Daily Current Affairs and GK | 16 June 2022

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

1. Special ASEAN-India Foreign Minister’s meet being held in New Delhi.

• It is for the first time that India hosted ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers meeting to mark 30^th anniversary of India-ASEAN dialogue relations.
• Dr. S Jaishankar, India’s foreign minister, participated in the meeting and said that ASEAN has always stood tall as a beacon of regionalism, multilateralism and globalization.
• He said that India supports a strong, unified and prosperous ASEAN and recognizes its centrality in Indo-Pacific region.
• The meeting will be accompanied by Delhi Dialogue, a premier Track 1.5 Dialogue. Track 1.5 dialogues are conversations that include a mix of government officials, who participate in an unofficial capacity and non-governmental experts. 
• ASEAN-Myanmar ties were affected due to a military coup that occurred on 1 February 2021 overthrowing the Aung San Suu Ki’s government.
• Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam are the 10 members of Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
• ASEAN was established in 8 August 1967. Its headquarters are in Jakarta, Indonesia.
• ASEAN is central to India’s Act East Policy and its vision for the wider Indo-Pacific. The ongoing India-ASEAN collaboration is guided by the Plan of Action 2021-2025 which was adopted in 2020.

Topic: Corporates/Companies

2. CCI has given approval to the acquisition of the entire shareholding in AirAsia (India) Private Limited (Air Asia India) by Air India Ltd (AIL).

• Air India, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of TSPL, will acquire entire the equity shares capital of Air Asia India.
• At present, TSPL holds 83.67% of the equity share capital of Air Asia India.
• Air Asia India operates under the brand name “AirAsia”. It is a joint venture between TSPL and Air India Investment Limited (AAIL).
• Competition Commission of India (CCI):
  • CCI was formed on 14 October 2003 under the Competition Commission Act, 2002.
  • It aims to eliminate practices that affect competition in the Indian market and protect the interests of the consumers.
  • Current Chairperson: Ashok Kumar Gupta

Topic: Reports and Indices

3. National Statistical Office (NSO) released fourth annual report on the basis of PLFS carried out during July 2020-June 2021.

• The annual report of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for July 2020 to June 2021 showed the unemployment rate, as per usual status, declined from 4.8% in 2019-20 to 4.2% now.
• NSO data released on 14 June 2022 showed labour indicators recorded a sharp, all-round improvement in July 2020-June 2021 compared with the last three years.
• As per the current weekly status, the unemployment rate declined from 8.8% to 7.5% in 2020-21.
• The unemployment rate of 4.2% in 2020-21 is the lowest since the first PLFS. First PLFS had showed an unemployment rate of 6.1% in 2017-18.
• Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) was the highest in four years at 39.3% in 2020-21. Worker Population Ratio (WPR) at 36.3% in 2020-21.
• The unemployment rate was higher for males (3.9%) in rural areas than for females (2.1%).
• In urban areas, the unemployment rate for females (8.6%) was higher than for males (6.1%).
• While the overall employment situation improved, there was a rise in low-quality, unpaid work.
• There was an increase in the unpaid self-employed category to 17.3% in 2020-21 and in rural unpaid employment to 21.3% in 2020-21.
• As per PLFS data, the share of the labour force engaged in agriculture continued to rise in 2020-21. It increased to 46.5%.
• The rise in the share of agricultural employment was recorded more for urban areas than rural areas.
• About PLFS:
  • National Statistical Office (NSO) launched the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) in April 2017.
  • Three Annual PLFS Reports were released on the basis of data collected in PLFS during July 2017- June 2018, July 2018-June 2019 and July 2019-June 2020.

Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)- Definitions of Key Employment & Unemployment Indicators & Other Terms 

