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By admin: May 9, 2023

Petersberg Climate Dialogue 2023

Tags: Environment International News

The Petersberg Dialogue on Climate Change was held in Berlin from May 2-3, 2023. 

An overview of the news

• The Petersberg Climate Dialogue (PCD) was hosted by Germany and the United Arab Emirates, which is hosting the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

• Ministers from 40 countries attended the conference to discuss the way forward towards COP28.

• The main topics of discussion at the event were renewable targets, climate finance and global stocktake.

Key points of the summit

• To limit global warming to 1.5°C, the world needs to cut its greenhouse gas emissions at a rapid pace.

• The conference agreed to focus on phasing out fossil fuel emissions while phasing out viable, affordable zero-carbon alternatives.

• It calls for tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030 and then doubling it by 2040.

• 2023 is the year of Global Stocktech. The Global Stocktake is essentially a periodic review of global climate action aimed at assessing whether current efforts will enable us to reach the objectives set out in the Paris Agreement.

Conference of Parties(COP)

• Every year, the United Nations organizes a climate summit where the main agenda of the parties is to limit global temperature rise.

• These summits are called Conference of the Parties (COPs).

• Participants come from 197 countries that have signed the 1992 United Nations Climate Accord.

• Its purpose is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere to prevent dangerous interference from human activity on the climate system.

• The agreement seeks to limit global warming to well below 2 °C, preferably 1.5 °C, compared to pre-industrial levels.

• It was signed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Since 1994, COPs have been organised every year. Year 2023 marks the 28th  summit, called the COP28 summit.

• The COP28 conference will be held in Dubai from 30 November to 12 December 2023.

After J&K, lithium reserves found in Rajasthan

Tags: State News

After discovering lithium deposits in Jammu and Kashmir, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has discovered another deposit of the important mineral at Degana in Rajasthan's Nagaur district.

An overview of the news

• It is believed that these reserves are much bigger in quantity than the one found in the Union Territory and can meet 80% of the total country's demand.

• Currently, India is dependent on imports for several minerals such as lithium, nickel and cobalt.

• Lithium deposits were found for the first time in Reasi in Jammu and Kashmir in February this year.

• This was the first significant lithium mineral discovery in India, as earlier only a small deposit had been discovered in Karnataka.

• Since lithium is a major component of batteries used in electric vehicles, the government is exploring deposits of the rare metal within and outside the country.

• Lithium reserves are concentrated in the Lithium Triangle in South America - Argentina, Bolivia and Chile, with 50% of deposits concentrated in these regions.

• China is ahead of other countries and it controls 75% of lithium refining.

About Lithium

• It is a chemical element with the symbol (Li).

• It is a soft and silvery white metal.

• It is the lightest metal and the lightest solid element at standard conditions.

• It is alkaline and a rare metal.

• Lithium has an atomic number of 3 and an atomic mass of 6.941u.

• Lithium is one of the key components of rechargeable batteries for mobile phones, laptops, digital cameras and electric vehicles.

• It is also used in some non-rechargeable batteries for things like heart pacemakers, toys, and watches.

• Countries with the largest reserves: Chile > Australia > Argentina

India Post signs MoU with CAIT and Tripta Technologies

Tags: National National News

India Post has signed an MoU with Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) and Tripta Technologies for logistics services.

An overview of the news

• The MoU will benefit small and medium traders as they will be able to use India Post as a single logistics service provider across the country.

• The partnership between India Post, CAIT and Tripta Technologies will provide shipping and last mile delivery services to CAIT's strong merchant base and small and medium business in the unorganized sector.

• The MoU is a significant milestone in taking e-commerce to smaller towns and rural areas and is expected to benefit thousands of merchants.

India Post Payment Bank (IPPB)

• It is a payment bank started by the Department of Posts under the Ministry of Communications, Government of India.

• IPPB was launched as a pilot project on 30 January 2017 in Ranchi (Jharkhand) and Raipur (Chhattisgarh).

