Daily Current Affairs and GK | 26 November 2022

Topic: Summits/Meetings/Conferences

1. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus in Cambodia.

• He said that we hope that ongoing negotiations on the Code of Conduct for the South China Sea will be fully consistent with international law, in particular, United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
• He stated that the gravest threat requiring urgent and resolute intervention by international community is transnational and cross-border terrorism.
• The 9th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) was held on 23 November 2022 in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
• ADMM Plus is an annual meeting of Defence Ministers of ten ASEAN countries and its eight dialogue partner countries.
• Eight dialogue partners are India, USA, Russia, China, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea.
• UNCLOS is an international agreement on the law of the sea. It was adopted in 1982.
• It defines an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as generally extending 200 nautical miles from shore.

Topic: Indian Polity

2. Government has invited public comments on draft Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Bill, 2022 until December 7.

• The bill has been prepared by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying.
• Centre has proposed to change The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.
• The draft bill introduces 61 changes in the law. These changes include three years’ imprisonment for committing gruesome cruelty and five year’s jail for killing.
• The draft bill has proposed to include “Bestiality” as a crime under the new category of “Gruesome cruelty.”
• For the offence of gruesome cruelty, fines from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000 or the cost of the animal, whichever is more, are proposed.
• It makes several offences cognizable. This means offenders can be arrested without an arrest warrant.
• Under the current PCA Act, first time offenders are punished with a fine of Rs 10-50.
• For other offenders, maximum punishment would be a fine between Rs 25 and Rs 100, a jail term of three months, or both.
• In 2014, Supreme Court, in ‘Animal Welfare Board of India vs A Nagaraja & Others’, had said that for violation of Section 11 (treating animals cruelly) of the PCA Act 1960, adequate penalties and punishments should be imposed.
• In the draft bill, insertion of a new section providing five freedoms to animals is proposed.
• Every person having charge of an animal shall ensure that the animal in his care or under his charge has freedom from:
  • Thirst, hunger and malnutrition
  • Discomfort due to environment
  • Pain, injury and diseases
  • Fear and distress
  • and Freedom to express normal behaviour for the species
• In case of a community animal, the local government like municipality or panchayats will take care of the community animals in a way developed by the State Government or by the Board.
• In the draft, a community animal is defined as any animal born in a community and which is not owned by any individual or an organization.
• This excludes wild animals as defined under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (53 of 1972) from the definition of community animal.  

Topic: International News

3. European Parliament voted in favour of a resolution declaring Russia a state sponsor of terrorism.

• European Parliament designated Russia a state sponsor of terrorism arguing that its military strike on Ukrainian civilian targets like infrastructure, hospitals and schools violated international law.  
• European Union has already imposed sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomed the decision of European Parliament.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has urged US and other countries to declare Russia a state sponsor of terrorism.
• US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has till now refused to list Russia as state sponsor of terrorism.
• The US State Department presently names four countries as state sponsors of terrorism. They are Cuba, North Korea, Iran and Syria.
• This means that these countries are subject to a defence export ban and financial restrictions.
• In the EU, parliaments of four countries have till now designated Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. They are Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland.

Topic: Environment and Ecology

4. CITES COP19 urged removing references to pangolins from the "official pharmacopoeia."

• On November 22, 2022, the 19th Conference of Parties (COP19) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) urged countries to help save these species.
• Pangolin scales are used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with ailments ranging from lactation difficulties to arthritis.
• According to a document released by the CITES secretariat, COP19 suggested countries to replace these references with acceptable substitute products that do not threaten the survival of any other wild species.
• COP19 urged Parties and non-Parties alike to adopt and implement comprehensive national legislation and to review existing ones.
• It will serve as a deterrent punishment targeting illegal trade in specimens of native and non-native pangolin species.
• To bring effective regional enforcement, COP19 recommended applying anti-money laundering techniques, forensic analytical techniques, working with online platforms, and developing strong systems in border regions.
• Pangolins are listed in Appendix I of CITES. This means that the species is at risk of extinction.
• There are eight species of pangolins in the world, of which the Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) and the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) are found in India.
• IUCN status of Indian Pangolin is endangered while that of Chinese pangolin is critically endangered. Both species are listed in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act.
• The pangolin is the 'most trafficked animal in the world.'
• According to TRAFFIC, at least 23.5 tonnes of pangolins and their specimens were trafficked in 2021 alone.
• TRAFFIC is a global non-profit organization working on the protection and trade of wild animals and plants.

