1. Argentine Rear Admiral Guillermo Pablo Ríos appointed Chief Military Observer of UNMOGIP
Tags: Person in news International News
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointed a veteran Argentine naval officer as Head of Mission and Chief Military Observer for the United Nations Military Observer Group (UNMOGIP) in India and Pakistan.
Important facts
Rear Admiral Guillermo Pablo Ríos of Argentina has replaced Major General Jose Eladio Alcán of Uruguay.
After graduating as a Middle Shipman from the Naval Academy, Rear Admiral Ríos has had a distinguished career in the Argentine Navy since 1988.
He, most recently, served as the General Director of Education, Training and Doctrine of the Joint Staff (2022).
Prior to this, he was Marine Infantry Commander (Core Commander) (2020-2021).
He has also served as Marine Infantry Fleet Commander (Brigade Commander) (2019), Head of Education, Navy Warfare School (2018) and Defence, Military, Navy and Air Force in Russia (2016-2018).
He has also been a training officer in the United States Marine Corps Regiment under the United States and Argentina Marine Exchange Program (2002–2003).
Ríos has served in two peacekeeping missions, including the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) in 1993 and 1994, and the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) in 2007.
He has also served as a Humanitarian Mining Observer with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Angola (1997–1998).
He holds a master's degree from the Naval University Institute and E-Salad University in Argentina.
About UNMOGIP
UNMOGIP was established in January 1949.
Following the Indo-Pakistani War and the Armistice Agreement in 1971, UNMOGIP's main tasks are to oversee developments related to strict adherence to the ceasefire.
It has 44 military observers, 25 international civilian personnel from 10 countries and 47 local civilian staff.
India has maintained that UNMOGIP has outlived its utility and is irrelevant after the Simla Agreement and the establishment of the Line of Control (LoC).
The last report of the Secretary-General of the Security Council on UNMOGIP was published in 1972.
The group is financed by the United Nations.
Simla Agreement
It was signed by India and Pakistan in July 1972.
It established the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, which was similar to the ceasefire line established by the Karachi Accords.
Under this, India and Pakistan mutually agreed on certain principles.
They emphasised respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty, not interfering in each other's internal affairs.
2. Ceasefire between Palestine, Israel takes effect in Gaza
Tags: International News
A ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants went into effect on 8 August and was agreed to end nearly three days of violence that left dozens of Palestinians dead.
Important facts
In early 2022, tensions escalated between Palestinians and Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
Israeli jets hit targets of Islamic Jihad leaders in Gaza.
In response, the Iranian-backed Palestinian Jihad terrorist group fired dozens of rockets at Israel.
According to an Israeli military statement, militants fired about 580 rockets towards Israel in Gaza.
UNSC meeting
The United Nations Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting to end the violence.
China scheduled the session in response to a request from the United Arab Emirates.
China will preside over the UNSC for August 2022, representing Arab countries in the council.
What is the dispute between Israel and Palestine?
Under the United Nations Original Partition Plan of 1947, Jerusalem was proposed as an international city.
In the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the Israelis captured half of the city of Jerusalem.
The eastern part of this city where Haram al-Sharif is located was captured by Jordan.
In 1967, the Six-Day War was followed by an armed conflict between Israel and a coalition of Arab states that mainly included Jordan, Syria and Egypt.
Israel annexed Jordan-controlled East Jerusalem in the 1967 Six-Day War.
Israel sees the entire city as its "unified, eternal capital".
Whereas Palestine does not want to accept any settlement for a future Palestinian state until East Jerusalem is recognized as its capital.
3. Amit Shah e-launched the presence of cooperatives on the Government e Marketplace (GeM) portal
Tags: National News
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Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on 9 August e-launched the onboarding of cooperatives on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal in New Delhi.
Important facts
589 cooperative societies have been selected as eligible for onboarding.
Recently, the Ministry of Cooperation in its advisory made NCUI as the nodal or lead agency to facilitate the presence of cooperatives on GeM, to coordinate with the officials of GeM and to guide the cooperatives in the process of this presence.
NCUI has prepared a list of cooperative societies having turnover/deposit amounting to Rs 100 crore and asked to initiate their onboarding process on GeM.
A helpdesk of the GEM technical team has been set up at NCUI to help the cooperatives in the entire process.
Onboarding of Cooperative Societies/Banks on GeM will be done in a phased manner.
Government e-Market (GeM) portal
GeM is an acronym for One Stop Government e-Market Place hosted by DGS&D ((Directorate General of Supplies & Disposals) where common user goods and services can be procured.
GeM is a dynamic, self-sustaining and user-friendly portal for procurement by government officials.
Public procurement is a very important part of government activity and reform of public procurement is one of the top priorities of the present government.
The Government e-Marketplace originated in January 2016 based on the recommendations of two Groups of Secretaries.
Apart from reforms in DGS&D, they recommended setting up of a dedicated e-market for various goods and services bought or sold by the Government/PSUs.
