Daily Current Affairs December 05 2023 | Latest News | Download PDF

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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

Amazon Pay Introduces Video KYC Service in Sign Language for Customers with Hearing and Speech Impairments                

• Amazon Pay has launched a video sign language Know Your Customer (KYC) service for hearing and speech impaired customers, which involves communication through sign languages, a pioneering initiative in the digital payments sector in India.
• The company has rolled out the initiative that enables two-way video communication in sign-language between Amazon Pay employees and customers.
• The goal is to make the KYC process effortless for those who rely on sign language, and making digital payments more inclusive.

Key Highlights :

• The initiative aligns with Amazon’s commitment to Digital Bharat, ensuring that its services are inclusive and accessible to all, in line with the broader vision for a digitally empowered India.
• Amazon Pay has provided Indian sign language training to over 120 employees to provide video-based KYC services to customers across India.
• The interactive training module, focused on equipping employees with the ability to effectively communicate with hearing and speech-impaired customers, is developed by the in-house team.
• Amazon has also launched ‘Listen-Ins for Accessibility’ where customer service teams listen to recordings of calls made by anonymous customers with disabilities to learn about issues faced by them and their unique needs.
• Additionally, the Amazon Digital, Device and Alexa Support (D2AS) organization has set up accessibility support teams that offer customer service across 8 marketplaces including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, India, France, Italy, Spain and Germany.

About Amazon Pay :

• Founded : 2007
• Headquarters : Seattle, Washington, United States
• Amazon Pay is an online payments processing service owned by Amazon.

RBI Grants Approval for CSB Bank Promoter to Maintain 26% Stake in the Lender

• The promoter of CSB Bank erstwhile Catholic Syrian Bank Limited in India has obtained approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to maintain a 26% stake in the bank.
• Initially advised by the RBI to reduce their stake to 15%, the promoter has now been allowed to retain a higher stake of 26%.

Key Highlights :

• FIH Mauritius Investments Ltd Stake : FIH Mauritius Investments Ltd (FIHM) presently holds a 49.72% stake in CSB Bank, according to BSE data.
• Timeline for Shareholding Adjustment : FIHM is required to decrease its shareholding in CSB Bank within 15 years from the completion date of the investments.
• RBI’s Earlier Directive : The RBI had previously mandated that promoters of banks should limit their shareholding to 15%, aiming to promote wider ownership of these financial institutions.
• Legal Precedent with Uday Kotak : The decision to allow a higher stake follows a legal battle with Uday Kotak, the promoter of Kotak Mahindra Bank.
• As a result of this legal dispute, RBI permitted promoters to retain up to 26% ownership in banks.
• Impact on Other Banks : IndusInd Bank’s promoters have also benefited from this rule change, obtaining regulatory approval earlier in the year to increase their stake to 26% in the bank

About CSB Bank :

• Founded : 26 November 1920
• Headquarters : Thrissur, Kerala, India
• MD & CEO : Pralay Mondal

Insurance Ombudsman Resolves 92% of Complaints in FY23 

• The insurance ombudsman disposed of over 92% of the complaints it received from the insured during 2022-23.

Key Highlights :

• It received 55,946 complaints during the year across its offices in the country, of which 51,625 were disposed of.
• The Delhi centre disposed of all the 5,257 complaints it got during the year, according to a press statement issued by the Delhi office of the Insurance Ombudsman.
• The offices of the Insurance Ombudsman are under the administrative control of the Council for Insurance Ombudsman (CIO).
• Bima Lokpal Day is celebrated every year on November 11 to mark the foundation day of the establishment of the insurance ombudsman.
• A policyholder in India can now register complaints that are related to compensation claims of up to Rs 50 lakh with insurance ombudsman offices in India.
• Earlier, the maximum compensation that ombudsman offices could award to policyholders was capped at Rs 30 lakh.
• On November 10, 2023, the finance ministry amended the insurance ombudsman rules to increase the maximum compensation amount to Rs 50 lakh.
• Insurance Ombudsman Rules, 2017, the amendment replaces references to the “Bank Board Bureau” with the term “Financial Services Institutions Bureau.”
• There are at present 17 Insurance Ombudsman in different locations and any person who has a grievance against an insurer, may himself or through his legal heirs, nominee or assignee, make a complaint in writing to the Insurance ombudsman within whose territorial jurisdiction the branch or office of the insurer.

