Today's News 20 March 2019
आईबीबीआई और सेबी मे सहमति पत्र पर हस्‍ताक्षर
भारतीय दिवाला एवं दिवालियापन बोर्ड (आईबीबीआई) ने 19 मार्च 2019 को भारतीय प्रतिभूति एवं विनिमय बोर्ड (सेबी) के साथ एक सहमति पत्र (एमओयू) पर हस्‍ताक्षर कि‍ए। आईबीबीआई और सेबी दरअसल दिवाला एवं दि‍वालियापन स‍ंहिता, 2016 और इससे संबंधित नियम-कायदों पर कारगर ढंग से अमल किए जाने के पक्ष में हैं, जिन्‍होंने डेट एवं इक्विटी के आपसी ताल्‍लुकात को नए सिरे से परिभाषित किया है और जिनका उद्देश्‍य उद्यमिता एवं डेट मार्केट को बढ़ावा देना है। आईबीबीआई और सेबी ने सहमति पत्र के तहत संहिता के बेहतर कार्यान्‍वयन के लिए एक-दूसरे के साथ सहयोग करने पर सहमति जताई है। हालांकि, इस संबंध में लागू कानूनों द्वारा तय की गई सीमाओं को ध्‍यान में रखना होगा। उपर्युक्‍त एमओयू पर सेबी के कार्यकारी निदेशक श्री आनंद बैवर और आईबीबीआई के कार्यकारी निदेशक श्री रितेश कावडि़या ने मुम्‍बई में हस्‍ताक्षर किए।
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants-hindi/19343-2019-03-20-02-43-37
#IBBI #SEBI #Bankruptcy #MoU #Isolvency #Resolution

अफ्रीका-भारत फील्ड प्रशिक्षण अभ्यास -2019
भारत और अफ्रीकी देशों के लिए अफ्रीका-भारत फील्ड प्रशिक्षण अभ्‍यास -2019 (एएफआईएनडीईएक्‍स-19) का उद्घाटन समारोह 18 मार्च, 2019 को औंध मिलिट्री स्टेशन, पुणे में आयोजित हुआ। यह अभ्‍यास कार्यक्रम 18 मार्च से 27 मार्च 2019 तक चलेगा। 17 अफ्रीकी देशों - बेनिन, बोत्सवाना, मिस्र, घाना, केन्या, मॉरीशस, मोजाम्बिक, नामीबिया, नाइजर, नाइजीरिया, सेनेगल, दक्षिण अफ्रीका, सूडान, तंजानिया, युगांडा, जाम्बिया और जिंबाब्वे के सैन्‍य दल के साथ मराठा लाइट इन्फैंट्री ने उद्घाटन समारोह में भाग लिया।
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants-hindi/19342-2019-23
#Africa #AFINDEX #India #Military #SanjeevSharma

जीएसटी काउंसिल बैठक में नई दरों को मंजूरी
जीएसटी काउंसिल ने 19 मार्च 2019 की बैठक में रियल एस्टेट सेक्टर के लिए की गई दरों में कटौती की व्यवस्था को लागू करने की योजना को मंजूरी दे दी है। बैठक के बाद मीडिया से बातचीत में राजस्व सचिव ए बी पांडेय ने कहा कि राज्यों से बातचीत कर डिवेलपर्स को नई व्यवस्था के तहत आने के लिए जरूरी समय मुहैया कराया जाएगा। उन्होंने कहा कि बिल्डर्स निर्माणधीन रिहायशी प्रोजेक्ट के लिए दो टैक्स स्लैब में किसी का चयन कर सकते हैं।
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants-hindi/19341-2019-03-20-02-43-11
#GST #tax #ITC #GSTCouncil #realestate #GSTCouncilMeeting

