టాంజానియాలో తొలి ఐఐటీ క్యాంపస్‌

• భారతదేశానికి బయట తొలి ఐఐటీ (ఇండియన్‌ ఇన్‌స్టిట్యూట్‌ ఆఫ్‌ టెక్నాలజీ) క్యాంపస్‌ను టాంజానియాలోని జాంజబాలో ఏర్పాటు చేస్తున్నామని, అక్టోబరు నుంచి ఇది విద్యా కార్యక్రమాలు ప్రారంభించే అవకాశం ఉన్నట్లు భారత విదేశీ వ్యవహారాల మంత్రిత్వశాఖ (ఎంఈఏ) 2023 జులై 6న తెలిపింది. ఈ మేరకు ఐఐటీ - మద్రాస్‌తో కుదుర్చుకున్న ఒప్పందంపై సంతకాలు జరిగాయి. 
• టాంజానియా పర్యటనలో భాగంగా భారత విదేశీ వ్యవహారాల మంత్రి జైశంకర్‌ ఈ పరిణామాన్ని చారిత్రక అడుగుగా అభివర్ణించారు. ఈ క్యాంపస్‌ను పెరుగుతున్న ప్రపంచ అవసరాలకు దీటుగా ఉన్నతవిద్యను అందించే ప్రపంచస్థాయి వేదికగా, పరిశోధన సంస్థగా ఎంఈఏ పేర్కొంది. 
• టాంజానియా పర్యటనలో భాగంగా ఐఎన్‌ఎస్‌ త్రిశూల్‌ ఓడపై జరిగిన రిసెప్షను వేడుకకు జాంజబా అధ్యక్షుడు డాక్టర్‌ హుసేన్‌ అలి ఎంవిన్యీతో కలిసి మంత్రి జైశంకర్‌ హాజరయ్యారు. భారతదేశం చేపట్టిన ఆరు ప్రాజెక్టుల్లో ఒకటైన కిడుతాని మంచినీటి వనరును సైతం ఆయన సందర్శించారు.

