1. US to provide its key Patriot missile defence system to Ukraine
Tags: International News
The United States has announced on 21 December that it would provide its key Patriot missile defence system to Ukraine.
Important facts
The White House stated that the Patriot missile system would be part of another 1.85 billion dollars in aid to Ukraine.
The package also includes military vehicles, mortars, ammunition for HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems), and small arms.
The aid announcement comes at a time when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is on a visit to Washington to strengthen military ties between the two countries.
About Patriot missile system
It is a surface-to-air guided missile system that was first deployed in the 1980s.
It can target aircraft, cruise missiles and short-range ballistic missiles.
Each Patriot battery consists of a truck-mounted launching system with eight launchers that can hold up to four missile interceptors each, a ground radar, a control station and a generator.
Patriot batteries can also shoot down aircraft.
In military circles this weapon system is seen as a protective shield, which protects the population, soldiers or even buildings from incoming fire.
2. India votes in favour of UNSC resolution on mental health of UN peacekeepers
Tags: International News
India on 21 December voted in favour of a resolution on the mental health of UN peacekeepers.
Important facts
India's Permanent Ambassador to the UN Ruchira Kamboj said, as one of the largest troop contributing countries over the years, India attaches the highest importance to the safety and well-being of UN peacekeepers.
Mental health is an essential component of the overall health in which UN peacekeepers work.
Therefore, the medical care and well-being of UN personnel is the collective responsibility of all Member States.
Meanwhile, Kamboj raised the issue of data and studies done in consultation with troop and police contributing countries and the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, or C34.
C 34 has been giving due consideration to the issue of mental health of UN personnel in peace operations.
UNSC resolution on mental health
members of the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed a resolution on mental health and psychosocial support for personnel of UN peace operations.
Mexico initiated the draft resolution on mental health and psychosocial support.
The draft resolution will be the first stand-alone Security Council resolution on mental health.
The draft resolution recognises the need to raise awareness of the importance of mental health and psychosocial support for UN peace operations personnel.
It references the 2018 United Nations Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, a comprehensive approach to meeting the needs of UN personnel and improving organizational capabilities to maintain and protect mental health, which Applies to the entire United Nations system.
3. iDEX sets record with signing its 150th contract
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
Innovation for Defense Excellence (IDEX), a flagship initiative of the Department of Defense Production, has set a milestone with the signing of its 150th contract on December 21, 2022 in New Delhi.
Important facts
The contract was signed by Joint Secretary (Defence Industries Production) & Additional CEO/DIO Anurag Bajpai with CEO, Altair Infrasec Pvt Ltd Anil Anand in the presence of Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane.
iDEX achieved this milestone within five months of signing its 100th contract on July 26, 2022.
The contract relates to an Indian Navy project of the Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC 7) SPRINT edition.
The challenge was titled ‘Expendable Mobile Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Training Target (EMATT) capable of simulating the sound and movement of a submarine’ and the winner was Altair Infrasec Pvt Ltd, Pune.
It envisaged the development of a training target capable of being deployed on platforms from P8I aircraft, MH60R helicopters, ships with speeds of up to 10 knots and other remotely operated aircraft, requiring EMATT to be launched.
About iDEX framework
It was launched by the Prime Minister in 2018 with the objective to provide a platform of co-creation and co-development in the defence sector, engage start-ups and develop defence and aerospace set up in the country.
It is being implemented by the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO), established under the Department of Defence Production.
Till date, iDEX has received over 6,500 applications from individual innovators, MSMEs and start-ups under DISC, PRIME and OC.
It has also been able to create thousands of jobs and attract India's talent back to the country.
It has also been awarded the prestigious Prime Minister Award for Public Policy in Innovation Category for the year 2021.
4. Peru orders Mexico's ambassador to leave country within 72 hours
Tags: International News
Peru declared Mexico's ambassador in Lima "persona non grata" and ordered him to leave the country on December 20, Peru's foreign minister announced, amid heightened tensions between the two countries after Pedro Castillo was ousted as president.
Important facts
The order gives Mexico's envoy to the South American country just 72 hours to leave the country.