मोजाम्बिक में भयंकर समुद्री तूफान
दक्षिण अफ्रीकी देश मोजाम्बिक में आए भयंकर समुद्री तूफान से बड़ी तबाही मची है। एक हजार से ज्यादा लोगों के तूफान में मारे जाने की आशंका है। तूफान ने पड़ोसी जिम्बाब्वे में भी खूब तबाही मचाई है। वहां दर्जनों लोगों की मौत हो गई है और 150 से ज्यादा लोग लापता हो गए हैं। समुद्री तूफान इडाई को मोजाम्बिक के बेरा शहर में अपने साथ तबाही लेकर आया। तेज हवा और अचानक बाढ़ से जानमाल का काफी नुकसान हुआ है। बाढ़ का पानी अपने साथ हजारों घरों और सड़कों को बहा ले गया है।
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants-hindi/19340-2019-03-20-02-43-00
#Mozambique #SouthAfrican #RedCross #catastrophe

IBBI, SEBI sign MoU for IBC
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 19 March 2019 with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The IBBI and the SEBI seek effective implementation of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (Code) and its allied rules and regulations, which have redefined the debt-equity relationship and aims to promote entrepreneurship and debt market. They have agreed under the MoU to assist and co-operate with each other for the effective implementation of the Code, subject to limitations imposed by the applicable laws. The MoU was signed by Shri Anand Baiwar, Executive Director, SEBI, and Shri Ritesh Kavdia, Executive Director, IBBI, at Mumbai.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/19348-ibbi-sebi-sign-mou-for-ibc
#IBBI #SEBI #Bankruptcy #MoU #Isolvency #Resolution

India kicks off AFINDEX-19
In the first such military outreach to Africa, where China has made deep strategic inroads, India on 18 March 2019 kicked off an exercise with 17 nations from the continent at the Aundh military statio

n at Pune. China, with its multi-billion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative, has fast expanded its footprint in Africa as the “New Great Game” plays out in the world’s second-largest continent known for its minerals and other raw commodities. India may not have China’s economic wherewithal but is trying to leverage its long-standing ties and military expertise with African nations.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/19347-india-kicks-off-afindex-19
#Africa #AFINDEX #India #Military #SanjeevSharma

3rd Indo-Japan Workshop on DRR
The 3rd Indo-Japan Workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction was held in New Delhi on 19 March 2019. The workshop was attended by about 140 delegates from Japan and India including experts from both the governments, top premium research institutes, city administrators, specialized Disaster Management agencies and private sector. The Government of India and the Government of Japan had signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) in the field of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in September 2017.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/19346-3rd-indo-japan-workshop-on-drr
#DRR #MoC #HFA #Japan #SFDRR #India #TokyoJapan

Mitra shakti-VI
Exercise MITRA SHAKTI is conducted annually as part of military diplomacy and interaction between armies of India & Sri Lanka. The joint exercise for the year 2018-19 will be conducted from 26 March to 08 April 2019 in Sri Lanka. Troops from 1st Battalion the BIHAR Regiment of the Indian Army and Gemunu Watch Battalion of Sri Lankan Army would be jointly undertaking the exercise.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/19345-mitra-shakti-vi
#MitraShakti #IndianArmy #BIHAR #Indian #military

Operational Readiness Exercise
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Admiral Sunil Lanba, PVSM, AVSM, ADC, arrived Kochi on 18 March 19 for the debrief of the recently concluded annual Theatre Level Readiness and Operational Exercise (TROPEX). Commanders-in-Chief of all the three naval Commands, along with a number of senior operational commanders and representatives from Indian Army, Air Force and Indian Coast Guard attended and participated in the discussions held at the Naval Base, Kochi.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/index.php/study-material/news-for-aspirants/19344-operational-readiness-exercise
#CNS #IndianAirForce #IndianNavy #SeaVigil

Chandrayaan-3 announced
ISRO on 1 January 2020 announced that the launch of country's third lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3 may happen next year and said four from the Indian Air Force have been selected for the ambitious Gaganyaan programme, whose astronaut training would commence soon in Russia.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22549-chandrayaan-3-announced.html
#Chandrayaan3 #ISRO #JitendraSingh #NASA #Vikram #IndianAirForce

India-Mauritius FTA nears finalisation
The proposed free trade agreement between India and Mauritius is nearing finalisation as both sides have concluded the negotiations for the pact, the commerce ministry said on 1 January 2020.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22548-india-mauritius-fta-nears-finalisation.html
#India #FTA #CECPA #FDI #Africa #finalisation