Global bank ranking removes Unicredit and moves up UBS, China banks                

• The Financial Stability Board removed Italy’s UniCredit from its list of Global Systemically Important Banks (G-SIBs) and moved 3 banks up a category.
• The identification process for G-SIBs involves collaboration between the Financial Stability Board (FSB), the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS), and national authorities.

Key Highlights :

• The annual G-SIB rankings commenced after the global financial crisis of 2007-09.
• It requires the world’s biggest lenders to hold an extra buffer of capital, calibrated across 5 buckets, and to undergo tougher scrutiny of their operations.
• The list for 2023 includes 29 G-SIBs which largely reflect the effects of changes in the underlying activity of banks.
• The list is based on end-2022 data, based on a methodology agreed upon in July 2018 and implemented for the first time in the end-2021 G-SIB assessment.
• The cross-jurisdictional activity category is the largest contributor to score movements.

Requirements for GIBs:

• Higher capital buffer: It should be held by national authorities in accordance with international standards.
• Total Loss-Absorbing Capacity (TLAC): G-SIBs are required to meet the TLAC standards and regulatory capital requirements set out in the Basel III framework.
• Basel III is an internationally agreed set of measures developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in response to the financial crisis of 2007-09.
• Resolvability: It is reviewed in the FSB Resolvability Assessment Process (RAP) by senior regulators within the firms’ Crisis Management Groups.
• Higher supervisory expectations: For risk management functions, risk data aggregation capabilities, risk governance, and internal controls.
• A new list of G-SIBs will next be published in November 2024.
• As a percentage of risk-weighted assets that each G-SIB will be required to hold in 2025.

What is the Financial Stability Board (FSB)?

• The Financial Stability Board (FSB) is an international body that monitors and makes recommendations about the global financial system.
• Objective : To promote international financial stability by coordinating with national financial authorities and international standard-setting bodies.
• Its decisions are not legally binding on its members, as it operates by moral suasion and peer pressure, in order to set internationally agreed policies and minimum standards.

Functions :

• Vulnerability Assessment : Assess vulnerabilities affecting the global financial system.
• Identify and review these vulnerabilities in a time-bound manner
• Policy Development : Work towards developing strong regulatory, supervisory, and other financial sector policies.
• Encourage a level playing field for the implementation of these policies
• Crisis Management : Support contingency planning for cross-border crisis management, especially for systemically important firms.
• Early Warning Exercises : Collaborate with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to conduct Early Warning Exercises.
• Implementation Promotion : Promote member jurisdictions’ implementation of agreed commitments, standards, and policy recommendations.
• Conduct peer reviews and encourage disclosure.

Framework of FSB :

• Standing Committee on Assessment of Vulnerabilities (SCAV) : SCAV is the main mechanism for identifying and assessing risks in the financial system.
• Standing Committee on Supervisory and Regulatory Cooperation (SRC) : SRC undertakes supervisory analysis and frames regulatory policy responses to material vulnerabilities identified by SCAV.
• Standing Committee on Standards Implementation (SCSI) : SCSI monitors the implementation of agreed FSB policy initiatives and international standards.

Standing Committee on Budget and Resources (SCBR) : SCBR provides oversight of the FSB’s resources and budget and presents recommendations as necessary.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Ministry of Tourism launches National Best Tourism Village and National Best Rural Homestays Competition 2024

• Ministry of Tourism has launched National Best Tourism Village Competition 2024 and the National Best Rural Homestay Competition 2024 to strengthen the promotion and development of Rural Tourism in the country.
• The earlier version of the National Best Tourism Village Competition 2023 recognized 35 villages all over India in the Gold, Silver, and Bronze categories.
• For the enhancement of Rural Tourism in India the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India launched the comprehensive National Strategy and Roadmap for the Development of Rural Tourism in India, along with the National Strategy for the Promotion of Rural Homestays.

