Current affairs 23 April 2023

India is placed at 38th spot on World Bank's Logistics Performance Index.

• India has improved its ranking in the World Bank's Logistic Performance Index (LPI) 2023 by six places from 44 in 2018 to 38 in 2023, among 139 countries.
• LPI is an interactive benchmarking tool created to help countries identify the challenges and opportunities on trade logistics and scope of improvement.
• India’s category wise ranking:
• International shipments: 22
• Logistics competence and equality: 48
• Timeline: 17
• Tracking and tracing: 38

Asia-Pacific Leaders’ Conclave on Malaria Elimination to commence at Delhi.

• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will be organizing Asia Pacific Leaders’ Conclave on Malaria Elimination in New Delhi on 24th April 2023, in partnership with Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA).
• It will be held under the guidance of Union Minister.
• Aim: to reaffirm political commitment to galvanize action for malaria elimination by 2030.
• It will revitalize national and regional momentum towards the goal of an Asia Pacific Free from Malaria by 2030.

Centre launches over 250 network towers in border areas of Arunachal.

• The Centre has launched over 254 network towers to provide 4G mobile connectivity in border areas of Arunachal Pradesh.
• It will provide 4G coverage in uncovered villages of the state, thereby bringing digital connectivity to 336 villages, including several areas which have remained unconnected since Independence.
• Over 70,000 subscribers are expected to benefit from the service.

Govt launches fifth round of regional air connectivity scheme "UDAN 5.0".

• Government has launched the fifth round of the regional air connectivity scheme, UDAN 5.0 to further enhance the connectivity to remote and regional areas.
• Under this scheme, viability gap funding (VGF) will be capped at 600 km stage length for both priority and non-priority areas, which was earlier capped at 500 km.
• Besides this, no pre-determined routes would be offered and only network and individual route proposals by airlines will be considered.

DRDO & Indian Navy Conduct Successful Trial of BMD Interceptor.

• Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Indian Navy has successfully conducted a maiden flight trial of sea-based endo-atmospheric interceptor missile off the coast of Odisha in Bay of Bengal.
• Aim: To engage and neutralize a hostile ballistic missile threat thereby elevating India into the elite club of Nations having Naval BMD capability.
• Prior to this, DRDO has demonstrated land-based BMD system with capability to neutralize ballistic missile threats.