15th February, 2023 Current Affairs

Sakshi Education

NATIONAL
Govt planning to bring 21 more airports under Krishi Udan scheme: Jyotiraditya Scindia

Union Minister for Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia has said that the government is planning to bring 21 more airports under the Krishi Udan scheme.
The Minister was addressing media after delivering his address on the second day of the ongoing 1st Meeting of the Agriculture Working Group under India's G20 Presidency at Indore Madhya Pradesh.
Krishi Udan has been a a huge success in the country and it has helped transporting lemons, jackfruits and grapes grown in north-eastern states not only to different places in India but also abroad. The scheme focuses on transporting perishable food products from the hilly and tribal areas and the Northeast.
The government has set a target to make India a global hub for drone by 2030.
The government has done away with many cumbersome rules in the New Drone Policy announced in August 2021 and ease of business, ease of regulation and ease of registration have been brought in the New Policy. AIR correspondent reports that around 100 delegates from 30 countries including from G20 member countries are participating in the three-day event which will conclude today.

Fijian Prez Wiliame Katonivere, EAM Dr S Jaishankar inaugurate World Hindi Conference at Nadi in Fiji

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar inaugurated 12th World Hindi Conference at Nadi in Fiji today. The conference is being be co-hosted by the Governments of India and Fiji. This is Dr Jaishankar's first visit to Fiji.
Dr. S. Jaishankar will also visit Sydney, Australia on 18th February. This will be his third visit to Australia since February last year when he first visited Australia as External Affairs Minister. He will have meetings with the leadership of Australia in Sydney. Dr Jaishankar will also attend the Raisina@Sydney Conference to be held in Australia for the first time.

INTERNATIONAL
Prominent Indian-American politician Nikki Haley announces US Presidential bid

Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, has announced that she will make a bid for the White House, becoming the first Republican to challenge former President Donald Trump for the party's nomination.
Haley, who served under Trump, made the announcement in a video posted online, in which she declared that it's time for a new generation of leadership.
The daughter of Indian immigrants, Haley was born in Bamberg, South Carolina, and would go on to become the state's first female governor and the first Indian-American to lead the state. If she wins the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, she would make history again as the first woman and first Asian-American at the top of the GOP ticket.
Haley is set to deliver a speech to supporters announcing her run in Charleston, South Carolina today, and then travel to New Hampshire and Iowa, the first states on the presidential primary calendar, in the days after. Haley has consistently polled third or fourth behind Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, another expected candidate, in early polls on the 2024 GOP presidential primary.

Japan provides one billion yen equivalent to 7.5 million dollars to install night vision facilities to Trincomalee port, Sri Lanka

Japan has provided one billion yen equivalent to 7.5 million dollars to install night vision facilities to the Trincomalee port, Sri Lanka. The system will be inaugurated on Friday. Speaking at the AGM of Sri Lanka association of NVOCC Agents, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Shipping and Aviation, Nimal Siripalal De Silva said that installing night vision will convert Trincomalee Port to a 24 hour operated harbour making it more productive.
The 50 million dollars assistance provided by India for upgrading Kankesanthurai harbour in northern Sri Lanka. The Minister said that the government has huge development plans for Trincomalee Port, mainly focusing it to be an industrial port for large container and industry movements.
Several global and local corporate operators too have expressed interest in Trincomalee and installing night vision would be an added plus point to invest.
The island nation is expected to get the IMF Package soon which can further improve investments in the sector.

Philippines protests against China’s provocative laser-pointing at its coastguard, says it constitutes threat to its sovereignty

The Philippines today protested over the Chinese coastguard’s provocative laser-pointing at a Philippine coastguard vessel near a disputed reef in South China Sea terming it as an act of aggression and violation of sovereignty.
The incident happened as the Philippines Coast Guard (PCG) was on a mission to resupply troops at Second Thomas Shoal, known as Ayungin Shoal in the Philippines, on February 6 and came just after few weeks of the visit of Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr to China.
“These acts of aggression by China are disturbing and disappointing as it closely follows the state visit to China of Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr in January during which he and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to manage maritime differences through diplomacy and dialogue.

ECONOMY
IMF to meet with creditors of Sri Lanka, other debt troubled nations to plug gaps in current debt restructuring framework.

The International Monetary Fund(IMF) will meet with creditors of Sri Lanka and other debt troubled nations this Friday(Feb 17) to plug gaps in the current debt restructuring framework. Media reports said that IMF would meet with officials from China and India as well as the Paris Club through virtual mode.
Sri Lanka’s IMF deal of 2.9 billion dollars is yet to be finalised as China is yet to give financing assurances in line with the requirements of the fund. Sri Lanka had defaulted on its external debt of 51 billion dollars in April last year and is in the midst of its worst-ever economic crisis since its independence.

SPORTS
Jean-Eric Vergne wins action-packed Formula E in Hyderabad

The seasoned Jean Eric Vergne of DS Penske won an action-packed Formula E in Hyderabad on Saturday. This marked a successful return of a high-profile motorsport event in India.
Vergne held off a strong challenge from Envison Racing's Nick Cassidy to cross the chequered flag in the first place despite having less than 0.5% energy left in the car. Antonio Felix Da Costa of Porsche gained from a 17-second penalty handed out to Sebastian Buemi for 'over power' to secure the final spot on the podium.

Published date : 15 Feb 2023 06:09PM