Daily Current Affairs for State Exams: 25 October 2021

Daily Current Affairs 25/10/2021

4^th International Solar Alliance General Assembly

Why in News

The 4^th general assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) was held between October 18th and October 21st, 2021.
It was presided over by Union Minister R.K. Singh, Minister for Power, New and Renewable Energy, Government of India and the President of the ISA Assembly.

Key Points

Key initiatives of the 4th Assembly of the ISA:

Operationalisation of the OSOWOG (One Sun One World One Grid) initiative
$1 trillion Solar Investment Roadmap for 2030
Approval of a Blended Financial Risk Mitigation Facility
Management of Solar PV panels & battery usage waste & Solar Hydrogen programme

About International Solar Alliance General Assembly:

The Assembly is the apex decision-making body of ISA, in which each member country is represented.
This body makes decisions concerning the implementation of the ISA’s Framework Agreement and coordinated actions to be taken to achieve its objective.

About International Solar Alliance (ISA):

It is an association of 124 countries initiated by India.
Headquarters: Gurugram, Haryana, India
Founded: 30 November 2015
Director-General: Ajay Mathur

Source: PIB

2021 Global Threat Assessment Report

Why in News

The Global Threat Assessment Report 2021 has revealed that COVID-19 had contributed to a significant spike in child sexual exploitation and abuse online.
The report was launched by the WeProtect Global Alliance.

Key Points

WeProtect Global Alliance is a global movement of more than 200 members, comprising 98 governments, over 50 private companies that are mostly tech firms, and more than 60 civil society organisations and charities.

Findings of the Report:

The report details the scale and scope of the threat of child sexual exploitation online and aims to encourage action on the issue to reduce the risk to children and prevent abuse before it happens.

The COVID-19 pandemic is undeniably one contributory factor behind the spike in reported incidents.
The rise in child ‘self-generated’ sexual material is another trend that challenges the existing response with the Internet Watch Foundation observing a 77% increase in child ‘self-generated’ sexual material from 2019 to 2020.

Note: Another report published in 2020 stated that India has seen a 95% increase in internet searches for child sexual abuse materials during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Indian Initiatives for Preventing Child Sexual Abuse:

Juvenile Justice Act/Care and Protection Act, 2000
Child Abuse Prevention and Investigation Unit
Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao
Child Marriage Prohibition Act (2006)
Operation Smile
Child Labour Prohibition and Regulation Act, 2016

Source: The Hindu

Maiden India – UK Joint Tri-Service exercise 'Konkan Shakti -2021'

Why in News

The Maiden India – UK Joint Tri-Service exercise 'Konkan Shakti -2021' began on October 21, 2021.
It is scheduled in India from 21 October to 27 Oct 2021.

Key Points

About 'Konkan Shakti -21':

The maritime component of the exercise, to be conducted off the west coast of India, is scheduled to be held in two phases.
The harbour phase is planned at Mumbai from 21 - 23 Oct 21, while at sea, the exercises will be conducted from 24 - 27 Oct 21.
The land phase of the exercise is being conducted between the Indian Army and UK Army at Chaubatia from 21 -27 October 2021 under the aegis of Golden Key Division of Surya Command.
It aims to derive mutual benefits from each other’s experiences and also showcase the continuing cooperation between the two countries.
Maritime cooperation is a distinguishable symbol of the commitment of both nations in ensuring a positive climate at sea for enhancing strategic stability and promoting global economic prosperity.

Source: PIB

GAIL to build India's largest green hydrogen plant

Why in News

State-owned GAIL (India) Ltd will build India's largest green hydrogen-making plant (10MW capacity) as it looks to supplement its natural gas business with carbon-free fuel.

Key Points

It will take 12-14 months to put the plant.
The company has finalised 2-3 sites for the unit including one at Vijaipur in Madhya Pradesh.

Note:

State electricity producer NTPC has announced a 5MW green hydrogen plant.

Source: ET

NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission’s Digi-Book ‘Innovations for You’

Why in News

NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) has launched a Digi-Book ‘Innovations for You’.
The first edition of this book is focused on innovations in Health Care and soon other sectors shall follow.