Key Highlights

• The Ministry has initiated the implementation of the National strategies in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management. One of the strategic initiatives for the promotion of Rural Tourism and Rural Homestays is conducting the National Best Tourism Village and National Best Rural Homestays Competition.
• To foster collaboration and create a conducive environment for the growth of Rural Tourism, the Ministry has actively engaged Governments, industry stakeholders, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and local communities through these competitions.
• This multi-stakeholder approach synergizes the efforts to strengthen the rural economies.
• The Ministry of Tourism has established the Central Nodal Agency Rural Tourism and Rural Homestay (CNA RT & RH) for the effective implementation of the initiatives for Rural Tourism.
• CNA RT & RH is conducting the capacity building session for the states to create the Master Trainers for the propagation of the competitions to the village level.
• The competition was launched on World Tourism Day i.e., 27th September 2023, and the applications for the competitions are open from 15th November to 31st December, 2023.
• The application portal can be accessed through www.rural.tourism.gov.in

India re-elected to International Maritime Organisation with highest vote tally

• In elections held at its assembly for the 2024–25 biennium, India was re-elected to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council with the highest tally.
• India’s re-election falls under the Category of 10 states with “the largest interest in international seaborne trade”, alongside Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
• India has been elected in the category of ten countries with the largest interest in international seaborne trade.
• The term of the Council will be for the biennium 2024-25.
• India’s re-election shows the government’s commitment to enhance India’s diverse contributions to global maritime operations.
• IMO is the premier body that oversees the maritime sector. It oversees international trade, transport and all maritime activities.
• The 33rd Assembly of IMO is being organized at the IMO Headquarters in London between November 27 and December 6.

About IMO

• IMO is a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating shipping.
• It was established following agreement at a UN conference held in Geneva in 1948 and came into existence 10 years later, meeting for the first time in 1958.
• Headquartered in London, United Kingdom, IMO currently has 175 Member States and three Associate Members.
• India joined the IMO in 1959 and the IMO currently lists India as among the 10 states with the largest interest in international seaborne trade.

India joins Executive Committee of Codex Alimentarius Commission

• India has been unanimously elected as a member representing Asian region in the Executive Committee of Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) during its 46th meeting being held at FAO Headquarters at Rome.
• Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), is the food safety and quality standard-setting body created by the UN.
• Executive Committee is an important arm of the CAC and the member countries have a considerable interest in getting its membership.
• In this capacity, India would not only get an opportunity to contribute substantially in the International standard setting process for different food product categories but will also be involved in the decision making process.
• The Executive Committee comprises of the Chair, three vice Chairs, six regional coordinators and seven elected representatives from the various geographical regions of Codex.
• India had proposed for setting up the global standards for millets under the Additional Agendas category on the first day of the CAC meeting on 27th November 2023 and the matter was deliberated at length on 30th November and was approved by the Commission for preparation of three Project document.
• The Indian delegation was led by Sh. G Kamala Vardhana Rao, CEO, FSSAI and comprised of Mrs Aradhana Patnaik, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Harinder Oberoi, Director, NIFTEM, Sh. P Karthikeyan, Joint Director, FSSAI, Dr. Saswati Bose, General Manager, APEDA and Dr JS Reddy, Additional Director, EIC.

India will be the largest cotton producer

• According to the Union Minister for Textiles Commerce and Industry, India will strive to become the largest cotton producer globally.
• He was inaugurating an annual global meeting – the 81st plenary session of the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) – a UN recognised body of cotton producing and consuming nations.
• Cotton is one of the most important commercial crops cultivated in India and accounts for around 25% of the total global cotton production.
• India has the largest area under cotton cultivation and is the second largest producer (after China).
• It plays a major role in sustaining the livelihood of an estimated 6 million cotton farmers and 40-50 million people engaged in related activities such as cotton processing and trade.
• The Indian Textile Industry consumes a diverse range of fibres and yarns and the ratio of use of cotton to non – cotton fibres in India are around 60:40 whereas it is 30:70 in the rest of the world.
• The Indian textile industry is working towards achieving $250 billion by 2030, including $ 100 billion export.
• Due to its economic importance in India, it is also termed as “White-Gold”.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Pakistan Secures Vice Chair Post at UNESCO with a 10-Vote Lead Over India

• Pakistan secured a significant victory over India in the UNESCO executive board election for the post of vice-chair.
• The Pakistani candidate received 38 votes, while the Indian candidate received only 18.

