1. Operation Kaveri: Nearly 3,000 Indians evacuated so far from crisis-hit Sudan
2. ‘PM Bannane Ka Mann Nai Karta?’: Prime Minister Modi’s Interaction With Kids in Karnataka
3. ‘Goldy Brar’, alleged mastermind in Sidhu Moosewala killing, among 25 most wanted criminals in Canada
4. Ahead of G20 meet in Kashmir, security agencies brace for potential ‘fidayeen’ attack, drone and vehicle-borne threats
5. China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang to attend SCO meeting in Goa

What Else

6. Terror funding case: NIA raids multiple locations in Kashmir
7. ‘Hindustan Zinc’s all-cash bid for Vedanta’s assets lapses’
8. Lithium reserves found in J-K to be auctioned by December: Mines secretary
9. India’s unemployment rate climbs to four-month high in April
10. In Karnataka poll manifesto, Congress equates Bajrang Dal to PFI, vows to ban it. Key points
11. Sharad Pawar quits as NCP chief, sparks Ajit Pawar v Supriya Sule row?
12. IAF chief meets Sri Lanka’s top military leaders, discussed matters of bilateral importance
13. US commission seeks sanctions on Indian agencies over ‘violation’ of religious freedom
14. Pakistan’s inflation Asia’s fastest, outpaces Sri Lanka
15. Pakistan to export three consignments of 155 mm artillery ammunition rounds to assist Ukraine’s counter-offensive
16. Govt, PTI agree to hold same-day elections across Pakistan
17. China’s Qin warns against ‘spillover’ of Myanmar violence, calls for ‘clear and stable’ border

Operation Kaveri: Nearly 3,000 Indians evacuated so far from crisis-hit Sudan

• Around 3,000 stranded Indians have left the crisis-hit Sudan for Jeddah, as India intensified Operation Kaveri to rescue from Khartoum on Fri.
• The Indian Air Force C-130J flight with 122 stranded Indians, senior citizens including took off from the crisis-hit Sudan.
• Till now around 2300 Indians have been evacuated, EAM Jaishankar said on Sun.
• On Sat, 365 Indians from Sudan arrived in New Delhi under Operation Kaveri, while a flight carrying 231 Indian passengers reached the national capital on Sat morning.
• Sudan is experiencing bloodshed due to clashes between the army and paramilitary forces. (here)

• India to temporarily relocate embassy from Khartoum to Port Sudan: India to briefly relocate its embassy from Khartoum to Port Sudan given the prevailing security situation in Sudan.
• Ministry of External Affairs said that the situation will be assessed in light of further developments. (here)

‘PM Bannane Ka Mann Nai Karta?’: Prime Minister Modi’s Interaction With Kids in Karnataka

• PM Modi on Tue had a heart-warming conversation with a group of children in Kalaburagi, Karnataka ahead of his roadshow in Congress president’s home district.
• A video showing PM Modi engaging in a light-hearted interaction with kids who were waiting to get a glimpse of him near the venue has gone viral on social media.
• In the viral clip, PM Modi can be heard approaching the children and asking them, “School jate ho sab? (Do you all go to school?). To this, the kids replied, “Yes, sir!”.
• He also played with them for some time and urged everyone to study.
• The PM also asked them what they want to become.
• “Padhayi karoge? Sab padhayi karoge? Acha tum padhke kya banoge? (Will you all study? What do you want to become?” he asked. To this, a child replied, “I want to become the police”. (here)

‘Goldy Brar’, alleged mastermind in Sidhu Moosewala killing, among 25 most wanted criminals in Canada

• Canadian govt on Tue named Satinder Singh Brar, (Goldy Brar), the alleged mastermind in the killing of famous singer Sidhu Moosewala, among the top 25 wanted criminals.
• The Punjab-origin affiliate of Lawrence Bishnoi’s gang is wanted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for murder, according to the ‘Bolo Program’ list issued.
• The Program is a Canadian not-for-profit organization that amplifies police fugitive cases to increase public awareness.
• However, there is no reward for Goldy Brar, who features on the 15^th number in the list.
• Goldy Brar has been on the run since then.
• The offenses committed in India are very serious and merit the interest of the police in Canada, the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi stated. (here)

Ahead of G20 meet in Kashmir, security agencies brace for potential ‘fidayeen’ attack, drone and vehicle-borne threats

• Elaborate security measures were finalized on Tue for the upcoming meeting of delegates from G20 nations in Srinagar from May 22 to counter the potential threats of ‘fidayeen’ attacks and threats posed by the use of vehicles and drones by militants.
• Drones embedded with smart technologies and policemen in civvies will be the hallmark of the security drill during the delegates’ stay in Kashmir.
• Scores of bunkers in Srinagar have been given a facelift and several barriers have already been removed from roads. (here)
• Marine Commandos to Guard the G20 Summit Venues in Kashmir Valley, said ADGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar.