E-cigarettes decoded
Vitamin E acetate, a chemical used in many E-cigarettes, may be the causative agent for vaping related respiratory diseases, according to a study which strengthens the link between the compound and lung injury.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22547-e-cigarettes-decoded.html
#Ecigarettes #EVALI #CDC #VitaminE #ENDS #BAL

India, Pakistan exchange nuclear installations
Continuing a 29-year unbroken practice, India and Pakistan on 1 January 2020 exchanged a list of their nuclear installations under a bilateral arrangement that prohibits them from attacking each other's atomic facilities.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22546-india-pakistan-exchange-nuclear-installations.html
#India #nuclear #Pakistan #installations #Attack

FRBM Act not breached in budget
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 16 February 2020 said the 2020-21 union budget was prepared keeping the FRBM (Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management) in mind even as she maintained she would be remembered for presenting the "longest prepared budget" than for "longest speech" on it.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22879-frbm-act-not-breached-in-budget.html
#FRBM #budget #NirmalaSitharaman #GDP #RBI

India CSR Reporting Survey 2019
More companies in India are complying with corporate social responsibility norms under the Companies Act, 2013, with 76 per cent firms having spent 2 per cent or more of their profits on such initiatives during 2019, according to a report.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22878-india-csr-reporting-survey-2019.html
#CSR #India #KPMG #ReportingSurvey #environmental

World’s first yoga university outside India
World’s first yoga university outside India would start its post graduation course later this year in the US along with research in the ancient Indian practice and the admissions for it will begin in April, university officials said on 15 February 2020.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22877-world-s-first-yoga-university-outside-india.html
#World #VAYU #HRNagendra #NASA #LosAngeles

Mysterious ‘ghost’ ancestry
Scientists examining the genomes of West Africans have found the latest evidence of humankind’s complicated genetic ancestry as they detected signs that a mysterious extinct human species interbred with our own species tens of thousands of years ago in Africa.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/22876-mysterious-ghost-ancestry.html
#Mysterious #ghost #UCLA #DNA #Africa #introgression

New genus of Malaria detected
A new genus of Malaria has been detected in Kerala. Plasmodium ovale was detected in a soldier who came from Sudan. Plasmodium ovale is generally reported in Africa.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/27516-new-genus-of-malaria-detected.html
#Malaria #Africa #Plasmodiumovale #OnlineClassses #IASOnlineclasses #ksgnews

Israel’s diplomatic ties with Bhutan
Israel has established diplomatic ties with the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, the Israeli Foreign Ministry announced in a statement.
Read More: https://www.ksgindia.com/study-material/news-for-aspirants/27535-israel-s-diplomatic-ties-with-bhutan.html
#Israels #Bhutan #Africa #UPSCOnlineClasses #OnlineClassses #IASOnlineclasses #ksgnews

Today's Headlines - 22 July 2023
Climate change aiding spread of CCHF virus
GS Paper - 3 (Health and Diseases)

As Europe reels under a heatwave and wildfires, the rising temperatures have also raised fears of spread of viruses generally not found in colder climates. Alert has been sounded about the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), an infection spread by ticks that has a high fatality rate, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The CCHF is endemic to Africa, the Balkan countries, Middle East, and parts of Asia.

What is CCHF?

According to the WHO, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a viral haemorrhagic fever usually transmitted by ticks. It can also be contracted through contact with viraemic animal tissues (animal tissue where the virus has entered the bloodstream) during and immediately post-slaughter of animals.
CCHF outbreaks constitute a threat to public health services as the virus can lead to epidemics, has a high case fatality ratio (10–40%), potentially results in hospital and health facility outbreaks, and is difficult to prevent and treat.”
The virus is present in the tick family of insects. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), animals such as cattle, goats, sheep and hares serve as amplifying hosts for the virus. Transmission to humans occurs through contact with infected ticks or animal blood.
CCHF can be transmitted from one infected human to another by contact with infectious blood or body fluids”, such as sweat and saliva. The ticks can also be hosted by migratory birds, thus carrying the virus over long distances.
While the disease was first detected among soldiers in the Crimean Peninsula (near the Black Sea) in 1944, in 1969, it was found that an ailment identified in the Congo Basin was caused by the same pathogen. Thus, the disease was named the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever.
What are the symptoms, cure of CCHF?