• It was formally launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 1 September 2018.

• Headquarters of IPPB: New Delhi

• Bank's Punchline: Apna Bank Aapke Dwaar

• Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer: J Venkataramu

World Thalassemia Day - 8 May

Tags: Important Days

World Thalassemia Day is a global health care event, observed every year on 8 May across the globe.

An overview of the news

• Apart from raising awareness about the disease among the local public and policy makers, the day strengthens the morale of the victims, who have been battling this deadly disease for years.

• On this day, many local and international organisations, patient associations, public authorities, and healthcare professionals gather together to promote the importance of prenatal screening, counselling, prevention, management, or treatment of thalassemia in a patient-centred manner.

• This year the theme on World Thalassemia Day is “Be Aware, Share, Care : Strengthening Education to bridge the Thalassemia care gap.

Background of the day

• The first World Thalassemia Day was declared on May 8, 1994, by Panos Englezos, the president and founder of the Thalassemia International Federation (TIF). 

• In honour of his (Panos Englezos) son George and the numerous thalassemia patients who battled this disease, Panos Englezos established this day.

About Thalassemia

• Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that causes the human body to have less haemoglobin than normal. 

• Iron deficiency is the most common and can cause extreme tiredness, shortness of breath, weakness and cold hands and feet.

• Iron is a mineral that our body needs for growth, development and making haemoglobin.

• Haemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body.

• Iron is a cofactor for neurotransmitters and is important for the synthesis and metabolism of hormones.

Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar launches Phase-III of Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana

Tags: Government Schemes National News

Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare on 8th May launched the third phase of Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana (TBSY) of the Health Ministry.

An overview of the news

• She also launched the Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana Portal.

• Dr Pawar also released the Standard Treatment Workflow for Sickle Cell Disease on the occasion. This has been developed by ICMR. 

• The Union Minister further highlighted the need to take advantage of various initiatives of the Union Government for treatment of diseases like sickle cell anemia such as the e-Raktkosh portal for blood transfusion requirements.

Phase-III of Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana

• The third phase of the program will continue to provide financial assistance towards the package cost of 10 lakh per HSCT, which will be directly transferred from CIL to the institutions performing HSCT.

• The program will benefit underprivileged thalassemia patients and people with aplastic anaemia.

• 10 reputed hospitals across India have been empaneled under the programme.

About Thalassemia

• Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that causes the human body to have less haemoglobin than normal. 

• World Thalassemia Day is observed every year on 8 May to spread awareness about this condition.

• Iron deficiency is the most common and can cause extreme tiredness, shortness of breath, weakness and cold hands and feet.

• Iron is a mineral that our body needs for growth, development and making haemoglobin.

• Haemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body.

• Iron is a cofactor for neurotransmitters and is important for the synthesis and metabolism of hormones.

27th Meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council

Tags: Economy/Finance National News

Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chaired the 27th Meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) on 8th May in New Delhi. 

An overview of the news

• During the meeting of the Council, it was discussed that necessary policy and legislative reform measures can be formulated to further develop the financial sector.

• This will not only help in increasing the financial access of the people but also enhance their overall economic well-being.

Highlights of the meeting

• Regulators should maintain constant vigil to ensure that 'financial sector stability is a shared responsibility'.

• Regulators should adopt a focused approach to reduce the compliance burden further and ensure a streamlined and efficient regulatory environment.

• The regulators need to be proactive and ensure cyber-security preparedness of the information technology systems to reduce the risk of cyber-attacks.

• Safeguarding the stability and resilience of the Indian financial ecosystem.

• Regulators should conduct a special drive to facilitate the settlement of unclaimed deposits and claims in the financial sector. 

• Action Taken Report on Budget announcements made since 2019 was discussed.

Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) 

• It was set up on the recommendation of the Raghu Ram Rajan committee on “Financial Sector Reform”.

• FSDC was set up by the Government of India in 2010.

