Today in History (Mar 28^th, 1854)

In 1854, on 28 March, Great Britain and France declared war on Russia.

Let’s revise

A) Earth Hour is observed on _______

1. 23 March
2. 12 January
3. 18 February
4. 16 August

Ans. (a)

B) Earth Hour is organized by the_____

1. World Bank
2. UNFCCC
3. WWF
4. Green Fund

Ans. (c)

C) What is done in observance of Earth Hour?

1. Water supply is stopped for 1 hour
2. Lights off for one hour
3. Traffic stop for one hour
4. Earth’s rotation is stopped

Ans. (b)

D) Which can be a best nature and human health friendly medium of human transport?

1. CNG bike
2. Hydrogen car
3. Electric scooter
4. Simple Bicycle

Ans. (d)

E) Find correct statement about Gaza

1. It’s a UNO recognised country
2. It’s a country of Africa
3. It’s a city in Syria
4. It is a city near Mediterranean sea in Palestine

Ans. (d)

F) Tel Aviv is situated in______

1. Syria
2. Israel
3. Lebanon
4. Yemen

Ans. (b)

G) Who is the current Prime Minister of Israel?

1. Benjamin Netanyahu
2. Shehbaz Sharif
3. Yair Lapid
4. None of the above

Ans. (a)

H) What is the main language of Israel?

1. Hebrew
2. Urdu
3. English
4. French

Ans. (a)

Summary of Today’s News

START Programme

• It’s expanded form is Space science and Technology Awareness Training (START)
• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched START 2024 programme.
• Its main objectives are to attract the youngsters to the fields of space science and technology.
• Under this programme the training modules will include introductory level topics on various verticals of space science and technology.
• There will be sessions on Indian space exploration programmes and research opportunities.
• Post-graduate students and final year undergraduate students of physical sciences and technology studying in educational institutes, universities and colleges within India are eligible to be considered for the training.

Operation SANKALP

• This operation was launched by Indian navy in December 2023, and now it has completed 100 days.
• It operates across three key areas:
  • Gulf of Aden and adjoining regions
  • Arabian Sea, and
  • Off East Coast of Somalia.
• Its main objectives were safeguarding India’s maritime interests, countering maritime threats, thwarting resurgence of piracy and significantly fighting narcotics trade in Indian Ocean Region.

The Politics of Humanitarian Aid

• When US Secretary of State Antony Blinken asserts that “100% of the population in Gaza is at severe levels of acute food insecurity” for the first time, followed by the US Congress halting funding to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) until March 2025, which provides vital humanitarian aid to millions of Palestinian refugees across various regions, it underscores the politicization of humanitarian aid, essentially playing politics with human lives, particularly Palestinian lives.
• Western countries, previously defunding UNRWA due to Israeli allegations, are now resuming funding as those allegations prove unfounded. However, defunding UNRWA could imply denying Palestinian refugee recognition, effectively sidelining the right of return issue crucial for Palestinian statehood, as demanded by Israel. This underscores the geopolitical reality where political and military objectives may prioritize over humanitarian concerns, exemplified in Gaza and beyond.
• Politics often prevails over humanitarian aid in global crises, evident in places like Syria, Ethiopia, Yemen, and Sudan, causing immense suffering for civilians. In Syria, the US, Turkey, and their allies manipulate aid by controlling distribution through checkpoints, while in Yemen, aid is politicized to pressure the government. Similarly, in Ethiopia, aid is weaponized against the government due to Western backing for the TPLF. Now, Sudan faces dire aid shortages amid internal conflict, leaving millions in need. Throughout, civilians endure food and medicine shortages as leaders prioritize political agendas over their welfare.