చిప్స్‌లో వాడే అరుదైన ఖనిజాల ఎగుమతులపై చైనా ఆంక్షలు

• అమెరికా - చైనా మధ్య చిప్‌ వార్‌ తీవ్రమైంది. కంప్యూటర్‌ చిప్స్‌లో వినియోగించే అరుదైన ఖనిజాల(షష్ట్రఱజూ ఎa్‌వతీఱaశ్రీం) ఎగుమతులపై డ్రాగన్‌ పట్టు బిగించింది. గాలియం, జర్మేనియం ప్రభుత్వ అనుమతి లేకుండా ఎగుమతి చేయడానికి వీల్లేదని బీజింగ్‌ ఆదేశాలు జారీ చేసింది. 
• ప్రపంచంలోనే ఈ ఖనిజాలను అత్యధికంగా ఉత్పత్తి చేసే దేశం చైనానే. అమెరికా తయారు చేసే అత్యాధునిక మైక్రోప్రాసెసర్లను చైనాకు విక్రయించడంపై ఆంక్షలు విధించడానికి ప్రతిగా డ్రాగన్‌ ఈ నిర్ణయం తీసుకొంది. 
• జాతీయ భద్రత, ప్రయోజనాలను దృష్టిలో పెట్టుకొని ఈ నిర్ణయం తీసుకొన్నట్లు సోమవారం చైనా వాణిజ్యశాఖ వివరణ ఇచ్చింది. గాలియం, జర్మేనియంను కమ్యూనికేషన్లు, సెమీకండెక్టర్లు, సైనిక పరికరాల్లో అత్యధికంగా వినియోగిస్తారు. దీంతోపాటు సోలార్‌ ప్యానల్స్‌ తయారీలో ఈ ఖనిజాలు కీలకమైనవి. 
• ప్రస్తుతం సెమీకండెక్టర్లను ఫోన్ల నుంచి వాహనాలు, ఆయుధాలు ఇలా ప్రతి ఒక్క ఎలక్ట్రానిక్‌ పరికరంలో వినియోగిస్తున్నారు. తాజాగా ప్రపంచంలోనే అతిపెద్ద ఆర్థిక వ్యవస్థల మధ్య వాణిజ్య పోరాటానికి ఇవే కేంద్రంగా నిలిచాయి. గత వారం అమెరికా మిత్ర దేశమైన నెదర్లాండ్స్‌ కొన్ని రకాల ప్రత్యేకమైన చిప్‌లను చైనాకు ఎగుమతి చేయడంపై నిషేధం విధించింది. ఈ నిబంధనలతో ఏఎస్‌ఎంఎల్‌ చైనాకు చిప్స్‌ తయారీ యంత్రాల ఎగుమతులపై ఆంక్షలు పడినట్లైంది.
• చైనాకు సెమీకండెక్టర్లను దక్కనివ్వకుండా చేయాలని అమెరికా చూస్తున్నా- ఆ చిప్‌ల తయారీకి కావలసిన ముడి సరకులపై వాషింగ్టన్‌కు పట్టులేదు. చిప్‌ల తయారీకి కీలకమైన రాగి నిక్షేపాలు చిలీ దేశంలోనే అత్యధికం. వీటిని ఎక్కువగా దిగుమతి చేసుకుంటున్నది చైనాయే. అల్యూమినియం, టంగ్‌స్టన్‌ ఉత్పత్తి చైనా చేతుల్లో కేంద్రీకృతమైంది. లిథియం నిక్షేపాలు దక్షిణ అమెరికా ఖండ దేశాల్లో ఉన్నాయి. కంప్యూటర్లు, స్మార్ట్‌ఫోన్‌ మదర్‌బోర్డుల తయారీకి అవసరమైన గాలియం లోహ నిక్షేపాల్లో 95శాతం చైనాలోనే ఉన్నాయి. ఏతావతా చిప్‌ల తయారీలో ఉపయోగించే అన్ని లోహాలపై చైనాకే పట్టు ఉంది. 
• అమెరికా దీన్ని ఛేదించడానికి కొత్త వ్యూహాలతో ముందుకురానుంది. భవిష్యత్తులో చిప్‌ల కోసం పోరు సైబర్‌ సీమ నుంచి వాస్తవ ప్రపంచానికి విస్తరిస్తుంది. ఆర్థిక, రాజకీయ, సైనిక పరంగా తీవ్ర పర్యవసానాలకు దారితీస్తుంది. చిప్‌ల రూపకల్పన, ప్రత్యేక యంత్రాలపై వాటి తయారీ, ఉత్పత్తి స్థానాల నుంచి ప్రపంచ దేశాలకు సరఫరా అనేవి వేర్వేరు విభాగాలుగా, వేర్వేరు దేశాల్లో స్థిరపడ్డాయి. ఈ విభాగాలన్నింటినీ అదుపు చేయగలవారే భవిష్యత్తును శాసించగలుగుతారు. అమెరికా, చైనాల మధ్య ప్రారంభమైన చిప్‌ యుద్ధం ఈ అదుపు కోసమే.

