Today in History (Apr 24th, 1992)
The Constitution (Seventy-third Amendment) Act, 1992 came into force on 24th April 1992, which gave the constitutional status to Panchayati Raj in India. It added a new Part IX titled “The Panchayats” and a new Eleventh Schedule covering 29 functions of the Panchayats. Therefore, 24th April is celebrated annually as the National Panchayati Raj Day in India.
Summary of Today’s News
LockBit Ransomware
LockBit Ransomware is categorized as a ‘crypto virus’ and was first reported in September 2019. It is designed to infiltrate the victim’s systems and encrypt important files. The ransomware works as a self-spreading malware, not requiring additional instructions once it successfully enters a device with access to an organizational intranet. Recent reports confirm LockBit Ransomware targeting Mac devices.
Network of censors to monitor groundwater quality.
The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti is working on an ambitious plan to deploy a vast network of groundwater sensors to continuously relay information on groundwater levels and contamination at the taluka level. Under the new system, around 16,000 to 17,000 digital water level recorders will be connected to piezometers in the wells to transmit the information digitally. Currently, the Central Groundwater Board measures the groundwater level several times a year.
India sends aircraft and ships for evacuation from Sudan.
India has sent two heavy lift aircraft C-130 J and a ship INS Sumedha to the Port of Sudan to evacuate Indian citizens from Sudan once the situation improves. The Indian Embassy in Sudan is in regular touch with Indian citizens across the country.
Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA)
The European Parliament has approved the world’s first set of comprehensive rules, Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA), to bring largely unregulated cryptocurrency markets under the ambit of regulation by the Government authorities. It imposes compliance on crypto-asset issuers and applies to crypto-asset service providers. It will come into force after formal approval by Member States.
G-7 meeting calls for extending Ukraine’s Black Sea grain deal.
The Group of Seven (G-7) has called for the extension, full implementation, and expansion of a deal to export Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea. The United Nations and Turkey brokered the agreement in July 2022, allowing Ukraine to export more than 27 million tonnes of grain from several Black Sea ports.
