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The anti-cheating bill, the first of its kind, was introduced in parliament. In Lok Sabha, it was passed on February 6th, and in Rajya Sabha, it was passed on February 9th through a voice vote. The Public examinations Bill, 2024, has been introduced to curb paper leaks. The main aim is to bring transparency, credibility, and fairness to the public examination system. The offences convicted under this bill are cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable. The Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances, Jitender Singh, stated during the debate on the bill that this bill is dedicated to ‘Youth of India’. Which types of exams are covered under this bill? The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, covers the exams conducted by: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) The Railways Recruitment Board examinations (RRB) National Testing Agency(NTA) Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) The National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Common University Entrance Test (CUET) Offences that are punishable under this bill: There are around 20 offences that are recognized and punished under this bill. A few of them are: Leaking question papers or answer keys, colluding with others to leak question papers or answer keys, Accessing or possessing question papers or Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) response sheets without authorization, providing solutions to questions during a public examination without authorization, assisting candidates in any unauthorized manner during a public examination, tampering with answer sheets, including OMR response sheets, Altering the assessment of answer sheets without authorization, Violating norms or standards set by the central government for conducting public examinations, Tampering with documents used for shortlisting candidates or finalizing merit lists, Deliberately violating security measures to facilitate unfair means during a public examination, Tampering with the computer network or a computer system related to the examination, Manipulating seating arrangements or exam schedules to facilitate unfair means, Threatening or obstructing individuals associated with the public examination authority or service provider, or hindering the conduct of a public examination, and others. Penalties imposed under this bill: Individuals engaging in unfair practices in public exams face imprisonment ranging from 3 to 5 years, along with a substantial fine of up to ₹10 lakhs. Furthermore, exam providers may be subjected to fines of up to ₹1 crore. In cases where an employee of the examination authority is found guilty of conspiring to commit the crime, they could face a minimum fine of ₹1 crore and a maximum jail sentence of 5 years, with the possibility of an additional 10 years. These measures aim to safeguard the integrity of public exams and ensure a fair and impartial environment for all participants. The bill aims to tackle cheating in public examinations by implementing stringent measures and penalties. It proposes establishing a National Technical Committee to develop secure IT systems and electronic surveillance in exam centers. Investigations will be conducted by senior police officers or central agencies. The inclusion of state examinations in the bill's ambit is justified as education is a concurrent subject.

The Modi government tabled a white paper in parliament on Thursday, February 8. This white paper is a comparison of the economic situation before and after the rule of the Modi government (i.e., before and after 2014). A white paper is a report that also highlights the achievements, policies, investments, and issues of the government. Public can have access to this white paper. This white paper is a 59-page document that consists of three main parts and four main objectives. Which include: 3 main parts of white paper: Part 1 discusses India's macroeconomic situation under the UPA government, highlighting double-digit inflation, banking sector issues, and policy uncertainty, which impacted India's business climate and people's confidence. Part 2 presents the current status of various corruption scams during the UPA government. Part 3 explains how the present government addressed economic issues, rebuilt the country's image, and restored people's hopes for a brighter future, leading to a self-confident and self-assured nation. The four main objectives of the white paper are: Inform the Parliament and people of India about the governance, economic, and fiscal crises in 2014. Explain the policies and measures taken to restore the economy's health and make it capable of fulfilling growth aspirations. Generate a wider, more informed debate on the paramountcy of national interest and fiscal responsibility in governance over political expediency. Commit to national development with new inspirations, consciousness, and resolutions as the country opens possibilities and opportunities. What white paper is covered? White papers covered different topics and made a comparison between before and after 2014. The Ministry of Finance mainly highlighted the 10-year economic situation under the Congress-led UPA government and the 10-year economic situation under the BJP-led NDA government. The highlights of the white paper are economic distress, healthcare issues, the banking system, poor management of public finances, policy obstruction and project delays, missed opportunities, a lack of leadership, quality of public expenditure, waste of public resources, economic uncertainty and policy instability, public services, and others. To understand the 59-page document presented to Parliament on Thursday, the government has arranged discussions in both the Lok Sabha on Friday and the Rajya Sabha on Saturday.

