Raju notes : annual cuRRent affaiRs magazine 2023

1. Republic First Bank becomes first US bank to collapse in 2024

Philadelphia-based Republic First Bank has been closed by Pennsylvania
Department of Banking and Securities, which appointed the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. It has become the first US bank
failure this year. Republic First Bank's 32 branches in New Jersey, Pennsylvania
and New York will reopen as branches of Fulton Bank.

2. What is antimicrobial resistance? New evidence from the WHO shows

extensive overuse of antibiotics during COVID-19 pandemic may have
exacerbated "silent" spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR threatens
the effective prevention and treatment of an ever-increasing range of
infections. It occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over
time and no longer respond to medicines making infections harder to treat.

3. World's largest 3D printer unveiled in US,

The University of Maine in the US has unveiled the world's largest polymer 3D
printer, breaking its own record set in 2019. The new printer is four times
larger than its predecessor and can print objects as large as 96 feet long by 32
feet wide by 18 feet high. It can create a single-storey home in around 80
hours.

4. Dubai begins building world's largest airport for ₹2.9 lakh crore
Dubai approved the designs for the new passenger terminals at Al Maktoum
International Airport and commenced the construction of the building at a
cost of AED 128 billion (2.9 lakh crore). Al Maktoum International Airport will
have the world's largest capacity, reaching up to 260 million passengers. It will
be five times the size of the current Dubai International Airport.

145
 Raju notes : annual cuRRent affaiRs magazine 2023

5. UAE and Ukraine Reach Trade DealThe state news agency WAM
reported this week that UAE and Ukraine Reached Trade Deal that the
comprehensive economic agreement will lower tariffs and eliminate trade
obstacles. According to the UAE's foreign trade minister, this move will open
up new avenues for investment in sectors such as logistics, manufacturing,
and information technology.

6. Sri Lanka’s Cabinet has approved the plan to renovate the

Kankesanthurai port in the Northern part of the island. The project will be
executed under an Indian financial grant. The project had faced delays as
estimated costs surpassed available funds. Recognizing the project’s
significance, India has pledged to cover the entire estimated cost of the
project .Situated in the northern region of Sri Lanka, the 16-acre
Kankesanthurai Port or KKS Port, is located 104 km from Karaikal Port in
Pondicherry, [Link] year, ferry services between India and Sri Lanka
commenced with a direct passenger ship service connecting Nagapattinam
in Tamil Nadu to Kankesanthurai port in Sri Lanka. The ferry covers 111 km in
about 3.5 hours and is an important method of connectivity for the people of
both regions.

7. DRDO successfully tests 'SMART' anti-submarine missile system

India successfully conducted trials of the Supersonic Missile Assisted Release
of Torpedo (SMART) anti-submarine missile system off the coast of Odisha's
Balasore on Wednesday. "SMART is a next-generation missile-based light-
weight torpedo delivery system, designed and developed by DRDO to
enhance the anti-submarine warfare capability of the Indian Navy," the
Defence Ministry said in a statement.

8. Propaganda against India: Govt on US report on religious freedom in

India The government has dismissed a report by the US Commission on
International Religious Freedom that expressed concern over religious
freedom in India. "USCIRF is known as a biased organisation with political
agenda. They continue to publish their propaganda on India masquerading
as...an annual report... Their efforts to interfere in world's largest electoral
exercise will never succeed," MEA stated.

9. Shaksgam valley is part of India: Govt amid reports of China's

construction activity Government has lodged a strong protest with China for
carrying out construction activities in Shaksgam valley, saying it is India's part.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India "never accepted the so-called
China-Pakistan Boundary Agreement of 1963 through which Pakistan
unlawfully attempted to cede the area to China". India called it an "illegal"
attempt to alter the situation on the [Link] Valley, which lies in
Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, was ceded by Pakistan to China in 1963 under an
agreement to settle border differences. The pact was signed "to put pressure
on India", China and Pakistan built Karakoram Highway passing through the
region, which provides link for Tibet and Sinkiang in China with PoK.