Subsequently, the Finance Minister in his budget speech for the financial year 2016-17 announced the setting up of a technology driven platform to facilitate procurement of goods and services by various ministries and agencies of the government.
DGS&D with technical support from the National e-Governance Division (Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology) has developed a GeM portal for procurement of both products and services.
The portal was launched on 9 August 2016 by the Minister of Commerce and Industry.
4. Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine
Tags: National News
The Government of India has established the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy.
Important facts
It will be a subordinate office under the Ministry of Ayush.
The government has merged the Pharmacopoeia Commission of Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy (PCIM&H) and two central laboratories – Pharmacopoeia Laboratory for Indian Medicine (PLIM), Ghaziabad and Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia Laboratory (HPL).
Functions of the Commission
It will work for the development of pharmacopoeial standards for Ayurvedic, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy medicines.
It will also work as Central Drug Testing cum Appellate Laboratory for Indian systems of Medicine & Homoeopathy.
What is Pharmacopoeia?
Pharmacopoeia is an officially recognized book of standards of medicines as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules 1945 thereunder.
As per the Second Schedule to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, it is designated as the Official Book of Standards for drugs imported for sale or distribution in India and/or manufactured for sale, stock or exhibition.
It specifies the standards of drugs manufactured and marketed in India in terms of their identity, purity and potency.
5. India begins cooperation with Bahrain-based Combined Maritime Forces
Tags: Defence International News
India began cooperation with Bahrain-based Combined Maritime Forces (CMF)
Background
In April 2022, during the India-US 2+2 talks, India announced that it would join the CMF as an associate partner to strengthen cooperation in regional security in the western Indian Ocean.
In July 2022, India formally commenced cooperation with the Joint Maritime Force (CMF), a multilateral partnership based in Bahrain.
What are Combined Maritime Forces (CMF)?
The CMF is a multinational naval partnership to promote security, stability and prosperity in the approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters, which include some of the world's most important shipping lanes.
The Group of 34 Nations is commanded by a Vice Admiral of the US Navy, who also serves as Commander US Naval Forces Centcom and US Fifth Fleet.
All three commands are co-located in US Naval Support Activity Bahrain. Pakistan is a full member of the CMF.
India is the 35th member of this group.
It consists of four task forces -
CTF 150 (maritime security and counter-terrorism)
CTF 151 (counter-piracy)
CTF 152 (Arabian Gulf security and cooperation)
CTF 153 (Maritime security in the Red Sea & Gulf of Aden
Significance of CMF
Curb illegal fishing
Counter-piracy
Counter-terrorism
Protection of trade routes
About Bahrain
Prime Minister - Salman ibn Hamad Al Khalifah
Capital - Manama
Official Language - Arabic
Official Religion - Islam
Currency - Bahraini Dinars
6. Gustavo Petro sworn in as Colombia's first leftist President
Tags: Person in news International News
Gustavo Petro was sworn in as the first leftist president of Colombia on 7 August.
Important facts
He has promised to fight inequality in the country and bring about a significant change in the history of a country ravaged by a prolonged war between the government and guerrilla groups.
Petro (62) has promised to address Colombia's social and economic inequalities by increasing spending money on poverty alleviation programs and investing in rural areas.
Gustavo Petro, a former member of Colombia's M-19 guerrilla group, won the presidential election in June by defeating conservative parties by a huge margin.
The victory of former rebel Petro was an extraordinary event for the country Colombia, as voters in the country did not support leftist leaders.
Left leaders are often accused of being soft on crimes or sympathising with the guerrillas.
He has described US-led anti narcotics policies, such as the forced elimination of illegal coca crops, as a major failure.
About Colombia
Capital - Bogota
Name - Republic of Colombia
Official Language - Spanish
Currency - Colombian peso
7. ITU's Regional Standardization Forum for Asia and Oceania Region held in New Delhi
Tags: National News
International Telecommunication Union’s Regional Standardization Forum for Asia and Oceania region will begin in New Delhi on 8 August.
Important facts
The Ministry of Communication is hosting the International Telecommunication Union’s Regional Standardization Forum (RSF) for Asia and Oceania region.
The theme of the Forum - “Regulatory and Policy aspects of Telecommunications/ICTs”.
Minister of State for Communications Devusinh Chouhan inaugurated this Forum.
It will be organised from 8th August 2022 to 12th August 2022.
More than 250 delegates from 20 countries will participate in the forum.
It aims to provide an insight into the experience of the Asia and Oceania region from a policy and regulatory perspective under various sub-themes.
The meeting of the Regional Group of Asia and Oceania is being held after a gap of three years due to Kovid-19.
It will be led by Dr Bilel Jamousi, head of study groups at ITU Geneva.
Objective of the meeting
To contribute to the standardization work of ITU-T Study Group 3 and to safeguard the interests of the Asia and Oceania region.