CCHF symptoms include fever, muscle ache, dizziness, neck pain, backache, headache, sore eyes and sensitivity to light, according to the WHO.
There may be nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and sore throat early on, followed by sharp mood swings and confusion. After 2–4 days the agitation may be replaced by sleepiness, depression and lassitude.
There is no vaccine for the virus in either humans or animals, and treatment generally consists of managing symptoms.
According to the WHO, the antiviral drug ribavirin has been used to treat CCHF infection with apparent benefit.

#upsc #news #climatechange #CCHF #heatwave #temperature #viruses #haemorrhagic #WHO #endemic #africa #viraemic #tissue #health #CDC #disease #soldiers #infection

Today's Headlines - 18 August 2023
Net zero carbon emission country
GS Paper - 3 (Environment)

Bhutan has emerged as a country with net zero emissions and not only curbed its carbon footprints, but has also transformed into a carbon sink, absorbing more carbon dioxide (CO2) than releasing, It reported that the recent report from the World Economic Forum revealed that the eight countries including Bhutan have attained an impressive feat of net zero emissions.

More about the News

Bhutan is one among the 196 nations that committed to the Paris Agreement during the UN Climate Change Conference focused on restricting global temperature increases to 1.5 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
Apart from Bhutan, Comoros, nestled in the Indian Ocean and Gabon in Central Africa have managed to control the carbon emissions and set an example for other countries.
Comoros, by conscientiously managing its agricultural, fishing, and livestock sectors, complemented by rigorous environmental safeguards has maintained low emissions.
Bhutan's unique success as the first nation to achieve net zero emissions is rooted in its population of 8,00,000 and its remarkable forest coverage of 70%.
Why this achievement

The nation prioritizes sustainable organic farming and forestry practices, accentuated by the reliance on hydropower and the prudent management of its main economic driver, tourism.
Notably, Bhutan charges a $200 sustainable development fee per day from tourists, underscoring the value placed on eco-tourism and environmental protection.
It has been reported that another reason behind this control of emissions is the forests being an intrinsic part of its spiritual heritage.
Guided by a climate-conscious forest economy, Bhutan mitigates greenhouse gas emissions, preserves wildlife habitats, mitigates forest fires, and practices sustainable forest management for timber, fruit, and rubber - fostering a circular economy.
The nation has embarked on pilot projects that explore sustainable timber construction, showcasing innovative solutions.
Bhutan's journey to net zero emissions, fueled by an unyielding commitment to its environment and cultural heritage, is a source of inspiration for the world.
As nations navigate the complexities of climate change, Bhutan's story beckons us to embrace sustainable practices and safeguard our precious planet.

#upsc #news #headline #netzero #carbon #emission #country #enviroment #carbonfootprints #bhutan #carbondioxide #nations #climatechange #parisagreement #indianocean #gabon #africa #comoros #temperature #indianocean #safeguards #environmental #livestocks #sectors #rigorous #achievement #farming #tourism #reliance #heritage #economy #greenhouse #gas #wildlife #forestfires #cultural #world #embrace #planet #nations

Today's Headlines - 24 August 2023
Poor nations forced to rely on fossil fuels
GS Paper - 3 (Energy)

Poor countries with heavy debts have been forced to continue to rely on fossil fuels for generating revenue to return the loans taken from richer countries and private lenders to meet various economic exigencies like the pandemic three years ago, a new report said. These countries, mostly in the global south, may find it impossible to phase out fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy as revenues from fossil fuel projects “are often overinflated and require huge investments to reach expected returns, leading to further debt”.

What is the “debt-fossil fuel trap”?