146
 Raju notes : annual cuRRent affaiRs magazine 2023

10. Turkey has stopped all exports and imports to and from Israel, the
Turkish trade ministry said, citing "worsening humanitarian tragedy" in the
Palestinian territories. It added that the measures would be in place until
Israel allowed an "uninterrupted and sufficient flow" of aid into Gaza. The
ministry has described the step as the second phase of measures against
Israel.

11. The 12th India-Netherlands Foreign Office Consultations were held in

The Hague, Netherlands . The last Foreign Office Consultations took place in
New Delhi in December 2022.. Both sides welcomed the progress in all areas
and deliberated on the way forward in priority sectors of Water, Agriculture
and Health, Science and Technology, and High-tech and Innovation. They
underscored their interest to raise the level of ambition and agreed to further
strengthen bilateral relations, by focusing on new emerging technologies like
semiconductors and green hydrogen. The two sides appreciated the robust
and fast-growing economic ties and noted the importance of holding the
inaugural meeting of the Fast Track Mechanism for Indian companies in the
Netherlands as an important step towards further enhancing B2B relations.

12. The 7th India-Indonesia Joint Defence Cooperation Committee

meeting was held in New Delhi. During the meeting, both sides expressed
satisfaction at the expanding scope of defence cooperation between the two
countries. The progress made on various bilateral defence cooperation
initiatives was deliberated in meetings of the Working Group on Defence
Cooperation and Defence Industries Cooperation was also reviewed by the co-
chairs.

13. In Sri Lanka, the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha,
visited the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farms, where he received a comprehensive
briefing on the impressive developments within the Lower Tank Farms. These
advancements, facilitated by investments from Lanka IOC, underscored the
deepening economic ties between India and Sri Lanka. The infrastructure
redeveloped by Lanka IOC helped the island in managing fuel shortages
during the economic [Link] his visit, the High Commissioner engaged
with the technical team of the Indian Navy’s Dornier aircraft, which has played
a pivotal role in augmenting Sri Lanka’s maritime surveillance capabilities. The
visit lays stress on the longstanding partnership between the two nations in
several sectors and is in line with India’s Neighbourhood First Policy.

14. The fourth meeting of the India-Maldives High-Level Core Group was
held in New Delhi on 4 may. Both sides continued their discussions on wide-
ranging issues related to bilateral cooperation. These include defence
cooperation, development cooperation projects, efforts to enhance bilateral
trade and investment, and capacity-building initiatives. During the meeting,
both sides also reviewed the ongoing efforts to enable the continued
operation of Indian aviation platforms that provide humanitarian and
MEDEVAC (medical evacuation) services to the people of Maldives.

147
 Raju notes : annual cuRRent affaiRs magazine 2023

15. Iran releases all crew members including 16 Indians from seized ship
Iran on Friday said it released all the crew members of a Portuguese-flagged
cargo vessel MSC Aries that had 17 Indians among the 25 people on board on
humanitarian grounds. Ann Tessa Joseph, the sole woman cadet among the
Indian crew members, was released days after the tanker was seized by Iran's
military on April 13. Iran however maintains control over the vessel.

16. India and Sweden convened the seventh session of Foreign Office
Consultations in Stockholm yesterday. During the session, both sides
welcomed the progress in all areas of bilateral cooperation. Both countries
stressed the need to focus on new emerging technologies like
semiconductors, green steel and green [Link] two sides also discussed
security aspects including cyber security and counter-terrorism. They agreed
to consider collaboration in the defence sector. They exchanged views to
cooperate in the reforms of the United Nations Security Council, especially in
the build-up to the Summit of the Future. They emphasised the need for an
early conclusion of a mutually beneficial India-EU Free trade agreement.

17. What is Article 361, which grants immunity to President and

Governor? Article 361 grants immunity to President and Governor as they're
"not answerable to any court for exercise and performance of powers and
duties" of their office. No criminal proceedings can be initiated or continued
against President or Governor in court during their office term. West Bengal
Governor CV Ananda Bose was recently accused of molesting a Raj Bhavan
staffer.

