags: Science and Technology International News
Recently the Russian space agency, Roscosmos has successfully launched the Soyuz spacecraft to bring back three astronauts stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) following aleak in the cooling system in their Soyuz capsule.
An overview of the news
Two Russian and one American astronauts will board the empty Soyuz spacecraft to return to Earth.
The Soyuz MS-23 spacecraft was launched from the Baikonur Space Center in Kazakhstan and placed in orbit.
US astronaut Francisco Rubio, along with Russian cosmonauts Sergei Prokopyev and Dmitry Petelin, were due to return to Earth after their mission ended.
But two months ago, it got stuck in space due to a leak in the cooling system of Soyuz MS-22 capsule.
According to the Russian space agency Roscosmos, all three Soyuz will return to Earth on the MS-23 vehicle in September.
The leak on the MS-22 spacecraft was caused by a small piece of a micrometeoroid hitting the capsule.
About International Space Station (ISS)
It is a multi-nation construction project that is the largest single structure humans ever put into space.
Its main construction was completed between 1998 and 2011.
It is not owned by a single nation and according to the European Space Agency (ESA) is a "co-operative program" between Europe, the United States, Russia, Canada and Japan.
As of May 2022, 258 individuals from 20 countries have visited the International Space Station.
The top participating countries include the United States (158 people) and Russia (54 people).
8. FATF suspends Russia's membership over Ukraine war
Tags: International News
Global anti-money laundering watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF) suspended Russia's membership on February 24 over the Ukraine war.
An overview of the news
The FATF has suspended Russia's membership for its "illegal, unprovoked and unjustified" full-scale military invasion of Ukraine.
Russia's actions "run unacceptably" against the FATF's core principles, which aim to protect, safeguard and promote the integrity of the global financial system.
The FATF is also concerned about information on arms trade between Russia and UN-sanctioned jurisdictions, and Russia's malicious cyber activities.
Russia is accountable for its obligation to implement FATF standards.
South Africa, Nigeria on dirty-money grey list
South Africa and Nigeria have been placed on FATF's gray list, indicating deficiencies in the handling of financial flows to the nations.
It is a move that tarnishes the international reputation of such countries and could raise costs for banks and asset managers.
Morocco and Cambodia have been removed from the list after reforming their controls.
Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
It was formed in the year 1989 at the meeting of G-7 countries held in Paris.
It works to generate the necessary political will to bring about legislative and regulatory reforms in the world on issues like money laundering, terror funding.
Headquarters - Located in the headquarters of the Organisation for the Development of Economic Co-operation (OECD) in Paris.
Member Countries - 39 member countries including India and 2 regional organisations (European Commission and Gulf Cooperation Council).
India became a member of FATF in the year 2010.
Its sessions are held three times a year.
Financial Action Task Force (FATF) President - Raja Kumar
List of FATF
Gray List – Countries that are considered safe havens for supporting terror funding and money laundering are placed on the FATF gray list.
Black List - Countries identified as non-cooperative countries or regions are included in the black list. These countries support terrorist funding and money laundering activities.
9. NHAI exploring to construct roads using Phosphor-Gypsum
Tags: National News
With an aim to reduce the carbon footprint, the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways is exploring options for construction of national highways using phosphor-gypsum.
An overview of the news
The move is aimed at increasing durability and making construction more affordable.
India has the second largest road network in the world.
In this context, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) along with the Department of Fertilizers will soon conduct field trials on their projects to achieve a circular economy in the use of gypsum.
The move is in line with the government's commitment to use waste material in building ecologically sustainable National Highway infrastructure in the country.
What is Phosphor-Gypsum?
Phosphor-gypsum is a by-product of fertilizer production.
The phosphor-gypsum road was first constructed by an Indian fertilizer company.
Later the road was evaluated by CRRI (Central Road Research Institute) and based on their report, the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) formally recognized phosphor-gypsum waste material for road construction for a period of three years.
NHAI is also promoting the use of waste plastic in road construction, which has been successfully tested.
Scientific research has found that roads made using plastic waste are sustainable and extend the life cycle of bitumen (a substance produced through the distillation of crude oil).
10. RBI imposed restrictions on 5 co-operative banks
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 24 February imposed restrictions on five cooperative banks due to their deteriorating financial condition.
An overview of the news
RBI has said in its statement that the restrictions imposed on these co-operative banks will remain in effect for six months.
Eligible depositors of all five co-operative banks will receive deposit insurance claim amount of up to ₹5 lakh from the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation.
The move by the RBI is aimed at protecting the interests of depositors and ensuring the stability of the financial system.
Five co-operative banks on which restrictions have been imposed
Due to the current liquidity position of the following banks, customers will not be able to withdraw funds from their accounts.
HCBL Co-operative Bank,
Adarsh Mahila Nagari Sahakari Bank Maryadit,
Shimsha Sahakara Bank Niyamitha
Customers from following banks can withdraw up to ₹5,000.
Uravakonda Co-operative Town Bank
Shankarrao Mohite Patil Sahakari Bank
