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ORANGE COLOUR: Important for Prelims.
RED COLOUR: Important for Mains.
BLACK COLOUR: Must Read !
BLUE COLOUR : Important Links/Survey.
PINK COLOUR: Reports/Themes/Summits.
Page Contents:
13th Nov Current Affairs News Analysis | Prelims & Mains 2021
Today's Must Read Articles :Rohanixalus – New frog genus
HEADLINES:
In Andamans, scientists hit upon new frog genus(group)
WHY IN NEWS:
Researchers said Rohanix-alus is the “20th recognised genus of the family Rhacopho-ridae and currently comprises eight out of the 422 known Old World treefrog species found in Asia and Africa”.
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3: Fauna
ISSUE:
ROHANIX-ALUS
- The new genus ‘Rohanixalus’ is named after Sri Lankan taxonomist Rohan Pethiyagoda.
- A study led by Delhi University, along with researchers from India, Indonesia and China.
- They have reported a new genus of the Old World treefrog family Rhacophoridae .
- Rohanix-alus is the 20th recognised genus of the family Rhacopho-ridae .
- It is currently comprises eight out of the 422 known Old World treefrog species found in Asia and Africa.
FEATURES
- They are characterised by a “rather small and slender body (2-3 cm long)
- Minute brown speckles scattered throughout the upper body
- Light green-coloured eggs laid in arboreal bubble-nests
- Several unique behavioural traits including maternal egg attendance.
IASbhai WINDUP:
- This finding also uncovers an interesting new distribution pattern of treefrogs .
- Study also provides evidence for faunal exchange between Andamans and the Indo-Burma region.
SOURCES: THE HINDU | 13th Nov Current Affairs News Analysis
Progress in vaccination coverage
HEADLINES:
‘India makes progress in vaccination coverage’
WHY IN NEWS:
Report cites measures taken by the country to prevent child pneumonia and diarrhoea deaths
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3: Reports : Diseases
ISSUE:
REPORT TITLED
KEY POINTS
- This year’s report finds that although overall the world’s health systems are falling short of ensuring that children have access to prevention and treatment services.
- While India’s coverage of rotavirus vaccine increased by 18 percentage points (35% rotavirus coverage in 2018 expanded to 53% in 2019)
- Coverage against pneumococcal pneumonia increased by 9 percentage points (6% PCV coverage in 2018 expanded to 15% in 2019).
These vaccines are :
- Diphtheria
- Pertussis and Tetanus (DPT) vaccine,
- Measles-containing-vaccine first dose
- Haemophilus influenzae type B
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV)
- Rotavirus vaccine.
100-DAY AGENDA
- This landmark vaccine expansion will help protect 26 million children born each year against life-threatening cases of rotavirus diarrhoea.
The report tracked progress by analysing indicators from the latest available data on how countries are delivering key interventions —
- Including breastfeeding
- Immunisation
- Care-seeking and antibiotics
- Oral rehydration solution (ORS)
- Zinc supplementation — shown to prevent pneumonia and diarrhoea deaths.
FOCUS AREAS
- However, nearly every country included in the report lagged in access to treatments against pneumonia and diarrhoea.
- India failed to reach all four targets for treatment.
- Treatment for diarrhoea had the lowest coverage, with only 51% of children receiving ORS and 20% getting zinc.
IASbhai WINDUP:
- Although there was progress in India in 2019.
- The COVID-19 pandemic threatens the hard-won gains because of disruptions caused in routine health services like immunisation and access to medical oxygen.
SOURCES: THE HINDU IE PIB DownToEarth | 13th Nov Current Affairs News Analysis
Cohesive, responsive ASEAN : PM
HEADLINES:
Cohesive, responsive ASEAN must for security, growth in region: PM Modi
WHY IN NEWS:
The India-ASEAN summit focuses on measures to recover from the economic turmoil triggered by the coronavirus pandemic and ways to further broad-base strategic ties.
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 2 : International Grouping
ISSUE:
KEY POINTS FROM THE MEETING
POLICY MAKING
- Cementing the connect between India and ASEAN on all fronts, including economic, social, digital, financial, maritime, is an important priority area for us.