18. What are 'FLIRT' variants of COVID-19?

A new group of COVID-19 variants, known as 'FLIRT', has emerged in the US.
The FLIRT variants descended from the deadly Omicron variant, but are
derivatives of JN.1 strain. They are marked by mutations identified by the
letters F, L, R, and T in their genetic codes. KP.2, one of the sub-variants in this
set, is of rising concern.

148
 Raju notes : annual cuRRent affaiRs magazine 2023

1. Vladimir Putin was sworn in for a new six-year term as Russia’s

President on 7 may at a ceremony inside the Grand Kremlin Palace in
Moscow. Already in office for nearly a quarter-century and the longest-serving
Kremlin leader since Josef Stalin, Putin’s new term doesn’t expire until 2030,
when he will be constitutionally eligible to run again. Putin in March this year
had won a landslide victory in a tightly controlled election. Following the 2022
invasion of Ukraine that has become Europe’s biggest conflict since World
War II, Russia has been heavily sanctioned by the West and is turning to other
regimes like China, Iran and North Korea for support.

2. The Israeli military has seized control of the Rafah border crossing
between the Gaza Strip and Egypt on 7th May. Authorities said its tanks
pushed into the southern Gazan town of Rafah after a night of air strikes on
the Palestinian enclave. However, the cease-fire negotiations with Hamas
remain precarious. The development came after hours of whiplash in the
Israel-Hamas war, with the militant group yesterday saying it accepted an
Egyptian-Qatari mediated cease-fire proposal. Israel, however, insisted the
deal did not meet its core demands. The looming operation has raised global
alarm over the fate of around 1.3 million Palestinians crammed into the city
and threatened to widen a rift between Israel and its main backer, the United
States.

3. Sri Lanka has sealed a 20-year power deal with Adani Green Energy Ltd
of India. Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers have approved the project under
which two wind power stations will be developed by Adani, marking a crucial
step towards sustainable energy solutions. The approval granted last year for
Adani’s $442 million investment in 484 megawatts wind power plants
underscores the growing partnership between the two nations in the
renewable energy sector. As part of the deal, Adani will receive 8.26 cents per
kilowatt-hour that is approximately 7 rupees, as announced by the Sri Lankan

149
 Raju notes : annual cuRRent affaiRs magazine 2023

government. This collaboration comes amidst Sri Lanka’s efforts to address

energy challenges, including power blackouts and fuel shortages experienced
during its economic crisis in 2022.

4. Russia on 7th may announced to hold a military exercise that will

include practice for the use of tactical nuclear weapons after what the
defence ministry said were provocative threats from Western officials. The
Ministry said that the exercise was ordered by President Vladimir Putin and
would test the readiness of non-strategic nuclear forces to perform combat
missions. It was the first time that Russia has publicly announced drills
involving tactical nuclear weapons, though its strategic nuclear forces
regularly hold exercises. The Russian announcement appeared to be a
warning to Ukraine’s Western allies about becoming more deeply involved in
the more than two-year war. Tactical nuclear weapons include air bombs,
warheads for short-range missiles and artillery munitions and are meant for
use on a battlefield. They are less powerful than the massive warheads that
arm intercontinental ballistic missiles and are intended to obliterate entire
cities.

5. Covishield maker AstraZeneca withdraws its COVID-19 vaccine

globally AstraZeneca has initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19
vaccine. "As multiple variant COVID-19 vaccines have been developed since
the pandemic, there is a surplus of available updated vaccines," the company
said on the decision. Earlier, Covishield maker AstraZeneca admitted that its
COVID-19 vaccine can cause side effects such as blood clots and low blood
platelet counts in rare cases.

6. India sends 3 naval ships for operational deployment to South China

Sea Indian naval ships Delhi, Shakti, and Kiltan led by Rear Admiral Rajesh
Dhankhar arrived in Singapore on Monday. The visit is part of the operational
deployment of the Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet to the South China sea. "This
visit is poised to further strengthen the longstanding friendship and
cooperation between the two maritime nations," India said.
read more at The Print.