శాంతి కోసం మొసలితో వివాహం

• ప్రజలు వర్షాల కోసం లేదా పంటలు బాగా పండడం కోసం ప్రార్థిస్తూ విభిన్న ఆచారాలు పాటిస్తారు. దక్షిణ మెక్సికోలోని శాన్‌ పెడ్రో హువాయెలులా అనే పట్టణంలో మాత్రం ప్రజలంతా కలిసి పట్టణ మేయర్‌కు ఆడ మొసలితో వివాహం జరిపించడం సంప్రదాయం. 
• విక్టర్‌ హ్యూగో సోసా అనే మేయర్‌ చొంటల్‌, హువే అనే రెండు సమూహాల మధ్య శాంతిని కొనసాగించాలనే ఉద్దేశంతో అలీసియా ఆడ్రియానా అనే ఆడ మొసలిని వివాహం చేసుకున్నారు. 230 ఏళ్లుగా ఈ ఆచారాన్ని పాటిస్తున్నారట. ఈ వివాహం తమ ప్రాంత ప్రజలకు మరింత అదృష్టాన్ని తెస్తుందని వారి నమ్మకం. 
• ప్రజలు పెళ్లి కుమారుడిని చొంటల్‌ రాజుగా.. మొసలిని రాణిగా భావిస్తారు. ఈ వేడుకకు ముందు ప్రజలు మొసలిని తమ ఇంటికి తీసుకు వెళ్లి ప్రత్యేక నృత్యం చేస్తారు. అనంతరం మొసలిని పెళ్లి వస్త్రాలతో అలంకరిస్తారు. భద్రత కోసం దాని ముక్కుకు తాడును కడతారు. వధువు (మొసలి)ని ఎత్తుకుని వరుడు నృత్యం చేసి దాని నుదుటిపై ముద్దు పెట్టడంతో వేడుక ముగుస్తుంది.

చైనాలో ఉపాధ్యాయురాలికి మరణదండన

- చైనాలో 25 మంది పిల్లలకు విషమిచ్చి, ఒకరి మరణానికి కారణమైన ఓ కిండర్‌గార్టెన్‌ టీచర్‌కు మరణశిక్షను అమలు చేశారు. హెనన్‌ ప్రావిన్స్‌ జియావోజువో నగరంలోని నం.1 ఇంటర్మీడియట్‌ కోర్టు 2023 జులై 14న ఈ విషయాన్ని వెల్లడిరచింది. ఉపాధ్యాయురాలు వాంగ్‌ యున్‌ (40)కు మరణదండనను జులై 13న అమలు చేసినట్లు ఓ నోటీసులో తెలిపింది. - ఇందులోని వివరాల ప్రకారం.. 2019 మార్చి 27న మెంగ్‌మెంగ్‌ ప్రీ-స్కూల్‌లో ‘విద్యార్థి యాజమాన్యం’ విషయమై ‘సన్‌’ అనే ఇంటిపేరున్న ఓ సహోద్యోగితో వాంగ్‌ వాగ్వాదానికి దిగింది. ఈ నేపథ్యంలో ఆమె జావలో విష పదార్థాన్ని కలిపి పిల్లలకు ఇచ్చింది. ఇతర విద్యార్థులంతా కోలుకున్నప్పటికీ ఒకరు మాత్రం 10 నెలల చికిత్స అనంతరం మృతిచెందగా.. వాంగ్‌ను కోర్టు దోషిగా నిర్ధరించింది.

ILO-ADB report: concern expressed on job loss of 41 lakh youth in India amid the Covid-19 pandemic

 The joint report of the International Labour Organization and the Asian Development Bank titled ‘Tackling the COVID-19 youth employment crisis in Asia and the Pacific’ apprehended that the COVID-19 pandemic may hit with a job loss of 41 lakh youth in India. The report also added that a major percentage of job loss will be faced by the workers associated with the construction and farm sector.

What are the key findings of the report?

The report conducted a regional evaluation of the ‘Global Survey on Youth and COVID-19’. 

• The youth of the age group of 15-24 are going to experience the maximum impact
• The pandemic outbreak severely affected the apprenticeship and internship program.
• The report considered three factors as responsible for this condition i.e. reduced working hours and wages, job losses, lack of training, and education.

Measures suggested by the report

• The report suggested the government to take some actions with immediate effect on employment generation, training & education, and prevention of any further impact.
• It suggested wage subsidies and public employment programs for the youths of India.
• More inclusion of youth in the labor market with innovative solutions for better allocation of resources.