Key Highlights :

• Pakistan’s victory of being elected as vice chair of the UNESCO Executive Board for 2023-2025 from the Asia Pacific Group, is being seen as a major setback for Indian diplomats in the UN.
• The elected Pakistani vice chair expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from the executive board members and all UNESCO member states, emphasizing Pakistan’s commitment to fulfilling its responsibilities with credibility, honest dialogue, and mutual respect.
• The defeat is seen as a rare failure for Indian diplomats who have previously celebrated victories in various UN and international organizations.

About UNESCO :

• Founded : 1945
• Headquarters : Paris, France
• Director General : Audrey Azoulay
• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) operates as a specialised agency within the United Nations (UN), striving to foster global peace through collaborative efforts in the fields of Education, Sciences, and Culture.
• UNESCO was founded as the successor to the League of Nations’ International Committee on Intellectual Cooperation.
• It has 194 member states and 12 associate members, as well as partners in the non-governmental, intergovernmental, and private sector.
• Membership of UNESCO is governed by Articles II and XV of the Constitution and by rules 98 to 101 of the Rules of Procedure of the General Conference.
• Membership of the United Nations carries with it the right to membership of UNESCO.

About Pakistan:

• Capital: Islamabad
• Currency: Rupee
• President: Arif Alvi

India-Sweden Industry Transition Partnership, LeadIT 2.0 Launched at COP28 Dubai

• India and Sweden launched Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT) 2.0 during the COP28 World Climate Action Summit, hosted in Dubai for the period 2024-26, at COP-28 in Dubai.

Key Highlights :

• LeadIT was initially co-launched by India and Sweden at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York in
• LeadIT has grown into a collaborative effort involving 18 countries and 20 industry-leading companies.
• The LeadIT initiative, initially centred around pivotal sectors such as iron, steel, cement, and aluminium, focused on industry transition and knowledge sharing.
• LeadIT has played a pivotal role in accelerating the adoption of low-carbon technologies, aligning with global environmental goals.
• 3 core areas of LeadIT 2.0:

1. Inclusive and Just Industry Transition: Ensuring that industry transitions are not only efficient but also equitable, promoting fairness and inclusivity in the process.
2. Low Carbon Technology Development and Transfer: Placing renewed emphasis on the development and seamless transfer of low-carbon technologies, crucial for achieving sustainable practices across industries.
3. Emerging Economy Technology Transfer: Facilitating the expedited transfer of innovative solutions to emerging economies, assisting in their transition to more sustainable practices.

• LeadIT serves as a platform for public-private collaboration, fostering sector-specific and cross-sectoral learning, especially regarding innovation opportunities and new technologies.

About Sweden :

• Prime Minister : Ulf Kristersson
• Capital : Stockholm
• Currency : Swedish krona

CURRENT AFFAIRS : STATE NEWS

Delhi Government Set to Notify Motor Vehicle Aggregator Scheme

• Delhi Government has introduced the Delhi Motor Vehicle Aggregator and Delivery Service Provider Scheme.
• The scheme mandates a complete transition to electric vehicles (EVs) for all cab aggregators and delivery service providers by 2030.

Key Highlights :

• Coverage : The policy applies to all aggregators offering passenger transport services in Delhi.
• It also includes those engaged in delivery services, including e-commerce vehicles.·
• Registration and Licensing : Interested parties must register with the government within 90 days from the date of notification.
• The licence will be valid for 5 years.
• Electric Bike Taxis : Even though the scheme made provisions to allow bike taxis again, only electric two-wheelers will be considered valid with immediate effect.
• Transition Period for Other Vehicles : Meanwhile, all other vehicle categories, including commercial two-wheelers for goods, have been given four to five years to phase out existing conventional fuel-based fleets and switch to electric vehicles (EV).
• Penalties for Violations : Violations of the policy will result in fines, with a penalty of ₹5,000 for each instance.
• Multiple violations may incur fines of up to ₹100,000 per instance.