7. India becomes first country to receive over $100 billion in

remittances. India received $111.22 billion in international remittances in 2022,
becoming the first country to reach the $100 billion mark, UN's International
Organization for Migration said. India was followed by Mexico ($61.10 billion),
China ($51 billion), the Philippines ($38.05 billion) & France ($30.04 billion).
Remittances are money people working abroad send to their country to
support their families.

8. President Droupadi Murmu today presented the Padma Awards at the

second Civil Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. The
President conferred Padma Vibhushan upon renowned artist Dr.
Vyjayantimala Bali, and telegu film actor Konidela Chiranjeevi. The first
woman Supreme Court Judge in Asia M Fathima Beevi was also presented
with Padma Bhushan posthumously. Renowned cardiologist Dr. Ashwin

150
 Raju notes : annual cuRRent affaiRs magazine 2023

Balachand Mehta, and veteran Political Leader O. Rajagopal were also given
the third highest civilian honour. Togdan Rinpoche was also given Padma
Bhushan posthumously for his exemplary contribution to the field of
Spiritualism. Padma Shri was conferred upon Joshna Chinappa for her
contribution to the field of sports. K Chellammal received the Padma Shri
award in the field of agriculture. Hindustani classical vocalist Som Datt Battu
and sculptor A Velu Ananda Chari also received Padma Shri among others.

9. India has seen the second most significant decline of 7.82 per cent in
the majority population, only next to Myanmar, within the immediate South
Asian neighbourhood from 1950 to 2015. A working paper of the Economic
Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, EAC PM, said India has witnessed an
increase in the share of Minority groups – Muslim, Christian, Buddhist and
Sikh and a decline in the share of Jain and Parsis. The panel said that Hindu
population share was 84.68 per cent in 1950, which came down to 78.06 per
cent in 2015. Between 1950 and 2015, the Muslim population increased by 43.15
per cent, and the Christian population by 5.38 per [Link] paper provided a
detailed cross-country analysis of the share of religious minorities in 167
countries. It said minority populations have shrunk substantially in
Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Afghanistan. The share of the
majority religious denomination for 167 countries has, on average, reduced by
22 per cent from 1950-2015.

10. In a first, a British toddler had her hearing restored after she underwent
a pioneering gene therapy trial. Doctors say this marks a significant
development in treating deafness. Opal Sandy received an infusion which had
a working copy of a faulty gene. The surgery took only 16 minutes and now,
the toddler can hear almost perfectly. 8-month-old Opal suffered from
auditory neuropathy which is a condition that affects nerve impulses that
travel from the inner ear to the brain. This usually happens due to a faulty
gene.

11. Indian Army to stop imports of all ammunition from next year
The Army is aiming to stop all import of ammunition from next financial year
as the domestic industry has ramped up its capacity to meet all demands and
is even poised to bag a chunk of the global market, a senior procurement
officer has said. "In the next financial year, we will not have any import of
ammunition," he added.

12. Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra was on a two-day official visit to
Bangladesh. He arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday evening. This was the first
official visit to Bangladesh after the formation of the new government in
January 2024. During the visit, the Foreign Secretary called on Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina on Thursday morning and Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud.
He also met his counterpart Masud Bin [Link] visit to Bangladesh is
keeping in line with the highest priority accorded to India’s ‘Neighbourhood
First’ Policy, said a press release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs on
Thursday [Link] the visit, the Foreign Secretary reviewed the wide-
ranging bilateral relationship including political and security, water, trade and

151
 Raju notes : annual cuRRent affaiRs magazine 2023

investment, power and energy, defence, connectivity and sub-regional

cooperation, said the press release.

13. European Union and India held their 14th Counter-Terrorism Dialogue
on the 7th of this month in New Delhi. The External Affairs Ministry said that
the dialogue was an opportunity to continue and enhance cooperation on
this important element of the EU-India Strategic Partnership. The EU and
India strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and
emphasised the need for strengthening international cooperation in dealing
with counter-terrorism challenges. In this context, they agreed that
cooperation in multilateral fora such as the United Nations and the Global
Counter-terrorism Forum remained crucial.

