1. India provides $100 million financial assistance to Maldives
Tags: Economy/Finance International News
The Union External Affairs Minister S.Jaishankar virtually handed over the assistance amount of $100 million to Maldives in a ceremony held on 29 November 2022.
The Indian government assistance is in the form of budgetary support to help Maldives deal with its economic problems. Maldivian economy which is heavily dependent on tourism is facing severe economic crisis as covid related restriction has badly affected its economy.
The assistance being extended to Maldives is without any terms and conditions and Maldives is free to use it in its economic recovery.
India and Maldives have a close political relationship. During the visit of the Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in August this year the Prime Minister had announced an additional $100 million loan to Maldives for construction of 2000 new social housing units there.
India has also provided $ 500 million loan to Maldives for the Greater Male Connectivity Project.
Republic of Maldives
Maldives is an archipelago consisting of around 1200 coral islands and atolls. It is part of South Asia and is situated in Indian Ocean
The 8 degree channel separates Maldives from India.
Capital: Male
Currency: Rufiyaa
President: Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
2. WHO has changed the name of Monkeypox disease to mpox
Tags: Science and Technology International News
The World Health Organisation (WHO) on 28 November 2022 has announced that it will term “mpox” as a synonym for monkeypox. Both names will be used simultaneously for one year while “monkeypox” is phased out.
WHO said that the disease's original name was considered “racist and stigmatizing’ in certain countries of the world. After complaints from some member countries WHO decided to rename the disease.
Assigning names to new and, very exceptionally, to existing diseases is the responsibility of WHO under the International Classification of Diseases (ICD).
The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared monkeypox disease as a "public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC)", on 23 July 2022.It is the highest level of health alert which is issued by WHO.
Monkeypox disease
- Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease that occurs primarily in tropical rainforest areas of Central and West Africa.
- It was first identified in monkeys in 1958 hence it is called Monkeypox. It was first identified in humans in 1970.
- Because it was transmitted from animal to human it is called zoonotic disease.
- The first case of Monkeypox in the country was also reported from Kollam district of Kerala on July 14.
World Health Organisation (WHO)
- The World Health Organisation is a specialised agency of the United Nations which was founded on 7 April, 1948.
- Headquarters of WHO : Geneva, Switzerland
- Director General of WHO: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of Ethiopia.
- Member Countries : 194
3. Russia postpones nuclear arms talks with US
Tags: International News
Russia has suspended nuclear arms talks with the United States under the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) treaty on 28 November and neither side has given a reason for the postponement.
About New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START)
It is an arms control pact that limits both nations’ stockpiles of nuclear weapons, such as intercontinental ballistic missiles.
It was finalised in 2011 during the Obama administration and serves as the last key pact to limit nuclear arms between Washington and Moscow.
Last year, the US and Russia agreed to extend the pact till 2026.
Under the treaty, Washington and Moscow are permitted to conduct inspections of each other’s weapons sites, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, inspections have been halted since 2020.
4. World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2022
Tags: Summits Important Days International News
The World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2022 concluded on November 25, with the Muscat Ministerial Manifesto on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
Important facts
The two-day summit, which began on November 24 in Oman's capital Muscat, follows two high-level summits held in the Netherlands in 2014 and 2019.
The theme of the meeting was - The AMR Pandemic: From Policy to One Health Action.
The Manifesto has been endorsed by 34 of the 45 countries that participated at the conference.
Muscat Ministerial Manifesto on AMR - three global targets
Reduce the total amount of antimicrobials used in the agri-food system at least by 30-50% by 2030 from the current level.
Zero use of Critically important antimicrobials (CIA).
Ensuring that 'access' group antibiotics (a class of antibiotics that are cheaper, safer and have a lower AMR risk) represent at least 60 per cent of total antibiotic consumption in humans by 2030.
About World Antimicrobial Awareness Week
It is a global campaign observed annually to improve awareness and understanding related to AMR.
It encourages best practices among the public, health stakeholders and policy makers to reduce the emergence and spread of AMR.
What is Antimicrobial Resistance?
It is the resistance acquired by any microorganism (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, etc.) against antimicrobial drugs (such as antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, antimalarials, and anthelmintics) that are used to treat infections.
As a result, standard treatments become ineffective, the infection persists and can spread to others.
5. A UN panel has recommended that Australia's Great Barrier Reef be listed as a World Heritage Site
Tags: Environment International News
A United Nations panel recommended on November 29, 2022 that Australia's Great Barrier Reef should be listed as a World Heritage Site that is "in danger".
Important facts
The world's largest coral reef ecosystem has been greatly affected by climate change and ocean warming.
Frequent bleaching events and La Nina are threatening the reef.
Bleaching occurs when water gets too warm, causing corals to expel the colourful algae living in their tissues and turn white.
Australia's recently elected government has pledged to spend A$1.2 billion ($800 million) over the coming years to protect the reef.
What are Coral reefs?
Coral reefs are one of the most biologically diverse marine ecosystems on Earth.
They play an important role in marine ecosystems and support habitats for flora and fauna in the ocean.
Each coral is called a polyp and thousands of such polyps live together to form a colony.
About Great Barrier Reef
It extends for 1400 miles along the north-east coast of Queensland, Australia and is the world's most extensive and rich coral reef ecosystem.
It is made up of more than 2,900 reefs and more than 900 islands.
It is the largest single structure in the world made by living organisms.
This reef was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981.
6. Coal Ministry to conduct Investor Conclave in Mumbai
Tags: Summits National News
In order to promote the participation of bidders in the commercial auction of coal mines, the Ministry of Coal will organise an Investors Meet on December 1, 2022 in Mumbai.
