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1. The Nagi and Nakti Bird Sanctuaries in Bihar were recently recognized as wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, increasing India's total to 82 such sites. Both sanctuaries, established in 1984, are situated on human-made wetlands formed by the Nakti Dam for irrigation. Surrounded by hills and dry deciduous forests, they harbor over 150 species of birds, mammals, fish, aquatic plants, reptiles, and amphibians. These wetlands are crucial wintering habitats for migratory species and support globally threatened species like the Indian elephant and native catfish. The Nakti Bird Sanctuary recorded the highest number of birds (7,844) in the 2023 Asiatic Waterbird Census, followed by the Nagi Bird Sanctuary (6,938).
2. According to the Capgemini World Wealth Report, India saw a significant increase in its high net-worth individuals (HNWIs) by 12.2% in 2023 compared to the previous year, reaching a total of 3.589 million individuals. The financial wealth of India's HNWIs also rose by 12.4% to USD 1,445.7 billion in 2023, up from USD 1,286.7 billion in 2022. Globally, HNWI wealth and population increased by 4.7% and 5.1% respectively in 2023. Additionally, India experienced a decrease in unemployment rate from 7% in 2022 to 3.1% in 2023, accompanied by a robust economic growth of 7.3%. The market capitalization surged by 29.0% in 2023, compared to a 6% increase in the previous year, and national savings as a percentage of GDP rose from 29.9% in 2022 to 33.4% in 2023. HNWI individuals are defined as those with investable assets of USD 1 million or more, excluding their primary residence, collectibles, consumables, and consumer durables.
3. The National Health Authority (NHA) has achieved a significant milestone by generating over 3 crore tokens for Out-Patient Department (OPD) registrations through the ABHA-based Scan and Share service. This innovative service allows patients to easily register for OPD appointments by scanning a QR code displayed at the OPD registration counter, eliminating the need to wait in long queues. This convenience particularly benefits vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, and those with mobility challenges. Uttar Pradesh leads in token generation, followed by Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Jammu and Kashmir. Launched under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) in 2022, ABHA, a unique 14-digit number, links all health records of an individual, aiming to create a digital health ecosystem and promote healthcare digitization.
4. Recently, Iran experienced a tragic incident as its President and Foreign Minister died in a helicopter crash in Jolfa, located in the East Azerbaijan province. The helicopter involved was a US-made Bell-212, renowned for its reliability despite its age. Jolfa, situated in the Central District of Jolfa County, serves as the capital for both the county and the district. It is divided by the Aras River from the town of Julfa on the Azerbaijan side of the border.
5. The recent Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Ministerial Meeting in Singapore saw key agreements signed, including those focused on Clean Economy, Fair Economy, and the overarching IPEF Agreement. India, although yet to formally sign due to ongoing domestic approvals, played a significant role in initiatives like the Cooperative Work Programme for e-waste urban mining. The IPEF Catalytic Capital Fund, backed by founding supporters, aims to catalyze USD 3.3 billion in private investment. Additionally, the Fair Economy Agreement emphasizes transparent business environments, with India offering Digital Forensics & System-Driven Risk Analysis training. The IPEF Upskilling Initiative targets women and girls, offering 10.9 million upskilling opportunities, including 4 million in India. Launched in 2022, IPEF comprises 14 countries, representing 40% of global GDP and 28% of global trade, focusing on fair trade, supply chain resilience, clean economy, and fair economy pillars. India actively participates in Pillars II to IV, with observer status in Pillar I.