14. India fully withdraws soldiers from Maldives

India completed withdrawal of all its soldiers from Maldives, just ahead of May
10 deadline set by President Mohamed Muizzu. The last batch of Indian
soldiers stationed in Maldives has been repatriated, meanwhile Foreign Affairs
Minister of Maldives Moosa Zameer arrived in New Delhi on a three day visit.
He met External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar and discussed issues on
bilateral and regional issues of mutual [Link] Affairs Ministry said,
Maldives is India’s key maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region and
Foreign Minister Zameer’s visit is expected to lend further momentum to the
bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

152
 Raju notes : annual cuRRent affaiRs magazine 2023

1. Two-day Parivartan Chintan-2 for jointness and integration of Armed

Forces concluded in New Delhi last week. Chairing the conference, Chief of
Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan emphasised the need for
expediting the progress of the initiatives as these were to pave the way to
Theaterisation and hence creation of a Multi Domain Response capable Indian
Armed Forces. The event was attended by the officers from the three Services
Headquarters, Department of Military Affairs, Headquarters Integrated
Defence Staff and members of various sub-committees of the Chiefs of Staff
Committee (COSC), mandated to oversee the initiatives undertaken and to
generate novel ideas to give impetus to the ongoing process of
Theaterisation. Various COSC Sub-Committees gave an update on the
progress of initiatives considered imperative for Jointness and Integration.

2. India voted in favour of a draft UN General Assembly resolution

supporting Palestine’s bid to become a full UN member. The 193-member
General Assembly met, last week, for an emergency special session where the
Arab Group resolution in support of the State of Palestine’s full membership in
the UN was presented by the United Arab Emirates. The resolution said
Palestine is qualified and should be admitted as a full member of the United
Nations and recommended that the Security Council reconsider the matter
favourably. The resolution got 143 votes in favour, nine against and 25
abstentions. Currently, Palestine is a non-member observer state at the UN.
The status was granted to Palestine by the General Assembly in 2012. India
was the first non-Arab State to recognise the Palestine Liberation
Organisation as the sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian
people in 1974. India was also one of the first countries to recognise the State
of Palestine in 1988 and in 1996.

153
 Raju notes : annual cuRRent affaiRs magazine 2023

3. The Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Act

has been notified today. The bill was passed by both the Houses of Parliament
during the Monsoon Session last year in order to bolster effective command,
control and efficient functioning of Inter-Services Organisations. Defence
Ministry said, the Act empowers Commanders-in-Chief and Officers-in-
Command of Inter-Services Organisations to exercise control over Service
personnel, for effective maintenance of discipline and administration, without
disturbing the unique service conditions of each individual Service. The Act
will empower the Heads of Inter-Services Organisations and pave the way for
expeditious disposal of cases, avoid multiple proceedings. The Ministry said, it
will be a step towards greater integration and jointness among the Armed
Forces personnel.

4. ISRO achieves milestone with 3D printed rocket engine

test The Indian Space Research Organisation, ISRO successfully tested the
new liquid rocket engine manufactured through Additive Manufacturing
technology. The test was successfully carried out on May 9th at ISRO
Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri in Tamilnadu. This new redesigned PS4
engine has brought down the number of parts from 14 to a single piece and
eliminated 19 weld joints. This will significantly save on the raw material usage
per engine, reduce metal powder from 565 kgs to 13.7 kgs and reduce the
production time by 60 percent. Additive Manufacturing technology means 3D
printing of PS4 engines.. This will usher in a new era of advanced 3D
manufacturing technique of India’s space programme.

5. Lakshadweep introduces high speed ferry to boost eco- tourism

In order to boost eco-tourism, educational tourism, health tourism, and leisure
tourism in the Western Ghats region, Lakshadweep is launching a fast and
easy ferry service. The ferry will cut travel time between Lakshadweep and
Mangaluru from over 13 hours to less than seven hours. The 36 islands that
make up the archipelago are dispersed over 32 square kilometres.

6. Why is Argentina printing 10,000 peso notes for the first time? v
Argentina is printing 10,000 peso note, equivalent to nearly ₹950, for the first
time. It will allow people to carry around fewer notes as they are often
required to carry huge bags of cash for simple transactions and retailers
prefer cash payments. Argentina is currently facing an economic crisis with an
annual inflation rate of 287%, highest in the world.

