1. New Zealand introduced Bill on Tobacco Endgame
Tags: International News
New Zealand's parliament recently introduced the Smoke-Free Environment and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Bill to fulfil its plan to be smoke-free by the year 2025.
About New Zealand Bill on Tobacco Endgame
The 'tobacco endgame' refers to a policy approach that focuses on ending tobacco-related disease with the aim of a 'tobacco-free future'.
The bill calls for three strategies to significantly reduce or eliminate smoking.
If implemented, the bill would be the first law in the world to prevent the next generation from buying cigarettes legally.
Proposed Strategies
To significantly reduce the amount of nicotine (known as "denicotinization" or "very low nicotine cigarettes - VLNC") in tobacco so as not to become addictive.
90% to 95% reduction in the number of shops selling tobacco.
Selling tobacco to people born on or after January 1, 2009, is illegal (thus making the "smoke-free generation").
Current status of tobacco use
Global
One in four people around the world use tobacco
Cigarette smoking is the most common form of tobacco use worldwide.
Other tobacco products include waterpipe tobacco, various smokeless tobacco products, cigars, cigarillos, roll-your-own tobacco, pipe tobacco, bidis and kreteks.
According to the World Health Organisation, the tobacco epidemic is one of the world's biggest public health threats to date, killing more than 8 million people every year.
Status in india
According to the National Family Health Survey-5 (Year 2019-21), 38% of men and 9% of women above the age of 15 use tobacco products.
Women (19%) and men (51%) belonging to Scheduled Tribes are more likely to use tobacco than those belonging to any other caste/tribe group.
Among men as well as women, tobacco consumption is higher in rural areas (43 percent for men and 11 percent for women) than in urban areas.
It is one of the leading causes of death and disease in India and causes about 1.35 million deaths every year.
India is also the second largest consumer and producer of tobacco.
2. Chabahar Day conference
Tags: Important Days National News
On July 31, 2022, the Chabahar Day convention was launched in Mumbai by Sarbananda Sonowal (Union Minister of Shipping) and Shripad Naik (Minister of State for Shipping).
Important facts
The inaugural ceremony was attended by dignitaries from Kazakhstan, Iran, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan.
In May 2016, India and Iran signed a bilateral agreement, in which India agreed to renew a berth at Shahid Beheshti port.
India also agreed to rebuild a 600-metre long container handling facility at this port.
In October 2017, India sent its first consignment of wheat to Afghanistan through Chabahar port.
About Chabahar Port
Chabahar Port is located in the Gulf of Oman. It is at a distance of 72 km from Gwadar port in Pakistan. Gwadar Post was developed by China.
It serves as the only port in Iran consisting of two separate ports named Shahid Beheshti and Shahid Kalantari, each with 5 berths.
It is an important pillar of India's Indo-Pacific vision, in its endeavour to connect Eurasia with the Indian Ocean region.
It is a part of the International North South Transport Corridor network connecting India.
Iran has given special impetus to enhance trade cooperation activities between India and Iran through Chabahar Port.
Importance of Chabahar Port for India
Alternate Route - Chabahar Port provides India with an alternative supply route, thus reducing the importance of Pakistan in relation to trade.
Connectivity - In future the Chabahar Project and the North South Transport Corridor will complement each other by optimising Indian connectivity with Russia and Eurasia.
Strategic Needs - China is aggressively pursuing its Belt and Road Initiative under the One Belt One Road project.
Chabahar port is important for India to enhance connectivity with Afghanistan and Central Asian countries.
3. 10 more Indian wetlands sites get Ramsar tag, number rises to 64
Tags: National News
India has recognized 10 more Ramsar sites or wetlands of international importance, taking the number of such sites to 64.
Important facts
Ramsar sites covering area in the country has become 12,50,361 ha now.
The 10 new sites include - six sites in Tamil Nadu and one each in Goa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha.
Designating these sites will help in conservation and management of wetlands and wise use of their resources.
10 wetlands designated as Ramsar sites
Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
Satkosia Gorge (Odisha)
Nanda Lake (Goa)
Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve (Tamil Nadu)
Ranganathituu BS (Karnataka)
Vembannur Wetland Complex (Tamil Nadu)
Vellode Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
Sirpur wetland (Madhya Pradesh)
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
Kindly see 26 July post also
4. US Senate approves Finland and Sweden's accession to NATO
Tags: International News
The United States Senate on 3 August approved Finland and Sweden's accession to NATO.
Important facts
The US Senate voted 95 to one in favour of both Western European countries joining NATO.
This historic vote provides an important indication of the continued, bipartisan US commitment to NATO.
