1. German cabinet approves plans to aid Syria in its fight against ISIS militants
(i) The German cabinet recently decided to support Syria in its fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
(ii) Resultantly, Germany plans to send a Tornado reconnaissance aircraft, a naval frigate and a 1,200-strong force to the region.
(iii) This mission will be the nation’s biggest current military operation abroad. German forces will, however, not engage in combat.
2. Oxfam Study – world’s richest 10% produce 50% of the global fossil fuel emissions
(i) As per the British charity Oxfam’s recent study, world’s richest 10% produce 50% of the global fossil fuel emissions, while the poorest contribute to only about 10%.
(ii) An average person among the richest 1% emits 175 times more carbon than his/her counterpart among the bottom 10%.
(iii) The report was released at the Paris Climate Change Conference 2015 (COP21), where 195 countries have converged to discuss ways to share responsibility for controlling greenhouse-gas emissions and helping vulnerable countries.
3. BASIC Nations press for on equity and common but differentiated responsibilities at COP21
(i) At the ongoing Paris Climate Change Conference 2015 (COP21), BASIC nations (Brazil, South Africa, India and China) urged the developed nations to outline a roadmap for providing $100 billion by 2020 to developing countries to tackle climate change.
(ii) The nations have said that the Paris agreement should clearly state that developed countries have a bigger responsibility in tackling global warming.
(iii) As per the statement issued by China on behalf of BASIC countries, the agreement should adhere to the provisions of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), especially equity and common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR).
(iv) Further, the Paris 2020 negotiations should include all aspects of the Kyoto Protocol and adhere to differentiation of the developed and the developing countries.
4. Child friendly TB drugs launched in South Africa
(i) In a first, child-friendly tuberculosis (TB) drugs were launched by the TB Alliance, UNITAID and WHO at the 46th Union World Conference on Lung Health in Cape Town, South Africa.
(ii) These drugs are meant for children who weigh less than 25 kg.The availability of such drugs of correct dosages is likely to increase drug adherence, thereby reduce acquired drug resistance.
(iii) Mumbai-based Macleods Pharmaceuticals is the only company manufacturing these drug, which cost about $15.54 for a six-month course of treatment.
5. Union cabinet approves Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC) MoU with Japan
(i) Recently, the Union Cabinet approved signing and ratification of protocol between India and Japan for amending the Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC).
(ii) The first DTAC was signed between Japan and India in 1989 in order to avoid double taxation and prevent fiscal evasion.
(iii) This protocol will facilitate exchange of information, as per accepted international standards, on tax matters, including bank information and information without domestic tax interest
6. India and Israel sign MoU in the field of water resources management and development cooperation
(i) The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Israel in the field of water resources management and development cooperation.
(ii) The agreement aims at strengthening techniques for efficient use and re-use of water, desalination, aquifer recharge, micro-irrigation and in-situ water conservation techniques, among others.
(iii) India has already signed agreements in this area with countries like Australia, Rwanda, Cambodia, Iran, Iraq, Fiji, China and Bahrain.
7. Sri Lanka may approach IMF for a standby agreement
(i) Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that his government might have to approach the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a “standby agreement”, which is an economic program involving financial aid to a member nation in need of financial assistance.
(ii) The PM added, “The ongoing war against the Islamic State in Syria and the inclusion of the Chinese currency in the IMF’s reserve currency basket are going to impact us and the rest of the world economically.”
8. Jharkhand Govt. declares entire state drougb-hit
(i) Recently, the Jharkhand government decided to declare the entire state as drought-hit due to the low rainfall recorded this year.
(ii) The state cabinet will send a report to the Centre regarding the situation, requesting a team for assessment. Besides heavy crop losses, the state is battling decline in levels of ground water and surface water bodies.
(iii) The state government had also announced a Rs.1,398 crore package for drought-hit farmers.
9. President Pranab Mukherjee gives assent to contentious labour law bill in Gujarat
(i) President Pranab Mukherjee recently approved the debatable Labour Laws Bill of Gujarat, which has anti-labour provisions, including the ban on strikes in public utility services for upto a year.
(ii) Also, the time limit for workers to object to industry decisions has been reduced to one year from three years.
(iii) The proposed bills of only those laws that deviate from central government policies are sent for the president’s assent. When this bill was passed in the state assembly in February 2016, the opposition termed it “anti-labour” and “pro-private industries.” However, the state government stated that this bill was introduced to drive industrialisation and relax labour laws.
10. Tata Sons announce partnership with Industrial & Commercial Bank of China
(i) Recently, Tata Sons announced a long-term partnership with the world’s largest lender, Industrial & Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), declaring it as its strategic banking partner.
(ii) ICBC would provide Tata Group with financing products, global cash management, consulting, international trade finance business, investment banking, foreign exchange, derivatives trading, and other global financial services.
(iii) The partnership will cover India, China, Singapore, Europe, US, and South America operations of Tata Group, since close to 70% of its $109-billion revenue is from international operations.
11. Naseeruddin Shah to receive award at the 12th edition of the Dubai International Film
(i) Veteran theatre and Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah will be awarded the Lifetime Achievement award at the 12th edition of the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF).
(ii) Shah, whose career spans over four decades, has performed in over 200 films, portraying varied roles and characters.
12. Noted violinist L Subramaniam to be awarded at the ITC Sangeet Sammelan 2015
(i) Renowned Indian violinist L Subramaniam will be awarded the Sangeet Samman at the ITC Sangeet Sammelan 2015.
(ii) Subramaniam is the only musician who has the credit of having performed and recorded Carnatic and Western classical music, both orchestral and non-orchestral. Further, The Padma Bhushan and Sangeet Natak Akademi recipient has also teamed up with several great musicians from different genres, including jazz, occidental, jugalbandis with North Indian musicians, world music and global fusion, among others.
13. Hinduja Brothers receive Lifetime Achievement award at the 6th Asian Business Leadership Forum
(i) The Hinduja brothers were honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award at the 6th Asian Business Leadership Forum, held in November 2015 in Dubai. It was awarded to G P Hinduja, co-chairman of the Hinduja Group of Companies.
(ii) The award recognises the most powerful and influential business leader.
14. December 2 observed as International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
(i) The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery was observed on December 2, 2015. As per the International Labour Organisation (ILO), there are an estimated 21 million forced labour victims worldwide, annually creating $150 billion in illegal profits in the private economy.
(ii) ILO has adopted a new legally-binding protocol to eliminate forced labour, which will be implemented in November 2016.
(iii) The ’50 for Freedom’ campaign has been initiated to persuade at least 50 countries to ratify the Forced Labour Protocol by 2018.
15. December 3 observed as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities
(i) December 3 is annually observed as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Global observance day of this day was declared in 1992 in order to promote understanding of issues faced by disabled persons and garner support for their rights and holistic well-being.
(ii) On this occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Accessible India Campaign’ in New Delhi.
(iii) This campaign aims to highlight the need for creating a barrier-free environment so that PwDs can easily access government buildings and public transportation, airports and railway stations, information and technology, with greater ease.
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