Castillo was removed from office earlier this month after trying to dissolve parliament. He is being investigated in Peru on charges of rebellion and conspiracy.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador called Castillo's removal from office undemocratic.
The Peruvian government last week declared a 30-day nationwide state of emergency.
Protests have rocked the country in the tumultuous days since President Pedro Castillo was removed from office on charges of rebellion and conspiracy last week.
Castillo remains in government custody for 18 months.
Castillo was prevented from taking refuge at the Mexican embassy in Lima. The lawmakers then swore in 60-year-old Dina Boluarte as the new president.
About Peru
Peru is the third largest country in South America, after Brazil and Argentina.
President: Dina Boluarte
Capital: Lima
Currency : Nuevo Sol
Major Mountain Ranges: Andes
Major Rivers: Amazon, Ucayali, Madre de Dios
5. MIB directs YouTube to take down three channels for spreading fake news
Tags: National News
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has directed YouTube to remove three channels, Aaj Tak Live, News Headlines and Government Updates, for spreading fake news in the country.
Important facts
The action was taken as the channels were declared peddlers of fake news by the Fact Check Unit of the Press Information Bureau on 20 December.
In a series of over 40 fact-checks, the PIB Fact Check Unit (FCU) busted these three YouTube channels which were spreading false information in India.
These channels have around 33 lakh subscribers and their videos, almost all of which were found to be false, have been viewed more than 300 million times.
These YouTube channels were engaged in spreading false and sensational claims regarding the Supreme Court of India, Chief Justice of India, Government schemes, Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), farm loan waiver etc.
In the last one year, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has banned over one hundred YouTube channels for spreading fake news.
Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting - Anurag Singh Thakur
6. IICA launches ESG Impact Leaders Program
Tags: National News
Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) an autonomous institution under the aegis of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India has launched on 20th December a programme to create Impact Leaders in the areas of Environmental-Social-Governance (ESG).
Important facts
Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Govt of India Leena Nandan was the Chief Guest at the launch.
Impact Leader programme is designed as a comprehensive course on ESG giving a holistic understanding of the philosophy of ESG, its principles, its relevance and its implication in the current scenario.
The Six Month course comprising 8 Self paced learning modules will be delivered online.
Renowned ESG professionals of International & National repute would be involved in delivering the live interactive Master classes.
IICA has also created the 'National Association of Impact Leaders' which is a membership-based association exclusively for ESG professionals.
The association will provide a platform for professional advancement and engagement to its members.
In future this association may also act as a regulatory body to strengthen the ESG Profession in India.
Key points of Learnings
Understanding the Glocal ESG Landscape
Identifying ESG Risks and Opportunities
Identification and layout of materiality aspects of ESG
Managing all ESG aspects in an organization - turning theory into action
Integrating ESG best practices into core operations - Creating an ESG sensitive culture
Creating flexible ESG strategies
Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs
It was registered as a society on September 12, 2008 under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
It is an autonomous institute, working under the aegis of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to deliver opportunities for research, education, and advocacy.
It is a think-tank, capacity building and service delivery institute.
7. UAE to host the 13th WTO Ministerial Meeting in 2024
Tags: Summits Economics/Business International News
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will host the 13th World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial meeting in February 2024. The African country of Cameroon had also expressed its willingness to host the 13th WTO ministerial meeting.
The WTO's 12th Ministerial Conference was held in Geneva, Switzerland, from June 12 to June 17. It was originally meant to be held in Kazakhstan in 2020, but was postponed due to the covid pandemic.
The World Trade Organisation was set up on 1 January 1995 replacing the General Agreement on Tariff and Trade (GATT). Its main purpose is to promote rule based trading systems in the world and to settles trade related disputes between the member countries.
The Ministerial Conference is the topmost decision-making body of the WTO and usually meets every two years.
It brings together all members of the WTO and takes decisions on all matters under any of the multilateral trade agreements.
The headquarters of WTO is in Geneva, Switzerland. There are 164 member countries .
