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1. The European Space Agency (ESA) recently achieved a milestone with the successful inaugural launch of the Ariane 6 rocket from French Guiana. This marks Europe's return to independent space access following previous delays. Ariane 6 succeeds the Ariane 5 and is capable of launching missions into low-Earth orbit and deep space. It features the Vinci engine in its upper stage, designed for multiple restarts to place payloads in various orbits. The debut flight carried nine cubesats, including NASA's CURIE, for missions studying Earth's climate and weather. ESA plans 29 missions with Ariane 6 over the coming years, aiming for up to 12 flights annually.
2. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) recently made a significant breakthrough under Operation Jazba by apprehending two individuals near the China border in Eastern Ladakh. They were allegedly smuggling 108 kg of gold biscuits from China, marking the largest-ever gold haul intercepted by the ITBP. While smaller item smuggling had been more common in the region, this incident exposed a notable gold smuggling racket. The ITBP, authorized by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), plays a crucial role in conducting search and seizure operations. Under the ITBP Act, it exercises powers akin to Customs officials along the border to curb smuggling activities effectively. This operation underscores ITBP's role in maintaining border security and combating illicit cross-border activities.
3. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has urged state wildlife departments to develop timelines and action plans for relocating villages within core tiger habitats across India's 55 notified tiger reserves. These habitats are critical for sustaining viable tiger populations, as mandated by the Wildlife Protection (Amendment) Act, 2006. The Voluntary Village Relocation Program (VVRP) aims to facilitate voluntary relocation of approximately 600 villages (housing 64,801 families) to create undisturbed areas essential for tiger breeding. The program offers families a choice between financial compensation (Rs 15 lakh per family) or a resettlement package including land, housing, and basic amenities. However, challenges include compliance with legal standards under the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, especially concerning resettlement and rehabilitation of Scheduled Tribes and forest dwellers.
4. World Population Day, observed on July 11th annually, was established by the United Nations in 1989 to bring global attention to population-related issues. It originated from the UNDP's proposal to highlight the significance of population matters, inspired by the milestone of "Five Billion Day" on July 11th, 1987, when the world's population reached 5 billion. The theme for the 2024 World Population Day is "Leave no one behind, count everyone," emphasizing inclusivity and accurate population counting. As of 2024, India's population stands slightly over 1.428 billion, contributing significantly to global demographic trends and challenges.