TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25.09.2024

1. INTERNATIONAL

INSRAELI STRIKE KILLS 40 IN HUMANITARIAN ZONE IN SOUTHERN GAZA’S KHAN YUNIS

• A humanitarian zone is a designated area within a conflict zone that is intended to be free from military operations and hostilities. These zones are established to provide a safe haven for civilians, humanitarian workers, and aid organizations to operate without the threat of violence.
• Key Characteristics of Humanitarian Zones
• Safety and Protection: Humanitarian zones are meant to offer protection to civilians who are caught in conflict areas.
• They are supposed to be free from military attacks and hostilities.
• Neutrality: These zones are neutral areas where no military activities are allowed. Both conflicting parties are expected to respect the neutrality of these zones.
• Humanitarian Access: These zones facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, including food, medical supplies, and other essential services to the affected population.
• Temporary Refuge: They serve as temporary shelters for displaced persons who have fled their homes due to conflict.
• Establishment and Recognition International Law: The establishment of humanitarian zones is often guided by international humanitarian law — including the Geneva Conventions.
• Agreements between conflicting parties, often mediated by international organizations such as the United Nations or the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

2. ENVIRONEMENT

FIFITH WOLF CAUGHT IN BAHRAICH, HUNT ON FOR SIXTH PREDATOR

• The Uttar Pradesh Forest Department has been conducting ‘Operation Bhediya’ to capture a pack of wolves that have been terrorizing residents in Bahraich district since mid-July. The pack has killed eight people and injured more than 20. As of now, five wolves have been captured, with efforts ongoing to capture the sixth.
• Species: Wolf Wolves are apex predators and play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance. They are social animals, often living and hunting in packs. However, when their natural habitat is encroached upon, they may come into conflict with humans.
• Reasons for Human-Animal Conflicts Habitat Loss: Deforestation and urbanization reduce the natural habitat of wildlife, forcing animals to venture into human settlements in search of food and shelter.
• Resource Competition: As natural prey becomes scarce, predators like wolves may attack livestock or even humans.
• Climate Change: Changes in climate can disrupt the availability of food and water, pushing animals into human territories.
• Human Encroachment: Expansion of agricultural lands and human settlements into forest areas increases the likelihood of encounters between humans and wildlife.
• Lack of Awareness: Often, local communities are not adequately informed about how to coexist with wildlife, leading to panic and retaliatory killings.

3. INTERNATIONAL

A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE 2024 CHINA – AFRICA SUMMIT

• The 2024 China-Africa Summit, held under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), underscores China’s strategic and multifaceted engagement with Africa. Over the past 24 years, FOCAC has evolved into a comprehensive platform for dialogue and cooperation between China and African nations.
• Key Elements of the Summit Beijing Declaration: The 30-paragraph-long declaration highlights several key areas: Shared Future: Emphasis on a “China-Africa Community with a Shared Future.”
• Synergy: Alignment of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• Global Initiatives: Incorporation of China’s Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI).
• Governance and Modernization: Focus on governance, modernization, and poverty reduction tailored to the characteristics of their own civilizations.
• Global Governance: Support for Africa’s increased role in global governance and the African Union’s inclusion in the G20.
• Economic Partnership: China expressed readiness to sign a framework agreement for economic partnership with Africa and called for international financial institutions to participate in debt treatment for African countries.
• Security and Development: The declaration supports increased UN funding for Africa’s peace operations and counterterrorism activities, and emphasizes joint action for cultural dialogue.
• Future Plans: The next FOCAC summit will be held in 2027 in the Republic of the Congo, with the co-chair responsibility transferring from Senegal to Congo.

4. INTERNAL SECURITY

WILL DEPLOY 5,000 CYBERCOMMANDOS IN FIVE YEARS

• Over the next five years, nearly 5,000 cybercommandos will be trained and deployed across various States to counter cyber threats. These trained personnel will assist both State and Central agencies in securing the digital space
• Launch of Cybersecurity Initiatives:
• Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC): Aimed at bringing together banks, financial institutions, telecom companies, Internet service providers, and the police on a single platform to combat cyber fraud.
• Samanvay Platform: A Joint Cyber Crime Investigation Facility System to enhance coordination among various stakeholders.
• Cyber Suspect Registry: A national-level registry to track cyber suspects, ensuring that States are interconnected to fight cybercrime effectively.
• Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): The first Foundation Day of I4C was celebrated, highlighting its role in coordinating efforts to combat cybercrime.
• Cybercrime Helpline Portal: The portal receives 67,000 calls daily, and security agencies identify 1,500-2,000 mule accounts used for fraudulent activities each day.
• Unified Approach to Cybersecurity: Amit Shah stressed that no single institution can secure cyberspace alone. A collaborative approach involving multiple stakeholders is essential.
• Growth in Internet Users: The number of Internet users in India has grown from 25 crores in 2014 to 95 crores in 2024, underscoring the increasing importance of robust cybersecurity measures.

5. NATIONAL

PM MODI CONVENES FIRST MEETING OF NATIONAL RESEARCH FUND BOARD

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the inaugural meeting of the Governing Board of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)
• Emphasizing need to identify and eliminate obstacles in India’s research ecosystem.
• Stressed setting ambitious targets and focusing on pathbreaking research to find localized solutions to global problems.
• The meeting saw the decision to launch a ‘hub and spoke model’ program, pairing nascent research universities with top-tier institutions for mentorship.
• Strategic interventions discussed included
• enhancing India’s global positioning in key sectors
• aligning R&D with national priorities
• promoting inclusive growth
• capacity building
• bridging the gap between academic research and industrial applications The ANRF, conceived as a funding body to boost science and engineering research, aims to establish a ₹50,000 crore corpus, with ₹36,000 crore from non-government sources.
• For the current financial year, ₹2,000 crore has been allocated in the Union Budget.
• The 15-member Governing Board includes only one industrialist, Romesh Wadhwani, an American billionaire of Indian origin.

ONE LINER

1. Prime Minister announced that Indian Government planned to start Air Taxis soon
2. The 2^nd Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation is being held at Bharat Mandapam, Delhi