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Posted 20 Nov 2024
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2nd India-Australia Annual Summit
The 2nd India-Australia Annual Summit was held on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
Key Highlights
- Australia-India Business Exchange (AIBX) programme: Extended for 4 years from July 2024.
- AIBX, launched in 2021, to provide businesses with market insights and foster commercial partnerships.
- India-Australia Renewable Energy Partnership (REP): Launched to provide a framework for practical cooperation in priority areas such as solar PV, green hydrogen, energy storage etc.
- Tags :
- India-Australia
- Australia-India Business Exchange (AIBX)
- India-Australia Renewable Energy Partnership (REP)
Articles Sources
Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (FF-NPT)
At UNFCCC COP 29, Baku (Azerbaijan), it was announced that 10 more countries had joined discussions on the FF-NPT.
About FF-NPT
- It was conceptualized in 2016 and officially launched in 2019.
- It is a group of civil society, research organizations, Nobel Laureates, government, etc.
- It operates on 3 pillars -
- Non-proliferation: Global cooperation to stop new fossil fuel (coal, oil, gas) production.
- Fair phase-out: Developed nations lead in closing existing fossil fuel facilities, based on their capacity and historical emissions.
- Just transition: Fast-track renewables while ensuring economic support for affected workers, communities, and countries.
- Tags :
- Fossil Fuels
- Non-proliferation
Sanyukt Vimochan, 2024
Indian Army conducted Multilateral Annual Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise, 'Sanyukt Vimochan 2024' in Gujrat.
About sanyukt vimochan
- The exercise brought together all agencies involved with disaster relief efforts, signifying the necessity of a whole-government approach.
- Nine Friendly Foreign Countries from Gulf Cooperation Council, Indian Ocean Region and South East Asia also attended the exercise.
- It represented a significant step towards strengthening India's preparedness and response capabilities, solidifying its leadership in disaster management at the global stage.
- Tags :
- Sanyukta Vimochan
- Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise
UNRWA
Recently, India released the second tranche of USD 2.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), fulfilling its annual contribution of USD 5 million for 2024-25.
About UNRWA
- Genesis: Post-1948 Arab-Israel war, UNRWA was formed by a UN General Assembly Resolution in 1949 to carry out direct relief and works programmes for Palestine refugees.
- Funding: Funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN Member States.
- Its mandate has been extended until 30 June 2026.
- Headquarters: Amman (Jordan) and Gaza.
- Area of work: Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
- Tags :
- UNRWA
- Palestine
- Refugees
ATACMS Missiles
Ukraine used American-made ATACMS missiles to strike into Russia
About ATACMS Missiles
- ATACMS is a long-range, guided surface-to-surface ballistic missile.
- Maximum range is 300 km.
- It has improved guidance package with Global Positioning System.
- ATACMS missiles are fired from the HIMARS and MLRS M270 platforms.
- Tags :
- ATACMS Missiles
- Global Positioning System
African penguins
Last month, African Penguins were listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
About African Penguins
- It is the only Penguin species found in Africa.
- Characteristics: It is one of the smallest penguin species. Males are generally slightly larger than their female counterparts.
- They have a small pink gland above each eye, which helps them cope with high temperatures.
- Behavior: Communicate with one another through vocalizations and body language like gaping, pointing the bill, pecking, and bill-jabbing.
- Diet: They feed on pelagic schooling fish, particularly sardine and anchovy.
- Tags :
- Biodiversity
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- African penguins
- biod
AroTrack
Scientists at IIT Bombay have developed portable water-pollutant detecting device called ‘AroTrack’.
About AroTrack
- The device uses a protein-based biosensor to detect harmful ‘aromatic xenobiotic’ pollutants like phenol, benzene and xylenols from water samples.
- Aromatic xenobiotic compounds can be extremely toxic to living organisms and are difficult to detect.
- The MopR biosensor with engineered protein DNA sequence senses different pollutants and a LED phototransistor relays the results through light of varied intensities.
- Significance: It’s a low cost, battery-operated nature can revolutionize water quality testing.
- Tags :
- AroTrack
- Quality Testing
- Water Pollution
MECHS
Recently, Scientists have developed a new bioplastic and named it Mechanical Engineered Living Materials with Compostability, Healability, and Scalability (MECHS).
About MECHS
- It is nature-inspired solution, with the ability to regenerate, regulate itself, and respond to external stimuli such as light.
- It comprises of engineered E. coli bacteria intertwined with a fiber matrix, crafted into a paper- or film-like material.
- MECHS is biodegradable in water and even in a compost bin.
- Challenges in adopting MECHS: Genomic stability of the engineered E. coli bacteria, scale of economic and logistical barriers, etc.
- Tags :
- MECHS
- bioplastic
UAE Launches Global Energy Efficiency Alliance at COP29
UAE launched “Global Energy Efficiency Alliance” at COP29, hosted in Azerbaijan.
About “Global Energy Efficiency Alliance”
- Aim: To double global energy efficiency rates by 2030 and contribute to significant emission reductions.
- It also aims to encourage strategic public-private partnerships & bolster investments in energy efficiency initiatives.
- The alliance will focus on compiling & disseminating best practices, with a particular emphasis on assisting African nations.
- The initiative builds on ‘UAE Consensus‘ from COP28, a commitment to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable resource management.
- Tags :
- Global Energy Efficiency Alliance
- Energy Efficiency
Unified Complex Radio Antenna (UNICORN)
India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Implementation for co-development of UNICORN mast for Indian naval warships.
About UNICORN
- It is a mast with integrated communication systems which will help improve the stealth characteristics of Naval platforms.
- Indian Navy currently uses Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)’s Advanced Composite Communication System, a 4th-gen integrated voice/data system for ship communications.
- This is first case of co-development and co-production of defence equipment between India and Japan signed in 2015.
- Tags :
- India-Japan
- UNICORN masts
- Defense Equipment
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