Topic: International News

4. As per UN, tribal clashes in Darfur, Sudan killed 100 in one week.

• Nearly 100 people have been killed in tribal conflicts in Sudan's war-torn Darfur, the latest escalation in violence in the restive region.
• The conflict started due to a land dispute between Arab and African clans in the town of Kulbus in West Darfur province.
• Several villages in the area were then attacked by local Arab militias, forcing thousands of residents to flee.
• The Darfur conflict started in 2003, when people of African descent rebelled against the Arab-dominated government in the capital city of Khartoum, accusing it of discrimination.
• In 2019, Al-Bashir was ousted from power and is in prison in Khartoum. He was accused by International Criminal Court for genocide and crimes against humanity in Darfur.
• Sudan:
  • It is a country in Northeast Africa.
  • It shares its border with Central African Republic, Egypt, Libya, Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Red Sea.
  • It is the third-largest country in Africa in terms of area.
  • In 2011, South Sudan separated from it.
  • Its capital is Khartoum, and its currency is the Sudanese Pound.
  • Acting Prime Minister of Sudan is Osman Hussein.
  • The Nile, Blue Nile, White Nile, Sobat River, etc. flows through the country.
  • Darfur is a region in western Sudan.
  • Sudan's government is a federal provisional government with a military junta. Sudan’s civilian Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok resigned in January 2022.

Topic: Reports and Indices

5. According to the newly released SIPRI Yearbook, global nuclear arsenals will grow as states continue to modernize.

• The findings of SIPRI Yearbook 2022, which examines the current state of armaments, disarmament, and international security, are released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
• The US, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea are among the nine nuclear-armed states that are continuing to develop their arsenals.
• Although the total number of nuclear weapons decreased marginally between January 2021 and January 2022, it is expected to rise during the next decade.
• At the start of 2022, there were about 9440 warheads in military stockpiles ready to be used out of an estimated total of 12,705.
• An estimated 3732 warheads were deployed aboard missiles and aircraft, and roughly 2000 were kept on high operational alert (almost all of which belonged to Russia or the US).
• According to SIPRI Yearbook 2022, the highest nuclear weapon possessor’s country in terms of inventory are given below: 
• SIPRI:
  • It is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament.
  • It was formed in 1966 and is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden.
  • It is Chairman is Stefan Löfven.

Topic: MoUs/ Agreements

6. Cabinet approved MoU signed between India and Australia for Technical Cooperation for Australia-India Water Security Initiative (AIWASI).

• The MoU was signed between the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs of GoI and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of the Australian Government for Technical Cooperation in Urban Water Management in December 2021.
• The MoU will strengthen bilateral collaboration in the area of urban water security between the two countries.
• It would improve the institutional capacity for urban water management at all levels, like:
  • Improve accessibility, affordability & quality of water and sanitation services;
  • Promote circular economy of water & water-secure cities;
  • Encourage climate-resilient water management practices
  • Enhance community participation in water management
  • Improve social inclusion through initiatives for accessible infrastructure
• Australia-India Water Security Initiative (AIWSI) is a project under South Asia water Security Initiative (SAWASI) program of DFAT. It was established following a Joint Working Group meeting in September 2020. It aims to improve access to safe water and sanitation services and work towards a resilient water sensitive city vision.

Topic: National News

7. First service of the theme-based Bharat Gaurav Train began its journey from Coimbatore North to Sainagar Shirdi.

• The train on the route will be operated by the company "South Star Rail," which is a registered private service provider.
• The Railways claim that the train's operation will generate a fixed revenue of 3.34 crore rupees per year.
• The Southern Railway's coaches have been refurbished by a private player.
• Bharat Gaurav train:
  • In November 2021, Indian Railways launched the operation of the theme-based Bharat Gaurav train.
  • Its goal was to showcase the country's rich cultural heritage and beautiful historical sites.
  • Features of train service are:
    • A doctor will be on board in the case of an emergency.
    • Private security has been engaged to work with the Railway Police Force to protect the train from danger.
    • There will be electricians, air conditioning mechanics, and fire and safety officers on board.
    • To keep passengers engaged during the journey, the coaches are equipped with high-bass sounding speakers and an on-rail Radio Jockey.

Topic: Important Days

8. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: 15 June

• The day is observed every year on June 15.
• It aims to raise awareness about abuse and neglect of older persons.
• The day was officially recognized by the UNGA in December 2011.
• Elder abuse is a problem that exists in both developing and developed countries.
• According to UN, the number of persons aged 60 years or above will grow by 38% i.e. from one billion to 1.4 billion between 2019 and 2030, globally outnumbering youth.
• Elder abuse is the abuse and neglect of older people. It can be in any form- Physical abuse, Psychological or mental abuse, Sexual abuse, Financial exploitation, abandonment.