Global picture

• The report showed an increasing trend of youth unemployment rates in countries like Indonesia, Australia, Malaysia, Japan, Vietnam, China.

International Labour Organization

• ILO is an agency under the United Nations whose objective is to set international labor standards for the advancement of social and economic justice. 
• It was established in 1919 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland

Death Valley in Southern California witnessed its hottest temperature in more than a century

 Furnace Creek of the Death Valley in the Southern California desert recorded its highest air temperature on Earth since July of 1913. The Weather Prediction Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration measured 54.4 degrees Celsius temperature in that area. However, the verification of the recorded temperature is yet not confirmed by the concerned authority.

What is Death Valley?

• Death Valley is a graben (a down-dropped block of land between two mountain ranges), located in Eastern California region. 
• Due to its location in the rainshadow area of four mountain ranges, the valley is extremely dry in nature. 
• According to scientists the high temperature is caused by Solar heating, warm air tapping, warm air migration, hot mountain winds.

Why is it making news?

• Death Valley is considered one of the  hottest places on Earth. 
• It is best known for creating a record for the highest recorded air temperature on Earth at 56.7 degrees Celsius on 10th July 1913. 
• Recently, the thermometer near the area has soared to 54.4 degrees Celsius, which is the highest temperature in more than a century.

NOAA

• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is a scientific agency in America, associated with the observations regarding the conditions of the oceans, major waterways, and the atmosphere.

What are the other hottest places in the world?

• Other than the Death Valley, California several hottest places are there in the world i.e. Kebili (Tunisia), Mitribah (Kuwait), Turbat (Pakistan), Dallol (Ethiopia), Aziziyah (Libya).

Highest temperature recorded in India

• In 2016 Palodi, Rajasthan witnessed 51.0 degrees Celsius which is the highest ever recorded temperature in India. 
• Recently, Rajasthan’s Churu recorded a temperature of 50 degrees Celsius.

India-Bhutan open new trade route

On July 16, 2020, India and Bhutan opened a new trade route between Jaigon in West Bengal and Pasakha in Bhutan.

Highlights

• The land route will help to move industrial raw materials and goods destined for Pasakha Industrial Estate. 
• The route will help boost trade and commerce and will lead to decongestion of vehicular traffic.
• Bhutan is India’s closest partner.

The China Factor

• India had recently proposed to build road in Yeti territory of Bhutan which China claimed recently. 
• The road will also help India access Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh quickly. 
• The road will reduce distance between Guwahati and Tawang by 150 kilometres
• China claims Tawang to gain absolute control over Tibet.

Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary

• In June 2020, China tried to block funding of Sakteng wildlife sanctuary at the United Nations Development Programme-global Environment Facility Council. 
• The sanctuary is located in eastern Bhutan. 
• According to China, the sanctuary was part of disputed territory.

United States submits notice to U.N Secretary-General to withdraw from WHO by 6th July 2021

The formal notification to the United States Congress was provided on 7^th July 2020 by President Donald Trump-led Administration on the decision of ending the United States relations with the World Health Organization (WHO: Specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for public health globally).

• As per the notification, the United States Government has submitted its notice to the Secretary-General of the United Nations to withdraw from the WHO by the 6^th of July 2021.
• The withdrawal of membership from the WHO will be a yearlong process as several factors are likely to come up in between in which the Donald Trump-led administration won’t have control. 
• One such factor is the Presidential Elections in November 2020, if Trump loses and Democratic Party candidate Joe Biden is elected as the President of United States then United States will remain as a member of the WHO as Joe Biden has publically announced that he would have the United States rejoin WHO if elected as the President.

Background

• Citing the global outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic, the United States President on 18^th May 2020 has threatened to freeze the fundings of the WHO and also reconsider United States Membership with the organization as he accused the WHO of repeated missteps taken by them in handling the pandemic.
• On 29^th May 2020, Donald Trump announced that the funding to the WHO from the United States will be halted as he accused China of having entire control over the WHO.
• The United States is the largest contributor to the annual budget of the WHO, over the current two years budget period- 15 percent of the WHO’s total funding was made by the United States. 
• USD 450 million is being contributed by the United States in a year.

