Weekly Current Affairs Ep4: 9 to 15 March 2024

Weekly Current Affairs

Weekly Current Affairs for UPSC and Competitive Exam: Jobs Informations presents Weekly Current Affairs for all dedicated students and readers preparing for various competitive exams. In today’s session, get briefings about the important topics given in Current Affairs.

National

Four Air Force units decorated with the President’s banner and colours.

President Smt. Draupadi Murmu presented the Presidential Flag to 45 Squadron and 221 Squadron, 11 Base Repair Depot and 509 Signals Unit of the Indian Air Force on March 8, 2024. This was the first time in the history of the IAF (Indian Air Force) that four units were awarded the President’s Standard and Colors simultaneously. The President’s Banner and Colors is the highest military honour for any unit in the armed forces. All four units selected for the prestigious awards have made stellar contributions to the history of the Indian Air Force.

President awarded Sangeet Natak Akademi scholarship to outstanding artists and prizes

President SM! Draupadi Murmu has presented the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards for the years 2022 and 2023 to 94 eminent artists, including two joint award winners, for excellence in the performing arts. The extraordinary contribution of the artists to Indian culture was recognized at a special investiture ceremony on March 6, 2024. In addition to the Academy Awards, the President presented the Sangeet Natak Akademi scholarship to six eminent artists. In his speech, the President praised Indian art as a powerful expression of the country’s soft power.

NITI Aayog and META collaborate to launch Frontier Technology Labs in schools

NITI Aayog and American multinational technology group Meta have joined hands to launch Frontier Technology Labs (FTL) in strategically important schools in India to ensure that students from diverse backgrounds have equal opportunities to interact with cutting-edge technologies. FTL will be equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure to empower students to innovate using technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Virtual and Augmented Reality, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, Robotics, Printing 30 and the Internet of Things.

Indian Navy strengthens its presence in Lakshadweep with INS Jatayu

The Indian Navy commissioned INS Jatayu at Minicoy Island in Lakshadweep on March 6, 2024. The commissioning of the Indian Navy’s second base, INS Jatayu at Lakshadweep, enhances India’s surveillance position over the strategically located islands and vital maritime communication routes. This will also increase connectivity with the continent and contribute to the comprehensive development of the islands. After the start-up, the Minicoy Marine Operations Center was inaugurated. INS Jatayu will operate under the operational control of the Naval Officer-in-Charge (Lakshadweep), Southern Naval Command.

Celebrities and influential people will be arrested for supporting illegal betting and gambling

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued a comprehensive notice in line with the Consumer Protection Act 2019 against advertisements promoting betting and gaming. Strictly prohibited by the Public Gaming Act of 1867, betting and gaming are illegal in most areas of the country. Despite this, online platforms continue to advertise these activities directly and sometimes under the guise of games. The notice warns that action will be taken against all parties involved, including manufacturers, advertisers, publishers, intermediaries, social media platforms, sponsors, celebrities, social media influencers and other concerned stakeholders if they are found participating in online promotion or advertising. Strict action will be initiated. , Games of chance and betting.

New wildlife protection rules require registration for keeping exotic animals

Any Indian in possession of exotic wildlife will now have to follow the new rules notified under Section 49M of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. This is an important step in monitoring the capture and breeding of highly endangered exotic wild animals in captivity. Under the new rules, people who have live specimens of exotic animal species will have to apply for registration within six months of the commencement of the rules (April 1, 2024). These species are listed in the appendix of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Animals. Schedule IV of the Indian Flora and Fauna (CITES) and Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

International

Mr Shehbaz Sharif took oath as Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Mr Shehbaz Sharif was sworn in as the 24th Prime Minister of Pakistan for the second time in 2022 in a ceremony held at the Presidential Palace on March 4, 2024. The President Shri Arif Alvi took the oath. Taking the oath before the 72-year-old leader of the PML-N. The swearing-in came amid protests by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Lansaf (PTI) in various parts of the country. Mr Shehbaz Sharif was elected Prime Minister. He obtained 201 votes in the National Assembly, defeating his rival, Omar Ayub Khan, who had the support of the PTI.

INS Kolkata rescues 21 crew members from a Greek aircraft carrier in the Gulf of Aden

The Indian Navy warship INS Kolkata successfully rescued 21 crew members of the bulk carrier MV True Confidence in the Gulf of Aden on March 7, 2024. The Barbados-flagged and Greek-operated cargo ship was attacked by Houthis, killing three crew members and forcing the rest to abandon the ship. The rest of the crew, including an Indian national, were rescued via helicopters and boats. Following the successful rescue, all crew members and injured personnel were evacuated to Djibouti.

Singapore will increase salary criteria for foreign job seekers.

Singapore has announced that the country will increase salary criteria for foreign executives and professionals that companies can hire. From January 2025, foreigners seeking employment passes, which are generally reserved for well-paid professionals, will need to earn at least S$5,600 a month, up from the current requirement of S$5,000. The Ministry of Manpower said the move is aimed at ensuring that employment pass holders are of high quality. The financial centre of Southeast Asia has been the preferred choice for foreign companies to establish their regional headquarters.

Singapore to raise salary criteria for foreigners seeking employment permits

Singapore has announced that the country will raise the salary criteria for foreign executives and professionals that companies will be able to hire. From January 2025, foreigners seeking employment passes, which are generally reserved for well-paid professionals, will need to earn at least S$5,600 a month, up from the current requirement of S$5,000. The Labor Ministry said the measure is aimed at ensuring that employment pass holders are of high quality. The Southeast Asian financial centre has been a preferred choice for foreign companies to set up their regional headquarters.

Economy

APEDA projects agricultural exports to reach US$ 26.7 billion in the financial year 2022-23

Agricultural and Processed Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) aims to increase India’s agricultural exports from US$ 600 million in FY 1987-88 to US$ 26.7 billion in FY 2022-23. With the intervention of APEDA, India’s agricultural export growth has increased, showing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12 per cent. While exports of fresh fruits recorded an extraordinary growth of 29 per cent, processed vegetables, basmati rice and fresh vegetables also witnessed significant growth. Basmati rice saw a significant growth of 19 per cent in export value and 11 per cent growth in quantity, strengthening its position as a major export commodity for India. Major markets for Basmati rice include Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the United States and the United Arab Emirates, confirming its enduring global demand.

Game

Squash player Abhay Singh wins Goodfellow Classic Squash in Toronto

Squash player Abhay Singh has won the title of Goodfellow Classic PSA Challenger Tour held in Toronto, Canada. In the final, he defeated Elliot Morris Devred of Wales 3–0. With this win, the Asian Games gold medalist has clinched her eighth PSA World Tour title.

Khelo India medal winners get eligibility for government jobs

Khela India’s medal-winning athletes are now eligible for various government jobs. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) introduced comprehensive reforms in the recruitment, promotion and incentive structure for athletes while providing eligibility to medal winners of Khela India Games (Youth, University, Paralympic and Winter Games) for various government job opportunities. Have done. These reforms prioritize candidates based on their sporting achievements, considering representation at the national or international level and success in national youth tournaments. To expedite the process, the guidelines empower specific entities, such as secretaries of national sports federations, secretaries of state associations and deans of universities or sports officers, to issue eligibility certificates to athletes seeking employment in the government.

Weekly Current Affairs Ep3: 3 to 9 February 2024