Top News Highlights-18 November 2024

UNESCO Recognizes Odisha Villages as Tsunami Ready

• Twenty-four coastal villages in Odisha were certified as ‘Tsunami Ready’ by UNESCO-IOC during the Global Tsunami Symposium.
• The certification process, conducted by the National Tsunami Ready Recognition Board (NTRB), includes fulfilling 12 preparedness indicators.
• Tsunami preparedness involves measures like public education, evacuation plans, and community drills to minimize risks.
• India’s Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC) provides alerts to 25 Indian Ocean countries, ensuring last-mile connectivity.

BSNL Launches India’s First Direct-to-Device (D2D) Satellite Connectivity

• Direct-to-Device satellite technology enables communication directly between satellites and devices, bypassing the traditional cell towers.
• Some of the advantages include reliable internet connectivity even in very remote areas, UPI payment support, and proper emergency communication service in isolated regions.
• BSNL is utilizing Viasat’s geostationary satellites located 36,000 km from the Earth.
• The challenges it faces include latency, issues in spectrum allocation, regulations, and testing device compatibility.

International Day Against Transnational Organized Crime (TOC)

• Transnational Organized Crime encompasses illegal activities such as narcotics trade, money laundering and trafficking in human beings across national borders.
• The UN’s 2019 resolution referred to activities intended to disrupt the nexus of organized crime with terrorism.
• FATF for the fight against terrorist financing and INTERPOL for international policing cooperation.
• India faces both counterfeit currency circulation and illicit trade routes along borders, especially in the case of Northeast India.

India Hosts Finance Commission Conclave for Strengthening Local Bodies

• Article 243I mandates State Finance Commissions (SFCs) every five years to recommend tax sharing and grants for local bodies.
• Challenges include delays in SFC establishment and lack of financial data from states, leading to ad-hoc recommendations.
• The 15th Finance Commission proposed withholding grants from non-compliant states after March 2024.
• Strengthening SFCs is vital for improving fiscal decentralization and local governance..

Raising Ambition in Climate Finance: UNFCCC Report at COP-29

• The estimated annual global investment requirement to address climate change is $6.3–6.7 trillion by 2030; for EMDCs other than China, the amount is $2.3-2.5 trillion.
• Three recommendations include tripling the lending capacity of multilateral banks, reducing private capital costs, and developing carbon markets.
• Declining technology costs in solar energy and South-South Cooperation make climate finance accessible for India.
• GCF and other mechanisms support developing countries to meet their climate targets.

Guru Nanak Jayanti: Relevance of Teachings in Modern Times

• Guru Nanak emphasized precepts of equality and truthful and high-mindedness for leading a good life whereas very critical towards casteism and materialistic attitudes in religion.
• His gurbani like ‘Vaand Chhako’ or give to share one’s wealth and ‘Sarbat da Bhala’ or wellbeing of all, appear still resonant with contemporary issues like inequality and climate justice.
• Guru Nanak’s legacy is inspiring sustainable and inclusive global answers.

India Strengthens Maritime Security with Operation Sagar-Manthan

• NCB, in collaboration with the Indian Navy and Coast Guard, recovered 700 kg of methamphetamine as part of this anti-drug trafficking operation.
• This operation, Sagar-Manthan, targets maritime drug trafficking and supports the vision of India becoming a ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ by 2047.
• Monitoring very large sea routes is a major challenge. Interconnecting narco-trafficking with national security threats is another challenge.
• Tsunami Ready Program – UNESCO-IOC’s effort at building coastline resilience through public awareness and safety measures.

Key Concepts and Policies:

• Direct-to-Device Satellite Connectivity: Direct communication between satellites and ground devices, bypassing traditional cell towers.
• Transnational Organized Crime (TOC): Crimes such as drug trafficking and money laundering, involving activities across international borders.
• State Finance Commission (SFC): A constitutional body establishing fiscal distribution between states and local bodies to strengthen decentralization.
• Green Climate Fund (GCF): A UN initiative supporting developing countries to adapt and modify climate adaptation and mitigation projects.
• Operation Sagar-Manthan: India’s maritime anti-drug trafficking operation enhancing coastal and national security.