7. Egypt has issued a stern warning to Israel, threatening to nullify the

historic Camp David Accords if Israel proceeds with its invasion of Rafah, as
reported by Israeli [Link] threat comes amidst escalating tensions over
Israel’s ongoing military operation in Rafah, with the United States reportedly
escalating its warnings to Israel regarding its actions in the region. The Camp
David Accords, signed on September 17, 1978, marked a significant milestone
in the relations between Israel and Egypt, culminating in the first-ever peace
treaty between Israel and an Arab neighbor. The accords, brokered by the
United States, have long been considered a cornerstone of stability in the
region.

154
 Raju notes : annual cuRRent affaiRs magazine 2023

8. Nepal’s legendary mountaineer Kami Rita Sherpa made history today

by breaking his record for the highest number of ascents of Mt. Everest as he
scaled the world’s highest peak for the 29th time. According to Rakesh
Gurung, Director at the Tourism Department in the Nepalese Ministry of
Tourism and Civil Aviation, the 54-year-old veteran climber reached the 8,849-
metre peak at 7.25 a.m. local time. The expedition was organised by the Seven
Summit Treks and had 20 climbers. They scaled Everest this morning, said
Thani Guragain, a senior staff at the Seven Summit Treks.

9. India signs 10-year Chabahar Port pact with Iran, calls it 'historic'
India on Monday signed a long-term bilateral contract to develop and operate
the Shahid- Beheshti Port Terminal in Chabahar in Iran for 10 years. The deal
marks "a historic moment in India-Iran ties and regional connectivity", Union
Minister of Ports Sarbananda Sonowal said. The agreement will give a
significant boost to economic activities and establish India's growing role in
developing global trade, he added. This milestone agreement marks a
deepening of ties between the two nations and aims to transform Chabahar
Port into a crucial transit hub for trade with Afghanistan and Central Asian
countries.

10. The Centre has extended the ban on Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
(LTTE) for further five years. The Ministry of Home Affairs in its notification said,
the central government has taken the decision in view of the activities of the
LTTE that continues to pose a threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity
of India. The Ministry cited the disruptive, separatist and secessionist activities
of LTTE that are a grave threat to the security of Indian nationals as the reason
for the ban. The government had declared the LTTE as an unlawful association
in May 2019 and banned it for five year.

11. India and Russia held bilateral consultations on Afghanistan this week
in New Delhi. According to the External Affairs Ministry, Russian Special
Presidential Envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov and Joint Secretary
(Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran Division) in the Ministry of External Affairs JP
Singh discussed the current situation in Afghanistan. They emphasized on the
need to provide development assistance for the welfare of the Afghan people.

12. The second round of Foreign Office Consultations FOC between India
and Eritrea was held in New Delhi this week. The Indian Delegation was led by
the Joint Secretary (West Asia and North Africa Division) Dr. M. Suresh Kumar.
Director General in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Eritrea Ibrahim Osman
Mahmud led the Eritrean delegation. The first round of political consultation
was held in October 2018 in Asmara, [Link] sides discussed existing
cooperation in the fields of agriculture and food processing, health,
pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, mining, trade and investment and ways
to further broaden and deepen their cooperation.

155
 Raju notes : annual cuRRent affaiRs magazine 2023

13. Indian Air Force has tested BHISHM Cube, a state-of the-art indigenous
mobile hospital, for airdrop in Agra. Union Health Minister Mansukh
Mandaviya said, this innovative technology is a great leap forward in providing
rapid and comprehensive medical aid during emergencies anywhere. This
cube is a part of the broader initiative named Project BHISHM – Bharat Health
Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri, is tailored to treat up to 200 casualties.
These cubes are robust, waterproof, and light, designed for various
configurations, making them ideal for diverse emergency scenarios.

14. Neeraj Chopra wins gold in Federation Cup after winning by margin
of 0.21 metres Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra
on Wednesday bagged gold medal in Federation Cup. He posted a best throw
of 82.27 metres and won by a margin of 0.21 metres. DP Manu came second
with a best throw of 82.06 metres, while Uttam Patil came third with a best
throw of 78.39 metres.

