Daily News Analysis : 20 July 2024

Kiren Rijiju inaugurates Lok Samvardhan Parv in New Delhi

The Ministry of Minority Affairs is hosting Lok Samvardhan Parv to highlight its schemes, achievements, and collaborations with partner organizations. Inaugurated by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on July 18, the event features poster exhibitions, success stories, and MOUs with various banks and state agencies. Participants include artisans supported by NIFT and NID, and organizations like UNICEF YuWaah and GeM. The event also showcases the cultural heritage of minority communities and promotes youth engagement and marketing opportunities for artisans.

Key Points:

A) The Lok Samvardhan Parv features a display of more than 70 exquisite handicraft and handloom products from different states, crafted by 162 artisans from various minority communities.
B) The ‘Lok Samvardhan Parv’ is presenting the schemes, programs, and accomplishments of the Ministry of Minority Affairs through a poster exhibition.
C) The Minister unveiled a coffee table book highlighting the schemes and accomplishments of the Ministry of Minority Affairs

Chennai Super Kings Establishes Super Kings Academy in Sydney

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has launched its third international Super Kings Academy in Sydney, Australia, enhancing its global presence and reinforcing ties with Australian cricket. Located at Cricket Central in Sydney Olympic Park, the academy features state-of-the-art facilities and will offer inclusive coaching programs for boys and girls starting in September. This expansion joins CSK’s academies in Dallas, USA, and Reading, UK, fostering cultural exchange and skill development while strengthening cricketing ties between India and Australia.

Key Points:

A) This is the third international Super Kings academy in the world.
B) The franchise has come a long way since being banned for two years in the IPL following a spot-fixing scandal.
C) The new Sydney academy can be found at Cricket Central, 161 Silwerwater Road, Sydney Olympic Park.

Belarus Implements 90-Day Visa-Free Entry for 35 European Nations

Belarus has introduced a new visa-free regime effective from July 19, 2024, allowing citizens from 35 European countries to stay in Belarus for up to 90 days per year. This policy aims to ease tensions with the West and improve relations following recent geopolitical shifts. The visa-free entry applies to multiple entries per year, excluding special passports, and extends existing policies for Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. It enhances connectivity via road and rail checkpoints and is valid until December 31, 2024.

Key Points:

A) Belarus, traditionally aligned with Russia, had faced Western sanctions after President Alexander Lukashenko permitted Russian troops to operate from Belarusian territory during the Ukraine conflict in 2022.
B) This visa-free regime extends the existing policy that already applies to neighboring countries Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland.
C) The visa-free access applies through road and rail checkpoints, further enhancing Belarus’s connectivity with Europe.

Von Der Leyen Re-Elected as President of the European Commission

On July 18, Ursula von der Leyen was re-elected for a second five-year term as President of the European Commission, securing 401 votes in the European Parliament. Her re-election ensures continuity as the EU tackles crises like the Ukraine war, climate change, and migration. Supported by the Greens/European Free Alliance, von der Leyen committed to climate action, affordable housing, and opposing far-right extremism. Despite criticism from Italy’s far-right and transparency issues with COVID-19 vaccine negotiations, she remains a pivotal EU leader.

Key Points:

A) Von der Leyen’s re-election would mean the EU retains the mandate to meet carbon emissions targets at a time when countries in the global south are competing with the west for historical emissions beyond their significant role in climate change.
B) For the US, von der Leyen’s re-election means that Europe will continue to demonstrate its competitiveness against China’s technological might.

 NASA’s Groundbreaking Discovery

NASA has discovered six new exoplanets—HD 36384 b, TOI-198 b, TOI-2095 b, TOI-2095 c, TOI-4860 b, and MWC 758 c—raising the total number of confirmed exoplanets to 5,502. This milestone highlights significant progress since the first exoplanets were detected in 1992. The new exoplanets include a super-Jupiter, potentially rocky planets, hot super-Earths, and a giant protoplanet. Detection methods include radial velocity, transit, and direct imaging. Future missions, including the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, aim to advance exoplanet research.

Key Points:

A) Around 31 years ago, scientists verified the existence of the first exoplanets, Poltergeist and Phobetor, orbiting the pulsar PSR B1257+12. The count has now exceeded 5,000 as of March 2022.
B) The field of exoplanet science has experienced substantial expansion since 1992, largely thanks to the launch of NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) in 2018.
C) This satellite has successfully pinpointed numerous potential exoplanets.