- The Strategic Partnership between India and ASEAN is based on our shared historical, geographical and cultural heritage.
- Since the beginning, the ASEAN Group has been at the centre of our Act East policy.
- The India-ASEAN summit focuses on measures to recover from the economic turmoil and ways to further broad-base strategic ties.
- There is a need of strengthening convergence between India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific .
- This will ensure a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.
INITIAITIVES
- He welcomed ASEAN’s initiatives to fight the pandemic and announced a contribution of $1 million to Covid-19 ASEAN Response Fund.
- PM underlined the importance of cooperation and regular exchanges in the field of traditional medicines as a source of healthy and holistic living.
- The importance of diversification and resilience of supply chains for post-Covid economic recovery was stressed.
- The discussions also covered regional and international issues of common interest and concern, including South China Sea and terrorism.
- Both sides noted the importance of promoting a rules-based order in the region, including through upholding adherence to international law, especially UNCLOS.
RCEP
- India and ASEAN countries said they would explore ways to increase trade between them despite India’s exit from the 15-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement.
- This ratification will be in between China, Australia, South Korea, Japan, and 10 Association of South East Asian (ASEAN) nations.
- However, they are expected to leave in a clause allowing India to rejoin at a later date.
IASbhai WINDUP:
ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership stands on a strong foundation of shared geographical, historical and civilisational ties.
SOURCES: THE HINDU | 13th Nov Current Affairs News Analysis
Biden : Indo-Pacific plans
HEADLINES:
Biden speaks to Indo-Pacific leaders
WHY IN NEWS:
President-elect reassures countries of America’s commitment
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 2 : IR
ISSUE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Mr. Biden discussed the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, economic recovery tackling climate change and strengthening democracy.
- The Quad grouping of countries — India, the U.S., Japan and Australia — was strengthened during the Trump administration.
- It was largely as a response to China’s growing assertiveness and adventurism in the region, including along the Line of Actual Control with India.
SECURITY AND PROSPERITY
- Mr. Biden referred to the U.S.-South Korea alliance as “the linchpin of security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region”, as per his transition team.
- South Korea also wants to resolve issues around the presence of 28,500 American troops in the country.
- Mr. Trump had asked South Korea to pay more towards the troops and a cost-sharing agreement that expired in 2019 has not been renewed.
IASbhai WINDUP:
- The Biden administration’s approach towards this informal grouping, as well as with China, will be closely watched by India.
SOURCES: THE HINDU | 13th Nov Current Affairs News Analysis
Retail inflation
HEADLINES:
Oct. retail inflation accelerates to 7.61%
WHY IN NEWS:
India’s economy is likely to enter a technical recession for the first time in its post-independence history.
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3:RBI
ISSUE:
- India’s retail inflation remained above 7% in October for a second straight month as vegetable prices stayed at elevated levels.
- October’s retail inflation of 7.61% was higher than the forecast of 7.3% in a Reuters’ poll of economists.
- The country reported a 23.9% contraction in the April-June quarter.
- Two consecutive quarters of contraction are described as a recession.
- The main factor leading to higher inflation was elevated food inflation, which stood at 11.07% in October compared with 10.68% in the previous month.
INFLATION
- Inflation is the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services is rising and, consequently, the purchasing power of currency is falling.
- Inflation is classified into three types: Demand-Pull inflation, Cost-Push inflation, and Built-In inflation.
- Most commonly used inflation indexes are the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Wholesale Price Index (WPI).
- Those with tangible assets, like property or stocked commodities, may like to see some inflation as that raises the value of their assets.
- People holding cash may not like inflation, as it erodes the value of their cash holdings.
- Ideally, an optimum level of inflation is required to promote spending to a certain extent instead of saving, thereby nurturing economic growth.
IASbhai WINDUP:
‘LIKELY TO PERSIST’
- High food inflation despite easing restrictions and improving mobility numbers indicates the problem is more complex and likely to persist in the near future.
- October’s core inflation was in the range of 5.5% to 5.8%, according to four analysts, compared with 5.7% in September.
SOURCES: THE HINDU | 13th Nov Current Affairs News Analysis
DISCOVER MORE : Important Daily Current Affairs for UPSC PRELIMS 2021
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