Important facts
Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi will preside over it and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will be the chief guest.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will be the Special Guest and Minister of State for Coal, Mines and Railways, Raosaheb Patil Danve and Minister of Mining for Maharashtra, Dadaji Bhuse will be the Guest of Honour of the function.
Amrit Lal Meena, Secretary, Ministry of Coal and Vivek Bhardwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Mines will also participate in the Conclave.
7. Merriam-Webster announces 'Gaslighting' as its Word of the Year for 2022
Tags: Popular International News
The world's renowned publisher 'Merriam Webster' has declared the word 'Gaslighting' as the Word of the Year for 2022.
Meaning of Gaslighting
The dictionary defines the term as: "The act or practice of grossly misleading someone especially for one’s own advantage."
Gaslighting refers to playing with someone on a psychological level for a long period of time, so that the victim begins to doubt the validity of their own thoughts and true sense of self.
Gaslighting can also be a corporate ploy to mislead the public.
Gaslighting, in simple language, is cheating psychologically with someone.
Psychological gaslighting is the questioning of reality while manipulating or dominating a person.
Talking to someone in a psychological way, questioning his existence, his truth, his decisions or his memories comes under the ambit of gaslighting.
This word is an emotional abuse. Such behaviour in love or in married life breaks a person completely. He feels himself mentally tortured.
This word came into existence in 1938
The term itself came into existence 80 years ago in 1938 through gas light, Gas Light is a play written by Patrick Hamilton. Two films were made on this play in the 1940s.
Top 5 words of the year 2022
Oligarch: A term derived from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It means high noble. It is also used for the officers of authoritarian regimes.
Omicron: This is a variant of the coronavirus. This letter is mentioned in the Greek alphabet. Alpha, Beta, Gamma etc are part of this alphabet. Areas in Greater Noida were also named on this basis.
Codify: Converting abortion rights into federal law.
Queen Consort: Camilla, wife of Maharaja Charles, is known by this name.
Raid: The search at Mar-a-Lago home of former President Donald Trump was in the news.
8. World's largest active volcano Mauna Loa erupts in Hawaii
Tags: Environment place in news International News
The world’s largest active volcano, Hawaii's Mauna Loa, has erupted after 40 years. The US Geological Service (USGS) has upgraded the situation from advisory to “warning” which is the highest classification for a volcanic eruption. At present the lava flow is mostly contained within the summit, but residents have been placed on alert.
Mauna Loa is located inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park which covers half of the US state's Big Island. The volcano rises 13,679ft (4,169m) above sea level and spans an area of more than 2,000 sq miles (5,179 sq km).
The eruption began on 27 November 2022 night at Moku'āweoweo, the volcano's summit caldera. Calderas are hollows that form beneath the summit at the end of an eruption.
According to the USGS, Mauna Loa has erupted 33 times since its first documented eruption in 1843. The previous eruption in 1984 sent lava flows within 5 miles of the city of Hilo, the island's most populous town.
9. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya wins UNESCO Award for cultural heritage conservation
Tags: Awards National News
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS). Mumbai was conferred with the ‘Award of Excellence’ at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation-2022 on 26 November.
Important facts
The UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation is supported by a partnership between UNESCO and Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation since 2021.
Since 2000, the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation Program has been recognizing the efforts of private individuals and organisations in restoring, conserving and transforming heritage structures and buildings in the region.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya was established as the Prince of Wales Museum of Western India in 1922.
The list of awarded projects in 2022 includes
Award of Excellence - Chhtrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Museum, Mumbai, India
Award of Distinction - Stepwells of Golconda, Hyderabad, India, Zarch Qanat, Yazd, Iran , Neilson Hays Library, Bangkok, Thailand
Award of Merit - Topdara Stupa, Charikar, Afghanistan, Nantian Buddhist Temple, Fujian, China , Domakonda Fort, Telangana, India, Byculla Station, Mumbai, India, Sadoughi House, Yazd, Iran , 25 Chivas in Kathmandu, Nepal
10. India's milk production registers monumental growth by 83 MT in last 8 years
Tags: National Economy/Finance National News
India has registered a significant growth in milk production in the last eight years as milk production has increased by 83 million tonnes during this period.
Important facts
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed happiness over the increase in milk production, and said that a vibrant dairy sector is also a great way to strengthen our "Nari Shakti".
Indian Dairy Sector
India ranks first in milk production and contributes 23% to global milk production.
The top 5 milk-producing states are: Uttar Pradesh (14.9%), Rajasthan (14.6%), Madhya Pradesh (8.6%), Gujarat (7.6%) and Andhra Pradesh (7.0%).
Dairy is the single largest agricultural commodity contributing 5% of the national economy, witnessing 6.4% in the past 5 years.
About 80 million people are directly or indirectly employed in the dairy industry.
Some important facts related to milk and milk products
India is the largest milk producer in the world accounting for 23 per cent of the global production. Next come the United States, China, Pakistan and Brazil.
Uttar Pradesh is the largest milk producing state in India and accounts for more than 15% of the total milk production in India.
The availability of milk in India is 406 grams per person per day.
Ordinary milk consists of 85 percent water and the remaining part consists of solid elements i.e. minerals and fats.
Milk is rich in protein, calcium and riboflavin (Vitamin B-2).
Milk also contains vitamins A, D, K and E, including phosphorus, magnesium, iodine, and many minerals and fats and energy.
The purity of milk is measured by a lactometer.
National Milk Research Institute is located in Karnal (Haryana).
An organic compound called lactose is found in milk.
Fresh milk has a pH of 6, when milk turns into curd, its pH becomes less than 6.
Lactobacillus bacteria help in curdling from milk.
