Blue Economy Roadmap Signed By India and France

India and France have inked a roadmap to reinforce their bilateral exchanges on the blue economy and ocean Governance.

Highlights

India and France have inked a roadmap to reinforce their bilateral exchanges on the blue economy and ocean governance.

Dr. S Jaishankar is on a three-day visit to France, from 20 February to 22, 2022, to attend EU Ministerial Forum for Cooperation within the Indo-Pacific scheduled for Washington’s Birthday.

The agreement on ‘Roadmap on Blue Economy and Ocean Governance’ was signed between India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar and his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian.

Putin Divided Ukraine into 3 countries

Russian President Putin has recognized the independence of separatist regions in eastern Ukraine Donetsk and Luhansk.

Highlights

Russian President Putin has recognized the independence of separatist regions in eastern Ukraine Donetsk and Luhansk.

Putin’s announcement paved the way for Russia to openly send troops and weapons to the long-running conflict pitting Ukrainian forces against Moscow-backed rebels.

Russian-backed rebels have been fighting Ukrainian troops in Donetsk and Luhansk since 2014, with regular violence despite a ceasefire agreement.

Putin signed decrees recognizing the Donetsk and Luhansk regions’ independence, eight years after fighting erupted between Russia-backed separatists and Ukrainian forces, and called on lawmakers to approve measures paving the way for military support.

Russia has acquired the proper to create military bases in Ukraine’s two breakaway regions under new agreements with their separatist leaders.

National Cybersecurity Strategy

National Cybersecurity Strategy is in its final stage in India and ready to be cleared as the increasing cyber-attacks and threats from nation-state actors against India.

Highlights:

India has been working on the National Cybersecurity Strategy for the last two years in the cabinet for final approval.

National Cyber Security Strategy 2020 was selected to improve cyber awareness and cybersecurity using stringent audits.

Under the policy, empanelled cyber auditors will carefully look at the security features of companies.

The table-top cyber crisis management exercises will be conducted to reinforce the idea that cyber-attacks can happen regularly.

India has led to avoid any significant cyber-attacks or threats. As a result, in Global Cybersecurity Index 2021, India has jumped from 47 to 10.

As the policy is executed, the country will confront the challenge of addressing cyber-skilling.

As per the report, there will be around 1.5 million job vacancies in cybersecurity in India by 2025.

Banni Buffalo: Indias First IVF Calf Born

Indias first IVF calf of the Banni breed of buffaloes was born at a farmers house in Gir Somnath district of Gujarat on 23 October.

Highlights

Banni breed of buffalo is found in the Kutch region of Gujarat.

The IVC process was conducted to enhance the number of genetically superior buffaloes for enhancing milk production.

Banni buffalo belongs to a farmer from Dhanej village, who gave birth to IVF male calf.

Embryos of Banni donors were instilled in 18 recipient buffaloes using the IVF technology.

The Banni breed had gained six pregnancies at the farmers firm, and One calf was born.

This process was carried out by JKBovagenix of NGO JK Trust, a social enterprise of Raymond Group.

Banni buffalo is also known as Kutchi, found primarily in the Kutch district of Gujarat.

PM To Launch PMASBY In UP On 25 October.

PMASBY to be one of the largest pan-India schemes for strengthening healthcare across the country

The objective of PMASBY is to fill critical gaps in public Health infrastructure in both urban and rural areas. It will be in addition to the National Health Mission.

It will provide support for 17,788 rural Health and Wellness Centres in 10 High Focus States. Further, 11,024 urban Health and Wellness Centres will be established in all the States.

Critical care Services will be available in all the country districts with more than 5 lakh populations through Exclusive Critical Care Hospital Blocks. The remaining districts will be covered through referral services.

People will have access to a full range of diagnostic services in the Public Healthcare system through a Network of Laboratories across the country.
Integrated Public Health Labs will be set up in all the districts.