Director General of WTO : Dr Ngozi -Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria
WTO Ministerial Meeting
Number | Place | Date |
First | Singapore | 9 to 13 December 1996. |
second | Geneva, Switzerland | May 18 and 20, 1998 |
Third | Seattle, United States of America | November 30 and December 3, 1999, |
Fourth | Doha, Qatar | 9-14 November 2001 |
Fifth | Cancun, Mexico | September 10 to 14, 2003 |
Sixth | Hong Kong | December 13 to December 18, 2005, |
Seventh | Geneva, Switzerland | 30th November to 2nd December 2009, |
Eight | Geneva, Switzerland | December 15 to 17, 2011 |
Ninth | Bali, Indonesia | 3rd to 7th December 2013 |
Tenth | Nairobi, Kenya | December 15 to 19, 2015 |
Eleventh | Buenos Aires, Argentina | December 10 to December 13, 2017 |
Twelfth | Geneva, Switzerland | June 12 to June 17, 2022 |
8. Fifth Scorpene Submarine ‘Vagir’ delivered to Indian Navy
Tags: Defence National News
The fifth submarine of the Project -75, Kalvari Class submarines, Yard 11879 (Vagir) was delivered to the Indian Navy on 20 December.
Important facts
Project -75 includes indigenous construction of six submarines of Scorpene design.
These submarines are being constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai, under collaboration with M/s Naval Group, France.
Launched on 12 Nov 20, Vagir commenced sea trials from 1 Feb 2022 and has completed all major trials, including weapon and sensor trials, in less time than earlier submarines.
The construction of these submarines in an Indian yard is another step towards 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and instills confidence in the region.
What is also a remarkable achievement is that this is the third submarine delivered to the Indian Navy in a span of 24 months.
Project- 75
Project- 75 intends to build six diesel-electric attack submarines of the Kalvari class that are based on the Scorpene-class, which are being built at MDL (Mazagon Dock Limited).
Project 75 (I), approved in 2007, is part of the Indian Navy’s 30 year Plan for indigenous submarine construction.
9. Agriculture Ministry organises Millet Food Festival in Parliament
Tags: Festivals National News
To raise awareness about the importance of millets, the Ministry of Agriculture organised the Millet Food Festival in Parliament on 20 December.
Important facts
During the Millet food festival, branding of Millet and recipes displayed and millet-based food items served to the Members of Parliament in the Parliament House premises.
Recently, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations organised the opening ceremony of the International Year of Millets – 2023 (IYOM 2023) in Rome, Italy.
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) accepted the proposal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to celebrate 2023 as the International Year of Millets.
As the global agrifood systems face challenges to feed an ever-growing global population, resilient cereals like millet provide an affordable and nutritious option.
10. Atal Innovation Mission at NITI Aayog opens applications for ATL Marathon 2022-23
Tags: National News
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) at NITI Aayog on 19th December opened applications for ATL Marathon 2022-23, a flagship innovation challenge under Atal Tinkering Labs programme.
About ATL Marathon
It is a national level innovation challenge for young innovators across India who can solve community problems of their choice, develop innovative solutions in the form of working prototypes or Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
The previous edition of the marathon saw over 7000 innovations and out of them top 350 received internship opportunities with reputed companies in India, awards and certificates from AIM.
This year’s ATL Marathon is going to be bigger and grander.
The theme for this edition of ATL Marathon is India’s G20 Presidency.
As India assumes the presidency of the G20 this year, AIM has prepared issue statements based on the inspiring recommendations of the G20 Working Groups on internationally relevant issues in various areas of focus.
The idea is to create a huge opportunity for the students to innovate not only for a better India but for the world by solving global problems in various fields.
Students can get all the details about ATL Marathon in English and Hindi and can submit their entries in both the languages.
Top teams will get internship opportunities with leading corporates and incubation centers in India through the Student Innovator Program and will be awarded certificates from AIM.
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)
This is an important initiative taken by the Government of India to promote the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country.
Objective of AIM
Developing new programs and policies to promote innovation in various sectors of the economy.
Providing forums and opportunities for collaboration for various stakeholders.
To create an umbrella structure to create awareness and monitor the innovation ecosystem of the country.
Mission Director AIM - Dr Chintan Vaishnav
