NATIONAL NEWS
India will achieve net-zero carbon emissions target by 2070, PM Modi at climate summit in Glasgow
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 1, 2021, addressed the COP26 World Leaders’ Summit in Glasgow, Scotland, where he highlighted that adaptation has not gained much importance in the global climate debate as much as mitigation of climate crisis. During India’s national statement at COP26, he elaborated on India’s vision and efforts. He said India will achieve its net-zero carbon emissions target by 2070. He also met UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the sidelines of the COP26 Summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Glasgow on October 31, 2021, to participate in the 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) on Climate Change from November 1, 2021, to November 2, 2021. PM Modi had arrived in Glasgow after concluding the 16th G20 Summit 2021 during his three-day visit to Rome. Meanwhile, the COP26 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) began on October 31, 2021, in Glasgow, Scotland. Under the Presidency of the UK partnering with Italy in Glasgow, COP26 is being held from October 31 to November 12, 2021. PM Modi addressed the World Leaders’ Summit (WLS) at the 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow. He addressed the leader-level COP26 event ‘Action and Solidarity: The Critical Decade’. In his address, PM Modi highlighted that adaptation has not gained much importance in the global climate debate as much as mitigation of climate crisis. He stressed the need to include climate change adaptation policies in all development policies and projects. Lack of climate adaptation policies is an injustice to developing countries that are more susceptible to climate change. In most developing countries including India, the climate is a big challenge for farmers. Untimely rains and floods, changing cropping patterns, frequent storms destroying crops are a few of many challenges.
Vishakhapatnam: Indian Navy receives first P15B Guided-Missile Destroyer
The Indian Navy has received its first P15B stealth guided missile destroyer from the Mazgaon Shipbuilders on October 28, 2021. As per the official statement, the construction and the delivery of the ship- named Vishakhapatnam- is another testament of the impetus given by the Government of India and the Navy to the indigenous warship construction Programme. The Indian Navy said on Twitter, Vishakhapatnam- first of the indigenous P15B stealth guided-missile destroyers being built at Mazagaon Dock, Mumbai delivered to Indian Navy on October 28, 2021. Vishakhapatnam, a stealth-guided missile destroyer, has the capability of launching guided anti-aircraft missiles from its deck. As per the Indian Navy, the induction of the destroyer not only enhances the combat readiness of the Indian Navy but will also be a major leap forward towards India’s quest for Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). The contract for the four ships of Project 15B, as the Vishakhapatnam class ships are known, was signed in January 2011. The latest project is a follow-on of the Kolkata Class (Project 15A) destroyers commissioned in the last decade. The four ships, designed by the Directorate of Naval Design and built by Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd., Mumbai, are christened after the major cities from all four corners of India, such as Mormugao, Vishakhapatnam, Surat, and Imphal.
16th G20 Summit 2021 Highlights: Leaders adopt Rome Declaration; PM Modi calls G20 Summit ‘fruitful’
Prime Minister Modi had reached Italy to attend the 16th G20 Summit which was scheduled to be held in Rome on October 30-31, 2021. He paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his first day of arrival in Rome and he also called on Pope Francis in the Vatican during his two-day visit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Rome and the Vatican City from October 29 to October 31, 2021, at the invitation of Prime Minister of Italy Mario Draghi. As the G20 Summit 2021 concludes, Prime Minister has now landed in Glasgow, United Kingdom, on November 1-2 for the COP26 meeting. He will be visiting the country at the invitation of UK PM Boris Johnson. Prime Minister Modi, along with other leaders of G20, have agreed that the WHO will be strengthened to fast-track the process for emergency use authorization for COVID-19 Vaccines. As clean energy and innovation will play a significant role in the years to come, the energy security and energy markets have also been recognized by the G20 Leaders. G20 Leaders commit to Paris Agreement: The G20 Leaders said that they remain committed to the Paris Agreement goal of keeping the global average temperature increase well below 2 degrees Celsius and pursue the efforts of limiting it to 1.5 degree celsius above pre-industrial levels.
Health Minister’s meeting on dengue: Centre to send expert team to states with rising Dengue cases, speed testing to be done
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya chaired a review meeting on the dengue situation in Delhi on November 1, 2021. The Minister said on the occasion that on-ground initiatives like hotspot identification, fogging and timely treatment will be carried out. The central government will also be sending a team of experts to the states with rising Dengue cases. He also assured the centre’s full support to the states. The Minister stressed on active coordination between the Centre and states during the meeting. He also pointed out that many poor people are not diagnosed properly and their death goes unreported and stressed on the need to ramp up testing. The Centre will send a team of experts to all states that have been witnessing a rise in dengue cases. The expert team will do detailed planning with the Delhi government to monitor the dengue cases in the capital. An awareness campaign will also be run in the schools and necessary speed-testing will be conducted.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
G20 Rome Leaders’ Declaration: G20 leaders adopt Rome Declaration at G20 Summit
The leaders of all G20 nations adopted the’Rome Declaration’ at the G20 Summit, informed India’s Sherpa to G20 Summit & Union Minister Piyush Goyal. He said that the declaration gives a very strong message under health section where the leaders agreed that COVID immunization is a global public good. All leaders agreed that they should all move quickly towards mutual recognition of COVID-19 vaccines, especially those that have received the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by WHO. The leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing digital financial inclusion of the vulnerable sections of the society including MSMEs and reiterated their commitment to strengthening long-term financial resilience & supporting inclusive growth and developing local currency capital markets. The leaders also held discussions on agriculture and livelihoods of small & marginal farmers and agreed that improving their livelihoods is an important global effort that they will have to put in. The discussions also included energy and climate change issues at their centre stage with India and many other developing countries pushing for safeguarding the interest of the developing world.
Elon Musk to spend $6 billion to solve world hunger if UN shares a spending plan
SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk on October 31, 2021, said that he is willing to sell some Tesla stocks if the World Food Programme (WFP) shares a plan on how 2 per cent of total wealth which is $6 billion could solve world hunger. The development came days after in response to a remark by United Nations (UN) World Food Programme’s Director David Beasley who said that a small group of ultra-rich individuals could help solve global hunger with a just a fraction of their net worth. Billionaires need to step up now, on a one-time basis, said Beasley. $6 billion to help 42 million people that are literally going to die if we don’t reach them. It’s not complicated, Beasley added in an interview on CNN. In response, SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted that if WFP can describe on this Twitter thread exactly how $6 billion will solve world hunger, I will sell Tesla stock right now and do it. Musk also added, Please publish your current & proposed spending in detail so people can see exactly where the money goes. WFP Director calls on billionaires Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos to step up to end world hunger Billionaires need to step up now, on a one-time basis, said Beasley. $6 billion to help 42 million people that are literally going to die if we don’t reach them. It’s not complicated, Beasley added in an interview on CNN. David Beasley further pointed out that the 2 per cent which is $6 billion of Musk’s total wealth will prevent geopolitical instability, mass migration and save 42 million people on the brink of starvation. He explained that $6 billion will aid in mitigating the unprecedented crisis and a perfect storm due to COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts, as well as global climate crises. In a response to Musk’s tweet to publish spending plans in public, Beasley tweeted, I can assure you that we have the systems in place for transparency and open source accounting. Your team can review and work with us to be totally confident of such.