New Strain of Swine Flu Virus having Human Pandemic Potential Discovered in China

A new virus has been discovered by scientists in China that is quite similar to the 2009 Swine Flu that caused a global pandemic. The new strain of the virus is named as ‘G4 EA H1N1 (commonly called G4 virus)’, it has human pandemic potential.

G4 Virus

• The G4 virus was detected by scientists at several institutions of China including the National Influenza Centre of China during a pig surveillance program. 
• The surveillance program was conducted in between 2011 to 2018 by collecting above 30,000 nasal swab samples from pigs across 10 provinces of China.
• A total of 179 swine influence viruses were identified during the program, mostly didn’t pose such concern for human transmission. 
• The new strain of the G4 Virus has sharply increased among the pigs since 2016 after which tests were conducted on the strain of the virus.
• The tests conducted found that the virus can cause zoonotic infection (animal to human) but there hasn’t been any evidence of person-to-person transmission of the virus yet. 
• The G4 virus can replicate in human cells and the test results have further shown that the immunity developed by a human body against seasonal flu won’t be able to provide protection to the human body against the G4 virus.

Russia’s Energia plans to take First Tourist on Space Walk in 2023

On 25^th June 2020, Russian Company- S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia (also known as RSC Energia) has announced that it will take the first tourist for a spacewalk in 2023. The announcement came after RSC Energia has signed a deal with Space Adventures (space tourism company in the United States). RSC Energia is a part of the Roscosmos (Russia’s space agency).

• As per the deal, two tourists will be sent to the International Space Station (ISS) in the year 2023 under the joint agreement of both the companies. 
• From the end of RSC Energia, one of the two tourists will be able to do a spacewalk together with a cosmonaut from Roscosmos.
• Between 2001 to 2009, Space Adventures along with the Russian Space Agency has taken eight tourists to the ISS. 
• In 2001, Dennis Tito (a businessman from the United States) became the World’s First Private Space Explorer (first paying space tourist in the world). 
• Since 2009, no other space tourist program has been conducted in the world. 
• None of the space tourists to date have done a spacewalk.

Background

• The announcement came a month after SpaceX (the United States-based space transportation services and aerospace manufacturer company) broke the monopoly of the Russian space agency. 
• Until 30^th May 2020, only Russian Space Agency Roscosmos had the technology to successfully able to carry Humans to space. 
• All Human Space Flight missions until 30^th May 2020 were conducted with the help of Russian crew spacecraft Soyuz. 
• On 30^th May 2020, Falcon 9 rocket of SpaceX successfully carried two astronauts of NASA to the ISS.
• SpaceX in February 2020 has also signed an agreement with Space Adventures. 
• Under the agreement, both the companies have planned to carry a space tourism trip next year. 
• The number of space tourists for the trip will be 3. 
• Spacewalk for the tourists under this trip is not a part of the agreement yet.

World’s Longest Internet Shutdown in Myanmar enters 2nd year

On 21^st June 2019, the mobile internet services were shut down by the Myanmar Government in eight townships of the conflict-hit Rakhine State and in one township in Chin State. Between September 2019 to February 2020 the restrictions were lifted in 5 states but were again reinstated. In Maungdaw township of Rakhine State, the restrictions were lifted on 2^nd May 2020. The internet services for the remaining townships will remain shut down till the 1^st of August 2020, this was announced by the Ministry of Transportation and Communication of the Myanmar Government.

Background

• Since January 2019, the Myanmar Government has been engaged in battle with the Arakan Army (Rakhine Armed Group). 
• This insurgent group is fighting for the independence of ethnic Rakhine Buddhists.

