Recently, Saudi Arabia has abolished the Kafala system.

• It is expected to benefit around 13 million foreign workers, including over 2.6 million Indians.

About Kafala System

• It is a worker sponsorship programme which gave employers full control over their employees’ legal status, residencies, when or if they could leave the country, seeks legal help, or even changes jobs.
  • The system tied each sponsor or 'Kafeel' to a migrant worker.
• Concern associated with System: It is criticized as mordern day slavery as Employers started to abuse this system to exploit employees. E.g., they would restrict their movement, seize passport, etc.

Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is implementing an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) across its network to prevent elephant deaths on tracks.

About IDS

• It uses advanced optical fibre sensing technology to detect the vibrations generated by elephants’ movement by the sensor cables, which then transmit signals to the control room in real-time.
• It enables timely intervention and ensuring smooth operations.

The Election Commission issued an advisory to all political parties on responsible use of Al-generated content during elections.

• The advisory will help ensure a level playing field in elections and promote fairness in the electoral process.

Key Guidelines 

• AI-generated or digitally altered campaign content must carry a clear label such as “AI-Generated” or “Synthetic Content”.
• Unlawful or misleading content that distorts a person’s identity, appearance, or voice is strictly prohibited. E.g. Deepfakes.
• Political parties must maintain detailed records of all AI-generated materials etc.

Afghanistan has announced plans to construct a dam on the Kunar River, obstructing its flow into Pakistan.

About Kunar River

• It is a main tributary of Kabul River, which then merges with the Indus River in Pakistan. 
• Origin: from glaciated Hindu Kush Mountains of Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan 
  • It then flows into Afghanistan and merges with Kabul River there.
• Two main tributaries: Bashgal (or Landiasind) and Pech.

Maldives became first country to halt mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B.

• All of them are Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).

About Diseases 

• HIV: It weakens the immune system by attacking white blood cells, and when severely advanced, it leads to Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
• Syphilis: It is caused by a type of bacteria called Treponema pallidum.
• Hepatitis B: It is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease.

The first of 8 Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWC) ‘Mahe’ was delivered to the Indian Navy.

About Mahe

• Built by: Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi. 
• Named after: Historic port town in the Union Territory of Puducherry.
• Capabilities: underwater surveillance, Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) operations in coastal waters.
• Significance: Enhances Indian Navy’s ASW capability in littoral zones & supports Government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision.

RBI has exempted SWAMIH (Special Window for Affordable and Mid-Income Housing) Fund, a government-backed fund from its tightened rules of Alternate investment fund (AIF).

• The RBI prescribes the regulatory guidelines in respect of investment by the regulated entities in AIF.

About SWAMIH, 2019

• It is a Category II AIF.
  • AIF means any fund established or incorporated in India which is a privately pooled investment vehicle which collects funds from sophisticated investors, whether Indian or foreign, for investments. 
  • SEBI regulates AIF.  E.g., Venture capital funds (Including Angel Funds)
• Objective: Provide priority debt financing for completion of stalled housing projects.
• Fund Manager: SBI Ventures Limited

Recently, Supreme court highlighted the high pendency in lower courts due to the massive backlog (over 8.82 lakhs) of executive petitions. 

About executive petition 

• It is the legal tool used to implement a decree, in which the winner formally requests the court to enforce its decision when the losing party fails to comply.
• In 2021, the Supreme Court laid down guidelines including a six-month deadline for disposing of execution proceedings.