The Uttarakhand government passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill 2024 on Wednesday, February 7. Uttarakhand stood as an example for many states that wished to introduce the UCC. UCC brought significant changes in various domains, including the institution of marriage, the process of divorce, and the rules governing succession. The CM of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, said in the assembly that "our state made history by passing the UCC law. This is a significant opportunity that will create a common legal framework for all. I hope all other states will follow our lead. We appreciate our state's residents' support. Today, every citizen should feel proud." Muslim perspective: The proposed UCC brings the minimum age of marriage to 18 and 21 for Muslim women and men, which is in line with the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, and the Special Marriage Act, 1954. This turned out to be an issue for Muslims because their personal laws allow girls to marry after attaining puberty. Polygamy, halal, and iddat were outlawed in the UCC Bill. Maulana Arshad Madani, the head of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, condemned the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill in Uttarakhand, asserting that Muslims will not tolerate any laws contradicting Sharia law. He stated that Muslims are flexible in most matters, but not regarding adherence to Sharia. He views the UCC as a ploy to undermine religious freedom. Hindu perspective: The proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) brings the minimum age of marriage to 18 and 21 in line with the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, and the Special Marriage Act, 1954. This is a welcome step towards gender equality and ensuring the rights of women. The UCC also takes away the distinction under Hindu law between ancestral and self-acquired property. This means that all property acquired by a Hindu, regardless of whether it is inherited or earned through personal efforts, will be treated equally. This is a progressive move that will promote equality and justice within Hindu families. Opposition reaction: The Congress party expressed reservations about the bill, stating that while they were not outright opposed to it, they believed it should undergo further scrutiny and discussion before being passed. Yashpal Arya, the leader of the opposition, emphasised that there were numerous issues and ambiguities that needed to be addressed and clarified. He advocated for the bill to be referred to a select committee of the assembly, where it could be thoroughly examined and debated before a final decision is made. This stance suggests that the Congress party is not in full support of the bill in its current form and seeks to ensure that potential concerns and ambiguities are adequately addressed before it is enacted.

Iran implemented a 15-day visa-free policy for tourists from India and 32 other countries. This visa-free travel initiative by the Iranian government is to increase cultural bonds and strategic relations with other countries. This policy will come into force on February 4, 2024, in India. The Iranian government implemented this policy under four conditions: Indian citizens holding ordinary passports can visit Iran without a visa for up to 15 days every six months. Through visa free policy, Indian nationals can enter Iran only by airways. It applies to Indian citizens travelling to Iran for tourism purposes. Indians needing longer stays, multiple entries, or other visas should contact Iranian representations in India. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, these are the countries where Indians can travel with little to no visa restrictions. (Click here: https://www.mea.gov.in/bvwa-menu.htm.) Through these kinds of visa-free travel policies, countries benefit a lot in different sectors. It fosters knowledge and skill transfer, promotes mutual understanding, and preserves cultural heritage. Additionally, it enhances tourism, boosts economic growth, and strengthens diplomatic relations. These collaborations contribute to a more interconnected and peaceful global community. To know relations of India and France, click here: https://www.thenexnews.com/post/what-india-and-france-signed-during-2-day-visit-of-macron