The Nordic countries, which had long maintained neutrality, had united to join a 30-member coalition in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Earlier the National Assembly of France voted in favor of Finland and Sweden's NATO membership.
Several countries, including Germany, Canada and Italy, have already approved the ratification.
NATO membership process
First a country must formally apply for NATO membership.
The joining country must meet the criteria set out in NATO's 1995 "Study on Expansion". These criteria include a functioning democratic political system based on a market economy, the ability to make a military contribution to NATO, etc.
A country can join NATO only if all its 30 member countries support its membership.
A country can become a member of NATO after ratification of accession protocols, which may take 8 to 12 months.
At present, Turkey has not agreed to give NATO membership to Finland and Sweden.
About North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)
NATO is an intergovernmental military alliance consisting of 30 member states belonging to Europe and North America (28 European states, the US and Canada).
NATO aims to guarantee the security of its members through political and military means.
According to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, an armed attack against any NATO member in Europe or North America shall be deemed an attack against all NATO members.
Article 5 has been invoked only once so far after the 9/11 terrorist attacks against the US.
The last country to join NATO was North Macedonia in 2020.
Headquarters- Brussels, Belgium
5. World Dairy Summit 2022 to be held in India after 48 years
Tags: National News
India will host the International Dairy Federation's World Dairy Summit 2022 at the India Expo Centre & Mart in Greater Noida from September 12 to 15.
Important facts
In the summit stakeholders from 40 countries will participate.
The last World Dairy Summit was held in 1974 in New Delhi.
After 48 years, India is organising the summit again.
The theme of the event is “Dairy for Nutrition and Livelihood” .
Its sponsors are Amul and Nandini (marketed by Karnataka Co-operative Milk Producers Union Limited). Mother Dairy will be the main sponsor of the event.
About World Dairy Summit
It is an annual meeting of the global dairy sector, bringing together around 1500 participants from all over the world.
The participant profiles include CEOs and employees of dairy processing companies, dairy farmers, suppliers of dairy industry, academicians, government representatives, etc.
It is a prestigious event for India because India is now the largest milk producer in the world and the highest number of cattle.
Dairy and livestock sector of India
Dr. Verghese Kurien is known as the "Father of White Revolution" in India.
Dairy is contributing 5 percent of the national economy and employing more than 8 crore farmers directly.
India ranks first in milk production, which contributes 23 percent to the global milk production.
Government Initiatives to the Dairy sector
Rashtriya Gokul Mission - launched in December 2014 with an outlay of Rs 2025 crore for the development and conservation of indigenous breeds through selective breeding.
National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) - It is a flagship scheme launched in September 2019 for control of Foot & Mouth Disease and Brucellosis by vaccinating 100% cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and pig population.
Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development - It has been approved for incentivizing investments by entrepreneurs, private companies, MSME, Farmers Producers Organizations for Dairy sector.
6. India to host UNSC meet on counterterrorism in October
Tags: National News
For the first time, India will host diplomats and officials from all 15 countries of the UN Security Council, including China, Russia and the United States, for a special meeting on terrorism in October.
Important facts
India is chairing the meeting of the Anti-Terrorism Committee (CTC) as a member of the UNSC.
The meeting will particularly focus on challenges such as terrorism financing, cyber threats and use of drones.
India will attempt to highlight cross-border threats from Pakistan and Afghanistan in this meeting to be held two months before India completes its term as an elected member of the UNSC (2021-22).
In addition, India is pushing the members of the United Nations to adopt a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (first proposed in 1996), which is likely to be taken up during the meeting.
Counter-Terrorism Committee of UNSC
It was established by Security Council Resolution 1373, which was adopted unanimously on 28 September 2001 in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks in the US.
It includes all permanent and non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
The committee was tasked with overseeing the implementation of Resolution 1373, which urged countries to implement a number of measures aimed at increasing their legal and institutional capacity to combat terrorist activities both domestically and around the world.
About UNSC
It was established in 1945 by the United Nations Charter.
It is one of the six major organs of the United Nations.
The other 5 organs of the United Nations are - the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Trusteeship Council, the Economic and Social Council, the International Court of Justice and the Secretariat.
It has five permanent members - China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, collectively known as the P5.
Any one of them can veto a resolution.
Headquarters - New York
7. Centre increases Fair and Remunerative Price on sugarcane
Tags: National News
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in its meeting on 3 August has approved the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane for sugar season 2022-23 (October-September) to Rs 305 per quintal.
Important facts
The Cabinet has approved the highest ever Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of Rs 305 per quintal for sugarcane farmers.