Function of the FSDC 

• The Council monitors macro prudential supervision of the economy, including functioning of large financial conglomerates, and addresses inter-regulatory coordination and financial sector development issues. 

• It also focuses on financial literacy and financial inclusion.

6th India- Canada Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment

Tags: International Relations International News

Sixth India- Canada Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment (MDTI) held on 9th May in Ottawa.

An overview of the news

• Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal along with Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, Government of Canada co-chaired the discussions.

• The Ministers also reviewed the India-Canada CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) negotiations.

• In the last MDTI meeting in March 2022, the two ministers launched CEPA negotiations with the possibility of having an interim agreement or EPTA (Early Progress Trade Agreement). Since then seven rounds of talks have taken place.

• Goyal participated in various events to promote trade and investment in Toronto from 9 to 10 May 2023.

• Piyush Goyal inaugurated the India Pavilion at SIAL Canada-2023, the largest food innovation trade show in North America with participation of over 1000 national and international exhibitors from 50 countries.

Topics of Dialogue

• Strengthening bilateral trade relations between India and Canada

• Investment Promotion and Cooperation

• Green transition - discussions on critical minerals and promotion of new areas of cooperation such as B2B engagement.

About Canada

• Canada, the second largest country in the world in area (after Russia).

• Prime Minister - Justin Trudeau

• Capital - Ottawa

• Currency - Canadian dollar

• King of Canada (British Monarch) - Charles III

• Official Languages - English; French

World Athletics Day 2023

Tags: Important Days

World Athletics Day is observed every year on 7th May.

An overview of the news

• On this day, IAAF organizes several competitions and tournaments to engage people in sports and exercise.

• The day was established by the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF).

• Sports and exercise can help people avoid diseases and maintain their health.

• World Athletics Day encourages people to do fitness exercise, athletics to stay healthy.

• The theme for World Athletics Day 2023 is “Athletics for All – A New Beginning."

Objectives of the day

• To encourage people to take up sports and participate in various sports and athletic activities.

• To raise public awareness about sporting activities and the health benefits associated with them.

• The day helps people to prioritize physical fitness and popularize sports among the youth of the world.

Background of the day

• World Athletics Day was established by Primo Nebbiolo, former president of the athletic federation IAAF, to promote athletics among youth as a primary sport.

• This day was celebrated for the first time in the year 1996.

• More than 100 sports federations of the world participated in the 2016 IAAF World Athletics Day to promote sport and exercise for good health.

About IAAF

• The IAAF was founded in Stockholm, Sweden on July 17, 1912.

• It is the international governing body for athletics and athletes.

• President - Sebastian Coe

Asian Weightlifting Championships 2023

Tags: Sports Sports News

In Weightlifting, Indian weightlifters finished the Asian Weightlifting Championships 2023 in Jinju, South Korea, with three silver medals on 8th May. 

An overview of the news

• For India, Bindiarani Devi won two silver medals in the women's 55kg category, while Jeremy Lalrinnunga won a silver medal in the men's 67 kg snatch category.

• Ajit Narayan and Achinta Sheuli competed in the men's 73 kg category but failed to win a medal for India.

• Ajit Narayan, competing in his first international weightlifting event, topped Group B with a combined lift of 307 kg (snatch 139 kg + clean and jerk 168 kg).

• Commonwealth Games 2022 gold medalist Achinta Sheuli finished second in Group B with a total lift of 305kg (snatch 140kg and clean and jerk 165kg).

• This continental championship is the second place event in the qualifying event series for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in which a total of 6 Indian weightlifters participated.

• Olympic medalist Mirabai Chanu had finished sixth in the women's 49kg category.

Medal winners of India

• Bindiarani Devi (Women's 55kg) - Silver Medal in Overall (Combining Clean & Jerk and Snatch)

• Bindiarani Devi (Women's 55kg) - Silver Medal in Clean and Jerk

• Jeremy Lalrinnunga (Men's 67kg) - Silver medal in snatch