About Delhi :

• Governor : Vinai Kumar Saxena
• Chief Minister : Arvind Kejriwal

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin Announces Establishment of Footwear Park with a Budget of Rs 400 Crore     

• The Tamil Nadu (TN) government has planned to set up a footwear manufacturing park at an outlay of Rs 400 crore on a 250-acre land.
• The industrial project would generate 20,000 new jobs in Ranipet district.
• Stalin made those comments after virtually inaugurating a footwear manufacturing facility set up at an investment of Rs 400 crore by JR One Footwear Pvt Ltd at Eraiyur in Perambalur district, about 250-km south of Chennai.
• Through public-private partnerships, Stalin stated that the government also planned to set up industrial parks on 50-acre land for the leather and footwear industries in TamilNadu.

About Tamil Nadu :

• Governor: R. N. Ravi
• Chief minister: M. K. Stalin
• Capital: Chennai
• Dance : Bharatnatyam, Karakattam
• National Park: Mudumalai National Park, Mukurthi National Park, Guindy National Park, Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Kalakad Wildlife Sanctuary, Karikili Bird Sanctuary, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
• Tiger Reserve: Anamalai Tiger Reserve
• Biosphere Reserve : Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Air Force officer Manisha Padhi appointed as India’s first woman Aide de Camp                       

• Mizoram Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati has appointed a woman Indian Air Force officer from Odisha, squadron leader Manisha Padhi, as India’s first Woman Aide-De-Camp (ADC) from the Indian Armed Forces at a brief ceremony held at the Raj Bhawan in Aizawl.

About Manisha Padhi :

• Padhi is a 2015-batch Indian Air Force officer.
• Previously, Sqn Leader Manisha Padhi was posted to three postings – Air Force Station, Bidar, Air Force Station, Pune, and lastly at Air Force Station, Bhatinda.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

Simultaneous Launch of First Three Ships (MAHE, MALVAN, and MANGROL) under ASW SWC (CSL) Project at CSL, Kochi                                        

• Mahe, Malvan and Mangrol, the first three ships of 08 x ASW Shallow Water Craft (CSL) project being built by CSL, Kochi for the Indian Navy, were launched CSL, Kochi.
• Mahe was launched by Mrs Anjali Bahl in the presence of VAdm Puneet Bahl, Commandant INA, Malvan was launched by Mrs Kangana Berry in the presence of VAdm Suraj Berry, C-in-C, and Mangrol was launched by Mrs Zarine Lord Singh.
• The ships were launched to the invocation from Atharva Veda.

Key Highlights :

• The Mahe class ASW Shallow Water Crafts have been named after ports of strategic importance along the coast of India, and will look to carry forward the glorious legacy of the erstwhile minesweepers which were their namesake.
• The contract for building 8 ASW SWC ships was signed between the Ministry of Defence and Cochin Shipyard Limited on 30 Apr 19.
• The Mahe class of ships will be equipped with indigenously developed, state-of-the-art underwater sensors, and are envisaged to undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal waters as well as Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and Mine Laying Operations.
• The ASW SWC ships are 78 m long and displacement is approx 900 tons, with a maximum speed of 25 knots.
• Simultaneous launch of three ships of the same class highlights our strides in indigenous shipbuilding, towards ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
• The first ship of the project is planned to be delivered in 2024.
• The ASW SWC ships will have over 80% indigenous content, thereby ensuring that large scale defence production is executed by Indian manufacturing units, generating employment and capability enhancement within the country.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

India set to launch its first X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite – ISRO                       

• India is preparing to launch its inaugural X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

About X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) :

• XPoSat is designed to investigate the polarization of intense X-Ray sources through space-based X-Ray astronomy.
• Observation Parameters : The spacecraft is designated for observation from a Low Earth Orbit (~650 km altitude, low inclination of approximately 6 degrees).
• Two scientific payloads onboard will observe X-Ray sources during the spacecraft’s transit through Earth’s shadow (eclipse period).
• The spacecraft will carry two scientific payloads in a low earth orbit.
• POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays) : The primary payload of XPoSat, POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays), is designed to measure polarimetry parameters —specifically the degree and angle of polarization — in the medium X-ray energy range of 8-30 keV photons originating from astronomical sources.
• XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing) Payload : It will give spectroscopic information in the energy range of 0.8-15 keV.
• The mission life is expected to be approximately 5 years.
• Development and Contributors : The POLIX payload was developed by the Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bengaluru, with support from various ISRO centers.
• Polarization refers to the orientation of light waves.
• X-rays, a form of electromagnetic radiation, can also be polarized.