NFDC and Netflix India Partner to Train Voice-Over Artists

The National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and Netflix India have launched “The Voicebox” program to train voice-over artists, focusing on enhancing skills and providing opportunities for women in the media sector. The program, conducted in seven cities, will include workshops, mentoring, and assessments, with 50% of participants being women. Top candidates will contribute to Netflix’s project “Azaadi ki Amrit Kahaniya,” narrating stories about the Indian independence movement. The initiative is supported by Netflix’s Fund for Creative Equity and partnered with Pearl Academy.

Key Points:

A) Pearl Academy has agreed to participate as a Training Partner for this initiative, targeting professionals in the media and entertainment industry with over two years of experience who are keen on improving their voice-over skills.
B) The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Prithul Kumar, Managing Director of NFDC, and Kiran Desai, Senior Director of Netflix India.

INS Tabar Docks in Hamburg, Germany

INS Tabar, an Indian Navy frigate, arrived in Hamburg, Germany on July 17, 2024, for a three-day visit. The ship will participate in a Maritime Partnership Exercise and engage in professional exchanges with the German Navy, including tours of the German Naval Academy and public ship visits. INS Tabar, a Talwar-class frigate, was commissioned in 2004 and is part of India’s Western Naval Command. The visit aims to strengthen Indo-German naval ties and includes community service at an old age home.

Key Points:

A) India’s frontline warship INS Tabar is visiting Hamburg, Germany, to strengthen defense cooperation and maritime relations.
B) The visit includes professional interactions, ship tours, and a maritime partnership exercise.
C) The stealth frigate is commanded by Captain MR Harish and showcases Indian culture during its visit.

Maharashtra Government Unveils Initiative to Enhance Youth Employability

The Government of Maharashtra has launched the Mukhyamantri Yuva Karya Prashikshan Yojana to boost youth employability by providing internships with valuable skills training. With ?5,500 crore allocated, the scheme supports candidates aged 18 to 35 and offers stipends of ?6,000 to ?10,000 based on qualifications. Both government and private sectors can participate, provided they meet certain criteria. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde emphasized the scheme’s role in empowering youth and fostering entrepreneurship, alongside the new Ladli Behan scheme for women.

Key Points:

A) The Mukhyamantri Yuva Karya Prashikshan Yojana is administered by the Department of Skills, Employment, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, in collaboration with the CM Public Welfare cell.
B) This initiative underscores our commitment to nurturing talent and fostering economic growth by equipping our youth with essential skills and exposure.
C) The Mukhyamantri Yuva Karya Prashikshan Yojana aims to not only reduce unemployment but also contribute to the state’s overall socio-economic development.

Microsoft-CrowdStrike Glitch Sparks Biggest IT Outage Ever

A global IT outage, triggered by a faulty software update from CrowdStrike affecting Microsoft Windows users, caused widespread disruptions. The incident led to thousands of flight cancellations, halted financial transactions, and impacted news outlets, hospitals, and government offices. The outage, not due to a cyberattack, highlighted the vulnerability of modern digital systems. CrowdStrike has apologized and is working on fixes, but some systems may require extensive manual repairs. The full recovery is expected to take time, with ongoing delays and disruptions.

Key Points:

A) The breakdown was caused by a malfunctioning software update fed to Microsoft Windows users by CrowdStrike, which specializes in cybersecurity for cloud-based companies.
B) The outages affected companies or individuals that use CrowdStrike on the Microsoft Windows platform.
C) In India, several airports issue handwritten boarding passes to passengers.

Andhra Pradesh Awarded Gulbenkian Prize for Natural Farming Model

The Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) initiative has won the 2024 Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity, recognizing its innovative approach to sustainable agriculture. Launched in 2016, APCNF promotes natural farming methods, including organic residues and reduced tillage, benefiting 1 million farmers. The Gulbenkian Prize, worth one million euros, was awarded for contributions to food security, climate resilience, and ecosystem protection. APCNF aims to reach all 8 million farmer households in Andhra Pradesh and inspire global adoption of its practices.

Key Points:

A) The APCNF shares this year’s one million euro prize money with two others-renowned soil scientist Rattan Lal and Egypt-based SEKEM, a conglomeration of NGOs and businesses championing holistic approaches to tackle climate change.|
B) Out of 181 nominations representing 117 nationalities, the award was bestowed upon three recipients by a jury led by Dr. Angela Markel, former German Chancellor and current president of the CGF jury.