Daily Current Affairs and GK | 2 November 2022

Topic: Awards and Prizes

1. ‘Friends of Liberation War’ honour has been conferred to Edward M Kennedy posthumously.

• Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina conferred the prestigious honour to the former US Senator in Dhaka for his contribution to the liberation of Bangladesh.
• The honour was given to his son Edward M Ted Kennedy Junior.
• On the occasion of the honour handing over ceremony, PM Sheikh Hasina recalled the contribution of Edward Kennedy Senior.
• She said that Kennedy worked hard to stop US military and economic aid to Pakistan till the end of the 1971 liberation war of Bangladesh.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Art and Culture

2. Mangarh Dham in Rajasthan has been declared a national monument by PM Modi.

• PM Modi attended the 'Mangarh Dham ki Gaurav Gatha’ programme in Banswara, Rajasthan.
• He paid tributes to tribals killed by the British in 1913 in Mangarh.
• He attended the 'Mangarh Dham ki Gaurav Gatha’ programme along with Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel and Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
• He said Mangarh is the shared heritage of the people of Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.  
• Mangarh Dham is a memorial for around 1,500 tribals massacred by the British army.
• Social reformer Govind Guru had led the gathering of tribals and forest dwellers in 1913 in Mangarh against the British regime.
• Gujarat CM said that the massacre of tribals at Mangarh in 1913 was more gruesome than the Jallianwala Bagh killings.

Topic: Agriculture and allied sectors

3. Government restricted the use of the herbicide glyphosate.

• The Ministry of Agriculture has restricted the use of glyphosate, citing health hazards to humans and animals.
• The government has only authorized pest control operators to use it.
• The central government issued a notification regarding it on October 21, 2022, on the basis of a report by the Government of Kerala.
• Around 35 countries have banned or restricted the use of glyphosate.
• The use of the herbicide glyphosate can cause cancer, and immunotoxicity and can affect the reproductive system.
• In India, glyphosate is generally used in tea plantations and non-plantation areas.
• The use of glyphosate in India can contribute to the widespread use of illegal herbicide-tolerant crops.
• Glyphosate usage can affect Indian farms and spread toxicity to people, animals and the environment.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

4. Dr Jaishankar participated in the 21^st meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of the government virtually.

• SCO Member States, Observer States, the Secretary General of the SCO, the Executive Director of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure, and Turkmenistan participated in the meeting.
• The CHG meeting was focused on the trade and economic agenda.
• Dr Jaishankar drew attention towards India’s commitment towards the fight against climate change.
• He spoke about the global Mission ‘LIFE’ (Lifestyle for Environment) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• Dr Jaishankar said that India is committed towards deepening multilateral cooperation in the areas of food and energy security, climate change, trade and culture.
• Shanghai Cooperation Organization:
  • It was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001.
  • Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan are its members.
  • Uzbekistan hosted the SCO summit in 2022.
  • The Secretariat of the SCO is in Beijing.

Topic: Biotechnology and Diseases

5. CDFD launched a pilot study on pediatric rare genetic disorders.

• The Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad, announced the launch of the ‘Mission on Paediatric Rare Genetic Disorders’ (PraGeD).
• It is a screening programme to decode the unknown genetic mutations causing Pediatric Rare Genetic Disorders (PRaGeD).
• The ‘PRaGeD’ is an initiative funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology.
• The CDFD is collaborating with paediatrics departments of medical colleges, and DBT-UMMID centres to analyse samples from children with rare genetic disorders and their parents.
• The main aim of ‘PRaGeD’ is to create awareness, achieve genetic diagnosis and develop therapies for pediatric rare genetic diseases in India.
• According to an estimate, around 7crores of people in India are suffering from identified rare genetic disorders.
• 95% of rare genetic diseases don’t have any single approved drug for treatment.
• Scientists at CDFD will perform Whole Exome Sequencing (WES)/ Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS).

Topic: Sports

6. India won Sultan of Johor Cup 2022 by defeating Australia.

• This is the third time India has won the Sultan of Johor Cup.
• Sudeep Chirmako's field goal in the 14th minute gave India the lead.
• However, Australia came back when Jack Holland tied the score with India in the second quarter.
• In the shootout, both teams ended with 3-3 scoreline. Uttam Singh scored twice in the shootout.
• The Indians have won the age group tournament twice -- 2013 and 2014.
• The tournament was not held in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic.
• Sultan of Johor Cup is an annual, international under–21 men's field hockey tournament held in Malaysia.

