1 India’s pharmaceutical exports grow 10% to $28 billion in FY24
The country’s pharmaceutical exports increased by 9.67 percent on an annual basis to US $ 27.9 billion in the financial year 2023-24 . Earlier, in the financial year 2022-23, the country’s pharmaceutical export was $ 25.4 billion. According to Union Commerce Ministry data, pharmaceutical exports increased by 12.73 percent to $2.8 billion in March 2024. Indian pharmaceutical exports have seen growth at the global level in the financial year 2023-24. The top destination countries of Indian pharmaceutical exports during this period were America, Britain, Netherlands, South Africa, Brazil. In the financial year 2023-24, America’s share in India’s total pharmaceutical exports was more than 31 percent.
2 UK Parliament passes a controversial bill to send refugees to Rwanda
The United Kingdom has approved new legislation called the Rwanda Security (Asylum and Immigration) Bill , which will allow the government to deport immigrants to Rwanda . It aims to discourage migrants from trying to enter Britain illegally via small boats and claiming asylum once they reach shore. After nearly eight hours of debate, the law has been passed by the UK Parliament and is expected to get royal assent soon. Rwanda is a country in Middle-East Africa. This bill was brought in 2022 by the then Prime Minister Boris Johnson after an agreement with Rwanda. According to this agreement, the British government will give Rs 3 thousand crore to Rwanda for illegal refugees . With this money, Rwanda will arrange houses and employment for the refugees. Upon passing the bill, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the first batch of illegal refugees from Britain would begin to be deported to Rwanda within 10 to 12 weeks.
3 Nidhi S Jain becomes CVO of Cotton Corporation of India Limited
The Central Government has approved the appointment of Nidhi S Jain (IA&AS) as the Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) of Cotton Corporation of India Limited (CCI) with effect from April 22, 2024 . According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training on April 22, Nidhi Jain will hold her post as Chief Vigilance Officer of CCI for three years. or Nidhi Jain has been appointed to the post for an initial period of three years from the date of assumption of charge or until further orders. whichever is earlier.
4 According to the report of Human Rights Watch organization, Burkina Faso’s army killed 223 civilians on charges of supporting terrorists.
Human Rights Watch organization has published a report. It has been told that in the African country Burkina Faso, military forces have attacked two villages on the accusation of supporting terrorists, in which 223 civilians including infants and many children were killed. . According to the report, 56 children were also involved in the mass murders that took place in the country’s northern villages Nondin and Soro on February 25. The organization has called on the United Nations and the African Union to support local efforts to bring those responsible to justice. The once peaceful West African country is being ruined by violence due to the activation of terrorist groups Al-Qaeda and Islamic State.
5 Ajit Doval arrives in Russia to attend international meeting on security
Indian National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval met his Russian counterpart Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev in St. Petersburg city of Russia on April 24, 2024 and discussed important bilateral issues. NSA Ajit Doval 12th International Meeting of High Ranking Officials Responsible for Security Matters was on a visit to Russia to attend the . A wide range of topics including counter-terrorism efforts, cyber security and defense cooperation were discussed between NSA Doval and his Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev. The 12th International Meeting of High-Ranking Officials Responsible for Security Affairs was hosted by Russia in the city of St. Petersburg, Russia on 22-25 April 2024. The meeting was attended by representatives and senior high ranking officials from 106 countries.
6 India tests air-launched medium-range ballistic missile Crystal Maze 2
India’s Strategic Forces Command successfully test-fired a new model of its medium-range ballistic missile Crystal Maze 2 . The recent test was conducted to confirm the command’s operational preparedness and demonstrate the effectiveness of the newly developed technologies. The Defense Ministry announced that the missile’s operational effectiveness and its integration with new technologies have been confirmed during the test launch. As the ministry said, the test was conducted under the supervision of the Strategic Forces Command. Additionally, sources in the defense and security establishment clarified that this new medium-range ballistic missile systems’ Agni is not part of the
7 INC-4: Talks on global plastics treaty begin in Ottawa, Canada
The fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) began in Ottawa, Canada . This committee, plastic pollution including marine environment is working towards developing an international legally binding instrument to combat . The aim is to finalize the text of the instrument at the next session, INC-5, in November. During the INC-4 meeting, members will also plan inter-sessional work to further develop the text. The meeting is in response to a resolution adopted by the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2), which requested the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) to convene an INC to address plastic pollution . INC-4 is the second and final round of negotiations following three prior rounds: INC-1 in Punta del Este in November 2022, INC-2 in Paris in June 2023, and INC-3 in Nairobi in November 2023. INC-5 will take place in Busan, Republic of Korea, from November 25 to December 2, 2024, and aims to conclude the INC process. After INC-5, a diplomatic conference will be held where heads of state will sign the agreement. In February 2024, Canada hosted a ministerial meeting with the other host countries of the INC process (France, Kenya, the Republic of Korea and Uruguay) at the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly.
8 Indian Historical Records Commission (IHRC) adopts a new logo and motto
The Indian Historical Records Commission (IHRC) , is an apex advisory body on archival matters. It serves as an all India forum of creators, custodians and users of records to advise the Government of India on the management of records and their use for historical research. It was established in the year 1919 . It is headed by the Union Culture Minister . To clearly communicate the unique identity of the IHRC and the ethos it represents, designs were invited for a logo and motto. For this, an online competition was started on MyGov portal in the year 2023. A total of 436 entries were received in this response. The logo and motto entry submitted by Shri Shaurya Pratap Singh (Delhi) has been selected as the winner in this competition . The motto translates as ” Where history is preserved for the future. “
9 Papua New Guinea appoints its first defense advisor to India
Recently Papua New Guinea (PNG) has appointed its first defense advisor to India . PNG has appointed ‘ Colonel Edison Napyo ‘ to this post. Colonel Edison Napyo succeeds Commodore Philip Polevaara, PNG’s acting Chief of Defense Forces in India.
10 Innovative 3D printed dummy ballot unit unveiled by IIT Guwahati
The Voter Education and Electoral Participation Cell (SVEEP) of Kamrup election district partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati to develop a 3D-printed dummy ballot unit to increase voter awareness and engagement . The inauguration of the Dummy Ballot Unit was held at the IIT Guwahati campus and was attended by many dignitaries. The objective of developing the 3D-printed dummy ballot paper unit is to familiarize citizens, especially new voters and senior citizens, with the intricacies of voting processes and remove any apprehension, anxiety or uncertainty associated with the voting process. Additionally, by providing practical voting experience, the Dummy Ballot Unit aims to promote maximum voter participation. Researchers at IIT Guwahati have designed and manufactured the device using state-of-the-art 3D printing technology and PLA (polylactic acid), a biodegradable and eco-friendly material derived from corn starch. The device includes interactive features such as sound and light as output indicators to assist users during voting. It was designed to be environmentally sustainable and reusable, contributing to sustainable practices in voter education initiatives.