Rising Criticism for the Myanmar Government

• As lack of information would result in an underreported shortage of essential services from food, water to medical aid, etc. 
• At a time of a global pandemic, suspension of internet services would have also made it difficult for the people living in these townships to get proper information about the safety standard protocols related to COVID-19.
• The move of the Myanmar Government has continued to draw criticism from both the domestic as well as International Human Rights Organizations. 
• As per Myanmar’s Telecommunication law’s Article 77, the Government can suspend the service during an emergency situation. 
• Various Human Rights Organizations now call for the amendment of the Article as it is not in line with the international standards for freedom of expression.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to set up Permanent Base in the Indian Ocean

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has announced that it will set up its permanent military base in the Indian ocean by March next year. The announcement was made by Alireza Tangsiri on 23^rd June 2020. Alireza Tangsiri is the Navy Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

• The Navy Commander informed that the move of setting up a Permanent Base in the Indian Ocean is as per the instructions by Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 
• He further added that the move of setting up a permanent presence far away from the country in the waters was taken as a result of repeated harassment faced by Iranian Fishermen in the ocean from pirates and even encroachments made by foreign vessels in the Indian Ocean and the Sea of Oman.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

• The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was established on the order of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (1^st Supreme Leader of Iran). 
• It is a branch of the Iranian Armed Forces. It was founded on 22^nd April 1979 after the Iranian Revolution.
• At present, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.

China annexes parts of Nepal by diverting the flow of Rivers that acted as Natural Boundary

A report prepared by Nepal’s Agricultural Ministry’s Survey Department has indicated that China has diverted the flow of rivers in certain areas of the Nepal-China border. These rivers act as a natural boundary between the two countries.

As per the report, in a total of 11 places where the Chinese have encroached the Nepalese territory, in 10 places China has diverted the flow of rivers for encroachment. In these 10 places, the total area of Nepalese land encroached by China is said to be around 33 hectares.

Highlights from the Report

• Humla District: Route of Bagdare Khola River and Karnali River are diverted. 
• By this diversion, China has annexed 10 hectares of land under its Tibet Autonomous Region.
• Rasuwa District: Routes of 3 rivers- Jambu Khola, Sinjen, and Bhurjuk are diverted. 
• The total area of about 6 hectares annexed in this district.
• Sindhupalchowk District: In this district, a total of 11 hectares of land has already been claimed by China as its own territory. 
• This was done by diverting the route of Bhote Kosi and Kharane Khola rivers.
• Sankhuwasabha District: Routes of 3 rivers- Arun, Sumjung, and Kam Khola are diverted. 
• The total area annexed by China in this district is 9 hectares.

China have also annexed Nepalese Villages Rui and Teigha

• Another report that was published by media houses in Nepal claims that 2 villages in the northern part of the Gorkha district have been annexed by China. 
• The name of the villages is Rui and Teigha. These villages are currently included in the map of Nepal (also included in the newly amended map of Nepal that was passed on 13^th June). 
• But as per the reports, the boundary pillars that demarcated as the border between the two countries have been removed.

Bill to Rename ‘Tonoshiro’ to ‘Tonoshiro Senkaku’ triggered tensions between Japan and China

A group of Islands without inhabitants located at the South China Sea has been a point of disagreement between Japan and China since 1972. The island is known by the name Senkakus in Japan, while in the People’s Republic of China the Islands are known by the name Diaoyu.

The island group is at present administered by the administrative authority of Ishigaki city of Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture. The islands are located in the southern part of Japan, the entire area under which the Senkaku Islands are located is known by the name Tonoshiro in Japan.

History

• The group of islands was controlled by the Ryukyu Kingdom of China as per records available. 
• But during the First Sino-Japanese War the Islands were annexed by the Japanese Central Government.
• As Japan surrender at the end of 2^nd World War, the islands came under the power of the United States Government. 26 years later in 1971, the United States Senate passed the Okinawa Reversion Treaty to return the group of islands back to Japan. 
• Japan took over the control of the islands from 1972. Since then China began to declare its ownership over the islands based on the fact that the islands were discovered during the 14^th century by the Chinese Ryukyu Kingdom.