Topic: Environment and Ecology

7. A new species of damselfly has been discovered from the Brahmagiri Hills of Western Ghats.

• It was discovered in the Kanichar grama panchayat of the Kannur district. This area formed a part of the Brahmagiri Hills of the Coorg landscape.
• Francy’s Reedtail (scientific name: Protosticta francyi sp. nov) is the new species.
• Vibhu Vipanchika, a Kannur-based dental surgeon and Odonate enthusiast, first spotted the new damsel. Odonata includes dragonflies and damselflies.
• The new species has been named after Francy K. Kakkassery, a retired professor of zoology and a pioneer in odonate studies.
• It is the third Protosticta species to be described by Travancore Nature History Society’s odonata research group (TORG).
• New species can be distinguished from other species by the presence of long prothoracic spines in the males and the structure of the tip of the male cerci and genital ligula.
• Genus Protosticta:
  • It includes damselflies commonly known as reed tails or shadow damsels.
  • They inhabit the hill streams in tropical, subtropical, and temperate forests of the Indian subcontinent and south-eastern Asia.
  • In India, they are found in the Western Ghats and the north-eastern region towards Myanmar.

Topic: Important Days

8. International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists: 2 November

• The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists is observed annually on 2 November.
• The United Nations General Assembly declared 2 November as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists to raise awareness about the crime against Journalists.
• The date has been chosen in commemoration of the assassination of two French journalists in Mali on 2 November 2013.
• Between 2006 and 2020, over 1,200 journalists have been killed for reporting the news.
• The UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists is the first concerted effort within the UN to address attacks against journalists.
• Protecting journalists is also part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• To celebrate the 2022 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, a High-Level Multi-Stakeholder Conference on the Safety of Journalists will be organised on 3 and 4 November 2022.
• The theme of the conference would be Protecting Media to Protect Democracy.

Topic: Personality in News

9. Dr Jamshed J Irani, popularly known as the 'Steel Man of India', died at the age of 86 in Jamshedpur.

• Dr. Irani had served several Tata Group companies for 43 years.
• Jamshed J Irani was born on 2 June 1936 in Nagpur.
• He was conferred with the Padma Bhushan in 2007 for his contribution to the industry.
• He was conferred with an Honorary Knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II in 1997 for his contributions to Indo-British Trade and cooperation.
• In 1962, Dr. Irani began his professional career with the British Iron and Steel Research Association.
• He also served as the Confederation of Indian Industry's (CII) national president from 1992 to 1993.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

10. Prime Minister addressed the inaugural session of 'Invest Karnataka 2022', a global investor Meet.

• Mr Modi addressed the meet via video conferencing on 2 November.
• The Meet aims to attract potential investors and set the development agenda for the next decade.
• This three-day program is being organized in Bangalore from 2 November till November 4.
• In this, more than eighty speakers will participate.
• The speakers will include some well-known industrialists, including Kumar Mangalam Birla, Sajjan Jindal, and Vikram Kirloskar.
• Several trade exhibitions are also being organized parallel to it.
• More than 300 companies are participating in these.
• Various country-related sessions will also be held, which will be hosted by partner countries- France, Germany, the Netherlands, South Korea, Japan, and Australia.
• This global program of Karnataka will help the state to introduce its culture to the world.

Topic: International News

11. Ghana assumed the Presidency of UNSC on 1 November 2022.

• It is a historic moment in the Ghana’s 2 year tenure at the Security Council.
• As the President of UN Security Council, Ghana would be focusing on increasing Global Peace and Security for Sustainable and Inclusive development.
• Ghana rejoined the UN Security Council from 1 January 2022. It is the third time that Ghana is holding a non-permanent seat on the UNSC after serving on the council in 1962 to 1963 and 2006 to 2007.
• Ghana is a country in West Africa. Its capital is Accra and currency is Cedi. It shares borders with Ivory Coast in west, Burkina Faso in north and Togo in East.
• UN Security Council:
  • Its main function is to ensure international peace and security.
  • It was established on 24 October 1945.
  • China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States are the five permanent members of the Security Council.
  • As of November 2022, the 10 non-permanent members are Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana, India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, Norway and UAE.
  • Headquarters of UNSC: New York, USA
  • The Presidency rotates among the 15 (5 permanent and 10 non-permanent) members of the council.
  • The term of Presidency is for one month.
  • The first holder of the Presidency was Australia.

