NATIONAL:
1. World Climate Action Summit at COP-28 in Dubai
Why in news: Why in news: Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address World Climate Action Summit at COP-28 in Dubai
Key points:
• Following this, he will participate in the Ceremonial Opening of the High-Level segment for Heads of State. Additionally, the Prime Minister will attend a high-level event co-hosted by India and the UAE.
• Another significant side event that will be attended by the PM is the launch of Lead IT 2.0.
• This event is co-hosted by India and Sweden.
• Described as a leadership group for energy transition, this joint initiative, originally launched in 2019 at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York, is to foster collaboration between the public and private sectors.
• Its goal is to accelerate the industry's transition to net zero emissions.
2. 5th Global Ayurveda Festival
Why in news: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar to inaugurate 5th Global Ayurveda Festival at Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala
Key points:
• The Global Ayurveda Festival (GAF) 2023 would be held in the state capital of Kerala from December 1-5.
• Theme Emerging Challenges in Healthcare and a Resurgent Ayurveda
• All major Ayush institutions in the country will put up their stalls at the expo and there will be pavilions of 20 Ayurveda colleges.
• GAF 2023 will also see India's first dedicated Business-to-Business (B2B) meet on Ayurveda medical tourism.
3. Self Help Groups (SHGs)
Why in news: Cabinet approves Central Sector Scheme for providing Drones to Women Self Help Groups (SHGs)
Key points:
• Scheme aims to provide drones to 15,000 selected Women SHGs during period 2023-24 to 2025-2026 for providing rental services to farmers for agriculture purpose.
• SHGs are made up of 15 - 25 members of similar economic and social backgrounds who come together to improve their living conditions.
• One member of SHGs who is well qualified and 18 years (or, above) will be elected by State Rural Livelihood Mission and LFCs for 15 day training.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. International Conference on Public Health in Africa
Why in news: International Conference on Public Health in Africa, commenced on November 27, 2023, in Zambia
Key points:
• It highlights the critical link between climate change and health in the region.
• Africa faces a significant public health challenge, with the continent experiencing over 100 outbreaks of infectious diseases each year.
• About 75% of the recorded outbreaks in Africa are of zoonotic origin.
REPORT:
1. The World Malaria Report 2023
Why in news: India tops South & Southeast Asia in recorded cases of Malaria.
Major Highlights:
• India led South and Southeast Asia in recorded malaria cases in 2022, comprising 66% of the 5.2 million cases reported in the region.
• India saw a 55% reduction in cases, even though it accounted for the highest number of cases.
• Globally, 249 million malaria cases were recorded in 2022, an increase of five million from the previous year.
• India, along with Indonesia, accounted for 94% of all malaria-related deaths in 2022.
• Countries like Bhutan, Timor-Leste, and Sri Lanka reported zero malaria cases in 2022.
• Africa remained the worst-hit continent, with 94% of all malaria cases (233 million) and 95% of global malaria deaths (580,000) in 2022.
2. Ethical risks of Climate Engineering
Why in news: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) report warns of the ethical risks of Climate Engineering
Key points:
• UNESCO’s World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST) has published it’s first-ever report on the Ethics of Climate Engineering.
• COMEST is an advisory body and forum of reflection set up by UNESCO in 1998.
• Climate Engineering, also known as "geo engineering," is the intentional large-scale intervention in the Earth’s climate system to counter climate change.
Key Ethical Concerns with Climate Engineering:
• It could create a “slippery slope” that facilitates the acceleration toward deployment without any ethical framework.
• Its techniques can create a “moral hazard”, providing stakeholders with an excuse to not reduce the use of fossil fuels.
• It could be pushed by corporations for economic gain.
• Geo engineering tools have the potential for military or geo-political use
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Jal Itihas Utsav
Why in news: Jal Shakti Ministry to organize Jal Itihas Utsav in New Delhi
Key points:
• Jal Shakti Ministry will organize Jal Itihas Utsav in New Delhi.
• It aims to raise public consciousness about safeguarding water heritage sites, creating a sense of ownership among the masses as well as promote tourism.
• It also marks the successful completion of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain 2023 campaign.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. World AIDS day (1st December)
Why in news: World AIDS day is being observed on 1st December
Key points:
• The day provides an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and to show support for those living with HIV.
• Theme- Let communities lead.
• According to World Health Organisation 39 million people around the world were living with HIV.
BIHAR:
1. Bihar Business Connect 2023
Why in news: The Global Investment Summit- Bihar Business Connect 2023 is scheduled to be held on December 13-14, 2023
Key points:
• Altogether 280 entrepreneurs have expressed their desire to invest in Bihar.
• This will stop migration from Bihar as people will get better opportunity of employment.
POINTERS:
• In which city Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh inaugurated 40th Coast Guard Commanders’ Conference-New Delhi
• Which country has constituted high-level Enquiry Committee after US shared inputs pertaining to nexus between organized criminals, terrorists-India
• President Droupadi Murmu is to present President's Colour to which institution-Armed Forces Medical College in Pune
• Centre has approved reconstruction plan worth over 1658 crore rupees for which religious site in Uttarakhand-Joshimath
• The recent official launch of the Loss and Damage Fund is associated with which conference-COP28
• Which state government has successfully signed a peace agreement with the United National Liberation Front (UNLF)-Manipur government
• Which ministry is set to host the SBM-GOBARdhan Biogas Conference: Accelerating Waste to Wealth & Circular Economy on December 1, 2023-The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)
• Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, granted approval for Acceptance of Necessity (AoNs) for capital acquisition proposals worth what amount-Rs 2.23 lakh crore
• What are the names of first three ships of the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Shallow Water Craft (SWC) project launched recently-Mahe, Malvan, and Mangrol
• Who has been recognised as National Icon for voter awareness and education for the Election Commission of India (ECI)-Actor Rajkummar Rao
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