21-22 MAY 2016
HIFiRE hypersonic superjet technology successfully tested in Australia
A team of scientists on 18 May 2016 successfully tested hypersonic superjet technology as part of the Hypersonic International Flight Research Experimentation (HIFiRE) program.
As part of the test, scramjet attached to a rocket booster was successfully sent to an altitude of 278 km at Mach 7.5 (seven times the speed of sound).
The test was conducted in the world's largest land-based testing range in Woomera, South Australia.
Features of HIFiRE program
• It is one of the largest collaborative research programs between Australia and the USA.
• It aims to explore the fundamental science of hypersonics and the potential for next generation aeronautical systems.
• Hypersonic flight is a flight through the atmosphere at speeds above Mach 5.5, or more than five times the speed of sound.
• The program has already achieved some significant milestones such as the design, assembly and pre-flight testing of the hypersonic vehicles and the design of complex avionics and flight systems.
• It is considered as one of the most advanced hypersonics programs in the world.
• The HIFiRE team plans to complete 10 separate tests between 2009 and 2018.
• NASA, DST Group of Australia, Air Force Research Laboratory of the USA, the University of Queensland and Boeing Research & Technology in the USA are the partners in the program.
What is scramjet technology?
• It is a supersonic combustion technology that uses oxygen from the atmosphere for fuel.
• It is lighter and faster than fuel-carrying rockets and is suitable for flying at hypersonic speed.
• A scramjet engine is devoid of moving parts. It has rotating compressor and turbine in a jet engine.
• In the engine, air is compressed and expanded by complex systems of shockwaves located in front of the aircraft.
Significance of HIFiRE program
• The current speed record for a manned, powered aircraft is Mach 6.72. The record was set way back in the 1960s by the US X-15 experimental aircraft.
• Against this backdrop, HIFiRE is considered as a game-changing technology that would revolutionise global air travel.
• Once operational, it will also provide cost-effective access to space as it can be used to send satellites into space.
27th India-Indonesia CORPAT concludes in Belawan
The 27th edition of the India-Indonesian CORPAT (Coordinated Patrol) concluded on 19 May 2016 in Belawan, Indonesia.
The closing ceremony Belawan saw the two navies conducting interactive session on measures to enhance inter-operability.
The 27th CORPAT was conducted from 29 April to 19 May 2016.
Key highlights of closing ceremony of 27th CORPAT
•The closing ceremony was held from 16 May to 19 May 2016.
•Indian Naval Ship Karmuk entered Belawan harbour on 16 May 2016 with the Senior Officer Commodore Girish Kumar Garg.
•The ship was escorted by Indonesia Navy ship KRI Imam Bonjol into the harbour.
•The first woman IFS officer from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dr Shalia Shah, Counsul General of India in Medan (Indonesia), was present to receive the Port Blair based ship.
About Coordinated Patrolling (CORPAT)
•The Indian and Indonesian navies have been carrying out Coordinated Patrolling along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) twice a year since 2002.
•It is being carried out to keep the vital part of the Indian Ocean Region safe and secure for commercial shipping and international trade.
•The CORPAT has strengthened understanding and interoperability between the two navies.
•It has also instituted measures to prosecute vessels engaged in unlawful activities and conducting search and rescue as well as pollution control.
Binali Yildirim set to become Prime Minister of Turkey
Transport Minister of Turkey Binali Yildirim on 20 May 2016 emerged as the country’s Prime Minster. He was named as the prime minister after he was formally chosen for the post in a closed vote.
He will be the sole candidate for the Justice and Development Party (AKP) leadership at a special party congress on 22 May 2016.
He will succeed Ahmet Davutoglu, who earlier stepped down from the post following an increasing public rift with Erdogan.
The AKP will hold the special congress to elect a new leader on 22 May 2016.
About Binali Yildirim
• He is a close ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for about two decades.
• From 1994 to 2000, he served as the director general of the Istanbul Ferries Company (IDO).
• In August 2001, he entered politics and became a co-founder of the AKP alongside Erdogan.
• In 2002, he was chosen as a Member of Parliament (MP) and was named as the transport minister.
• In 2014, he resigned as transport minister because of his candidacy for the Izmir mayorship in the local elections.
• He lost the candidacy to opposition leader Aziz Kocaoglu.
• After this, he served as an adviser to Erdogan, before entering parliament again and returning to his role as the transport minister.
Comment
Appointment of Yildirim will also reinforce Erdogan's hold on government as he seeks to extend his powers. Erdogan, who is no more the leader of APK after being appointed as the President of the country, will try to tighten his grip on the party founded by him via Yilirim.
India and Slovenia sign Protocol amending India-Slovenia Double Taxation Avoidance Convention
India and Central European country Slovenia on 17 May 2016 signed a protocol to amend an existing double taxation avoidance treaty in Ljubljana. This new agreement will curb tax avoidance and tax evasion.
The protocol was signed by Indian ambassador to Slovenia Sarvajit Chakravarti, and Slovenian Finance Minister Dusan Mramor on behalf of Slovenia.
About India and Slovenia Protocol
• This agreement will widen the scope of the existing framework of exchange of tax related information.
• The framework is likely to help curb tax evasion and tax avoidance between the two countries.
• It will also enable mutual assistance in collection of taxes.
India - Slovenia Relations
• Slovenia, formerly a part of erstwhile Yugoslavia, attained Independence in 1991. India recognized Slovenia on 11 May 1992.
• Soon after recognition, the then Foreign Minister of Slovenia Dimitrij Rupel visited India on 18 May 1992.