Present Day

• On 22^nd June 2020, the assembly of Ishigaki city passed the bill under which from 1^st October 2020- the Tonoshiro area will be renamed as Tonoshiro Senkaku.

Armed Forces of India and China to take part at Moscow Military Parade on 24th June 2020

Within 10 days of the Galwan Valley Clash, the Armed Forces of India and China are set to take part in the 75^th Victory Anniversary of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany at the Red Square in Moscow, Russia on 24^th June 2020. A contingent of 75 all rank personnel from the Tri-service of the Indian Armed Forces will participate in the Parade. The contingent will be lead by a Colonel rank officer of the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment.

A total of 20 foreign countries are invited by the Russian armed forces to mark the diamond jubilee celebrations, this also includes armed forces from the United States, United Kingdom, and France.

Moscow Victory Day Parade

• The victory day parade is conducted by the Russian Armed Forces every year on 9^th May. 
• This year due to the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak the parade was postponed to 24^th June. 
• As the Supreme Commander of the Russian Armed Forces, the Russian President is the Guest of Honor for the parade.
• On 9th May 1945: Nazi Germany surrendered to the Soviet commanders, while on 24th June 1945: a victory parade held at the Red Square of Moscow for the Soviet Armed Forces.
• The military parade is to honor the sacrifices made by the Russian and citizens of the other friendly allies of the Soviet Union during the Second World War.
• During the World War-II, one of the largest allied forces against the Axis powers was the British Indian Armed Forces contingent. 
• About 87 thousand Indian armed forces servicemen sacrificed their lives while approx 35 thousand were wounded.
• In September 1944, USSR (Soviet Union) awarded Havildar Gajendra Singh Chand and Subedar Narayan Rao Nikkam the prestigious Orders of the Red Star.

India-Nepal sign MoU

On June 15, 2020 India and Nepal signed a Memorandum of Understanding to improve infrastructure of the Pashupatinath temple complex.

Highlights

• The Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Federal Affairs ministry of Nepal and Indian Embassy. 
• Under the agreement, India has pledged to extend financial assistance of Rs 2.33 crores. 
• The project is to be implemented by Kathmandu Metropolitan city.
• India’s assistance comes amidst a raging border row between the two countries.

Pashupatinath Temple

• The Pashupatinath temple is the largest temple complex in Nepal. 
• It is located on the Bagmati river of Nepal. 
• The temple is one of the UNESCO World Heritage site.

Bagmati river

• The river is considered holy by both Hindus and Buddhists. 
• The river flows in India and Nepal.
•  It is a tributary of Kosi river.

India-Nepal Issue

• The Nepal Parliament recently passed an amendment bill to redraw its political map. 
• The new map is to include Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura. 
• These regions are disputed and are claimed by both India and Nepal.

Challenger Deep

The Astronaut and Oceanographer Kathy Sullivan recently reached the deepest point in the ocean, Challenger Deep. With this she has become the first woman to reach the deepest point in the earth.

Highlights

• In 1984, Kathy made her space walk debut and became the first woman to walk in space. 
• Now by reaching Challenger Deep she has created a new record of first person in the world to walk in space and also reach the deepest point on the earth. 
• She is also the first woman to reach the deepest point in the ocean.

Challenger Deep

• Challenger Deep is the deepest point in the Earth’s sea bed. 
• It is at a depth of 10,902 metres. 
• It is named after the British Royal Navy survey Ship HMS Challenger that recorded its depth for the first time.
• Lieutenant Don Walsh and Swiss scientist Jacques Piccard were the first to dive into Challenger Deep in 1960. 
• In 2012, the Titanic director James Cameron was the first to complete his solo submarine dive to the spot.
• Challenger Deep is located in the Western Pacific Ocean in the southern end of Mariana Trench. 
• It is in the ocean territory of Federated States of Micronesia.

