Daily Current Affairs 24 September 2021

New Global Air Quality Guidelines: WHO

Why in News

The World Health Organisation (WHO) revised its air quality guidelines for the first time since 2005.

Key Points

WHO has revised air quality levels for six pollutants that include particulate matter (PM 2.5 and PM10), ozone (O₃), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and carbon monoxide (CO).
Air pollution kills at least seven million people prematurely each year.
Air pollution affects all parts of the body, from the brain to a growing baby in a mother’s womb.
In 2019, a total of 90 percent of the global population was breathing air considered unhealthy by the 2005 guidelines, according to WHO data.
Some countries, including India, still have national standards that are lower than those 2005 recommendations. The new guidelines indicate that almost the entirety of India would be considered a polluted zone.

Source: TOI

National Single Window System for Investors and Businesses

Why in News

The Ministry of Commerce & Industry has launched the National Single Window System (NSWS) for Investors and Businesses.
The National Single Window System will usher in a change from the legacy of running to government offices and will promote the ease of doing business.

Key Points

About National Single Window System (NSWS):

DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade) along with Invest India initiated the process of developing the portal as a National Single Window System.
It will become a one-stop-shop for investors for approvals & clearances.
It will provide strength to other schemes e.g. Make in India, Startup India, PLI scheme etc.

Other Initiatives to improve Ease of Doing Business:

Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI)
India Industrial Land Bank System
Investment Clearance Cell (ICC)
Amendments to Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) and Decriminalisation under Companies Act, 2013
Reduction of corporate tax from 30% to 25% for mid-sized companies

Note: India ranked 63rd out of 190 countries in Ease Doing Business 2020: World Bank Report

Source: The Hindu

India – United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)

Why in News

Piyush Goyal, India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry and Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, United Arab Emirates Minister of State for Foreign Trade, have formally launched negotiations on the India-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

Key Points

About Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA):

Looking to build on the progress made by both countries under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signed in 2017; both Ministers expressed a desire to reach a mutually beneficial economic deal.

Significance:

Both Ministers emphasized that CEPA will create new jobs, raise living standards, and provide wider social and economic opportunities in both nations.
A new strategic economic agreement is expected to increase bilateral trade in goods to USD 100 billion within five years of the signed agreement and increase trade in services to USD 15 billion.

India-UAE Economic Relations:

The UAE is currently India’s third-largest trading partner with bilateral trade in 2019-2020 valued at USD 59 billion.
The UAE is also India’s second-largest export destination after the US, with exports valued at approximately USD 29 billion in 2019-2020.
The UAE is the eighth-largest investor in India, having invested USD 11 billion between April 2000 and March 2021, while investment by Indian companies in the UAE is estimated to be over USD 85 billion.

Other Types of Trade Agreements:

Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA)
Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA)
Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA)
Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT)

Source: PIB

Sea Cucumber

Why in News

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has seized two tonnes of sea cucumber, a banned marine species, in Tamil Nadu’s Mandapam.
The teams were deployed in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay areas to effectively cordon the likely escape by sea route.

Key Points

Sea cucumbers are marine invertebrates commonly found in tropical regions.
Sea cucumber helps keep up a balance the marine ecosystem.
Sea cucumber in India is treated as an endangered species listed under schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.

Note: The Lakshadweep Islands administration created the world’s first conservation area — 239 sq. km — for endangered sea cucumbers in 2020.

Source: PIB

First edition of ‘The Himalayan Film Festival, 2021’

Why in News

The first edition of ‘The Himalayan Film Festival-2021’ (THFF) will begin from 24 to 28 September at Leh.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur will inaugurate it.

Key Points

The film festival is being organized by the Administration of Union Territory of Ladakh in collaboration with the Directorate of Film Festivals, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.
The festival also aims to create an interactive and exposure platform to promote aspiring local filmmakers and to showcase Ladakh as an attractive film destination.

Source: ET

Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina conferred with SDG Progress Award

Why in News

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been conferred with SDG Progress award for Bangladesh’s steady progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Key Points
About SDG Progress Award:

It was conferred by the UN sponsored Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).
The SDSN was set up in 2012 under the auspices of the UN Secretary General.

About SDG (Sustainable Development Goals):

The SDGs are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a "blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all".
The SDGs were set up in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly and are intended to be achieved by the year 2030.

Source: newsonair

National Florence Nightingale Award 2020 to Brigadier S V Saraswati

Why in News

Deputy Director General of Military Nursing Service (MNS) Brig S V Saraswati has been bestowed with the National Florence Nightingale Award 2020.
President Ram Nath Kovind conferred the award for her immense contribution to the MNS as nurse administrator.

Key Points

Brig Saraswati hails from Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh and was commissioned into the MNS on December 28, 1983.
The National Florence Nightingale Award is the highest national distinction a nurse can achieve for selfless devotion and exceptional professionalism.

Source: The Hindu

Justin Trudeau wins third term as Canada’s PM

Why in News

Justin Trudeau has won a third term as Canada’s Prime Minister after his party won the 2021 election.

Key Points

Justin Trudeau is a Canadian politician who is the 23rd and current Prime Minister of Canada since November 2015 and the leader of the Liberal Party since 2013.
Trudeau is the second-youngest prime minister in Canadian history after Joe Clark.

Facts about Canada: