Important News: International |
World Press Freedom Index 2023
Why in news: In the recently released 2023 World Press Freedom Index, India's ranking has slipped to 161 out of 180 countries.
A.It is an annual report published by global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
B.Objective: To compare the level of freedom enjoyed by journalists and media in 180 countries and territories.
C.The ranking is based on five categories - political, legislative, economic, socio-cultural and safety of journalists.
D.India is ranked 161 out of 180 countries. Press freedom in India has gone from "problematic" to "very bad", with the country slipping 11 ranks since the 2022 report. Barring Bangladesh (163), Myanmar (173) and China (179), all other neighbouring countries are ranked better than India - Bhutan (90), Nepal (95), Sri Lanka (135), Pakistan (150), Afghanistan (152).
E.India was ranked 169th in political indicators, while it was 144 in legislative, 155 in economic, 143 in social indicators and 172 in protecting journalists. And Norway is in first place for the seventh consecutive year.
F.It is an international NGO whose self-proclaimed objective is to protect and promote media freedom. Headquarters: Paris, France.
G.It has consultative status with the United Nations. It defines freedom of the RSF press as "the ability of journalists as individuals and groups to select, produce and disseminate news in the public interest independent of political, economic, legal and social interference and in the absence of threats to their physical and mental safety".
(SOURCE – LIVEMINT)
Fit for 55
Why in news: Fit for 55 refers to the EU's target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. The proposed package aims to bring EU legislation in line with the 2030 goal.
A.The Fit for 55 package is a set of proposals aimed at revising and updating EU law and implementing new initiatives to align EU policies with climate goals agreed by the Council and the European Parliament.
B.The package is named after the EU's goal of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030.
C.Some of the initiatives include - expansion of emissions from maritime transport. Reduction in emission allowances. Implementation of the Global Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Plan for International Aviation. Increase funding for an innovation fund. Revision of market stability reserve.
(SOURCE – INDIAN EXPRESS)
Important News: National |
Food Street Project
Why in news: Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya recently reviewed the 'Food Street Project'.
A.It aims to develop 100 healthy and clean food-roads across the country. The project seeks to encourage safe and healthy food practices, reduce foodborne illnesses, and improve overall health outcomes.
B.The National Health Mission will provide assistance of Rs 1 crore per food street to make the food street operational. Financial assistance will be provided for activities such as safe drinking water, hand washing, toilet facilities and proper liquid and solid waste disposal.
C.The initiative will be implemented through NHM in convergence with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
D.The Health Ministry has taken various steps to improve hygiene and food safety standards protocols for food street hubs.
E.These initiatives include training of food handlers, independent third party audits and certification under the Clean Street Food Hub initiative of the Eat Right India Movement.
(SOURCE – ECONOMIC TIMES)
Startup India Seed Fund Scheme
Why in news: The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is conducting a third-party impact assessment of the Startup India Seed Fund scheme to evaluate its performance in benefiting the startup community.
A.SISFS was created in 2021 by DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It aims to provide financial assistance to start-ups for proof of concept, prototype development, product testing, market entry and commercialization.
B.Eligibility startups recognised by DPIIT who were not incorporated more than 2 years ago at the time of application have not received monetary assistance of more than Rs 10 lakh under any other central or state government scheme.
C.Preference startups create innovative solutions in areas such as social impact, waste management, water management, etc.
D.Grants and grant-in-aid of up to Rs 5 crore are provided to eligible incubators, who in turn provide a grant of up to Rs 20 lakh to startups for verification of proof of concept, prototype development or product trials. The estimated beneficiary is 3,600 entrepreneurs through 300 incubators in the next 4 years.
E.Seed funding is an initial stage of investment in a start-up or a new business idea that helps the company reach a point where it can secure additional rounds of funding or generate revenue to become self-sufficient.
(SOURCE – NEWS ON AIR)
Khelo India University Games 2022
Why in news: Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur will launch the logo, jersey, mascot, torch and anthem of the Khelo India University Games 2022 (KIUG 2022) at the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow this morning.
A.The third edition of the Khelo India University Games will be held from May 23 to June 3. The opening ceremony is scheduled to be held on May 25 at Babu Banarasi Das University in Lucknow.
B.The upcoming edition of KIUG is expected to see the participation of over 4,700 athletes from over 200 universities across the country, with the total participation reaching over 7,000.