Micronesia

• Micronesia is a sub region of Oceania. 
• It is made of 1000s of small islands. It has a tropical marine climate. 
• There are 4 main archipelagos in the sub region. 
• They are Caroline Islands, Mariana Islands, Gilbert Islands and Marshall Islands. 
• The Mariana Trench is located in the Mariana Islands.

China’s New Record: Reaches Deepest point on the earth

An Unmanned submersible of China dived deep down to 10,907 metres to the world’s deepest point Mariana Trench.

Highlights

• A team of scientists left for an expedition on April 23, 2020. 
• The researchers tested acoustic detection, video transmission, high precision depth detection during the deep-sea diving operation.
• China has been stepping efforts to develop deep sea technology to explore mining of natural resources from the sea. 
• In 2011, China signed a deal with the International Seabed Authority to explore polymetallic sulfide for a period of 15 years in Indian Ocean. 
• China was allocated 10,000 square kilometres in the Indian Ocean under the deal

International Seabed Authority

• The International Seabed Authority was formed in 1994 under United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS). 
• The authority organizes, regulates and controls mineral related activities in the international seabed area. 
• The Authority became an observer at the United Nations in 1996.
• The Headquarters of ISA is situated in Jamaica. It has 167 members.

India and ISA

• India is also a member of ISA. In1987, India was the first country to receive the status of “Pioneer Investor” at ISA. 
• India was allocated 1.5 lakh square kilo metres of Central Indian Ocean Basin for the exploration.
• According to the Ministry of Earth Science, it was found under the exploration that there are 4.7 million tonnes of Nickel, 0.55 million tonnes of cobalt, 4.29 million tonnes of copper and 92.59 million tonnes of Manganese.

Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China

A group of eight democracies have launched Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China. It is an international cross-party group of legislators that are working towards reforms on democratic countries approach towards China.

Highlights

The Alliance was formed by Japan, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Lithuania, Norway, Netherlands and USA. The European Union was also present when the representatives from these countries discussed about issues related to China.

Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China

The Alliance follows two principles namely

• Free, open and rules-based international cooperation to support human dignity
• The Democratic states should maintain integrity in their political systems.

Background

The Alliance has met during a time when China is trying to dilute autonomy of Hong Kong. Also, during the time when several countries are raising concerns about origin of COVID-19.

About the alliance

The alliance is an international group of legislators that are working towards reforms on how countries approach China. The mission monitors developments and assists legislators to craft strategic approach on the issues related to China. The activities of the alliance fall into the following areas

• Upholding human rights
• Safeguarding international rules
• Promoting fair trade
• Strengthen security
• Protect national integrity

Indian PMO secretaries to hold key positions in WTO, World Bank

The Private secretary of Prime Minister Modi Rajeev Topno was recently appointed as the Senior Advisor to the Executive Director of World Bank. Also, a joint secretary at the Prime Minister Office (PMO) was appointed to the World Trade Organization as an ambassador

Highlights

• Besides these officers, five other officers have been appointed abroad where they will have major role in economic and trade related decisions. 
• H Atheli has been appointed as advisor to Executive Director of Asian Development Bank.

Significance

• These appointments are important to India. 
• This is because India is currently grappling with economic crisis and the organizations play an important in deciding trade related activities.

Board of Directors

• The World Bank group consists of four separate boards of directors. 
• This includes International Bank of Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Finance Corporation (IFC), International Development Association (IDA) and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). 
• There are 25 Executive directors in all. They elect their president. 
• The president has no voting powers except for the deciding vote of equally divided board.

Voting Powers

• The voting powers of the member countries are based on the number of shares held by them. 
• The top eight countries with highest voting powers in the world bank are USA, Japan, China, UK, Germany, France, Canada and India.