The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) was drafted by the Uttarakhand government. It was approved by the state cabinet. Today, the final draft will be taken up by the Uttarakhand assembly. If this bill is passed by the assembly, then Uttarakhand will be the first state to adopt UCC in the post-Independence era. Article 44 from Part 4 of the Indian Constitution deals with the Uniform Civil Code, which says, “The State shall endeavor to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India." In brief, it replaces personal law and brings laws that are equal for everyone, irrespective of religion, caste, gender, and others. So far, no state in India has adopted UCC. Goa has a common civil code, which it is following since the time it was under Portuguese rule. The Uttarakhand government appointed a panel led by Ranjana Prakash Desai, a retired Supreme Court judge. This panel drafted recommendations and made a four-volume, 749-page report by taking feedback from people through online and public forums. The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, stated that this bill aligns with the PM’s vision of 'Sab ka Saath, Sab ka Vikas' and 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat’ A few recommendations that are included in the UCC draft are: Marriage: - Ban on polygamy and child marriage Standard marriage age for girls across all faiths Uniform process for divorce Live-in couples can register their relationship Compulsory marriage registration Absence of marriage registration will result in ineligibility for governmental benefits Inheritance Abolish gender-based discrimination in inheritance laws, ensuring equal rights for sons and daughters All children are equal regardless of their birth circumstances. Equitable treatment and opportunities for both adopted and biological children In the event of a person's death, equal property rights for the spouse, children, and parents Adoption: Adoption rights for everyone, including Muslim women Simplified adoption procedures Religious Practices: Ban on practices like halal and iddat

Satendra Siwal, a resident of Shahmahiuddinpur village in Hapur, found himself in the limelight after being arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on suspicion of spying for Pakistan's intelligence agency, the ISI. Siwal, who had been working as an India-based security assistant at the Indian embassy in Moscow since 2021, allegedly fell prey to ISI handlers seeking confidential information. The arrest came after the UP ATS received credible intelligence suggesting that ISI was enticing employees of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs with monetary incentives. He is suspected of passing sensitive information about defence and foreign affairs to ISI handlers, thus posing a threat to India's internal and external security. This person had been under surveillance for the last six months and was arrested after taking leave from the embassy. His bank accounts are being examined, and his mobile phone was seized to gather more information about his associates. The suspect failed to provide satisfactory answers during interrogation at the Meerut ATS Field Unit, leading to a confession of spying for the ISI. Through electronic and physical surveillance, the ATS investigation uncovered the suspect's involvement in anti-India activities with the ISI handler's network. He is facing charges under Section 121A of the IPC (waging war against the country) and the Official Secrets Act 1923, highlighting the serious nature of the allegations against him. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is working together with investigative authorities in this matter.