15. Ukraine has withdrawn its troops from multiple villages in the border
area of Kharkiv following continued pressure from Russian forces. On the
other hand, Russia has claimed that its forces have gained control over two
additional settlements in the region, namely Lukyan-tski and Hlyboke, along
with the village of Robo-tyne in the southern Zaporiz-hzhia region. US
Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared an extra two billion dollars in
military assistance to support the Ukrainian war effort. It comes weeks after
the US Congress passed a 61 billion dollars aid package last month.

16. Sri Lanka is in discussion with India to establish an arms manufacturing

unit in the island nation. Sri Lanka’s State Defence Minister Premitha Bandara
Tennakoon has said that the Sri Lankan military is already into arms
manufacturing but the scale is not what it expects it to be. While speaking to
media persons today, the minister noted that the Indian defence
manufacturing arm has boomed during the last two decades and added that
the island nation can take a lot from the Indian model. The minister
mentioned that discussions are ongoing at the moment with India to set up
the small arms manufacturing unit.

17. A high-level Indian delegation concluded its first round of talks with
UAE officials on developing the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe
Economic Corridor (IMEEC), just three months after the two nations inked a
framework agreement for the project. From 15-17 May, they engaged in
detailed discussions with authorities at Khalifa Port, Fujairah Port and Jebel
Ali Port on facilitating goods movement along the envisioned economic
corridor linking India with markets in the Middle East and [Link] swift
scheduling of these follow-up meetings after February’s signing of the
bilateral framework agreement underscores the high priority attached to the
corridor by New Delhi and Abu Dhabi. The pact, inked during Prime Minister
Narendra Modi’s UAE visit this February enables joint investments and
technical collaboration for developing the corridor aimed at generating
logistical efficiencies and cost reductions.

156
 Raju notes : annual cuRRent affaiRs magazine 2023

1. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-

Abdollahian and a group of officials accompanying them have died in a
helicopter crash in northwestern Iran. Quoting Iranian Red Crescent Society
President, IRNA News agency said, the wreckage of the helicopter was found
and there was no sign of life at the crash site. The helicopter made a hard
landing yesterday afternoon after it got into difficulties in heavy fog in the
north of the country. President Raisi was travelling back to Iran following a
visit to Azerbaijan when his helicopter came down. He had been in office since
2021. The Iranian cabinet has convened for a second emergency meeting in
less than 24 hours following the confirmation of the death of the President
and the Foreign Minister in the helicopter crash.
Iranian Vice President Mohammad Mokhber already chaired a meeting last
evening after the helicopter went missing with nine people on board.
According to protocol, with President Raisi’s death, Mr. Mokhber should
assume power, pending approval from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali
Khamenei. New elections will then have to be held within 50 days.

2. Lai Ching-te of Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was

sworn in as the self-governing island’s new President this week. According to
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry, more than 500 foreign guests from 51 delegations
attended the inauguration ceremony and related activities, including the
national leaders of eight countries that maintain diplomatic relations with
Taiwan. A trained physician Lai succeeds Tsai Ing-wen to lead the democracy
amid increasing threats from China, which claims the self-governing island as
its territory. Taiwan has had an independent government since 1949. Vice
President Hsiao Bi-khim, was also officially sworn in. She was Taiwan’s de facto
ambassador to the US from 2020 to 2023 and formerly served as a DPP
lawmaker for several terms.

157
 Raju notes : annual cuRRent affaiRs magazine 2023

3. The Democratic Republic of Congo army says, it has quashed an

attempted coup against President Felix Tshikedi in the capital Kinshasa,
involving Congolese and foreign fighters. DR Congo army spokesperson Brig.
Gen. Sylavin Ekenge said on the state-run broadcaster Radio Télévision
Nationale Congolaise TV that several suspects have been detained and the
situation is now under control. His statement comes hours after armed men
attacked the house of Vital Kamerhe, the former chief of staff and close ally to
President Tshisekedi early morning today.