C.The number of sports disciplines covered in this edition is 21, the highest ever in the history of university sports. Rowing is also being introduced for the first time.
D.Apart from the state capital Lucknow, the Games will be held in Varanasi, Noida and Gorakhpur. The shooting competition will be held at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi.
E.For the first time, water sports like rowing will be a part of the Khelo India University Games. Two indigenous sports disciplines namely Mallakhamb and Yogasana were part of the previous edition of Khelo India University Games held in Karnataka and will also be a part of this edition.
(SOURCE –The Hindu)
Important News: State |
India captures the rare Aurora lights on camera for the first time!
Why in news: The Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) above Mount Saraswati captured a rare event as the geomagnetic storm entered the Earth's magnetic field, creating unique auroras.
A.Auroras are commonly seen at high altitudes in Alaska, Norway, and parts of other countries. This was the first time Aurora was captured on camera in India by the Indian Astronomical Observatory.
B.A 360-degree camera mounted atop the IAO in Ladakh's Hanle captured the mysterious phenomenon, triggered by an interaction between plasma particles thrown by the Sun and Earth's magnetic field.
C.The Sun is expelling charged particles from its corona, forming a solar wind. When that air hits the Earth's ionosphere, Aurora is born.
D.In the Northern Hemisphere, this phenomenon is called the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), while in the Southern Hemisphere, it is called the Southern Lights (Aurora Australis).
E.The hemispheric asymmetry of auroras is caused by the sun's magnetic field that interferes with the earth's magnetic field. Another Aurora-like phenomenon on Steve Earth is Steve (strong thermal emission velocity increase).
F.It's a glowing atmospheric phenomenon, but it looks a little different from its wavy Aurora counterparts. Like the Northern and Southern lights, Steve is also visible from lower latitudes, closer to the equator, than from Aurora.
(SOURCE –NEWS ON AIR)
Important News: Days |
World firefighter day
Why in news: International Firefighters Day is a day dedicated to recognizing and honouring the brave individuals who put their lives on the line every day to save others.
A.International Firefighters' Day is dedicated to recognize and honor the brave individuals who put their lives on the line every day to save others.
These firefighters demonstrate courage, strength, and selflessness as they work tirelessly to protect their communities, often harming themselves. Each year on May 4, we have the opportunity to express our gratitude and appreciation for their unwavering commitment to keeping us safe from fire and other hazards.
B.The importance of International Firefighters' Day lies in recognition of the extraordinary bravery and selflessness of firefighters who have risked their safety to protect the public from fire and other emergencies.
C.This day serves as a powerful reminder of their unwavering dedication and sacrifice towards their communities. It also highlights the importance of promoting fire safety awareness and ensuring that firefighters are provided with the necessary resources and equipment to effectively carry out their critical responsibilities.
D.In 1999, International Firefighters' Day was established to pay tribute to the courage and sacrifices made by firefighters around the world. The inspiration for this annual commemoration came from the tragic loss of five Australian firefighters who lost their lives in a wildfire while fulfilling their duties. Despite being sent to assist, Jason Thomas, Chris Evans, Gary Werewald, Matthew Armstrong and Stuart Davidson died battling the fire. As a result of this unfortunate incident, International Firefighters' Day was created.
(SOURCE – TIMES OF INDIA)
International Leopard Day 2023
Why in news: International Leopard Day is a new annual event that was officially announced by the Cape Leopard Trust (CLT) on May 3, 2023, with the launch of a dedicated portal, "internationalleopardday.org".
A.The leopard is the smallest of the Big Cats (genus Panthera namely tiger, lion, jaguar, leopard and snow leopard), and is known for its ability to adapt to a variety of habitats.
B.It is a nocturnal animal (hunting at night). Melanism is a common phenomenon in leopards, in which the entire skin of the animal is black, including its spots. A melanistic leopard is often called a black panther or jaguar, and is mistakenly considered a separate species.
C.It occurs in sub-Saharan Africa, in small parts of western and central Asia, from the Indian subcontinent to Southeast and East Asia in a wide range.
D.According to a recent report 'Status of Leopards in India, 2018' (by MoEFCC), "the number of leopard population in India has increased by 60% from the 2014 estimates". It currently numbers around 13000, with the highest population in Madhya Pradesh> Karnataka> Maharashtra
E.Threats of poaching for illegal trade of skins and body parts. Road killing, habitat loss and fragmentation. Human-leopard conflict.
(SOURCE – NEWS ON AIR)
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