Introduction : Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries is reportedly planning to acquire a significant stake in Disney India. This strategic deal, if finalized, would mark a major expansion for Reliance in the entertainment sector and position it as a formidable player in the global media market. Reliance Industries, headed by India's richest man Mukesh Ambani, has a vast business empire encompassing petrochemicals, refining, and retail. In recent years, the company has been aggressively expanding into the entertainment sector, acquiring a number of media and entertainment companies. This would significantly boost Reliance's entertainment offerings and help it compete with other major global media companies. The deal would also give Disney a strong foothold in the rapidly growing Indian entertainment market. India is home to over 1.3 billion people, making it one of the largest and most attractive entertainment markets in the world. The deal is expected to face regulatory scrutiny, but if approved, it would be a major milestone for Reliance and Disney. Regulatory Scrutiny: The proposed deal between Reliance and Disney is likely to face intense regulatory scrutiny from various authorities, including the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB). The deal raises concerns over potential anti-competitive practices and the concentration of market power in the hands of a single entity. Regulators will thoroughly investigate these aspects to ensure fair competition and protect consumer interests. In 2019, the CCI imposed a penalty of INR 135.78 crores on Amazon and Flipkart for engaging in anti-competitive practices, including predatory pricing and exclusive agreements with sellers. In 2017, the MIB issued new guidelines for foreign direct investment (FDI) in the media and entertainment sector, restricting foreign ownership to 49% in broadcasting companies. A study by the Center for Internet and Society (CIS) in 2021 found that the concentration of ownership in the Indian media landscape has increased significantly in recent years, with a few large corporations controlling a majority of the market share. A report by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in 2020 highlighted the need for stronger regulations to address issues of market dominance and anti-competitive practices in the digital economy. The deal has the potential to create a formidable player in the industry, potentially leading to higher prices and reduced consumer choice. Data privacy and the protection of user information are additional concerns that need to be carefully considered. Ultimately, regulatory authorities will have the responsibility of thoroughly examining the deal to ensure fair competition, protect consumer interests, and address any potential risks associated with the merger. The Acquisition Deal of Reliance Disney India According to industry sources, Reliance is in advanced talks to acquire up to 50% of Disney India's business, including its popular streaming platform Disney+ Hotstar, its television channels, and its movie studio. The deal, which could be valued at billions of dollars, would give Reliance a controlling interest in the Indian operations of one of the world's largest entertainment companies. The strategic significance of this potential acquisition for Reliance cannot be overstated. Disney+ Hotstar, with its vast library of content, including blockbuster Hollywood movies, popular TV shows, and original Indian productions, has emerged as a formidable competitor in the Indian streaming landscape. By acquiring a controlling stake in Disney India, Reliance would gain access to a loyal subscriber base and a proven platform for distributing its own entertainment content. This move would significantly enhance Reliance's position in the fiercely competitive Indian media and entertainment industry, where it already has a strong presence through its telecom and digital services arms. Furthermore, the acquisition would provide Reliance with a direct pipeline to Disney's vast library of intellectual property, including iconic characters and franchises such as Mickey Mouse, Marvel superheroes, and Star Wars. This would enable Reliance to produce and distribute localized content based on these popular brands, further strengthening its position in the entertainment market. Disney has faced regulatory hurdles and intense competition in India, making it difficult to replicate the success it has achieved in other regions. However, analysts caution that the deal is still in the negotiation stage and may face regulatory scrutiny. Additionally, the integration of two large and complex organizations could present challenges. Reliance's Growing Entertainment Portfolio: Mukesh Ambani, the visionary behind Reliance Industries, has long harbored ambitions to expand his empire into the entertainment industry. With the potential acquisition of Disney India, Ambani aims to create a fully integrated media and entertainment conglomerate that will offer a comprehensive range of services to consumers across India. Reliance's interest in Disney India aligns with its broader strategy to diversify its revenue streams and establish a dominant position in the rapidly growing Indian media market. The company already owns several entertainment assets, including the television channel network Viacom18 and the streaming platform JioTV. By adding Disney India to its portfolio, Reliance would gain access to a vast library of popular content, including Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar movies, as well as popular Indian films and television shows. Reliance aims to leverage Disney's expertise in content creation, distribution, and technology to enhance its own digital offerings and compete with global streaming giants. The Indian media market presents immense growth potential, driven by factors such as the country's rapidly expanding middle class, increasing disposable incomes, and growing internet penetration. Reliance's acquisition of Disney India positions the company to capitalize on these favorable market dynamics and establish a commanding presence in this dynamic and lucrative sector. Furthermore, this acquisition aligns with Reliance's broader strategy of creating a comprehensive digital ecosystem that encompasses various aspects of consumers' lives. The company's diverse portfolio spans telecommunications, e-commerce, financial services, and now, entertainment. By bringing Disney India under its umbrella, Reliance aims to create a seamless and integrated experience for its customers, offering them a wide range of products and services that cater to their diverse needs and preferences. The Potential Impact on the Indian Media Industry: The Reliance-Disney deal, if finalized, would have a transformative impact on the Indian media industry. It would create a formidable competitor to other major players in the market, such as Zee Entertainment and Sony Pictures Networks India. The acquisition would also intensify competition in the streaming space, where Disney+ Hotstar currently holds a dominant position.