About the Regional Standardization Forum
It is a platform for creative exchange of ideas, discussion on standardization topics in various areas of technology and role of ITU standards, use of technologies for digital and financial inclusion in emerging markets, development of data value chain and digital health.
What is the Oceania region?
It is the collective name for the islands spanning most of the Pacific Ocean.
Oceania covers the entire island region between Asia and the Americas.
It has traditionally been divided into four parts - Australasia (Australia and New Zealand), Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.
About International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Founded - in 1865
Objective - To allocate global radio spectrum and satellite orbits to facilitate international connectivity in communication networks, develop technical standards that enable seamless interconnection of networks and technologies.
8. US Navy ship docks in India for the first time for repairs
Tags: Defence National News
American Naval Ship Charles Drew arrived in India for the first time on 7 August for repairs and maintenance at L&T Kattupalli Shipyard at Ennore near Chennai.
Important facts
This will be the first time that a US Navy ship is being repaired at an Indian shipyard.
India had proposed during the 2+2 dialogue in April that the US Navy could leverage the services and expertise of the Indian shipyard.
The repair of US Navy ships at the Indian shipyard has been enabled due to the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016.
LEMOA facilitates the exchange of goods and munitions between the two navies.
The USNS Charles Drew will be at Kattupalli shipyard for 11 days and undergo repairs in various areas.
It is a new dimension to the fast expanding Indo-US strategic partnership.
Major Shipyards in India
Cochin Shipyard Limited - Cochin/Kochi - Kerala
Hindustan Shipyard Limited - Visakhapatnam - Andhra Pradesh
Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers - Kolkata - West Bengal
Goa Shipyard Limited - Goa - Goa
L&T Shipbuilding Limited - Hazira - Gujarat
ABG Shipyard Limited - Mumbai - Maharashtra
Largest Shipyard in India and the world
Cochin Shipyard is the largest shipyard in India.
In terms of revenue, the largest revenue generated by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers is ₹1,658.79 crore.
INS Vikrant, India's first indigenous aircraft carrier is being built by Cochin Shipyard.
Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan, South Korea is the largest dockyard in the world.
Seawise Giant is the largest ship ever built in history. It was made in Japan by Sumitomo Heavy Industries.
INS Vikramaditya is India's largest aircraft carrier and warship.
9. ASEAN bars Myanmar from ASEAN meetings
Tags: International News
The ASEAN Regional Group has said that Myanmar will not be allowed to participate in any ASEAN meetings until it shows progress on the peace plan.
Important facts
ASEAN has said that Myanmar should act in a way that shows progress has been made in the peace plan.
The regional group expressed concern over the long-running political crisis in Myanmar and the executions of four opposition activists.
ASEAN expressed its deep disappointment at the limited progress and highlighted the lack of commitment of the Nay Pyi Taw officials towards the implementation of the Five Point Consensus.
ASEAN's five-point agreement was reached in Jakarta, Indonesia on April 24, 2021, calling for an immediate end to violence in Myanmar and constructive dialogue among all parties to seek a peaceful solution.
On the Rohingya issue, ASEAN reiterated its support for facilitating the voluntary return of displaced persons in a safe and dignified manner in accordance with the bilateral agreement between Myanmar and Bangladesh.
About ASEAN
Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN is an international organisation formed in Bangkok,Thailand in 1967.
It promotes economic development, peace, security, social progress and cultural development in the Southeast Asian region.
ASEAN Secretariat – Indonesia, Jakarta.
General Secretary of ASEAN - Lim Jock Hoi, Brunei
Official Languages - Burmese, Filipino, Indonesian, Khmer, Lao, Malay, Mandarin, Tamil, Thai and Vietnamese
Working Language - English
ASEAN Summit is the supreme policy making body of ASEAN.
ASEAN is third largest market in the world
It is the sixth largest economy in the world, third in Asia.
ASEAN has Free-trade agreements (FTAs) with China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand.
ASEAN Member Countries
Indonesia
Malaysia
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand
Brunei
Vietnam
Laos
Myanmar
Cambodia
10. Govt to make 1.5 lakh Ayushman Bharat Health, Wellness centres functional by December
Tags: National News
Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya has said that the target of setting up 1.50 lakh Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centers (AB-HWCs) will be made operational by December this year.
Important facts
Mandaviya said that out of the total target of setting up 1.50 lakh such centres, one lakh 22 thousand are working now.
The Prime Minister had decided to set up 1.5 lakh health and wellness centers in 2017-18.
These centers will also organize yoga classes for health twice a week.
Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres
The central government has announced the setting up of 1,50,000 Ayushman Bharat- Health and Wellness Centers (AB-HWCs) in February 2018.
These centers provide comprehensive primary health care (CPHC) including child and maternal health services, non-communicable diseases, diagnostic services, and free essential medicines.
These centers provide comprehensive health care including non-communicable diseases and maternal and child health services.
They will also provide free essential medicines and diagnostic services.