The FRP for sugar season 2022-23 is 2.6 per cent higher than the current sugar season 2021-22.
The FRP of Rs 305 per quintal is linked to the basic recovery rate of 10.25 per cent.
Recovery rate is the amount of sugar that sugarcane fetches and higher the quantum of sugar derived from sugarcane, greater the price it fetches in the market.
This decision will benefit five crore sugarcane farmers and their dependents as well as five lakh workers employed in sugar mills and allied activities.
What is Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP)?
It is the price declared by the government at which the mills are legally bound to pay for the sugarcane procured from the farmers.
The payment of FRP across the country is governed by the Sugarcane Control Order, 1966.
Under this, payment is mandatory within 14 days from the date of delivery of sugarcane.
Major sugarcane-producing states
Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka account for nearly 80 percent of the total sugar production in the country.
The other major sugarcane-producing states are Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Haryana, and Punjab.
India is the world’s second-largest sugar producer after Brazil.
Since 2010-11, India has consistently produced surplus sugar, comfortably exceeding the domestic requirements.
8. Union Cabinet approves India’s updated NDC under Paris Agreement
Tags: National News
The Union Cabinet has approved the updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) of India for reporting to the United Nations Climate Change Framework Convention (UNFCCC) on 3rd July.
Important facts
The updated NDC seeks to enhance India's contribution towards strengthening global action to combat the threat of climate change as mutually agreed under the Paris Agreement.
This will help India move forward on the path of reducing emissions-growth.
It will protect the interests of the country and safeguard future development needs based on the principles and provisions of the UNFCCC.
India’s Stand at COP-26
India has presented the following five nectar elements (Panchamrit) of India's climate action -
Reach 500 GW Non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.
Renewable energy to meet 50% of India's energy needs by 2030.
To reduce total carbon emissions by one billion tonnes from now to 2030.
A 45 percent reduction in the economy's carbon intensity by 2030 from 2005 levels.
To achieve the goal of net zero emissions by 2070.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
It was signed in 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development also known as the Earth Summit.
It was entered into force on March 21, 1994, and has been ratified by 197 countries.
It is an international environmental treaty which seeks to reduce atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases.
Its aim is to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the earth’s climate system.
9. Air India pilots will get permission to fly plane till the age of 65
Tags: National News
Tata Group's airline Air India has decided to allow its pilots to fly aircraft till the age of 65 years.
Important facts
According to information from the group's internal documents, the company has taken this decision keeping in mind the expansion plan of its fleet.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has allowed pilots to fly aircraft till the age of 65.
Pilots are already allowed to fly by the age of 65 by most airline companies.
Air India pilots after retirement will be extended up to 65 years on contract basis for 5 years.
Reason for change
The airline is actually planning to add more than 200 new aircraft to its fleet. In this, 70 percent of the aircraft will be of small type.
In view of future expansion plans for its fleet, meeting the workforce requirement is critical, the airline's documents said.
Air India
Air India was started on 15 October 1932 by Jahangir Ratanji Dadabhai Tata (JRD Tata).
In the year 1938, the name of Tata Air Services was changed to Tata Airlines.
Tata Airlines played an important role during World War II that lasted from 1939 to 1945.
After the end of World War II, Tata Airlines became a listed company on 29 July 1946 and its name was changed to Air India.
After independence in 1947, the Government of India acquired 49 percent stake in Air India in 1948.
In 1953, the Government of India acquired the majority stake in Air India through the Air Corporation Act and renamed it as 'Air India International Limited'.
Recently again on 27 January 2022, the airline was officially handed over to the Tata Group.
MD & CEO - Campbell Wilson
Headquarters - New Delhi
10. IAF to participate in multilateral exercise ‘Pitch Black’ in Australia
Tags: Defence International News
The Indian Air Force (IAF) will join 16 other countries, including the Quad partner countries, for the biennial Exercise Pitch Black to be conducted by the Australian Air Force later this month.
Important facts
About 100 aircraft and 2,500 military personnel from 17 countries will reach the northern region later this month for the Pitch Black 2022 exercise.
This year's Pitch Black participants include Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia, India, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, UK and US.
The 2020 edition of this exercise was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
About Exercise Pitch Black
It is a biennial warfare exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
It enhances interoperability and strengthens relationships among participants.
This will provide the Indian Air Force with a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience with these countries in a dynamic combat environment.
Its last edition was held in 2018.
Its aim is to practice Offensive Counter Air (OCA) and Defensive Counter Air (DCA) combat in a simulated war environment.
Other exercise between India and Australia
AUSINDEX - It is a biennial bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
The first edition of the exercise was held in 2015.
