Top News Highlights- 25 September 2024

UN Adopts Pact for the Future

• Key Focus: Sustainable Development, Disarmament, Nuclear Technology Regulation.
• Significance: Especially for developing countries, it will give them more power in global finance and security. It will lead to a responsible use of technology.
• Relevant Details: The Treaty calls for nuclear disarmament and thus bans the misuse of devices like killer robots as well.

India and US Pact on Semiconductor Fabrication Plant

• Strategic Significance: India to become a chip processor, not a consumer after a pact it has signed with the United States.
• Technological Focus: The facility will manufacture critical technologies for new-age warfare, reducing import dependency.
• Key Data: India imports semiconductors worth $1 billion annually to ensure national security.

Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) 5th Anniversary

• Mission: Build resilience of infrastructure in disaster-prone regions focusing on sustainable development.
• Global Outreach: The initiative has 40 member countries that support climate-resilient projects in low-income nations.
• Important Statistics: A new CDRI Fund aims at strengthening city infrastructure resilience in 30 countries.

Supreme Court Ruling on Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material (CSEAM)

• Judgment: Viewing and storing of CSEAM is criminalized devoid of transmission intent
• Effect: This judgment turned out to be more of a social and emotional shock for the children, and a new impetus was given to society to take severe action against such crimes.
• Legal Provisions: Strengthened through the POCSO Act 2012.

Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023-24 Report

• Important Indications: Worker Population Ratio (60.1%), Labour Force Participation Rate (58.2%), Unemployment Rate at 3.2%
• Trends: The participation of rural people and female employment has also picked up.
• Importance: These are important indications for employment policies.

International Rhino Foundation’s Report on Rhino Conservation

• Important Indications: The total population of rhinos worldwide are still at 28,000. However, white rhinos are increasing despite poaching
• Conservation Programs: Rhino Vision 2020 by India as well as other programs target vulnerable species like the Indian Rhino.
• Significance: Focuses on poaching menace and demands increased protection measures.

Cancer Moonshot Initiative by QUAD Countries

• Objective: To revamp the cancer care infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific, particularly regarding the HPV vaccine and radiotherapy.
• Indian Share: That would offer a grant worth $7.5 million on cancer diagnostics and screening.
• Significance: It strengthens India’s health diplomacy in the region.

Key Concepts and Policies

• POCSO Act, 2012: The Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act is related to children who have to undergo sexual offenses and includes provisions while dealing with CSEAM.
• CDRI: Partnership towards climate-resilient infrastructure
• Semicon India Programme: Quadrupling India into a semiconductor global manufacturing hub for the future
• Cancer Moonshot Initiative: Quadruple cancer care and treatment through QUAD initiative for Indo-Pacific countries.