NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
B’nei Menashe Community: State-Backed Relocation to Israel
- Around 250 members of B’nei Menashe from Manipur and Mizoram arrived in Tel Aviv under a state-backed relocation programme supported by Israel.
- This is the first batch under an official resettlement initiative, marking a more structured migration phase. More relocation batches are expected, indicating a sustained policy approach.
- Migration has continued since 1990s, but this programme reflects increased governmental involvement.
- B’nei Menashe Community: of about 7,000 people, traces origins to Mizo and Kuki tribes and claims descent from “Ten Lost Tribes of Israel.”
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INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
Falkland Islands Sovereignty Issue
- United Kingdom reaffirmed sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, rejecting any change amid reports of a possible US policy review.
- The Falkland Islands are a self-governing UK overseas territory in the South Atlantic Ocean, comprising East and West Falkland and several smaller islands.
- Located about 480 km from South America and east of the Strait of Magellan, they hold strategic significance.
- Britain has controlled the islands since 1833.
- Argentina disputes this, citing inheritance from Spain and geographical proximity.
- The conflict escalated into the 1982 Falklands War when Argentina attempted to seize the islands, but the UK regained control, maintaining its claim since.
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China Conducts Live-Fire Drills Near Luzon Islands
- China’s Military Drills: China conducted live-fire military exercises in waters east of Luzon Island, signalling rising tensions in the region.
- Timing & Context: The drills coincided with annual Balikatan Exercise involving the United States, the Philippines, and allies near disputed areas of the South China Sea.
- Participation: Over 17,000 troops participated; Japan deployed combat troops for the first time.
- Conducting Authority: Exercises were carried out by the People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command Naval Task Group 107.
- Operations Included: Live-fire shooting, sea-air coordination, rapid manoeuvres, and maritime replenishment.
- Objective: To test integrated joint combat capabilities.
- Luzon: It is the largest and most economically significant island of Philippines.
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DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
Indian Army Chief Inducted into US Army War College Hall of Fame
- India’s Chief of Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, was inducted into International Fellows Hall of Fame of U.S. Army War College.
- He becomes the third Indian Army Chief to receive this honour after General V K Singh and General Bikram Singh.
- An alumnus of the institution, Dwivedi is recognised for his leadership and contributions to global peace and security.
- International Fellows Hall of Fame of U.S. Army War College: Established in 1988, the Hall of Fame honours international graduates who attained top military leadership roles or made significant contributions to international security, humanitarian efforts, and multinational cooperation.
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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CURRENT AFFAIRS
Vela Supercluster Mapped for the First Time
- Astronomers have successfully mapped Vela Supercluster, revealing it to be far larger and more massive than earlier estimates, making it one of the universe’s most massive known structures.
- The study, involving researchers from University of Cape Town, highlights its major role in driving “cosmic flows”- large-scale galaxy movements caused by gravity.
- Renamed Vela-Banzi (“revealing widely” in Xhosa), its detection was long hindered by dust and gas in Milky Way’s Zone of Avoidance.
- Location: About 800 million light-years away, it comprises at least 20 galaxy clusters. It was discovered in 2016, initially termed “Terra incognita” within the obscured Zone of Avoidance.
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AWARDS & EVENTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
World Day for Safety and Health at Work: 28 April
- World Day for Safety and Health at Work is observed annually on 28 April to promote safe workplaces and awareness of occupational hazards. It is a UN-recognised observance led by International Labour Organization (ILO). The day emphasises globally integrating safety, health, and well-being into workplace policies.
- Objective: Highlight work-related accidents and diseases, and strengthen national Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) systems in line with global labour standards.
- Theme 2026: “Let’s ensure a healthy psychosocial working environment.”
- Background: First observed in 2003 as part of the ILO’s Global Strategy on OSH adopted at the International Labour Conference.
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World Malaria Day: 25 April
- World Malaria Day (WMD) is observed annually on 25 April to raise awareness and strengthen global efforts against malaria.
- Malaria: It is a life-threatening vector-borne disease. Around 3.3 billion people in 106 countries remain at risk, with highest burden in Africa. In 2012, malaria caused about 627,000 deaths, mainly among African children.
- World Malaria Day Theme 2026: “Driven to End Malaria: Now we can. Now we must.”
- Recognised as one of the official campaigns of World Health Organization (WHO), it was established in 2007 at World Health Assembly.
- Focus Areas: Prevention, treatment, and community-based interventions to reduce malaria transmission and mortality.
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International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day: 26 April
- International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day is observed annually on 26 April. This day commemorates victims of Chernobyl nuclear disaster and highlights its long-term impacts. The year 2026 marks 40th anniversary of tragedy.
- Background: The day was established by United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2016. The observance emphasises lessons in disaster response, recovery, and long-term environmental and health impacts.
- History: The disaster occurred on 26 April 1986 at Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (then USSR), when a reactor test caused an explosion in Unit 4, releasing massive radioactive material. Around 5% of reactor core spread across Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine, contaminating more than 150,000 sq km.
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PERSONS IN NEWS CURRENT AFFAIRS
UNGA President Annalena Baerbock Visits India
- Annalena Baerbock, President of 80th session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), visited India on 28 April 2026. Elected in June 2025, she is the fifth woman and first from the Western European group to lead UNGA.
- She held talks with S. Jaishankar on key multilateral issues including sustainable development, global governance reforms, climate action, peacebuilding, and India–UN engagement. She also interacted with UN Country Team in India working on SDGs, humanitarian aid, and development cooperation.
- About UNGA: Established in 1945. It comprises all 193 member states and functions as the UN’s primary policy-making body.
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