About ISRO :

• Established: 15 August 1969
• Headquarters: Bangalore, Karnataka, India
• Chairman: S. Somanath

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

NLCIL Signs MoU with TNSDC & NTTF for Skill Development Training Programme for Unemployed Youth

• NLC India Limited, a Navratna PSU under the Ministry of Coal, entered into a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Chennai with Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC), the Nodal Agency of Government of Tamil Nadu for skill development and M/s Nettur Technical Training Foundation (NTTF), Bengaluru, a pioneer institution on providing skill training to unemployed youth,  to meet the present industry demands.
• This collaboration of NLCIL, TNSDC & NTTF will impart job-oriented skill development training for 540 wards of project affected families (PAFs’) of NLCIL’s operating areas in Neyveli.
• NLCIL has committed to spend Rs1.12 lakh per candidate for this free residential programme under its budget for Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R).
• This programme will help the candidates to become technically trained and get employment opportunities in premier companies.
• The MoU was singed in the presence of Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development, Special Program Implementation Department Shri Udhayanidhi Stalin, by Shri Prabhu Kishore.K, Executive Director and other senior functionaries of NLCIL and the State Government.
• This is yet another another major initiative by NLCIL towards its commitment to providing opportunities for PAFs who have given their land and houses to NLCIL for project development.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING AND REPORTS

WHO published a report titled ‘World Malaria Report 2023

• The World Health Organisation (WHO) published a report titled ‘World Malaria Report 2023’.
• Malaria is a disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite.
• Each year, WHO’s World malaria report provides a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of trends in malaria control and elimination across the globe.
• Giving the global picture and trends in Malaria the report stated that in 2022, there were an estimated 249 million cases globally, exceeding the pre-pandemic level of 233 million in 2019.
• According to the World Malaria Report, India accounted for 66% of malaria cases in the World Health Organization’s South-East Asia region in 2022.
• The WHO South-East Asia Region accounted for about 2% of malaria cases globally while malaria cases declined by 76%, from 23 million in 2000 to about five million in 2022.

KeY Highlights

• India and Indonesia accounted for about 94% of all malaria deaths in the region last year, the World Health Organization said.
• The report said that nearly 46% of all cases in the region were caused by Plasmodium vivax, a protozoal parasite and a human pathogen.
• Since 2000, India cut malaria cases by more than half and the number of malaria deaths by more than 66%.
• In 2016, India introduced its first National Framework for Malaria Elimination (2016-2030).
• It has a vision of a malaria-free country by 2027 and elimination by 2030.
• In 2019, the Government of India increased funding by more than 25% for the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme and increased support as a donor to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

American diplomat and Nobel winner Henry Kissinger Passed away

• American diplomat and Nobel winner Henry Kissinger passed away at the age of 100 years.

About Henry Alfred Kissinger :

• Heinz Alfred Kissinger was born in Furth, Germany, on May 27, 1923, and moved to the United States with his family in 1938 before the Nazi campaign to exterminate European Jews.
• He was a German-born American diplomat, political scientist, geopolitical consultant, and politician.
• He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and, after the war, was educated at Harvard University, where he became a professor of government and earned an international reputation as an expert on nuclear weapons and foreign policy.
• He was a diplomatic powerhouse whose service under two Presidents left an indelible mark on U.S. foreign policy.
• Kissinger was active even after completing 100 years of age.
• He attended meetings at the White House and published a book on leadership styles.
• He served as United States secretary of state and national security advisor in the presidential administrations of Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford between 1969 and 1977.

