Daily Current Affairs and GK | 12 April 2025

Topic: International News

1. Sudan is facing the world’s most severe humanitarian crisis.

• Nearly half of its population, around 25 million people, is suffering from extreme hunger.
• This is the result of a war that has lasted nearly two years. The conflict began on April 15, 2023.
• Fighting broke out between Sudan’s military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
• At least 20,000 people have been killed. Over 8 million people have been forced to flee their homes within Sudan.
• Another 4 million have escaped to nearby countries. These neighboring nations are also struggling with hunger and humanitarian needs. 
• Famine first appeared in the Zamzam camp in North Darfur.
• It has now spread to 10 more areas in Darfur and Kordofan.
• Seventeen additional regions are at serious risk of famine in the coming months. 
• The World Food Programme (WFP) says the crisis will worsen without immediate access and funding.
• In March 2024, Sudan’s military regained control of the capital, Khartoum.
• However, the RSF still holds much of Darfur and other parts of the country. 
• Conditions in Zamzam camp and El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, are dire.
• El Fasher is the only major city in Darfur not under RSF control. It has been under siege since May 2024. 
• Despite these challenges, WFP has managed to help over 3 million people each month.
• Most aid is delivered through digital cash transfers. These only work where markets are still functioning. 
• WFP wants to assist 7 million people over the next six months. To do this, it needs $650 million in funding. 
• An additional $150 million is needed to help Sudanese refugees in nearby countries. 

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

2. The government is promoting the plastic industry with the grant-funded Plastic Park Scheme.

• The scheme for setting up plastic parks is being implemented by the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals under the umbrella scheme of the New Scheme of Petrochemicals.
• It will help in setting up need-based plastic parks with modern infrastructure and common facilities through a cluster approach, integrating the domestic downstream plastic processing industry.
• A plastic park is an industrial area specifically designed for plastic-related businesses and industries.
• It aims to consolidate and synergise the capabilities of the plastic processing industry, encourage investment, production, and exports, as well as generate employment.
• These parks also focus on environmentally sustainable development through waste management and recycling initiatives.
• Under this scheme, the government provides grant funding up to 50% of the project cost within the limit of Rs 40 crore per project.
• According to the World Bank's 2022 estimates, India ranked 12th in the global export of plastic.
• This has increased rapidly from just 8.2 million US dollars in 2014, and is estimated to reach 27 million US dollars by the year 2022.
• The scheme has the following objectives:
  • Increase the competitiveness, polymer absorption capacity and value addition
  • Increase investments
  • Achieve environmentally sustainable growth
  • Adopt a cluster development approach

(Source: PIB)

Topic: State News/ Sikkim

3. The International Youth Conclave is being hosted by Sikkim to celebrate 50 years of statehood from 12 to 14 April.

• On 12 April, the International Youth Conference in Sikkim began at Yanggang helipad in Namchi district.
• Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang inaugurated the three-day event.
• The event is being organised by Yangang Tourism Development Committee in collaboration with Sikkim Tourism Department
• Under the central theme ‘Celebrating 50 Years of Statehood of Sikkim,’ the conclave will deliberate in depth on tourism development, opportunities, and challenges in the state.
• The conclave will highlight Sikkim's commitment towards sustainable tourism and cultural preservation and showcase its remarkable journey over the last five decades.
• Young leaders, tourism experts, and global delegates will come together at this landmark event, which will include participants from across the country as well as Bhutan, Iran, and Nepal.
• They will explore the future of tourism development and its role in shaping the growth of the region.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Defence

4. The long-range glide bomb ‘Gaurav’ successfully tested by DRDO from a Su-30 MKI aircraft.

• The release trials of the Long-Range Glide Bomb Gaurav have been successfully conducted from the Su-30 MKI aircraft by the Defence Research and Development Organisation from April 8 to 10.
• During the tests, the weapon was integrated into multiple stations in various warhead configurations and also against a land target on an island.
• The trials successfully demonstrated accuracy up to a range of about 100 kilometers.
• Research Centre Imarat, Armament Research and Development Establishment, and Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Odisha, have indigenously designed and developed Gaurav, a 1000-kilogram class glide bomb.
• The development of long-range glide bombs would greatly enhance the capabilities of the armed forces.
• The system has been realized with the support of Development-cum-Production Partners such as Adani Defence Systems & Technologies, Bharat Forge, and various MSMEs.
• This further boosts public-private partnerships under the government's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defense manufacturing.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: International News

5. Formal diplomatic relations established between Syria and South Korea.

• Diplomatic relations have been formally established between South Korea and Syria, marking another milestone for the transitional government of Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa.
• On 10 April, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani formalized diplomatic ties in Damascus.
• During the ceremony, Cho said South Korea is ready to help Syria overcome its 13-year civil war through business investment and humanitarian aid.
• South Korea will also support easing international sanctions on Syria.
• In December, opposition forces in Syria overthrew President Bashar al-Assad, whose family had ruled the country for more than 50 years.
• On 30 March, a transitional government was sworn in, led by President al-Sharaa, who led anti-Assad forces during the Syrian civil war.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: MoUs and Agreements

