IPC has confirmed Famine in Gaza

• More than half a million people in Gaza are trapped in famine, marked by widespread starvation, destitution and preventable death

About IPC

• Overview:  Standardized international tool used to measure and communicate the severity of food insecurity in a country or region.
• Genesis: Developed in 2004 by the Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit (FSNAU), managed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Somalia.
  • It is an innovative 21-partner initiative – made up of UN agencies and international NGOs.
• Governance:
  • The IPC High Level Executive Committee is the highest-level entity within the IPC global governance structure.
  • The IPC Global Steering Committee: It is the governing body of the initiative.

India will jointly manufacture advanced jet engines for India’s fifth-generation fighter aircraft (AMCA)  programme with French aerospace major Safran.

About Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)

• The AMCA is a fifth-generation, medium-weight stealth fighter jet being developed by the DRDO under a project valued at approximately Rs 15,000 crore.
• Timeline: Prototype expected by 2028-29; induction by 2034-35.
• Features of fifth-generation fighter jet: Stealth, Twin-engine powered Supercruise, advanced AI-enabled avionics and long-range target detection via AESA radars.

India has been elected as the Chairman of the Executive Board of AIBD at 23rd General Conference in Thailand.

About Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development 

• Genesis: Founded in 1977 under the auspices of UNESCO, AIBD is a unique regional inter-governmental organization. 
• Secretariat: Kuala Lumpur.
• Mandate: To achieve a vibrant and cohesive electronic media environment in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Members: It currently has 92 member organizations from 45 countries.
  • India is a founding member of AIBD, and Prasar Bharati India’s public service broadcaster represents the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in the organization.

Magnitude 7.5 earthquake has struck drake passage near Argentina and Chile

About Drake Passage

• Location: Between Cape Horn (southernmost point of South America) and the South Shetland Islands ( north of Antarctic Peninsula).
• Name: Named after Sir Francis Drake, the famous English navigator and circumnavigator.
• Ocean Current:  Water majorly flows from west to east and forms part of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (the most voluminous current).
• Historic Trade Route: Key passage for trade before the Panama Canal opened in 1914.
• Sailing Challenge: Known for stormy seas and icy conditions, making Cape Horn rounding a severe test for ships.

Jammu and Kashmir government has fired two employees for alleged terror links

• The decision was taken under Article 311 (2)(c) of the Constitution.

About Article 311

• It deals with dismissal, removal, or reduction in rank of persons employed in civil capacities under the Union or State. 
• Article 311 (1): Members of Civil service cannot be dismissed or removed by any authority subordinate to the appointing authority.
• Article 311 (2): No civil servant can be dismissed, removed, or demoted without an inquiry, prior notice of charges, and a fair chance to be heard.

IAF to acquire more Israeli-origin Rampage missiles.

About Rampage Missiles

• Long range, air to ground precise attack missile. It can travel at supersonic speeds, making it difficult to detect.
• Developed by: Israel Aerospace Industries.

Ukrainian attack suspends Russian oil flows to Hungary, Slovakia.

About Druzhba (Friendship) Pipeline

• It is one of the biggest crude oil pipeline networks in the world. 
• Total Length: 5500 kms
• The Druzhba pipeline begins in Russia and transports oil through Belarus and Ukraine to Slovakia and Hungary. 

The tribal council held that forest rights of tribal people were not settled for the Nicobar project.

About GNIP

• It is a mega project to be implemented at the southern end of the Andaman and Nicobar islands i.e. Great Nicobar Island.
• It involves developing:
  • Transhipment port
  • International airport
  • Township development
  • 450 MVA gas and solar based power plant
• Implementing Agency: Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO) 
• Concern: 
  • Potential impact on seismically active region of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
  • Threat to tribes on islands e.g. Shompen, Nicobarese tribes etc.