Awards & Honors :

• The 1973 Peace Prize was awarded jointly to Henry Kissinger and Le Duc Tho of North Vietnam.
• Le Duc Tho had declined the award, making it one of the most controversial prizes ever awarded.
• On January 13, 1977, Kissinger received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Gerald Ford.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

International Volunteer Day: 5th December

• International Volunteer Day 2023 is observed on the 5th of December 2023.
• This year’s theme is “If everyone did…”
• Volunteerism started in Europe to support elderly people within the community by carrying out Church-related work and helping the poor.
• Organized Volunteering was started in the 18th Century and mainly to carry out military services rather than give back to society.
• Organizations like the Red Cross, Lions Club, Rotary Club, and the Y.M.C.A. started collecting donations, mobilizing volunteers, and doing charity work and community service.
• In 1985, the United Nations Volunteers Programme coordinated International Volunteer Day on December 5.

World Soil Day: 5th December

• World Soil Day 2023 is observed on the 5th of December 2023.
• Life begins and ends from the soil.
• It’s the source of food, medicine, and naturally filters water through its layers and making it pure water to drink.
• Most of us take soil for granted and assume it will always be around. But that’s not the truth.
• It takes 200 to 400 years to form a 1cm layer of soil.
• Making fertile soil takes nearly 3000 years.
• In 2002, the International Union of Soil Sciences recommended creating an international day to celebrate and generate awareness about soil.
• It was a movement led by the Kingdom of Thailand under the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
• His vision and passion for this most precious natural resource led, shaped, and guided the movement.
• The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United States supported the formal establishment of World Soil Day
• In 2014, the U.N. General Assembly designated December 5 as the first official World Soil Day at the 68th UN General Assembly.

Daily CA One- Liner: December 5^th

• Ministry of Tourism has launched National Best Tourism Village Competition 2024 and the National Best Rural Homestay Competition 2024 to strengthen the promotion and development of Rural Tourism in the country
• In elections held at its assembly for the 2024–25 biennium, India was re-elected to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council with the highest tally.
• India has been unanimously elected as a member representing Asian region in the Executive Committee of Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) during its 46th meeting being held at FAO Headquarters at Rome.
• According to the Union Minister for Textiles Commerce and Industry, India will strive to become the largest cotton producer globally.
• NLC India Limited, a Navratna PSU under the Ministry of Coal, entered into a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Chennai with Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC), the Nodal Agency of Government of Tamil Nadu for skill development and M/s Nettur Technical Training Foundation (NTTF), Bengaluru, a pioneer institution on providing skill training to unemployed youth,  to meet the present industry demands.
• The World Health Organisation (WHO) published a report titled ‘World Malaria Report 2023
• Amazon Pay has launched a video sign language Know Your Customer (KYC) service for hearing and speech impaired customers, which involves communication through sign languages, a pioneering initiative in the digital payments sector in India.
• The promoter of CSB Bank erstwhile Catholic Syrian Bank Limited in India has obtained approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to maintain a 26% stake in the bank.
• The insurance ombudsman disposed of over 92% of the complaints it received from the insured during 2022-23.
• The Financial Stability Board removed Italy’s UniCredit from its list of Global Systemically Important Banks (G-SIBs) and moved 3 banks up a category.
• Pakistan secured a significant victory over India in the UNESCO executive board election for the post of vice-chair.
• India and Sweden launched Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT) 2.0 during the COP28 World Climate Action Summit, hosted in Dubai for the period 2024-26, at COP-28 in Dubai.
• Delhi Government has introduced the Delhi Motor Vehicle Aggregator and Delivery Service Provider Scheme.
• The Tamil Nadu (TN) government has planned to set up a footwear manufacturing park at an outlay of Rs 400 crore on a 250-acre land.
• Mizoram Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati has appointed a woman Indian Air Force officer from Odisha, squadron leader Manisha Padhi, as India’s first Woman Aide-De-Camp (ADC) from the Indian Armed Forces at a brief ceremony held at the Raj Bhawan in Aizawl.
• Mahe, Malvan and Mangrol, the first three ships of 08 x ASW Shallow Water Craft (CSL) project being built by CSL, Kochi for the Indian Navy, were launched CSL, Kochi.
• India is preparing to launch its inaugural X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
• American diplomat and Nobel winner Henry Kissinger passed away at the age of 100 years.
• International Volunteer Day 2023 is observed on the 5th of December 2023.
• World Soil Day 2023 is observed on the 5th of December 2023.