Tax Inspectors without Borders (TIWB) Initiative

India has been chosen as the Partner Administration and will provide Tax Experts for seventh TIWB programme that is to be held at Saint Lucia, an island country of the West Indies.

• Tax Inspectors without Borders (TIWB) aims to transfer technical know-how and skills to developing countries’ tax auditors and share general audit practices.
• Under TIWB, tax audit experts work alongside local officials of developing country tax administrations on tax audit and tax audit related issues.
• It is a joint initiative of United Nations Development Programme and Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.
• The host administrations of developing countries are the lead partners in TIWB programmes, clearly specifying their needs and scope of work.
• The 7th TIWB programme is held at Saint Lucia, an island country of the West Indies with India being chosen as the Partner Administration and will provide Tax Experts for this programme.
• The focus of the programme will be on effective use of automatic exchange of information under the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) framework.
• In the Phase 1 (between 2016 and 2019) of the initiative aimed to support 200 expert tax deployments.
• The partnership by the member countries is voluntary in nature.

Electron Rocket

Recently Rocket Lab, a private firm successfully launched its first Electron rocket.

• Electron rocket is designed to deliver small satellites to precise and unique orbits, whether flying as dedicated or rideshare.
• It is dedicated access to space for small satellites.
• Electron is the only reusable orbital-class small rocket.
• The rocket was launched by the rocket lab, a private firm.
• It is a two stage rocket.
• Capturing and reflying Electron’s first stage enables higher launch frequency without expanding production and lowers launch costs.
• The uses of the rocket includes:
  • Deployment of payloads at multiple planes/inclinations
  • Higher altitude deployment
  • Hosted payload support
  • Multiple trajectory changes
  • Sustained low altitude orbits
  • Deorbiting payloads to eliminate space debris
• The payload of the rocket to low earth orbit is 300 kg.

Indian Tent Turtles

Recently Directorate of Revenue Intelligence busted illegal Indian tent turtle trafficking, seizing 436 endangered hatchlings destined for the grey market in Varanasi.

• The Indian tent turtle (Pangshura tentoria) is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae.
• The species is found in India, Nepal and Bangladesh.
• It is a small species of turtle, growing to a maximum straight carapace length of 27 cm.
• Subspecies – The 3 subspecies includes:
  1. P. t. tentoria
  2. P. t. circumdata
  3. P. t. flaviventer
• Colour – Of the turtles varies according to each subspecies.
• Habitats – It include still water pools on river side and slow running water near the river banks. These are active swimmers and are mainly herbivorous.
• Threats – Due to the attractive appearance of the species, they are illegally traded in the pet market.

Channapatna Toys

According to a post shared by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Afghanistan Channapatna Toys plays a vital role in the children’s academic activities in Afghanistan.

• Channapatna Toys are traditional craft of Karnataka with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
• These toys are made of ivory and wood.
• The wooden toys are inanimate and ideal for children as the chemical dye is not used in them and they do not have sharp edges.
• The demand for Channapatna’s toys increased after the government imposed a ban on the import of toys from China.
• Apart from earning money, the artisans are emotionally attached to toy-making work.
• The 10-day Dussehra festival, also known as Gombe Habba or Gudiya Utsav is special for the toy makers of Channapatna as a large number of buyers come to buy the toys.
• The festival helps toymakers to earn more profits.

VINBAX, SURYA KIRAN, VAJRA PRAHAR and HARIMAU SHAKTI

• VINBAX – It is a Joint Military Exercise between India and Vietnam.
• The VINBAX-2023, 4th edition was held at Hanoi, Vietnam.
• Exercise VINBAX was instituted in 2018 and the first edition was conducted at Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.
• SURYA KIRAN – It is a Joint Military Exercise between India and Nepal.
• It is an annual event and conducted alternatively in the two countries.
• The 17th edition was held at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand.
• VAJRA PRAHAR – It is a joint exercise conducted between Indian Army and USA Army Special Forces.
• The 14th Edition of the exercise was held at Umroi, Shillong of Meghalaya.
• HARIMAU SHAKTI – It is a Joint bilateral training exercise between Indian and Malaysian Army.