Topic: International News

12. G7 nations ask India to join Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

• G7 countries have urged India to be part of Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) that will help finance quick establishment of clean energy projects in the country.
• It is capable of reducing India’s dependence on coal.
• India has although not responded to the partnership offer. If India will accept the offer, it is likely to be announced during the COP27.
• The concept of JETP started at COP26 with South Africa when France UK, US, Germany and EU- the International Partners Group committed to grant $8.5 billion over 3 to 5 years to support national climate plan of South Africa.
• After this G7 in June 2022 announced that G7 is working with India, Indonesia and Vietnam on similar partnerships.
• Group of Seven (G7):
  • G7 is an international intergovernmental economic organization of the world’s seven advanced economies.
  • Members- Canada, Japan, Italy, France, Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom
  • Its first meeting was held in 1975 in France. Its headquarters is located in Taormina, Italy.

Topic: Art and Culture

13. National Tribal Dance Festival (NTDF) is being held in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, from 1st to 3rd November 2022.

• Tribal dance groups from all the states and union territories and some neighboring countries are taking part in this festival.
• The three-day long event is organised under the Tourism and Culture department of Chhattisgarh state.
• The event will see the participation of dance groups from Mozambique, Mongolia, Tongo, Russia, Indonesia, Maldives, Serbia, New Zealand and Egypt.
• NTDF has competitions under two categories. The first category is based on the theme of harvesting and second category is based on theme of tribal tradition and ritual.
• Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel attended the inaugural ceremony as the chief guest and Assembly Speaker Dr. Charandas Mahant presided over the ceremony.
• NTDF 2022 is the third edition of NTDF. The first NTDF was organized from 27th December to 29th December 2019.
• The second NTDF was organized from 28th October to 1st November 2021.

Topic: Reports and Indices

14. International Energy Agency (IEA) has released World Energy Outlook 2022.

• According to the report, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a historic turning point in global energy markets.
• The report says the supply of natural gas is hit hard in Europe. Russia supplied 40% of Europe’s natural gas.
• The report says that rapid growth in gas demand has stopped.
• Governments either tried to boost fossil fuel investment and subsidies or they went for clean energy transitions with programmes like the REPowerEU and legislations like the United States Inflation Reduction Act.
• Current scenarios show Russia’s share in internationally traded natural gas is likely to drop from 30% in 2021 to 15% in 2030. 
• As per the global Stated Policies Scenario, natural gas demand may be 750 billion cubic metres lower than it is today by 2050.
• Global Stated Policies Scenario projects the trajectory of current policies.
• Global natural gas demand may increase by 5% by 2030. The report said this is because developing countries in South and Southeast Asia are no longer enthusiastic about gas as a transition fuel.
• According to Announced Pledges Scenario, the demand for fossil fuels is expected to decline by 2030.
• Announced Pledges Scenario are projections based on IEA member countries’ climate pledges.
• The report said high energy prices are causing a huge transfer of wealth from consumers to producers.
• High fuel prices contribute 90% to the rise in the average costs of electricity generation worldwide. Natural gas alone contributes more than 50%.
• The number of people without access to modern energy is rising for the first time in a decade.
• The world has not been investing enough in energy in recent years.
• The rising share of electricity in global final energy consumption is common.
• According to the Stated Policies Scenario (STEPS), renewable energy sources will provide nearly all of the additional global energy demand growth of about 1% each year through 2030.
• Russia faces the prospect of a much‐diminished role in international energy affairs.
• Energy‐related CO2 emissions rebounded to 36.6 Gt in 2021. This was the largest ever annual rise in emissions.
• World Energy Outlook is published every year. It was first published in 1977. It has been published annually since 1998. It is a flagship publication of the International Energy Agency (IEA).