1. At least 15,000 killed by Heat Wave in Europe this year : WHO
Tags: International News
The World Health Organization (WHO) on 8 November said, at least 15,000 people have died in Europe because of heat waves this year so far.
Important facts
According to reports recorded by health officials during the 3 months of summer, there have been nearly 4,000 deaths in Spain, more than 1,000 in Portugal, more than 3,200 in the United Kingdom and about 4,500 in Germany.
The three months of June-August were the hottest in Europe.
For example, France's National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) reported that more than 11 000 people died between 1 June and 22 August 2022, compared to the same period in 2019.
Temperatures in Europe have warmed significantly over the period 1961–2021 at an average rate of about 0.5 °C per decade.
According to a report released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), it is the fastest warming region.
More than 148,000 people have lost their lives due to extreme temperatures in the European region in the past 50 years.
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
Members : 194 countries
Director General of WHO: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of Ethiopia.
2. World Heritage glaciers to disappear by 2050 : UNESCO
Tags: Environment International News
According to new UNESCO data, by 2050, one-third of the World's Heritage Sites of Glaciers will disappear.
Key points of the UNESCO report
The report highlights the accelerated melting of glaciers regardless of efforts to limit temperature rise.
The report says that it is still possible to save the other two thirds of glaciers, if the rise in global temperatures does not exceed 1.5°C compared to the pre-industrial period.
The study, conducted by UNESCO in partnership with the IUCN, shows that these glaciers have been shrinking at an accelerated rate since 2000 due to CO2 emissions and higher temperatures.
Each year, glaciers are currently losing 58 billion tons of ice.
This is equivalent to the combined annual water use of France and Spain and is responsible for about 5% of the global sea-level rise.
Reducing Carbon Dioxide Emission
The study suggests that the only effective solution to this environmental threat is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions as quickly as possible.
The report calls for a rapid reduction in CO2 emissions to save the glaciers and the biodiversity it supports.
In addition to reducing carbon emissions, UNESCO also advocated the creation of an international fund for glacier monitoring and conservation.
Some of the endangered glaciers
Kilimanjaro National Park and Mount Kenya (Africa)
Glaciers in Western Tien-Shan (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan) that have shrunk by 27% since 2000
The Dolomites (Italy) (Europe),
Yellowstone National Park (North America).
Importance of Glaciers
Glaciers are important for survival. Half of humanity is directly or indirectly dependent on glaciers as a water source for domestic use, agriculture and electricity.
Glaciers are also supporters of biodiversity, which keeps many ecosystems alive.
Due to the melting of glaciers, people will have to face other challenges including water scarcity, increasing number of disasters, and loss of biodiversity.
3. UK court approves India's request for extradition of Sanjay Bhandari
Tags: Person in news International News
A magisterial court in the United Kingdom has approved the request for extradition of middleman Sanjay Bhandari to India in connection with charges of money laundering and tax evasion on November 7, 2022.
Important facts
Indian authorities had made two requests for the extradition of 60-year-old Bhandari. The first request was related to money laundering, while the second was related to tax evasion.
District Judge Michael Snow heard the case earlier this year at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London.
He said in his decision that there was no stay on Bhandari's extradition and decided to refer the matter to British Home Minister Suella Braverman, who is authorised to order extradition based on a court decision.
The court passed order on the basis of the assurance of the Government of India that Bhandari would be kept in a separate cell in Tihar Jail in New Delhi along with the concerned health facilities during the trial.
Bhandari is accused of concealing foreign assets, using old documents, profiting from assets not declared to the Indian tax authorities and falsely informing the authorities that he does not have any assets.
What is Extradition?
Extradition is the formal process of surrendering a person from one state to another.
The purpose of this process is the prosecution or punishment for offences committed by a person within the jurisdiction of the requesting country.
The extradition of a fugitive criminal to India is regulated under the Indian Extradition Act, 1962.
The Consular, Passport and Visa (CPV) Division, Ministry of External Affairs is the central/nodal authority to administer the Extradition Act.
Extradition process can be initiated in case of under-investigation, under-trial and convicted criminals.
4. COP27: First time Compensating poor countries for climate disasters
Tags: Environment Summits International News
The 27th Conference of the Parties 9COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (COP27) is being held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt on 31 October to 13 November 2022.
Important facts
In this, various countries have agreed to provide financial assistance to poor countries to deal with the loss and damage caused by climate change.
The participating countries agreed on a 20-point provisional agenda.
What is Loss and Damage?
