Top News Highlights- 2 August 2024

India’s Role in Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)

• India elected as Vice-Chair of IPEF’s Supply Chain Council, enhancing its influence in regional supply chain resilience.
• Significance: Positions India as a key player in regional economic and security strategies, aligning with UPSC’s focus on international relations and economics.
• Pillars Participated: India is actively involved in Supply Chain Resilience, Clean Economy, and Fair Economy.

WHO’s mRNA Vaccine Initiative

• Launch of initiative to advance mRNA vaccine development against H5N1 avian influenza.
• Key Detail: Supported by WHO’s mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, focusing on low- and middle-income countries.
• Significance: Promotes vaccine equity and prepares for pandemics, relevant to global health governance topics in UPSC.
• Technological Insight: Explanation of mRNA technology and its implications for future vaccine development.

Supreme Court’s Call for Legislative Impact Assessment (LIA)

• Directive for a comprehensive audit of Maharashtra Slum Areas Act emphasizes the need for continuous legislative review.
• Importance of LIA: Ensures laws are based on solid evidence and aligned with existing policies and international commitments.

Women Entrepreneurship Program by NSDC

• Empowering 25 lakh women entrepreneurs with skills and resources.
• Economic and Social Impact: Potential to create approximately 170 million jobs and increase GDP.

Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak 2024

• Overhaul of the 90-year-old Aircraft Act to modernize aviation regulation.
• Key Provisions: Includes drones and unmanned aerial vehicles, highlighting regulatory adaptations to new technologies.

Private Sector Participation in Indian Space Sector

• IN-SPACe’s role in promoting private investment in space activities.
• Economic and Strategic Implications: Encourages innovation and complements ISRO’s efforts.

Nirbhaya Fund Allocation

• ₹7,212 crore allocated for women’s safety and security initiatives for FY 2023-24.
• Programs Funded: One Stop Centres under Mission Shakti.

Import of Tur dal from Mozambique

• Resumption post disruption, strengthening food security and international trade relations.
• Geopolitical Context: Mozambique’s strategic importance is highlighted.

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Key Terms and Concepts

• IPEF: A strategic economic forum aimed at strengthening economic engagement among partner countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Legislative Impact Assessment (LIA): A process to assess the impacts of legislation, ensuring they are based on sound evidence and analysis.
• mRNA Technology: A method for developing vaccines that use messenger Ribonucleic Acid to instruct cells to produce a protein that prompts an immune response.