The report, ‘The Debt-Fossil Fuel Trap’, published on 21 August 2023 by the anti-debt campaigners Debt Justice and partners in affected countries.
The global south — a term used for developing, less developing and underdeveloped countries, located in Africa, Latin America, and Asia — countries are increasingly being burdened by enormous debts in recent years.
Their “external debt payments (money borrowed from richer countries, or multilateral creditors like the World Bank and IMF, or private lenders such as banks) has gone up by 150% between 2011 and 2023, reaching their highest levels in 25 years”, said the report.
Moreover, 54 countries are in a debt crisis — they had to cut their public sending budgets during the pandemic to repay the loans, the analysis found.
The situation is worsened by extreme weather events, which force these countries to borrow more money as they lack adequate finances and resources for adaptation, mitigation and tackling loss and damage.
For instance, Dominica’s debt as a percentage of GDP rose from 68% to 78% after Hurricane Maria hit the island in 2017.
To deal with the mounting debts, these countries have turned to extracting more fossil fuels.
The country’s strategy to reduce debt may end up adding to debt levels without generating adequate revenue to repay, which could force Argentia to further expand its fossil fuel projects, the report added. This is known as the “debt-fossil fuel trap”.
Ending the high debt burdens

The report has laid out a few recommendations to help global south countries exit the “debt-fossil fuel trap”.
It said clean energy, wealthy governments and institutions must implement “ambitious debt cancellation for all countries that need it, across all creditors, free from economic conditions.
They should also stop accepting repayments made through fossil fuel projects’ revenue.
Meanwhile, “Bilateral and multilateral finance should be aligned with a 1.5 degree warming scenario and fair shares calculations, and not be used to finance fossil fuels.

#upsc #news #headline #nations #fossilfuels #energy #countries #revenue #pandemic #globalsouth #fuel #trap #africa #latin #worldbank #IMF #payments #GDP #island #dominica #strategy #projects #warming #bilateral #multilateral #finance #fairshares #america #asia #justice #renewable #poornations #forced

Today's Headlines - 12 September 2023
A new member in G20
GS Paper - 2 (International Relations)

The African Union (AU) was admitted as a new member of the G20, barely three months after India floated the idea of including the organisation. The development took place at the ongoing 18th G20 Heads of State and Government Summit in New Delhi.

What is the AU?

The AU is an intergovernmental organisation of the 55 member states located on the continent of Africa.
The grouping is guided by its vision of “An Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.
Although the AU was officially launched on 9 July 2002, its roots go back to the 1960s when the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) was established.
The OAU was also an intergovernmental organisation and it aimed to bring African nations together and resolve common issues through collective action.
Its main focus, however, was to help liberate the colonised countries in the continent. To do so, OAU mustered diplomatic support and provided logistical aid to liberation movements across Africa.
Notably, the man spearheading the idea of the AU was the Libyan dictator Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.
He also did more than any other leader to ensure the creation of the African Union (AU) in 2002, hosting several meetings, and forcing Nigeria and South Africa to react to his frantic drive towards creating a federal body, an analysis published in The Guardian said.
What are the objectives of the AU?

Unlike the OAU, the AU concentrates its energy and resources on achieving greater unity and solidarity between African countries and their people.
It seeks to accelerate the process of the political and socio-economic integration of the continent.
Moreover, the AU addresses the multifaceted social, economic and political problems that the African nations have been facing.
Its key objectives also include promoting peace, stability, and security across the region. Protecting and promoting human rights are also part of the agenda.
What are the notable achievements of the AU?

Many of the AU’s peacekeeping missions have helped governments tackle terrorism across Africa, from the Sahel to northern Mozambique. Over the years, the organisation’s interventions have prevented violence in countries like Burundi, the Central African Republic, Comoros, Darfur, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Mali.
AU’s diplomatic efforts have also resulted in resolving conflicts in Africa. Last year, it brokered a peace deal between the Ethiopian Government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in South Africa, almost two years after the two entities began fighting.
The establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which came into force in 2021, is yet another achievement of the organisation.
With 54 member countries as signatories, AfCFTA is the world’s largest new free trade area since the establishment of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1994.

#upsc #news #headline #newmember #G20 #internationalrelations #AU #newdelhi #africa #peaceful #prosperous #libyan #dictator #muammargaddafi #resources #unity #stability #peace #achivements #TPLF #AFCFTA #WTO #trade #area #social #economic #integration #resources #members