Topic: National News

5. Gutti Koya tribals allegedly killed Chalamala Srinivas Rao, a Forest Range Officer (FRO).

• On 22 November, a group of Gutti Koya Adivasis killed him with axes and sickles over the issue of "Podu land" in the Errabodu forest area of Chandragonda Mandal in the Bhadradri Kothagudem district of Telangana.
• Koya Tribe:
  • The Koya tribes are found in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
  • In their own language, Koyas refer to themselves as Koitur.
  • The Koya speaks the Koya language, which is a Dravidian language related to Gondi.
  • Koya tribes are divided into Koya, Doli Koya, Gutta Koya or Gotti Koya, Kammara Koya, etc.
  • Medaram Jatara, also called the Sammakka Saralamma Jatara, is Asia's largest tribal festival celebrated by Koya tribe in Telangana.
  • The festival takes place every two years in February.
  • The festival is known to attract the largest gatherings of people in the world, second only to the Kumbh Mela.
• ‘Podu’ land issue:
  • Podu farming is a traditional form of agriculture practice where the forests are cleared (often burnt) and people cultivate crops such as millet and vegetables in these patches.
  • After the harvest, the podu cultivators leave the land and return to these patches for another crop season, sometimes two or three years later.
  • A state government survey found that 3.95 lakh farmers in Telangana are engaged in podu cultivation.
  • The forest department has raised concerns about forest destruction and degradation as well as the carbon emissions that this type of agriculture can cause.
  • Therefore, the issue of 'Podu' cultivation has been a source of discontent between the local communities and the Forest Department in the state.
  • Under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act of 2006, also known as the Forest Rights Act, tribal communities are eligible for title deeds to podu land.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

6. Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (Akademi Puraskar) have been announced for the years 2019, 2020 & 2021.

• The General Council meeting of Sangeet Natak Akademi, National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama, New Delhi, was held from 6 to 8 November 2022 in New Delhi.
• They have unanimously elected ten (10) eminent persons in the field of performing arts as Fellows of the Academy.
• Fellowship of the Academy is a most prestigious and rare honour, limited to 40 at any given time.
• With the selection of these ten (10) Fellows, the Sangeet Natak Akademi now has (39) Fellows.
• The General Council also selected 128 artists for the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (Akademi Awards) for the years 2019, 2020, and 2021.
• An award money of Rs.3,00,000/- (Rupees three lakh) is given in honor of the Akademi Fellow.
• The Akademi Award carries a Tamrapatra and Angavastram along with a cash prize of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees one lakh).
• Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards:
  • The Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards are the highest national recognition given to practicing artists.
  • It was instituted in 1951, and the first award was conferred in 1952.
  • Sangeet Natak Akademi also confers Fellowships to eminent artists and scholars of music, dance, and drama.

Topic: International News

7. India won the Vice Presidency of International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and Chair of Strategic Management Board (SMB) for the 2023-25 term.

• Vimal Mahendru will be the IEC Vice President representing India.
• International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is an international standard body that publishes international standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.
• India's representative in the IEC and various technical committees of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) were elected.
• BIS has represented the policy and administrative bodies of the International Organization for Standardization (ISVO) and the IEC.
• The Standardisation Management Board (SMB) is the highest governance body of the IEC responsible for technical policy matters.

Topic: Indian Economy

8. India's unemployment rate declined to 7.2% in July-Sept 2022.

• According to the National Statistical Office, the Unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years and above has declined to 7.2% during July-September 2022 from 9.8% a year ago.
• The latest data of the unemployment rate is based on the periodic labor force survey.
• In July-September 2022, the unemployment rate among females (aged 15 years and above) in urban areas declined to 9.4 per cent from 11.6 per cent.
• Labour force participation rate in CWS (Current Weekly Status) in urban areas has increased to 47.9 percent in the July-September quarter of 2022. It was 47.5 percent in April-June 2022.
• The Unemployment rate is defined as the percentage of unemployed persons among the labor force.
• Labor force is the number of persons either employed or unemployed on average in a week.

Topic: Indian Economy

9. C-DOT organised three-day ‘National Workshop on Cryptology’.

• C-DOT in association with the Cryptology Research Society of India and IEEE Communications Society – Delhi Chapter organised three-day ‘National Workshop on Cryptology’.
• The workshop was centered on the theme “Advancements in Cryptology for enhancing security & privacy in communication networks”.
• NWC-2022 aimed to bring all the relevant stakeholders on a common platform.
• Various contemporary themes in the field of Cryptology spanning Cyber Security, Quantum Computing, Post-Quantum Cryptography, Blockchain technology, etc. were discussed.
• C-DOT has undertaken several initiatives for strengthening the Telecom networks.
• Eminent experts and field veterans discussed dimensions of advanced Cryptology with a key focus on building secure and robust networks.

