1. Admiral Lisa Franchetti becomes the first woman to lead the US Navy
Tags: International News
US President Joe Biden has nominated Admiral Lisa Franchetti to lead the US Navy.
If confirmed by the Senate, Admiral Franchetti would become the first female member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
An Overview of the News
Currently serving as the 42nd Deputy Chief of Naval Operations from September 2022.
Previous roles include director of strategy, plans, and policies of the Joint Staff (2020–2022) and commander of the United States Sixth Fleet (2018–2020).
Made history as the second woman to be promoted to the rank of four-star admiral in the US Navy.
Education: Earned a Bachelor of Science degree with developmental honours in journalism and history from Northwestern University.
Further Education: Master's degree in Organisational Management from the University of Phoenix.
Awards and Recognition: Received numerous awards, including the Defense Vishisht Seva Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal (two awards), Vishisht Seva Medal, Legion of Merit (five awards), Meritorious Service Medal (five awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards).
2. Cough syrup kills six children in Cameroon
Tags: International News
Cough medicine has killed six children in the African country of Cameroon in the past months. In this context, the World Health Organization (WHO) has sought help from the Indian authorities to find out where it was prepared.
An Overview of the news:
- The UN health organization WHO issued a warning on 19 July 2023 that the recent deaths of six children in Cameroon may be linked to a cough syrup sold under the name Naturcold.
Toxic chemical called diethylene glycol:
- A large amount of a toxic chemical called diethylene glycol has been found in this cough syrup.
- According to the World Health Organisation, the amount of diethylene glycol in the medicine should not be more than 0.1 per cent, but its quantity has been found up to 28.6 per cent in Naturecold.
Fraken International (England) mentions:
- The manufacturer's name on the bottle of the drug is Fracon International (England), but health officials in the United Kingdom have told the WHO that there is no company with that name in their country.
- After this WHO has contacted Indian authorities and requested to talk to Indian drug manufacturers and find out where this drug is being manufactured.
These medicines have also been related to India:
- Over the past few months, several cases of toxic chemicals in cough medicines have been reported, some of which have been related to medicines made in India.
- In the year 2022, more than 300 children in Gambia, Uzbekistan and Indonesia were reported to have died due to cough medicine. In most cases the drugs were manufactured by Indian companies.
Strict rules apply on these drugs in India:
- In May 2023, the Government of India had issued an order that cough medicine to be exported would have to take a certificate. Which will be issued after very stringent tests and this test will be done in a government laboratory.
- The Ministry of Commerce had issued this directive in May, which has been implemented from June 1.
India's $41 billion pharmaceutical industry:
- The $41 billion pharmaceutical industry in India is one of the largest drug manufacturers in the world.
- But for the past few months, India's pharmaceutical industry has been embroiled in international controversies as people have died due to drugs made in India in Gambia, Uzbekistan and the US.
- In the year 2023 itself, poisonous elements were found in some medicines in Marshall Islands and Micronesia, but there was no case of death.
India leading in manufacturing of cheap toxic chemicals:
- Many medicines of the world are manufactured by different companies of this type of cheap toxic chemicals, but in three out of four cases, the medicines are manufactured in India.
3. Deliberations in the 19th CGRFA Session
Tags: International News
The 19th session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA) is being held in Rome, Italy from 17-21 July.
An Overview of the News
The meeting was held at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome.
Topics for discussion: Delegates and observers will focus on three main themes in the session: a review of work on the impact of biodiversity on nutrition and human health, access and benefit-sharing for food and agriculture, and digital sequence information for food and agriculture.
Director General of FAO - Qi Dongyu
About CGRFA
It is the only permanent intergovernmental body that addresses all components of biodiversity for food and agriculture.
It was established in 1983 with the aim of reaching an international consensus on policies for the sustainable use and conservation of genetic resources for food and agriculture and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from their use.
The commission has 179 member states, making it a globally representative organisation.
India is one of the member states actively involved in the initiatives of the Commission.
The intergovernmental body guides the preparation of the Periodic Global Assessment of Genetic Resources and Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture.
It is responsible for developing global plans of action, codes of conduct and other policy tools, and overseeing their implementation.
Important achievements of the Commission include the establishment of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), which is an important step towards promoting sustainable agricultural practices and ensuring the equitable availability of genetic resources for future generations.
ITPGRFA:
ITPGRFA, or the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, was adopted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations on 3 November 2001. Its main objectives are as follows:
Recognizing the important role of farmers in maintaining crop diversity, which is vital to feeding the world's population.