India is planning to buy MQ-9B drones from the US military. Both the Indian and US governments plan to sign the deal in February 2024. After 3 years, i.e., 2027, the delivery of the drones will start. After six years of exclusive interest in buying predator drones from the US, the government has now agreed to sell them through Foreign Military Sale (FMS). The US agreed to sell on one condition to the Indian government. A Democrat, Cardin, said in a statement that the Biden government agreed to the contract only by asking the Indian government to support and cooperate thoroughly with the US Department of Justice in the death of Gurpatwant Singh Pannum. In the case of arms transfers to international governments, the US Congress plays a crucial role. The president should notify Congress before 30 days (about 4 and a half weeks) of any final action take place. The US Congress should be informed prior to any defence sales by American lawmakers. Under this deal, India will get 31 armed drones at a cost of 3.9 billion dollars. In this series of 31 armed drones, the Navy will get 15 sea guard drones, the Air Force will get 8 sky guard drones, and the Army will get 8 sky guard drones. Their length is 36 feet, their wingspan is 66 feet, and their speed is 442 km/hr. These are Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). MQ-9B is a variant of MQ-9. The MQ-9B is known for its advanced features, firepower, and speed. It has the ability to operate with pin-drop silence. This predator drone can carry 450 kg of bombs, 4 missiles, and 1700 kg of payload and can travel 2000 miles in one go. Automatic Take-off and Landing Capability (ATLC) makes them take off from short runways like 4,000 feet. This becomes an advantage for the army in remote areas. The sky guardians are designed to fly in all types of weather for up to 40+ hours. This deal brings a lot of advantages to the Indian army, navy, and air force. This makes India’s operations and observations in the Indo-Pacific region easy. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAE) are highly beneficial for defence purposes and boost diplomacy.

The most-awaited budget session is here. The Minister of Finance, Nirmala Sitaraman, started the budget speech by talking about Sabka Sath-Saba Vikas, structural reforms, and pro-people development. The session started with reflecting on the growth and development of India in the last 10 years. Nirmala Sitaraman mentioned inclusive development and growth, the minimum support price, social justice, the welfare of Annadata, empowering youth, national education policy, and many others in her speech. Every sector, every ministry, and every scheme got allotted the budget for the welfare and development of their respective areas. The main focus groups in this budget are youth, women, farmers, and the poor. The budget estimate for 2023–2024 is Rs 45,03,097, but at the end of the year, the expenditure was 7.5% higher than the budget estimate. For FY 2024–2025, the total expenditure expected is Rs. 30.80 lakh crore. The highlights of the budget include: People-centric inclusive development: It mainly focused on substantial development, digital infrastructure, inflation management, taxes, global capital, financial services, and economic growth. Focused areas: This year's budget mainly focused on poverty, empowering youth, the welfare of Annadata, and Nari Shakti. 25 crore people were moved out of multi-dimensional poverty. The finance minister mentioned in her budget speech that worries about food for the poor got eliminated with the rations provided by the government. The female enrolment ratio has increased by 28% in the last 10 years. Amrit kaal: sustainable development, investments, infrastructure, inclusive development—housing, health, tourism, agriculture, and food processing : We are in Amrit Kaal, which refers to the period between 75 and 100 years of India’s freedom. There are five aspects to be achieved during this period. Sustainable development is in the first place. India to achieve net zero emissions by 2070, 1 crore houses to be covered under rooftop solarization, e-buses for transportation, and the launch of bio-manufacturing and bio-foundry to support the environment. Second comes the infrastructure and investment. Under PM Gati Shakti, three major railway corridors are set to be implemented. Promotion of urban transformation through metro rail and NaMo Bharat. Expansion of existing airports and the setting up of new airports under the UDAN scheme. The third strategy is inclusive development in health. Here it is discussed about cervical cancer vaccination and the U-WIN (unorganised workers' identification number) platform. Inclusive development in housing and tourism is the fourth aspect. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and others were discussed. Viksit Bharat by 2047: The mantra of Viksit Bharat is Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas, followed by Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwas, which leads to developing India by 2047. The vision of Viksit Bharat is a prosperous India with modern infrastructure and opportunities for all. The major schemes to which the budget is allocated are: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme National Green Hydrogen Mission Production-Linked Incentive Scheme Solar Power (Grid) Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY Modified Programme for Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystems Tax: The budget gave a brief explanation of the achievements of taxation reforms and tax proposals. Nirmala Sitaraman announced that there were no changes in the direct and indirect taxes; both the old and new tax slabs are the same. The interim budget for 2024 also gave a brief idea of the budget allocation to various ministries. It also gave a visual description of where the rupee comes from and where it goes.