China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang to attend SCO meeting in Goa

• Chinese FM Qin Gang will travel to India to attend the SCO FMs meeting to be held in Goa.
• Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Tue that at the meeting Qin will exchange views with other SCO member states’ FMs on the international and regional situation.
• The Meeting will be held on May 4 and 5 in Goa.
• The Ministry said Qin will also visit Myanmar to deepen practical cooperation in various fields including economy and livelihood.
• Qin had met EAM S Jaishankar on the sidelines of the G20 FMs meeting in Delhi and conveyed that the current state of the bilateral relationship was “abnormal” in the context of challenges especially that of peace and tranquillity in the border areas.
• India and China have held 18 rounds of military and diplomatic talks for disengagement along the LAC in eastern Ladakh following the actions of the Chinese Army which led to a standoff in May 2020. (here)

Terror funding case: NIA raids multiple locations in Kashmir

• The NIA carried out raids at multiple locations across Valley Tue in connection with a terror funding case and detained one person for questioning, officials said here.
• Raids were carried out at nearly a dozen locations in Srinagar, Awantipora, Pulwama, Kulgam and Anantnag areas.
• One person has been detained for questioning by the National Investigation Agency from the Sozeith area of Srinagar, the officials said.
• The detained person was identified as Ishaq Ahmad Bhat, and his brother was illiterate.
• The raids are being conducted in connection with a terror funding case registered last year. (here)
• Police arrest overground worker in Shopian, recover ammunition: An OGW was arrested during a search operation, on Mon and rifle and ammunition were recovered
• According to the Police, the operation was launched by a joint team of police, 44 Rashtriya Rifles, and 14Bn Central Reserve Police Force. (here)

‘Hindustan Zinc’s all-cash bid for Vedanta’s assets lapses’

• Hindustan Zinc Ltd’s proposal to buy certain zinc assets from Vedanta for $2.98 billion has lapsed as the miner did not get shareholders’ approval within the stipulated time.
• The deal was announced in mid-Jan, after which Hindustan Zinc had 3 months to call an extraordinary general meeting to seek approval from its minority shareholders.
• “The issue is dead because 3 months have lapsed,” said the first government official.
• In Mar, Hindustan Zinc declared a final dividend of $1.34 billion, tying up its cash reserves through which it was planning to fund the acquisition, the source noted.
• Its consolidated gross investments and cash+ equivalents of Rs 164.82 bn as of Dec 31.
• The govt is the largest minority shareholder in Hindustan Zinc with a 29.54% stake, while Vedanta owns 64.9%.
• Hindustan Zinc, Vedanta, and the federal ministries of finance and mines did not immediately respond. (here)

Lithium reserves found in J-K to be auctioned by December: Mines secretary

• Auction of lithium reserves found in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi will be started by Dec, said Secretary Ministry of Mines.
• Speaking at an industry event on Tue, the secretary said the ministry has written to J&K administration for the transaction advisor for the lithium auction.
• “We have been lucky to discover 5.9 million tonnes of Lithium. We were looking for limestones that are available in J&K…. found limestone, bauxite, and lithium together.” (here)

India’s unemployment rate climbs to four-month high in April

• India’s unemployment rate climbed to a 4^th-month high, the latest data showed, even though rural jobs ticked up slightly.
• The nationwide unemployment rose to 8.11% in Apr from 7.8% in March.
• Urban unemployment climbed to 9.81% from 8.51% in the same period and rural unemployment fell marginally to 7.34% in April from 7.47% a month ago-CMIE, a private company of India.
• Creating jobs for India’s burgeoning population will remain a key challenge for Modi’s govt, especially as he looks to a 3^rd term in office in national elections in 2024. (here)

In Karnataka poll manifesto, Congress equates Bajrang Dal to PFI, vows to ban it. Key points

• The Congress on Tue released its manifesto for the upcoming Karnataka assembly elections, made big promises, and proposed a ban on PFA and Bajrang Dal.
• Here are the top 5 promises in the manifesto: Gruha Jyothi (free electricity up to 200 to all); Gruha Lakshmi (₹2,000 to each woman head of family); Anna Bhagya (10 kg of food/m to BPL); Yuva Nidhi (₹3,000 to unemployed graduates and ₹1,500 will be given to unemployed diploma); Shakti scheme (free travel to all women in Govt buses) (here)

Sharad Pawar quits as NCP chief, sparks Ajit Pawar v Supriya Sule row?

