Two BSF men part of UN Peacekeeping Mission in Democratic Republic of Congo killed

• India has a long history of service in UN Peacekeeping, having contributed more personnel than any other country. To date, more than 2,53,000 Indians have served in 49 of the 71 UN Peacekeeping missions established around the world since 1948.
• Currently, India is the fifth largest troop contributor (TCC) with 5,323 personnel deployed in 8 out of 13 active UN Peacekeeping Missions.
• India’s contribution to UN Peacekeeping began with its participation in the UN operation in Korea in the 1950s, where India’s mediatory role in resolving the stalemate over prisoners of war in Korea led to the signing of the armistice that ended the Korean War.
• In 2007, India became the first country to deploy an all-women contingent to a UN Peacekeeping Mission.
• A total 175 Indian peacekeepers have so far died while serving with the United Nations. India has lost more peacekeepers than any other UN Member State.

BSNL gets Rs 1.64 lakh crore revival package

• Revival measures approved by the Cabinet focus on infusing fresh capital for upgrading BSNL services, allocating spectrum, de-stressing its balance sheet, and augmenting its fiber network by merging Bharat Broadband Nigam Limited (BBNL) with BSNL.
• To improve existing services and provide 4G services, BSNL will be allotted Spectrum in 900 and 1800 Mega Hertz band administratively at the cost of 44 thousand 993 crore rupees through equity infusion.
• It is expected that with the implementation of this revival plan, BSNL will turn-around and earn profit in FY 2026-27.

Supreme Court upholds powers of arrest, raids, seizure under PMLA

• The top court called the PMLA a law against the “scourge of money laundering” and not a hatchet wielded against rival politicians and dissenters.
• The verdict came on an extensive challenge raised against the amendments introduced to the 2002 Act by way of Finance Acts.
• “Money laundering is an offence against the sovereignty and integrity of the country, It is no less a heinous offence than the offence of terrorism” the court noted.

Cabinet approves signing of MoU between NIRD-PR, UK’s University of Reading

• This MoU will help NIRDPR faculty in acquiring and widening their knowledge, and develop an international professional network in agriculture, nutrition and rural development.
• NIRD&PR, an autonomous organisation under the Union Ministry of Rural Development, is a premier national centre of excellence in rural development and Panchayati Raj.
• Recognized internationally as one of the UN-ESCAP Centres of Excellence, the Institute is located in Hyderabad, Telangana. In addition to the main campus at Hyderabad, this Institute has North-Eastern Regional Centre at Guwahati, Assam.

Govt Clears Rs 26,316 Crore Project To Provide 4G Mobile Services In Over 24,000 Uncovered Villages Across India

• The project will provide 4G mobile services in 24,680 uncovered villages in remote and difficult areas. The project has a provision to include 20% additional villages on account of rehabilitation, new-settlements, withdrawal of services by existing operators etc.
• In addition, 6,279 villages having only 2G/3G connectivity shall be upgraded to 4G.
• The project will be executed by BSNL using Atmanirbhar Bharat’s 4G technology stack and will be funded through Universal Service Obligation Fund.
• The project cost of Rs. 26,316 Cr includes capex and 5 year opex.
• The project is a significant step towards the vision of the Government to provide mobile connectivity in rural areas.
• Last year Government approved a project for providing 4G mobile services in 7,287 uncovered villages in 44 aspirational districts across 5 states.
• In his Independence Day address in 2021, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi gave a call for saturation of government schemes.

CCEA approves BPCL''s $1.6 billion investment in Brazil

• The start of production from BM-SEAL-11 project is expected from 2026-27.
• BPRL has 40% Participating Interest (PI) in this Concession along with Petrobras, National oil company of Brazil, as the Operator with 60% Participating Interest.
• accessing to equity oil to strengthen India’s energy security.
• diversifying India’s crude oil supply and Indian oil companies have expressed interest in sourcing more crude oil from Brazil.
• Strengthening India’s foothold in Brazil, which will further open business avenues in neighbouring Latin American countries.
• Further strengthening the bilateral ties between the countries.

Cabinet approves signing of guarantees for hosting FIFA under 17 Women’s World Cup 2022 in India

• FIFA U-17 Women''s World Cup 2022 is scheduled to be held in India between 11th and 30th October 2022. The seventh edition of the biennial youth tournament will be the first-ever FIFA women''s competition to be hosted by India.
• The FIFA U-17 Women''s World Cup is the world championship for female players under or upto the age of 17, organized by FIFA. The event started in 2008 and is traditionally held in even-numbered years. The 6th edition of the event was held in Uruguay from 13th November to 1st December, 2018. Spain is the current champion of FIFA Under-17 Women''s World Cup.

Implement enhanced pay for judicial officers: Supreme Court

• A bench comprising Chief Justice NV Ramana, Justices Krishna Murari, and Hima Kohli also directed the Center and the States to pay the arrears to the officers in three instalments 25% in three months, another 25% in next three months, and the balance by June 30, 2023.
• Several states have been dragging their feet over implementation of the recommendations citing resource crunch.
• The second judicial pay panel was set up by the apex court in 2017 for reviewing the pay scale and other conditions of judicial officers in the country.

Target of 140 Million Ton Raw Coking Coal Production by 2030

• The Government has taken steps to explore new coking coal blocks, auction of new coking coal mines, enhancing raw coking coal production and enhancing coking coal washing capacity.
• CIL has also taken the following steps to increase the output/production of domestic raw coking coal:
  • CIL has undertaken constant efforts to enhance coking coal production by capacity addition of existing coking coal producing mines and by opening new coking coal blocks.
  • Mass Production Technology has been introduced in coking coal producing UG mines of CIL to enhance the raw coking coal production.
  • CIL has taken steps regarding offering of coking coal blocks for production to private sector (including some discontinued mines) on revenue sharing basis through MDO route.

The Lok Sabha has passed the National Anti-Doping Bill,2021 by voice vote.

• The bill provides for constitution of the National Anti-Doping Agency- NADA for regulating anti-doping activities in sports.
• Its functions include planning, implementing, and monitoring anti-doping activities as well as investigating anti-doping rule violations.
• It also seeks to give effect to the UNESCO International Convention against doping in sports and compliance of such other obligations and commitments.
• The legislation prohibits athletes, athlete support personnel, and other persons from engaging in doping in sports. Under the new legislation, violation of anti-doping rules may result in disqualification of results including forfeiture of medals, points, and prizes, ineligibility to participate in a competition or event for a prescribed period, and financial sanctions.
• The Bill also proposes to establish the National Board for Anti-Doping in Sports with a view to make recommendations to the government on anti-doping regulations and compliance with international commitments on anti-doping. The Board will oversee the activities of NADA and issue directions to it.