4. India has climbed to the 39th position in the World Economic Forum’s
Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024, while US topped the list. India also
ranks the highest in South Asia among the lower-middle-income economies.
Earlier, India was ranked 54th in 2021 published index. On an overall index
score of 7, where 1 is the worst, and 7 the best, India scored 4.25. India’s
significant leap in the rankings underscores its growing competitiveness in
the global tourism landscape. The biennial index analyzed the travel and
tourism sectors of 119 countries, evaluating them on a range of factors and
policies that foster tourism development

5. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called an early national election
for July 4. He made the announcement outside his Downing Street office,
saying now is the moment for Britain to choose its future. Voters across the
United Kingdom will choose all 650 members of the House of Commons for a
term of up to five years. The party that commands a majority in the
Commons, either alone or in coalition, will form the next government and its
leader will be prime minister. The announcement came the same day official
figures showed inflation in the UK had fallen sharply to 2.3 percent, its lowest
level in nearly three years.

6. Spain has become the 99th member of the International Solar Alliance.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that Spain handed
over the International Solar Alliance Instrument of Ratification, during the
meeting of Ambassador José María Ridao Domínguez of Spain with the Head
of Depository, Joint Secretary in the External Affairs Ministry Abhishek Singh
in New Delhi today. The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is a collaborative
platform for increased deployment of solar energy technologies as a means
for bringing energy access, ensuring energy security, and driving energy
transition in its member countries.

7. Indian Naval Ships Delhi, Shakti and Kiltan have completed their visit as
part of the Operational Deployment of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet to the
South China Sea. Ministry of Defence in a statement today said, the visit
demonstrated the country’s strong ties with the Philippines and its
commitment to further deepen the bilateral partnership. During this visit,
both sides held wide-ranging discussions on the avenues for collaboration,
matters of mutual interest and the current security situation in the region and
beyond. The Ministry said, this visit provided an opportunity for discussions on
enhancing naval cooperation and interoperability between the navies of India
and the Philippines. It added that this visit is a demonstration of India’s

158
 Raju notes : annual cuRRent affaiRs magazine 2023

commitment to the maintenance of peace and stability in the region in

consonance with its Act East and SAGAR policies.

8. India to get next-generation nuclear fuel from Russia

Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom's Director General Alexey
Likhachev has said that India will get next-generation nuclear fuel from the
country this summer. The statement came amid Atomic Energy Commission
Chairman Ajit Kumar Mohanty's visit to Russia. Likhachev also praised the
cooperation between the two nations, calling India a key partner in the
nuclear area.

9. Indian army to learn Vedas' war tactics under Project Udbhav

The Indian Army, under Project Udbhav, will be delving into the epic battles of
the Mahabharata and the strategies of past Indian dynasties, shaping India's
rich military heritage, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande revealed on Tuesday.
Launched last year, this project focuses on texts that reveal substantial
intellectual convergences between eminent Indian and Western scholars.

10. “Sunflowers were the first ones to know” – a film by Film and Television
Institute of India (FTII) student Chidanand S Naik and his team, has won the
‘La Cinef’ Award at the 77th Cannes Film Festival. The Information and
Broadcasting Ministry said this is a historic moment for the Indian Cinema.
Indian films have been receiving accolades at international stage. The current
recognition comes four years after another FTII student film ‘CATDOG’ won an
award at the 73rd Cannes. “Sunflowers were the first ones to know” is a story
of an elderly woman who steals the village’s rooster, which throws the
community into disarray. To bring the rooster back, a prophecy is invoked,
sending the old lady’s family into exile.

11. Maldives is set to introduce India’s RuPay service. The move is being
seen to bolster the Maldivian Rufiyaa. Meanwhile, there has not been any
announcement of timeline for the launch. Local news reports quote Maldives’
Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed who
highlighted how both India and China have agreed to conduct bilateral trade
using local currencies. This initiative aims to reduce dependency on the US
dollar and strengthen regional financial integration. Recently, the Maldives
confirmed that India and China would cooperate to facilitate import
payments in their respective currencies. This policy shift is projected to cut
Male’s annual import bill of 1.5 million US Dollars by nearly 50%.

159