Topic: National News

9. Ministry of Jal Shakti organizes National Workshop on Dam Safety Act 2021 on 16 June 2022.

• Central Water Commission under the aegis of the Department of Water Resources organised a one-day National Workshop on Dam Safety Act, 2021 at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.
• The workshop aims to aware all stakeholders about the provisions of the 2021 act and to brainstorm on dam safety governance in India.
• Dam safety is important due to ageing of dams and deferred maintenance of dams in India. Dams have been cause of major floods in the past in the country.
• Dam Safety Act 2021 came into force from 30^th December 2021. It aims at ensuring surveillance, inspection, operation and maintenance of the specified dam for prevention of dam failure-related disasters and to ensure their safe functioning.
• Under the act, a National Committee on Dam Safety will be constituted under the Chairmanship of the head of Central Water Commission. National Dam Safety Authority has been established to function as a regulating body.
• About Dams in India:
  • In India, there are 5334 existing large dams while the other 411 large dams are under construction.
  • Maximum number of Dams in India are in the state of Maharashtra (2394 dams) followed by Madhya Pradesh (906) and Gujarat (632).
  • 80% of Indian dams have exceeded 25 years of age and over 227 dams exceeded 100 years.
  • Tehri Dam (Uttarakhand) on Bhagirathi river is the highest dam in India with a height of 260.5 m followed by Bhakra Nangal Dam (Himachal Pradesh and Punjab- Satluj river).
  • Hirakud Dam (Odisha) on Mahandi river is the longest dam in world with a total length of 25.79 kms.
  • Kallanai Dam (Tamil Nadu) is the oldest dam in India located on Kaveri River.
  • Indira Sagar Dam (Madhya Pradesh) built on the Narmada River is the largest dam in India in terms of the volume of water stored in the reservoir.
  • Nagarjuna Sagar Dam (Telangana) built across the Krishna River is the largest manmade lake in the world.

Topic: National News

10. PM Modi took part in the celebration of 200 years of Mumbai Samachar on 14 June 2022.

• PM Modi also released a commemorative postal stamp on this occasion.
• He said that Mumbai Samachar is the philosophy and expression of India.
• Mumbai Samachar is a newspaper in Gujarati and English. The printing of Mumbai Samachar as a weekly was started on 1^st July 1822 by Shri Fardunjee Marzbanji. Later on, it became a daily newspaper in 1832.

Topic: International News

11. Lake Sawa of Iraq dries due to water crisis.

• This is the first time in centuries that the lake has dried up. It is located in Muthanna near to the Euphrates river.
• The lake dried owing to mismanagement by local investors, government negligence and climate change (including low rainfall and back to back drought).
• The lake is known as the “Pearl of the South”. It was formed over limestone rock and studded with gypsum formation. It has no inlet or outlet.
• Some old Islamic texts mentions Lake Sawa that it was micraculously formed on the day Prophet Muhammad was born in 570 AD.
• Iraq:
  • It is country in Western Asia bordered by Turkey, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria and Persian Gulf.
  • Capital of Iraq: Baghdad
  • President of Iraq: Baraham Salih
  • Prime Minister of Iraq: Mustafa Al-Kadhimi
  • Type of government: Federal parliamentary republic
  • Currency of Iraq: Iraqi Dinar
  • Muthanna, lying between Baghdad and Basra, is among the poorest provinces of Iraq.
  • Sunni Triangle is a region of Iraq inhabited mostly by Sunni Muslim Arabs. Baghdad, Ramadi and Tikrit are part of Sunni Triangle.

Topic: Agriculture

12. APEDA organizes 8-day long mango festival in Bahrain from 13-20 June 2022.

• To boost export of mangoes, APEDA in association with the Indian Embassy and Al Jazira Group launched Mango festival in Bahrain on 13 June 2022.
• For the first time, 34 varieties of mangoes from West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, UP and Odisha are being displayed.
• Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are the major producers of mango in India.
• Alphonso, Kesar, Totapuri and Banganpalli are majorly exported from India.
• Mango exports from India to countries - UAE, Bahrain, UK, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, European Union, USA, Japan and South Korea.
• There are about 1000 varieties of mangoes found in India. The Northern/Eastern Indian varieties are usually late bearing compared to Southern and Western Indian varieties.