It refers to the economic and non-economic impacts of climate change, including extreme events in countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
The demand for loss and damages is quite old, but it has faced strong resistance from rich and developed countries.
The term was introduced in 1991 as a demand by the island country of Vanuatu, representing the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS).
What is Conference of Parties (COP)?
The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the 'Earth Summit', was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 3-14 June 1992.
The conference focused on the impact of human socio-economic activities on the environment.
The countries assembled here agreed to work together to deal with issues of sustainable development and climate change .
The Rio Earth summit agreed to create the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) where the member countries can discuss issues related to global warming and climate change and take steps to deal with these problems .
It entered into force on 21 March 1994, and has been ratified by 197 countries and territories .
The countries which has ratified the UNFCCC are called as Parties
Every year they meet to discuss climate change related issues . These meetings are called Conference of Parties(COP) .
The first COP was held in 1995 in Berlin, Germany .
5. MNRE notifies National Bio Energy Programme
Tags: National National News
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India has notified the National Bio-Energy Program on November 2, 2022.
Important facts
MNRE has continued the National Bio-Energy Program for the period from FY 2021-22 to 2025-26.
The program is recommended to be implemented in two phases.
The first phase of the program has been approved with a budget outlay of Rs 858 crore.
Biogas program will also assist in setting up household and medium sized biogas units in rural areas.
MNRE has been promoting bio-energy in India since the 1980s, to harness the vast surplus biomass, cattle dung, industrial and urban bio-waste available in the country for energy recovery.
The National Bioenergy Programme will comprises of the following sub-schemes:
Waste to Energy Program (program on urban, industrial and agricultural waste/residue to energy) to support the installation of large biogas, bioCNG and power plants (excluding power projects from MSW).
Biomass Programme (Scheme to Support Manufacturing of Briquettes & Pellets and Promotion of Biomass (non-bagasse) based cogeneration in Industries) to support setting up of pellets and briquettes for use in power generation and non-bagasse based power generation projects.
Biogas Program - To support household and medium sized biogas installations in rural areas.
6. MNRE notifies National Bio Energy Programme
Tags: National National News
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India has notified the National Bio-Energy Program on November 2, 2022.
Important facts
MNRE has continued the National Bio-Energy Program for the period from FY 2021-22 to 2025-26.
The program is recommended to be implemented in two phases.
The first phase of the program has been approved with a budget outlay of Rs 858 crore.
Biogas program will also assist in setting up household and medium sized biogas units in rural areas.
MNRE has been promoting bio-energy in India since the 1980s, to harness the vast surplus biomass, cattle dung, industrial and urban bio-waste available in the country for energy recovery.
The National Bioenergy Programme will comprises of the following sub-schemes:
Waste to Energy Program (program on urban, industrial and agricultural waste/residue to energy) to support the installation of large biogas, bioCNG and power plants (excluding power projects from MSW).
Biomass Programme (Scheme to Support Manufacturing of Briquettes & Pellets and Promotion of Biomass (non-bagasse) based cogeneration in Industries) to support setting up of pellets and briquettes for use in power generation and non-bagasse based power generation projects.
Biogas Program - To support household and medium sized biogas installations in rural areas.
7. India deported 821 foreigners in 2021 with Nigerian citizen being the most deported
Tags: National
According to the Annual report of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) 2021-22 released on 7 November 2022, a total of 821 foreigners were deported by the Foreigners Regional Registration Officers (FRROs) in the year 2021. According to the report most of the deported foreigners belonged to Nigeria (339), followed by Bangladesh (246) and Afghanistan (105).
Visit of Foreigners to India during 2021
According to the report a total of 15, 24,469 foreigners visited India from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021.
The maximum number of foreigners who visited India during this period were from the United States of America (4, 29,860) followed by;
- Bangladesh (2,40,554),
- the United Kingdom (1,64,143),
- Canada (80,437),
- Nepal (52,544),
- Afghanistan (36,451),
- Australia (33,864),
- Germany (33,772),
- Portugal (32,064) and
- France (30,374).
These 10 countries accounted for 74.39 per cent of the total arrival of foreigners from January to December 2021 while the rest of the countries accounted for 25.61 per cent of the total incoming traffic of foreigners.
Further, Pakistan nationals above 65 years of age who cross the Attari Immigration Check Post on foot are also granted 'Visa-on-Arrival for 45 days stay with single entry subject to certain conditions.
