Top News Highlights-29 November 2024

Table of Contents

India’s First Lithium Reserve Auctioned in Jammu and Kashmir

India’s first lithium reserve, Salal-Haimana, in J&K, was auctioned for commercial exploration and extraction.
The reserve has an estimated 5.9 million tonnes of lithium, an element critical for battery manufacturing and renewable energy storage.
It falls in line with India’s vision of reducing import dependence and promoting the adoption of EVs under the FAME II scheme.
However, there will be environmental concerns and ensuring local community participation in the share of benefits.

G20 nations proposed a global framework to regulate Artificial Intelligence in an ethical, inclusive, and transparent manner.
Discussions involved AI in education, health, and governance, while emphasizing the need for stringent data protection laws.
India highlighted the possibility of using AI for public service delivery under Digital India initiatives.
Concerns include algorithmic bias, data privacy, and ensuring equitable access to AI benefits.

The missile, with a range of 1,500 km, was tested from INS Arihant, strengthening India’s nuclear triad capability.
SLBMs provide second-strike capability, enhancing strategic deterrence and national security.
India joins the US, Russia, China, and France with operational SLBM capability.
This goes well with India’s doctrine of credible minimum deterrence under the No First Use policy.

A $700 billion annual gap in biodiversity financing points to a need for private sector engagement and innovative funding models.
India’s biodiversity initiatives are the National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) and Green India Mission, focusing on conservation and afforestation.
The UNEP stresses mechanisms like green bonds, payment for ecosystem services, and carbon credit markets.
Governments, businesses, and communities must collaborate in order to bridge this gap.

According to the PLFS data, women’s labor force participation increased from 23% in 2017-18 to 32% in 2023-24.
Growth is due to increasing rural employment opportunities and government schemes like MGNREGA and Skill India Mission.
Safety concerns, unpaid care work, and a lack of workplace flexibility have all hindered further progress in urban areas.
Improvements in childcare infrastructure and employer incentives should provide a fillip to sustainable progress.

India had pledged support to Africa’s energy transition in the field of green energy through capacity building and technology transfer through the International Solar Alliance.
Initiatives such as the Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) scheme are aimed at increasing Africa-India trade, which has reached $100 billion in 2023.
Cooperation areas include digital connectivity, education, healthcare, and counter-terrorism measures.
The summit underscores India’s strategic focus on South-South cooperation for sustainable development.

NASA and ISRO signed agreements for joint lunar rover missions and collaboration on Mars exploration.
It includes the study of lunar water and soil composition in this mission, based on the success of Chandrayaan-3.
This will help India strengthen its position globally in space diplomacy and technology development.
Other cooperative areas include Earth observation systems in climate research.

FAME II Scheme: An initiative from the government to enhance the speed of adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles in India.
Credible Minimum Deterrence: India’s nuclear policy is to maintain adequate deterrence for adversaries.
Green Bonds: Fixed-income instruments intended for financing environmental and climate projects.
MGNREGA: A rural employment guarantee scheme that guarantees 100 days of wage employment per household.
South-South Cooperation: The cooperation between developing countries in sharing knowledge, skills, and resources toward sustainable development.