To establish a global system that provides farmers, plant breeders and scientists access to plant genetic resources for agriculture.
Ensuring that the benefits derived from the use of these genetic resources are shared by the recipients with the countries where the resources originated.
4. Events in China: Discussion on the conservation of the Hoolock gibbon
Tags: Environment International News
The meeting took place in Haikou, Hainan province of China from 7 to 9 July. It was organised by the Global Gibbon Network (GGN).
An Overview of the News
Hoolock Gibbon: The only ape of India
Previously, scientists believed that there were two species of ape in India: the western hoolock gibbon and the eastern hoolock gibbon.
A recent study by the Hyderabad-based Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology reveals that India is home to only one ape species, the Hoolock gibbon.
Features of Hoolock Gibbon
Belonging to the Hylobatidae family, the hoolock gibbon is one of 20 gibbon species on Earth.
Known for their energetic vocal performances, the population of these apes is estimated to be around 12,000.
They are the smallest and fastest species of apes, exhibiting high intelligence and strong family bonds.
Distribution and Accommodation
The hoolock gibbon is native to tropical and subtropical forests in the southeastern part of Asia, including Bangladesh, northeastern India, parts of Myanmar, and southwestern China.
In India, they are unique in the Northeast between south of the Brahmaputra River and east of the Dibang River.
Hoolock gibbon populations face a number of threats, including deforestation for infrastructure projects, habitat destruction, hunting for meat, and human encroachment.
Conservation Efforts
To protect Hoolock gibbons, conservationists have proposed setting up dedicated gibbon wildlife sanctuaries on the lines of Assam.
Legal protection, limited infrastructure development in their habitats and efforts to control human encroachment and poaching are also necessary.
Conservation Status
Since the 1990s, the Hoolock gibbon population has declined significantly, leaving all 20 gibbon species at high risk of extinction.
The IUCN Red List maintains the previous classification, with the eastern hoolock gibbon classified as vulnerable and the western hoolock gibbon as endangered.
Both species are included in Schedule I of the Indian (Wildlife) Protection Act, 1972.
Global Gibbon Network (GGN)
Established in 2022 in Haikou, China, GGN aims to protect singing gibbons and their habitats, which are an integral part of Asia's unique natural heritage.
GGN envisions promoting participatory conservation policies, legislation and actions for gibbon conservation.
5. India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway
Tags: International News
The India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Highway is a regional connectivity project covering approximately 1,360 km (845 mi) that aims to connect India, Myanmar and Thailand.
An Overview of the News
The project was proposed by former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and approved in 2002. Its construction began in 2012 and is being implemented in several phases.
The Ministry of External Affairs in India, in collaboration with Myanmar and Thailand, is responsible for project implementation, with funds allocated from the Ministry of Finance.
The highway starts from Moreh in Manipur, India, passes through Myanmar and ends at Mae Sot in Thailand. The India-Myanmar Friendship Road is the first section connecting Tamu/Moreh to Kalemyo and Kalewa.
India's contribution to the project includes the construction of 69 bridges along with access roads on the 74-km Kalewa-Yagyi road section and the 70-km Tamu-Kyygon-Kalewa (TKK) road section in Myanmar.
About Thailand
It is officially known as the Kingdom of Thailand and historically known as Siam, located on the Indochinese peninsula in Southeast Asia.
It is bordered by Myanmar and Laos to the north, Laos and Cambodia to the east, and Malaysia and the Gulf of Thailand to the south.
On the western side, it is bordered by the Andaman Sea, and also has maritime borders with Vietnam to the southeast and Indonesia and India to the southwest.
Capital- Bangkok
Official language - Thai
Emperor - Vajiralongkorn (Rama X)
Prime Minister - Prayut Chan-o-cha
About Myanmar
Capital - Naypyidaw
Official Language - Burmese
President - Myint Swe (Acting)
SAC President and Prime Minister - Min Aung Hlaing
SAC Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister – Soe Win
6. Razorpay launches first international payment gateway in Malaysia
Tags: International News
Fintech firm Razorpay launched its first international Razorpay gateway in Malaysia in partnership with Curlec.
An Overview of the News
The payment gateway aims to serve over 5,000 businesses in Malaysia and achieve 10 billion RM (Malaysian Ringgit) in annual gross transaction value (GTV) by 2025.
The payment gateway provided by Curlec simplifies payment collection and automates payments for businesses of all sizes.
The move by Razorpay follows the acquisition of a majority stake in Malaysia-based startup Curlec in February 2022.