From April 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021, a total of 2,439 Long Term Visas (LTV) have been granted by MHA for minority communities from three neighbouring countries. This includes Pakistan (2193), Afghanistan (237) and Bangladesh (9).
Union Home Minister: Amit Shah
8. Indian Foreign minister S.Jaishankar visits Moscow to strengthen bilateral relations with Russia
Tags: International Relations Person in news
The Indian External Affairs Minister S.Jaishankar arrived in the Russian capital Moscow on 7 November 2022. He is on a 2 day (7 and 8 November) official visit to Russia. During his visit he will meet his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.
Importance of the visit
India and Russia share a very strong political, strategic and defence relationship. Russia is a major supplier of defence equipment to India.
Also India and Russia hold an annual bilateral summit meeting between the Russian President and the Indian Prime minister.
The 21st India- Russia summit meeting was held in New Delhi on December 2021. Vladimir Putin came to India to attend this meeting.
The next 22nd Annual India- Russia Summit meeting will be held in Russia in 2022. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Russia to participate in the summit meeting.
The visit of the External Affairs Minister is seen as preparing the ground for the forthcoming Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Russia.
Russian Federation
It is the world’s largest country area wise.
It lies in both Asia and Europe but is considered as a European country.
It has 11 time zones, the highest in the world.
Russia contains Europe’s longest river, the Volga, and Europe’s largest lake, Ladoga. Russia also is home to the world’s deepest lake, Baikal.
Leo Tolstoy, author of the War and Peace book is considered to be the spiritual guru of Gandhiji was a Russian.
Capital: Moscow. It lies on the bank of the Moskva River.
Currency: Ruble
President: Vladimir Putin
9. PM Modi to unveil logo, theme, and website of India’s G20 Presidency
Tags: National National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 8 November will unveil the logo, theme and website of India’s G20 Presidency via video conferencing.
Important facts
The logo, theme and website will reflect India's message and the wider priorities for the world.
Guided by Modi's vision, India's foreign policy is evolving to assume a leadership role on the global stage.
Taking an important step in this direction, India will assume the presidency of the G20 from December 1, 2022.
This provides India with a unique opportunity to contribute to the global agenda on important issues of international importance.
During the G20 Presidency, India will hold around 200 meetings in 32 different sectors at multiple locations across India.
About G-20
The "Group of 20" (G20) is made up of finance ministers and central bank governors from 19 countries and the European Union.
Member countries - Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Republic of Korea, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States of America.
It is a major forum for international economic cooperation.
The G20 plays a strategic role in achieving future global economic growth and prosperity.
Origins of the G-20
In the wake of the 1997 economic crisis, the G7 finance ministers announced the creation of a "Group of 20".
The first official meeting of the G20 was held in Berlin in December 1999.
G-20 leaders have met every year since 2010.
Contribution of G -20
G20 member countries represent more than 80% of world GDP, 75% of international trade and 60% of the world's population.
Presidency of G -20
Its presidency rotates with each member country.
India will hold the Presidency of the G-20, for the first time, from 1st December 2022 to 30 November 2023 culminating in the G-20 Summit in 2023.
10. PM Modi to unveil logo, theme, and website of India’s G20 Presidency
Tags: National National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 8 November will unveil the logo, theme and website of India’s G20 Presidency via video conferencing.
Important facts
The logo, theme and website will reflect India's message and the wider priorities for the world.
Guided by Modi's vision, India's foreign policy is evolving to assume a leadership role on the global stage.
Taking an important step in this direction, India will assume the presidency of the G20 from December 1, 2022.
This provides India with a unique opportunity to contribute to the global agenda on important issues of international importance.
During the G20 Presidency, India will hold around 200 meetings in 32 different sectors at multiple locations across India.
About G-20
The "Group of 20" (G20) is made up of finance ministers and central bank governors from 19 countries and the European Union.
Member countries - Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Republic of Korea, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States of America.
It is a major forum for international economic cooperation.
The G20 plays a strategic role in achieving future global economic growth and prosperity.
Origins of the G-20
In the wake of the 1997 economic crisis, the G7 finance ministers announced the creation of a "Group of 20".
The first official meeting of the G20 was held in Berlin in December 1999.
G-20 leaders have met every year since 2010.
Contribution of G -20
G20 member countries represent more than 80% of world GDP, 75% of international trade and 60% of the world's population.
Presidency of G -20
Its presidency rotates with each member country.
India will hold the Presidency of the G-20, for the first time, from 1st December 2022 to 30 November 2023 culminating in the G-20 Summit in 2023.