Under PMASBY, a National Institution for One Health, 4 New National Institutes for Virology, a Regional Research Platform for WHO South-East Asia Region, 9 Biosafety Level III laboratories, 5 New Regional National Centre for Disease Control will be set up.

PMASBY targets to build an IT enabled disease surveillance system by developing a network of surveillance laboratories at block, district, regional and national levels in Metropolitan areas.

World Polio Day Is Observed On 24 October

Affairs:World Polio Day is celebrated on 24 October to raise awareness for polio vaccination and eradication of Polio.

Highlights:

The Day was established by Rotary International to commemorate the birth of Jonas Salk,

He led the first team to develop a vaccine against poliomyelitis.

The 2021 theme for World Polio Day is Delivering on a Promise.

Polio is a crippling and potentially fatal infectious disease.

There is no cure, but there are safe and effective Vaccines. Polio can be prevented through immunization.

The Polio vaccine, given multiple times, almost always protects a child for life. Therefore, the strategy to eradicate Polio is based on preventing infection by immunizing every child until transmission stops and the world is polio-free.

Polio is caused by an RNA virus, where 85% of the infections are paralytic. Poliovirus is most commonly spread in areas where there is poor sanitation.

Delhi to set up first Teachers University

The university will offer a four-year integrated teachereducationprogramme after Class 12.

In the programme, BA & B.Ed, BSc & B.Ed, and BCom & B.Ed courses will be incorporated.

While pursuing these courses, those enrolled in the university will also be linked to Delhi governmentschools for training purposes.

Government will introduce Delhi Teachers University Bill 2021 for the same in the next session of Delhi Assembly.

Delhi Teachers University will be a public university. It will be dedicated to prepare excellent quality teachers for Delhi across different school stages. Students from university will also be attached with Delhi government schools for entire duration of the course, to get hands-on experience. It will help students in receiving excellent practical knowledge in addition to theoretical knowledge.

Anti-Doping Bill Introducedby Sports Minister

The law aims to establish a legal basis for the National Anti-Doping Agency’s operations (NADA).

The bill gives NADA the authority to conduct raids and boost drug-abuse prevention initiatives in Indian communities.

It will also establish a legal framework for the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) and other dope testing facilities to operate under.

It also calls for establishing a National Board for Anti-Doping in Sports to boost anti-doping efforts in sports.

Previously, NADA had no jurisdiction to execute raids, and NADA’s anti-doping appeal panel agreed.

The law aims to give NADA powers of investigation, inspection, sample collection, sharing, and free flow of information and the ability to impose punishment for anti-doping rule violations and establish disciplinary procedures.

NITI Aayog- UN WFP Agreement on Food Basket Diversification.

The and the UN World Food Program (UN WEP) have agreed to broaden the food basket. On December 20, 2021, both organizations signed a Statement of Intent.

Highlights:

The NITI Aayog and UN WEP PARTNERSHIP aims to mainstream Millets and help India take the lead internationally in knowledge exchange in the year 2023, which has been designated as the International Year of Millets.

This alliance also intends to improve small-farmer livelihoods, Climate-change”>Climate Change adaptation and climate change adaption capabilities, and adaptation capabilities and strengthen climate-resilient Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture for improved food and Nutrition security across India.

The Indian government declared 2018 to be the year of millets to boost and develop millet cultivation.

Apretude Approved by FDA To Prevent HIV

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the world’s first injectable drug for lowering the risk of contracting HIV.

Apretude is a medication that can be injected. “Cabogegravir extended-release injectable suspension” is its generic name.

The medicine is an alternative to daily HIV prophylaxis pills such as Truvada and Descovy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these pills are up to 99 percent effective in preventing HIV transmission through sexual contact. It must, however, be taken daily to be effective.

However, to begin Apretude, clients are given two doses one month apart. They will be given an injection every two months after that.

This injection will be crucial to combat the HIV epidemic in the United States.

It will also benefit high-risk individuals and specific groups for whom taking daily medicine is difficult or impossible.