Topic: National News

10. PM Modi participated in the Constitution Day celebrations in Supreme Court.

• He launched various initiatives under the e-court project- Virtual Justice Clock, JustIS mobile App 2.0, Digital court and S3WaaS websites.
• E-court project is an effort to provide services to lawyers, litigants and the judiciary through ICT.
• Through Virtual Justice Clock, the courts’ functioning will become accountable and transparent as the status of case disposal by court will be share with public.
• JustIS Mobile App 2.0 will allow judges of the High Court and Supreme Court to know the case pendency and its disposal.
• Digital court is an initiative to make court records available to the judge in digitized form.
• The S3WaaS website is a framework to generate, configure, deploy and manage websites for publishing specified information and services related to district judiciary.
• Constitution Day:
  • It is celebrated every year on 26 November.
  • It is observed to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India. On 26th November 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the Constitution of India.
  • The government notified November 26 as the Constitution Day of India in 2015.
  • It is celebrated to bring awareness about the Constitution of India and to pay tribute to India’s first Law Minister Dr B R Ambedkar.
  • B R Ambedkar is considered to be the chief architect of the Constitution of India.
  • The Constitution of India was drafted by the members of the Constituent Assembly.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

11. First Sherpa meeting of the G-20 will be organized in Udaipur in Rajasthan.

• The meeting will be held from December 4 to 7.
• Its objective is to promote economic cooperation and friendship among the G-20 member countries.
• The Sherpa meeting of the G20 summit is the preparatory meeting of government representatives before the main G20 summit.
• In this there will be discussion among the member countries about the possible agreements.
• But, the final decisions at the G20 summit are taken by the heads of state.
• Prior to the main G20 summit, the Sherpa meeting ensures that the final summit has the necessary time and resources for large Heads of State talks.
• Amitabh Kant, former CEO of NITI Aayog, is the G-20 Sherpa from the Indian side.

Topic: National News

12. PM Modi is the world's most popular leader with a 77% approval rating.

• As per Global Leader Approval Ratings, PM Modi remains the world’s most popular leader, with 77 percent of an approval rating. 
• US-based consulting firm Morning Consult has released the Global Leader Approval Ratings.
• Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is in second place, followed by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
• Among the 22 world leaders, US President Joe Biden is ranked ninth, followed by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
• The most recent approval ratings are based on data gathered from the 16th to 22nd of November.
• The survey polled adult residents in each country for seven days.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: National News

13. Department of Animal Husbandry celebrated National Milk Day in Bengaluru on 26^th November 2022.

• Department of Animal Husbandry celebrated National Milk Day in Bengaluru to commemorate 101st birth anniversary of Dr. Verghese Kurien.
• Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Govt. of Karnataka, National Dairy Development Board and Karnataka Milk Federation have come together to organize this national event in Karnataka.
• Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, laid the foundation stone of advanced training facility at Central Frozen Semen production and Training Institute at Heseraghatta, Karnataka.
• Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying also inaugurated Animal Quarantine Certification Services as part of the celebrations in Hasserghata Bengaluru.
• Dr. Verghese Kurien was born on 26 November 1921. He is known as the Father of the White Revolution in India. He is also known as the Milkman of India.

Topic: Banking System

14. India’s first sticker-based debit card has been launched by IDFC FIRST Bank.

• The bank said it has launched FIRSTAP, India’s first sticker-based debit card.
• It can be used to tap and pay in stores, restaurants, and all other places.
• The bank has launched the card in association with the National Payments Corporation of India.
• The card has been launched to facilitate transactions by simply tapping the sticker on a Near Field Communication enabled point-of-sale terminal.
• The sticker-based card is one third the size of a regular debit card.
• Customers can affix it on any surface, such as cell phones, identity cards, wallets, tabs, etc.
• Since the card can be used to tap and pay, it does away with the need to carry a debit card or adapting to wearable devices such as watches and rings or entering a UPI PIN after scanning a QR code.
• The sticker-based debit card allows touch-free transactions up to Rs 5,000 without a PIN, and for transactions above that, a tap and PIN is required.
• The sticker-based debit card comes with a complimentary personal accidental cover and other offers.
• IDFC FIRST Bank:
  • It is an Indian Private Sector Bank. It started operations on 1 October 2015.
  • It is headquartered in Mumbai. Its CEO is V. Vaidyanathan.