Today in History (May 23rd, 1951)
China formally annexed Tibet as an autonomous region on May 23rd, 1951. The annexation led to a Tibetan independence movement, aiming to separate Tibet from the People’s Republic of China politically.
Summary of Today’s News
Forum for India Pacific Islands Cooperation
The third edition of the Forum for India Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) was held in Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea. The forum focused on the free and Indo-Pacific region and on India’s commitment to assist the development goals in member countries. The previous two meetings of the Indo-Pacific Islands Cooperation were held in November 2014 in Fiji and August 2015 in Jaipur.
Antarctic sea ice cover.
On February 19th, 2023, the extent of sea ice in Antarctica fell to the lowest level ever recorded. The increased melting of sea ice leads to a rise in global sea levels, which poses a significant threat to coastal cities. According to NASA, meltwater from Antarctic ice accounts for about one-third of the global average rise in sea level since 1993. The Southern Ocean is essential for transferring heat from the atmosphere to the global oceans. It affects the weather pattern and changes the deep-water nutrient flows.
INS Sindhuratna
The Indian Navy’s Kilo-class (Sindhughosh-class) submarine, INS Sindhuratna, underwent a Medium Refit Life Certification (MRLC) process in Russia, which extended its life. It will enhance the force level in the Western Seaboard. However, it faced transportation issues against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine crisis. It returned to Mumbai after a 97-day return passage through the Norwegian Sea, the English Channel, and the Mediterranean Sea.
The Union Ministry of Environment discontinues two awards.
The Union Ministry of Education has discontinued the ‘Shiksha Puraskar’ and the ‘Hinditar Bhashi Hindi Lekhak Puraskar.’ The ‘Shiksha Puraskar’ was launched in 1992 to encourage original Hindi writings. The ‘Hinditar Bhashi Hindi Lekhak Puraskar’ is awarded to promote writings in Hindi by writers from non-Hindi-speaking regions. The decision is part of the Union Home Ministry’s move to rationalize various awards instituted by the Union Government.
Italian Open 2023
Daniil Medvedev defeated Holger Rune to win the Italian Open 2023. It was his first trophy in a clay court tournament and a significant boost ahead of the French Open 2023.