6. ISA’s Country Partnership Framework signed by Mauritius, making it the first African country to do so.

• A Country Partnership Framework (CPF) with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) has been signed by Mauritius, making it the first African country to do so.
• It is the fourth country globally to sign the CPF after Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Cuba.
• The objective of this partnership is to provide a structured approach for collaboration between ISA and Mauritius on solar energy initiatives in line with the country's national priorities.
• A strategic initiative, the CPF has been developed by ISA to facilitate long- and medium-term cooperation with its member countries.
• This agreement will accelerate the clean energy transition through joint solar power projects.
• Under this partnership, a detailed Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) will be developed tailored to the needs and opportunities of Mauritius.
• Launched in 2015 by India and France, the International Solar Alliance (ISA) is a treaty-based intergovernmental organisation
• It aims to promote solar energy as a sustainable solution to energy access and climate change, with a goal of mobilizing US$1 trillion in solar investment by 2030.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

7. The government has launched a dedicated ‘Global Tariff and Trade Helpdesk’.

• It aims to support stakeholders in dealing with new and emerging trade challenges. 
• The Helpdesk will address a variety of issues. These include import-export difficulties, sudden increases in imports, and dumping practices. 
• It will also help with supply chain disruptions, logistics concerns, financial matters, and regulatory compliance. 
• The Helpdesk will gather trade-related concerns from different Ministries, Departments, and State Governments. 
• It will work with these bodies to find effective and timely solutions. 
• Exporters and importers can report their issues on the DGFT website. 
• The Commerce Department and DGFT are closely monitoring global trade developments. 
• They are paying special attention to tariff changes and export-import challenges.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

8. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has announced the winners of the Theme Music Competition. 

• This competition was part of the WAVES Summit 2025. 
• It was one of 32 creative challenges featured in the summit. 
• The first World Audio and Video Entertainment Summit will be held in Mumbai. 
• The event is scheduled from May 1 to May 4. 
• Six winners were chosen from hundreds of entries submitted nationwide. 
• A panel of respected judges evaluated each submission. 
• They judged the entries on creativity, musical quality, and relevance to the theme. 
• The theme celebrated “India’s vibrant rhythms,” blending classical and modern styles. 
• The competition aimed to highlight the richness and variety of India’s musical talent.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

9. The first biannual Naval Commanders’ Conference of 2025 concluded in New Delhi. 

• The week-long event was held in two phases. The first phase took place in Karwar, Karnataka. 
• The second phase was conducted in New Delhi. 
• The conference focused on the Indian Navy’s preparedness and maritime security challenges. 
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh opened the conference at Karwar. 
• At Karwar, the Defence Minister flagged off IOS Sagar. 
• He also inaugurated nine marine piers, eight residential buildings, and essential infrastructure under Project Seabird. 
• The first phase ended with a review of naval capabilities and future modernisation. 
• The second phase started on April 7 at Nausena Bhawan in New Delhi. 
• Several important publications were launched during the event. 
• These included the Navy’s Space Vision, Naval Air Publication, and Operational Data Framework. 
• A guide for veterans titled ‘Navy for Life and Beyond’ was also released. 

Topic: Reports and Indices

10. NITI Aayog has released a report titled "Automotive Industry: Powering India’s Participation in Global Value Chains." 

• The report provides a comprehensive analysis of India’s automotive sector. 
• It highlights the sector’s opportunities and challenges. 
• The report also suggests a strategic plan to make India a major player in global automotive markets. 
• The launch event was attended by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery and CEO BVR Subrahmanyam. 
• The report outlines several fiscal and non-fiscal measures to enhance India’s competitiveness in the automotive industry. 
• These measures are categorized into four groups based on the complexity and development of automotive components. 
• The categories include Emerging and Complex, Conventional and Complex, Conventional and Simple, and Emerging and Simple. 
• According to the report, global automobile production reached approximately 94 million units in 2023. 
• The global automotive components market was valued at two trillion US dollars, with exports accounting for nearly 700 billion dollars. 
• India is now the fourth-largest automobile producer, following China, the USA, and Japan. 
• India’s annual vehicle production is close to six million units. 
• The report notes that India’s automotive sector has a strong presence in both domestic and export markets. 
• India is particularly dominant in the small car and utility vehicle segments. 
• With the Make in India initiative and its cost-effective workforce, India is becoming a hub for automotive manufacturing and exports. 
• CEO BVR Subrahmanyam highlighted that the report was based on detailed research. 
• He also mentioned that India’s share in the global auto components market is 70 billion dollars.