Digital business in Malaysia currently contributes 22.6% to the country's GDP.
It is projected that the contribution of digital trade to Malaysia's GDP will increase to 25.5% by 2025.
About Razorpay
Establishment - 2013
Founder - Shashank Kumar, Harshil Mathur
CEO - Harshil Mathur
Headquarters - Bangalore, India
7. China launches world's first methane-fuelled space rocket
Tags: Science and Technology International News
China's ZhuQue-2 Y-2 became the world's first methane-fuelled rocket to successfully reach orbit.
An Overview of the News
The methane-powered rocket, known as Metalox, followed the anticipated trajectory and completed its flight as planned.
Methane engines provide improved performance while significantly reducing operating costs, contributing to the advancement of reusable rocket technology.
Metalox rockets use methane as the fuel and liquid oxygen (LOX) as the oxidizer, with specific design considerations compared to conventional rockets.
Methane offers advantages as a rocket propellant, including high energy density, favourable combustion characteristics, and wide availability.
Important Point
Landspace has become the second private Chinese company to successfully launch a liquid-propellant rocket.
Beijing Tianbing Technology successfully launched the kerosene-oxygen rocket.
About China
Capital: Beijing
Official language: Mandarin
CCP General Secretary, President, CMC Chairman - Xi Jinping
Congress President - Zhao Leji
CPPCC Chairman - Wang Huning
8. Israel Parliament Approves Bill Limiting Supreme Court's Power
Tags: International News
Israel's parliament approved a bill in its first reading that aims to limit the Supreme Court's oversight powers.
An Overview of the News
The bill received a majority of 64 to 56 in favor of the proposed limit, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right ruling coalition overwhelming the opposition.
The bill is part of a controversial judicial reform initiated by Netanyahu's government, raising concerns about the erosion of checks and balances within the government system.
The bill still needs two more votes to become law. With Netanyahu's ruling coalition holding a 64-seat majority in parliament, the bill is likely to pass. If this happens, there is a possibility of intensifying the protests.
The Bill aims to limit the power of the Supreme Court to invalidate decisions taken by the government, ministries and elected officials as unreasonable.
About Israel
Capital - Jerusalem
Prime Minister - Benjamin Netanyahu
Official language - Hebrew
9. UAE becomes first Arab country to get observer status on Asia-Pacific money laundering
Tags: International News
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become the first Arab country to receive observer status in the Asia/Pacific Group (APG) on Money Laundering, a regional body similar to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
An Overview of the News
The UAE is participating as an observer at the plenary session of the APG, which is currently taking place in Vancouver, Canada.
Obtaining observer status reflects the UAE's commitment to international cooperation in combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
Observer status is awarded to countries that actively and cooperatively combat financial crime, and the UAE has demonstrated this through its participation in organizations such as MENAFATF and other multilateral fora.
The UAE delegation attending the APG plenary session is led by Hamid Al Zaabi, Director-General of the Executive Office for Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (EO AML/CTF).
The delegation includes representatives from the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and other government officials.
About United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Location: It is located in Western Asia.
Geographical Boundaries: It shares borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia.
Maritime Borders: It also has maritime borders with Qatar and Iran in the Persian Gulf.
Religion: Islam is the dominant religion in the UAE, with the majority of the population being Sunni Muslim.
Capital - Abu Dhabi
Official language - Arabic
Government - Federal Islamic parliamentary elective semi-constitutional monarchy
President/Crown Prince - Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Prime Minister - Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Vice President - Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan
10. Operation Broader Sword: Indo-US joint initiative to stop illegal shipments
Tags: International News
In June 2023, India and the United States jointly launched 'Operation Broader Sword' with the goal of stopping the illegal transportation of pharmaceuticals, equipment and precursor chemicals through the International Mail System (IMS).
An Overview of the News
The operation was aimed at disrupting the flow of illegal substances entering the United States from India.
The operation primarily focused on packages entering the United States from India through the two major International Mail Facilities (IMF) located at New York (JFK International Airport) and Chicago (ORD International Airport).
During the operation, investigators thoroughly examined more than 1,500 shipments originating from India, and took conclusive action on nearly 500 products. These operations primarily targeted illegal drugs intended to treat serious illnesses.
Many of the shipments were found to contain opioids and other controlled substances, highlighting the importance of the operation in combating illegal drug trafficking.
Collaborative Effort:
Operation Broader Sword involved collaboration of multiple agencies from both countries. These include India's Department of Revenue Retail Investigation (DRI) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
