[Newsbits] 20-24.04.2024: Crystal Maze 2, VASA-1, Project Nimbus & More

The ISRO report highlights a significant expansion of over 27% in glacial lakes within the Indian Himalayas since 1984, particularly affecting the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra basins. This expansion, primarily attributed to human-induced climate change, underscores the dramatic retreat and thinning of glaciers. Monitoring these changes through satellite technology is vital for understanding glacier dynamics, assessing risks of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), and formulating effective conservation strategies. The report points out the critical role of these lakes in providing freshwater and their function as indicators of environmental impact due to climate change.

The Government of India is actively working with SBI Card and telecom operators to address OTP frauds, a significant cyber threat. This collaboration includes an innovative solution that involves tracking the geolocation of a SIM card against the customer’s registered address. If discrepancies arise, this system can alert the user or block the OTP to prevent misuse. This initiative is part of a broader effort by the government to enhance cybersecurity in India, supported by institutions like the National Cyber Security Coordinator and the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team, reflecting the country’s increasing digital payment transactions and commitment to protecting its vast telecom user base.

The UK’s Rwanda Scheme, initiated in April 2022, is a controversial policy designed to deter unauthorized migration by rerouting asylum seekers to Rwanda. The plan intends to disrupt the business of human traffickers and discourage dangerous journeys across the English Channel. However, it has faced significant backlash due to concerns about the safety and rights of asylum seekers and Rwanda’s political environment. Legal challenges peaked with the UK Supreme Court’s ruling against the policy as unlawful, prompting revisions under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Despite modifications and a new treaty, no deportations have occurred, and the plan remains contentious and legally precarious.

The Indian government has approached the Supreme Court to clarify whether it can allocate spectrum administratively rather than through auctions, primarily in cases where national security, public interest, or technical and economic challenges make auctions non-viable. This request stems from the 2012 2G spectrum case, where the Supreme Court mandated auctions for distributing scarce natural resources. The government’s plea highlights the need for flexibility in spectrum allocation to meet unanticipated demands and maintain essential services like defense and disaster management.

The Sustainable Finance for Tiger Landscapes Conference, set for Earth Day 2024 in Bhutan, aims to secure $1 billion over the next decade to protect tiger habitats in Asia. This initiative, under the patronage of Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck and organized with the Tiger Conservation Coalition, seeks to preserve biodiversity, store carbon, and support over 100 million people by maintaining vibrant and healthy tiger landscapes. With global tiger populations showing hopeful signs of recovery, the conference will focus on sustainable finance, the linkage with global biodiversity frameworks, and fostering public-private partnerships to ensure long-term conservation efforts.