• The veteran leader’s Sharad Pawar’s decision to step down as the chief, he founded 24 years after being expelled from the Congress sent shockwaves among the party cadre.
• Several party workers raised slogans demanding that Pawar withdraw his decision.
• Sharad Pawar’s resignation as the chief triggered an all-out war of succession between his daughter Supriya Sule and nephew Ajit Pawar.
• NCP workers demanded that Sule speaks to her father to reconsider his decision. But Ajit Pawar intervened and suggested to her cousin not to speak anything.
• There have been murmurs in the NCP over a purported rebellion within the party ranks.
• Ajit Pawar reportedly held a meeting with MLAs in his support before his uncle managed to prevail over the situation.
• But the ambitious nephew has minced no words about his CM ambitions. (here)

IAF chief meets Sri Lanka’s top military leaders, discussed matters of bilateral importance

• Chief of Air Staff, Chief Mar V R Chaudhari on Tue met Sri Lanka’s top military leaders and discussed issues of bilateral importance, while recalling the age-old friendship, amid China’s growing influence in the island nation.
• CAS, who arrived in Colombo on Mon on a 4-day official visit to Sri Lanka, called on the Sri Lankan Air Chief, at Air Force Headquarters here.
• As part of India’s commitment towards capacity building of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces, the Chief of Air Staff of the Indian Air Force presented AN-32 propellers to ensure high operational readiness of the aircraft held with the Lankan Air Force.
• The ceremony to hand over the aircraft also happened a day before Yuan Wang 5, a Chinese missile and satellite tracking ship docked at Hambantota port. (here)

US commission seeks sanctions on Indian agencies over ‘violation’ of religious freedom

• A federal US commission has urged the Biden admin to impose targeted sanctions on Indian govt agencies and officials responsible for “severe violations” of religious freedom in the country by freezing their assets.
• The US Commission for International Religious Freedom also endorsed raising the issue of religious freedom during US-India bilateral meetings and holding hearings on it.
• The USCIRF has been making similar recommendations to the State Department since 2020, which have not been accepted so far.
• The recommendations of USCIRF are not mandatory for the State Department.
• Responding to questions, State Department told reporters that USCIRF is not a branch of the State Department or the Executive Branch.
• US-based non-profit organization, Foundation of Indian and Indian Diaspora Studies slammed the USCIRF for its “biased” report.
• The Indian American Muslim Council welcomed the USCIRF’s decision. (here)
• MEA-India rejects USCIRF’s report, terms it “biased & motivated”

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Pakistan’s inflation Asia’s fastest, outpaces Sri Lanka

• Pakistan beomce Asia’s fastest inflation as a weaker currency and rising food and energy costs drove price gains to a record in Apr.
• Consumer prices rose 36.4% in Apr from a year earlier, the highest since 1964.
• That compares with a median estimate for a 37.2% gain in a Bloomberg survey and a 35.4% increase in Mar.
• The data shows Pakistan’s inflation outpaced price gains in Sri Lanka that eased to 35.3% in April and is starting to show signs of recovery from an economic crisis.
• The Pakistani rupee is one of the worst performing currencies globally so far in 2023, declining 20% to the dollar, and making imported goods more expensive.
• The central bank’s next monetary policy review is due on June 12. (here)

Pakistan to export three consignments of 155 mm artillery ammunition rounds to assist Ukraine’s counter-offensive

• Ukraine and Pakistan are upgrading their defense partnership launching the process to supply Mi-17 helicopter engines and spare parts to the Pakistan military instead of Islamabad’s regular supply of defense equipment and tanks to Ukraine via EU states.
• Pakistan has signed a deal worth 1.5 million USD to take supplies of Mi-17 helicopter engines and spare parts for the helicopters.
• Pakistan will export 3 consignments of 155 mm artillery ammunition rounds over the next 3 months to Kyiv via Poland as it prepares for a counter-offensive against Russia.
• The consignments will be shipped by POF from Karachi Port to Gdansk Port Poland in the next 3 months and subsequently moved to Ukraine (here)

Govt, PTI agree to hold same-day elections across Pakistan

• In a development in the ongoing negotiations between the govt and the PTI, it has been agreed to hold same-day elections across the country.
• The announcement was made by Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar after the third session of negotiations between the two sides.
• However, the date for the elections has not been fixed yet.
• The minister further stated that the general elections will be held in the presence of the caretaker govts.
• The respective leadership will be consulted to finalize the date of the elections.
• This is a significant step forward in the ongoing negotiations between the govt and PTI, which have been taking place for several weeks now. (here)

China’s Qin warns against ‘spillover’ of Myanmar violence, calls for ‘clear and stable’ border

• FM Qin Gang has called for maintaining “clear and stable borders” with Myanmar and cracking down on cross-border crime while warning against a “spillover” of the rising violence.
• The comments on Tue came during a rare visit to southwestern Yunnan, where he highlighted maintaining stability and “friendly cooperation” between the neighbors
• Qin called for efforts by the CCP, govt, military, police, and civilians to strengthen the border defense and stressed the importance of maintaining stable borders.
• He also urged the implementation of the Land Borders Law, in effect since 2022, which is aimed at protecting and strengthening China’s borders through increased defense and supporting social and economic development in border areas. (here)