The Minister of Finance, Nirmala Sitaraman, is going to present the interim budget 2024 in parliament on February 1st at 11:00 AM. As a finance minister, this is her sixth budget presentation. Citizens of India are excited to know how the budget is favourable for them in their respected sectors. All eyes were on Nirmal Sitaraman’s speech, waiting in anticipation. This year, the BJP government is presenting the interim budget for 2024 instead of the annual budget. This happens because the general elections are around the corner. An interim budget is presented to meet the financial needs until the new government is formed. It consists of both expenditures and receipts. As the elections are approaching, everyone believes that this budget will have populist announcements. The full budget is presented in July 2024 by the new government that comes into power after the elections. Nirmala Sitaraman said that the PM focused on a few target groups in this year’s budget. These target groups include youth, women, the poor, and farmers, irrespective of caste and religion. According to the Election Code of Conduct, the ruling party does not have access to make major policy changes because they may burden the upcoming government. It does not allow introducing major schemes, as it influences the voters in favour of the ruling party. Everyone can have access to budget documents through a mobile app once they are presented in parliament. It is also available at https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/ .

During the 2-day visit of Emmanuel Macron to India on the 75th Republic Day, both countries came together and signed many deals and agreements. One such agreement in the educational sector is “Classes Internationales." It is the best platform for students who want to pursue their higher education in France. The Classes Internationales (International Classes) programme was launched by the French government. This programme offers students the opportunity to learn French in their country prior to joining their respective applied courses. It takes time, between one semester and a year at a school, to make you learn French. Students have access to 200 courses through this programme. This programme starts in September 2024. This programme mainly focuses on science, technology, mathematics, and engineering, with optional subjects like social sciences and economics. It also gives students access to directly enter prestigious universities. Along with high-quality education, scholarships and cultural experiences are advantageous for Indian students. One can apply to this programme irrespective of their level of French knowledge. A beginner or a person who knows a little bit of French can apply. To apply for international classes, register here: https://www.classesinternationales.org/faqs.ph. The last date for applications is March 31st, 2024. The benefits of this programme include inclusivity, academic focus, scholarships, cultural immersions, and many others. The scholarship for the eligible people will be awarded by the French Embassy. Also, the French government is planning to intake 30,000 Indian students by 2030. CLICK HERE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT INDIA AND FRANCE - https://www.thenexnews.com/post/what-india-and-france-signed-during-2-day-visit-of-macron

French President Emmanuel Macron was the guest of honour for Republic Day celebrations in India. He stayed in India for 2 days, visiting Jaipur on January 25 and Delhi on January 26 for Republic Day celebrations. During this visit, India and France signed many agreements and MOUs. The main sectors in which deals are signed between India and France include defence, science and technology, maritime technology, civil aviation, land warfare, urban development, artificial intelligence, public administration, space exploration, health, underwater domain awareness, robotics, and others. The main highlights of the deals include: Operationalization of India’s UPI (Unified Payment Interface) at Eiffel Tower. India and France agreed on a roadmap for defence industrial cooperation; this is to identify, co-design, co-develop, and co-produce in the areas of the defence industrial sector. Partnership between TATA Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus to make H125 single-engine helicopters Joint development and manufacture of advanced military equipment. Partnership in health and medicine. A declaration of intent was issued between France’s Ministry of Labour, Health, and Solidarity on Cooperation and India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. An agreement was signed between the Department of Science and Technology of India and France’s Institut national de recherche pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation, and l'environnement (INRAE). MOU signed between New Space India Limited and France’s Arianespace S.A.S. According to Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, India and France have agreed to cooperate in areas like clean energy research, satellite launches, and 5-year Schengen visas for Indian students pursuing post-graduation in France. He also informed that both countries decided to call 2026 the India-France 'Year of Innovation' and will come up with a ‘Young Professionals’ scheme for people of the age group 18–35 in both countries. During the Jaipur visit, Modi and Macron discussed the situation in the Red Sea, ongoing cooperation in the IOR (Indian Ocean Region) and the Indo-Pacific region.