The UN warned that mass displacement in the West Bank had hit levels not seen since the start of Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territory nearly 60 years ago.
West Bank
The West Bank lies to the west of the Jordan River, bordered by Israel to the west, Jordan to the east, and Jerusalem to the south-west.
Major cities include Ramallah (administrative capital of the Palestinian Authority), Hebron, Nablus, Jenin, and Bethlehem.
1948: After the Arab-Israeli War, the West Bank was occupied and later annexed by Jordan (1949–1967).
1967: During the Six-Day War, Israel captured the West Bank from Jordan, and it has remained under varying degrees of Israeli control since.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Appreciation Day is being observed in India. The day celebrates the country’s growing role in the global AI landscape.
India’s AI journey
AI is transforming healthcare, education, agriculture, governance, and industry in the country.
India’s AI journey began in the 1960s with early computer science research.
A major step came in 1986 with the Knowledge-Based Computer Systems project. In the 1990s, organisations like C-DAC advanced supercomputing and early AI work.
By the 2000s, IT companies such as TCS, Infosys, and Wipro began investing in AI, while universities built a strong talent pool.
India has reached 50% of its total installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, achieving its NDC target five years early.
Why is there a need to increase Capacity Utilisation Factor?
Energy Security: India’s energy demand is expected to double by 2040. Inefficient use of clean energy slows diversification and increases coal dependence.
Climate Commitments: Under its updated NDCs (2022), India committed to:
50% of total installed capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030 (already achieved) and Reduction in emissions intensity by 45% (from 2005 levels).
Yet, current clean energy usage (~28%) risks undercutting actual emission reduction.
The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) inaugurated the second edition of BIMSTEC Ports Conclave.
About Ports Conclave
The two-day BIMSTEC Ports Conclave was held under the auspices of the Visakhapatnam Port Authority.
Representatives of ministries from port authorities of BIMSTEC member nations of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand participated in it.
Aim: To operationalise the recently signed BIMSTEC Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation (AMTC), facilitate dialogue on port-led development, and foster deeper integration in maritime trade, logistics, cruise tourism, and skill development.
Recently, the Union Government has appointed Puneet Kumar Goel as the new Chief Secretary of Manipur, amid ongoing ethnic tensions and political uncertainty in the State, which was placed under President’s Rule on February 13, 2025.
Key Responsibilities
Principal Advisor: Guides the Chief Minister on administrative and policy matters
Secretary to the Cabinet: Coordinates cabinet meetings, agendas, and implementation of decisions
Head of State Civil Services: Oversees postings, transfers, and discipline of IAS and state service officers
Crisis Manager: Leads emergency response during disasters, law and order issues, or health crises
As the world leans heavily into data-driven economies, India needs to safeguard its digital infrastructure and maritime interests as both a sovereign imperative and a technical necessity.
जैसे-जैसे दुनिया डेटा-आधारित अर्थव्यवस्थाओं की ओर बढ़ रही है, भारत को अपनी डिजिटल अवसंरचना और समुद्री हितों की रक्षा करना आवश्यक है — यह एक संप्रभु आवश्यकता और तकनीकी अनिवार्यता दोनों है।