Key Points

The book is a compilation of 45 health tech startups, incubated at Atal Incubation Centres spread across the country.
These startups are leveraging frontier technologies such as AI, IoT, ICT and others to provide socially relevant solutions to problems like Anemia, Malaria, dental care, mental health, neonatal and child care and monitoring human vitals, among others.
These startups have worked to create new, disruptive and innovative products, services, and solutions that can pave a path for a sustainable future.

About Atal Innovation Mission of NITI Aayog: It is the Government of India’s flagship initiative to promote innovation and entrepreneurship culture in the country.

Source: PIB

South Korea launches first homegrown space rocket ‘Nuri’

Why in News

South Korea has launched its first homegrown space rocket ‘Nuri’ from Naro Space Center in Goheung.

Key Points

South Korea’s first domestically produced space rocket reached its desired altitude but failed to deliver a dummy payload into orbit in its first test launch.

About space rocket ‘Nuri’

Nuri is the country’s first space launch vehicle built entirely with domestic technology.
It is designed to deliver a 1.5-ton payload into orbit 600 to 800 kilometres above Earth.

Note: South Korea had previously launched a space launch vehicle from the Naro spaceport in 2013, which was a two-stage rocket built mainly with Russian technology.

Source: Indian Express

India crosses 100 crores COVID-19 vaccine dose mark

Why in News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked that India has crossed the 100 crore COVID-19 vaccine dose mark.

Key Points

India began its nationwide vaccination drive on January 16, 2021.
As per the Union government, 75 percent of the eligible population in India has taken the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at present.

Note: Recently, the Prime Minister inaugurated the Infosys Foundation Vishram Sadan at the National Cancer Institute in the Jhajjar campus of AIIMS New Delhi.

Source: PIB

Russian Opposition leader Alexei Navalny wins ‘Sakharov Prize 2021’

Why in News

Russian Opposition leader Alexei Navalny was awarded the European Union’s top human rights prize ‘Sakharov Prize 2021’ for Freedom of Thought.

Key Points

Alexei Navalny has fought tirelessly against the corruption of Vladimir Putin's regime.
He was imprisoned in Russia in 2020.
He is the leader of the Russia of the Future party and the founder of the Anti-Corruption Foundation.

Source: The Hindu

Barbados elects Dame Sandra Mason as first President

Barbados has elected its first President, a key step in preparations to become a republic and remove Britain's Queen Elizabeth II as head of state of the Caribbean island.
Dame Sandra Mason, the current governor-general, is set to be sworn in as president on November 30, 2021, the country's 55th anniversary of independence from Britain.
Barbados was claimed by the British in 1625.
It has sometimes been called "Little England" for its loyalty to British customs.

Facts about Barbados:

Capital: Bridgetown
Currency: Barbados Dollar
Prime Minister: Mia Mottley
Independence: 30 November 1966 (From the United Kingdom)

Source: ndtv

October 24, United Nations Day

Why in News

The United Nations (UN) Day is observed on October 24 each year and marks the official establishment of the United Nations in 1945.

Key Points

The 2021 theme is “Building Back Together for Peace and Prosperity”.

History:

On this day, the UN Charter was ratified by a majority of signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, which led to the official establishment of the UN.
It was first celebrated on October 24, 1948.

About United Nations:

The name 'United Nations' was coined by the United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt and was first used in the Declaration of the United Nations on January 1, 1942, during the Second World War.
The UN had 51 members at the time of its establishment.
Formation: 24 October 1945
Headquarter: New York, USA
Present Membership: 193 member states

The United Nations has six principal organs:

The General Assembly
The Security Council
The Economic and Social Council
The International Court of Justice
The UN Secretariat
The Trusteeship Council

Source: India Today

October 24, World Development Information Day

Why in News

World Development Information Day is celebrated every year on 24 October.
The day focuses on improving the dissemination of information and mobilizing public opinion, especially among young people.

Key Points

History:

In 1972, the United Nations General Assembly decided to institute a World Development Information Day coinciding with United Nations Day on October 24.
The day was further recognized as the date on which the International Development Strategy for the Second Nations Development Decade was adopted in 1970.

Source: India Today