• Slovenia sought Indian support for membership at the United Nations and for guest membership of the Non-Aligned Movement. Slovenia was admitted into the UN on 23 May 1992.
• Slovenia opened its resident mission in New Delhi on 1 August 2002. While, India opened its resident Mission in Ljubljana in February 2007.
US House of Representatives gave nod to bolster defence ties with India on par with NATO
The US House of Representatives on 20 May 2016 gave its nod to a bipartisan legislation to improve defence ties with India.
In this regard, an amendment to the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) was approved by the House. The amendment is dubbed as ‘Enhancing Defence and Security Co-operation with India’.
Outcomes of the legislation
• The legislation, once approved by the Senate and the President, will bring the country’s bilateral relations with India on par with its NATO allies and Israel.
• It seeks to promote greater defence trade and encourage additional military cooperation between the United States and India.
• The legislation is primarily aimed at easing restrictions on sale of defence equipment and technology transfer to India.
• It encourages the executive branch to designate an official to focus on US-India defence cooperation.
• It will facilitate the transfer of defence technology and maintain a special office in the Pentagon dedicated exclusively to the US-India Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI).
Comment
• The up gradation of the US-India relations can be seen in the context of the Pivot to Asia Doctrine of the Obama administration that aims at building new relationships in the Asia Pacific region.
• On the bilateral front, the legislative approval is an important milestone in the US-India relations as it addresses one of the tricky issues of defence technology transfer and sale.
• The legislation will give enough leverage to the executive branch of the US Government in dealing with India. For India, it encourages the government to authorize enhanced military planning with the USA.
• The future missions of mutual interest will be such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counter piracy, and maritime domain awareness.
22 May
Union Cabinet approved ordinance to keep States out of NEET for one year
The Union Cabinet on 20 May 2016 approved an ordinance to exempt the State boards from the purview of National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for one year.
Once approved by the President, the ordinance allows the State boards to hold their own entrance test for admission to medical and dental courses for the 2016-17 academic year.
The ordinance was brought out to bypass the 9 May 2016 order of the Supreme Court. In the order, the court directed that the NEET should be the sole criterion for medical admissions across the country beginning from the 2016-17 academic year.
The ordinance was approved under the Article 123 of the Constitution, which empowers the President of India to promulgate ordinances during recess of the Parliament.
Sevilla beat Liverpool 3-1 to win third straight Europa League title
Spanish’s oldest football club Sevilla on 19 May 2016 won the 2016 UEFA Europa League title. To win the title, it defeated Liverpool Football Club (FC) 3-1 in the final match held at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, Switzerland.
With this win, Sevilla became the first team to win the Europa League three times in succession. Earlier, the team won the titles in 2015 and 2014 by defeating Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk and Benfica respectively.
Sevilla holds the record for the most victories, having won the competition five times since its inception. Apart from the consecutive titles since 2014, the other titles were won by the team in 2006 and 2007.
About UEFA Europa League title
• The UEFA Europa League, formerly the UEFA Cup, is an association football competition.
• It was established in 1971 by the Union of European Football (UEFA).
• It is considered the second most important international competition for European clubs, after the UEFA Champions League.
• Clubs qualify for the Europa League based on their performance in national leagues and cup competitions.
SEBI tightens P-Notes norms to check money laundering
Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on 20 May 2016 tightened the norms for investing in Participatory Notes (P-Notes). The norms have been tightened with a view to check money laundering.
As per the norms
• It has been mandatory for P-Notes users to follow the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
• They have also been mandated to report any suspicious transactions immediately.
• Sebi also tightened the due-diligence requirements for issuance and transfer of these instruments
• It also put the onus on the original issuer for compliance to Anti-Money Laundering Regulations.
• The issuers would have to conduct periodic review and report the complete transfer trail of P-Notes to Sebi on a monthly basis in addition to the present requirement of reporting details of their holders.
These norms were passed upon recommendations of the Supreme Court- appointed SIT on black money.
SIT on black money was set up under apex court’s order of 4 July 2011. It was set up under former apex court judges Justice MB Shah as its chairman and Justice Arijit Pasayat as its vice chairman.
What are P-Notes?
P-Notes are typically instruments issued by registered foreign institutional investors to overseas investors, who wish to invest in Indian markets without registering themselves directly in India to save on time. But, they still need to go through a proper due diligence process.
Ratan P Watal appointed as Principal Adviser for Social Sector in NITI Aayog
Former Finance Secretary Ratan P Watal was appointed as Principal Adviser (Social Sector) in NITI Aayog for 3-years.
His appointment was on 20 May 2016 approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) headed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Prior to this appointment, Watal was the Union Finance Secretary between September 2015 and April 2016.
Watal, 60, is a 1978-batch Andhra Pradesh cadre IAS officer and holds masters degree in economics.
About NITI Aayog
• The National Institution for Transforming India, also called NITI Aayog, was formed via a resolution of the Union Cabinet on 1 January 2015.
• It replaced the decades old Planning Commission of India.
• NITI Aayog is the premier policy ‘Think Tank’ of the Government of India, providing both directional and policy inputs.
• At the core of NITI Aayog’s creation are two hubs – Team India Hub and the Knowledge and Innovation Hub that reflect the two key tasks of the Aayog.
• The Team India Hub leads the engagement of states with the Central government, while the Knowledge and Innovation Hub builds NITI’s think-tank capabilities.
• The Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Arvind Panagariya are the Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson of the institution respectively.
• Amitabh Kant is the Chief Executive Officer of the NITI Aayog.