UN to Send Fact-Finding Mission to Bangladesh
On 30th August, 2024, the United Nations Human Rights Office announced it will send a fact-finding mission to Bangladesh to investigate human rights violations following recent deadly violence in the country.
- The mission was requested by Bangladesh’s interim government to investigate allegations of human rights abuses during the unrest.
- Last month’s anti-government protests, initially led by students against public sector job quotas, escalated into the deadliest violence since Bangladesh’s independence in 1971.
- The violence resulted in over 1,000 deaths and forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and flee to India on August 5.
- An interim government, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, took over and helped calm the situation while security forces cracked down on ongoing protests.
- The UN’s fact-finding team will report on the violations and abuses during the protests, analyze root causes, and make recommendations for justice, accountability, and long-term reforms.
- The decision follows a visit by a UN team from August 22-29, during which they met with various stakeholders, including members of the interim government.
Anti-Dumping Duty on Chinese Aluminium Foils
On 30th August, 2024, India’s Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) recommended an anti-dumping duty on aluminium foil imports from China after determining that these imports captured 30% of the Indian market, harming domestic producers.
- The investigation followed a request from Hindalco, one of India’s largest aluminium manufacturers, alongside other companies, citing injury to domestic industries due to cheap Chinese imports.
- Anti-dumping investigations assess whether domestic industries are harmed by low-cost imports, with the Ministry of Finance making the final decision on imposing duties.
- The DGTR found that Chinese aluminium foil imports are undercutting domestic prices, forcing Indian producers to sell below production costs.
- The aluminium foil in question, up to 80 microns thick and used for packaging edible products, is recommended for duties ranging between $619 to $873 per tonne.
- During the investigation period, the combined production and capacity of the petitioning domestic producers accounted for about 54% of total production and 45% of capacity in India.
- Some industry stakeholders warned that imposing duties could lead to monopolistic practices, negatively impacting downstream producers and increasing the cost of finished goods.
India Enhances Arctic Engagement amid Geopolitical Tensions
On 30th August, 2024, India announced that it intensifying its involvement in the Arctic region to safeguard its interests amidst rising geopolitical tensions among Arctic States.
- Chairperson of the National Security Advisory Board, emphasized India’s need to protect its economic, ecological, and connectivity interests in the Arctic.
- He highlighted the geopolitical polarisation caused by China’s increasing influence and participation in Arctic infrastructure projects.
- The Arctic States, including Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the US, implement policies through the Arctic Council, of which India has been an observer since 2013.
- India’s Arctic Policy, published in 2022, signifies a new phase in its engagement with the region, beyond just scientific research.
- The Polar Dialogue, a two-day event organized by the Ministry of External Affairs and the National Institute of Advanced Studies, serves as a platform for discussions on Arctic politics and science.
- M Ravichandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, discussed the link between Arctic warming—three to four times the global average—and the patterns of the Indian monsoon.
- The second day of the Polar Dialogue will feature expert discussions on climate change, polar Regions, and India’s roadmap for Arctic engagement.
First Indigenous Pollution Control Vessel in Goa
On 29th August, 2024, Raksha Rajya Mantri urged industry partners to help India become self-sufficient in defence production and a net exporter.
Key Points
- Significance of Samudra Pratap: The vessel designed and constructed in-house by GSL, will play a crucial role in checking oil spills along India’s coastline. The launch marks a significant milestone in India’s Aatmanirbharta in defence shipbuilding.
- India’s Growing Defence Capabilities: Raksha Rajya Mantri highlighted India’s rise as the world’s fifth-largest economy and noted that the nation is now capable of building ships not only for its own defence needs but also for other countries.
- Details of the Launch Event: The vessel ‘Samudra Pratap’ is expected to further enhance the Indian Coast Guard’s ability to manage pollution control at sea.
“RESET” Programme for Retired Sportspersons
On 29th August, 2024, Union Minister launched the “Retired Sportsperson Empowerment Training” (RESET) Programme, aimed at empowering retired athletes by equipping them with essential skills for new career opportunities.
Key Points
- Bridging Generations in Sports: The RESET Programme seeks to leverage the rich experience of retired athletes to mentor the next generation, fostering the growth of sports in India and contributing to nation-building.
- Eligibility and Programme Details: Athletes aged 20-50 years with achievements in international or national sports are eligible to apply. The programme, led by Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE), will offer hybrid learning, internships, and placement support.
India’s Medal Surge at Paris 2024 Paralympics
India has won four medals so far at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, bringing the nation’s overall tally to 35 across all Summer Paralympic editions.
- Avani Lekhara made history by becoming the first Indian athlete to win two gold medals at the Paralympic Games, successfully defending her title in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing event.
- In her debut Paralympics, Mona Agarwal secured a bronze medal in the same event as Lekhara, marking a strong performance by Indian shooters. Preethi Pal also added to India’s tally by winning bronze in the Women’s 100m T35 event.
- Manish Narwal continued his impressive form by winning a silver medal in the Men’s 10m Air Pistol event, following his gold medal performance at the Tokyo Paralympics.
- India has now secured a total of 10 gold medals at the Paralympic Games, with athletes like Murlikant Petkar, Devendra Jhajharia, Mariyappan Thangavelu, Sumit Antil, and Avani Lekhara contributing to this remarkable achievement.
Blue Button Jellyfish Swarm Mumbai’s Girgaon Chowpatty
Recently, beachgoers at Girgaon Chowpatty in Mumbai once again encountered blue button jellyfish, sparking questions about the environmental factors driving their increasing presence.
Key Points
- Environmental Factors behind Jellyfish Blooms Blue button jellyfish (Porpita Porpita) are appearing more frequently along shorelines due to a combination of environmental conditions, including rising sea temperatures, changes in ocean currents, and increased nutrient availability.
- Impact of Coastal Urbanisation and Pollution: The urbanisation of coastlines and increased pollution contribute to jellyfish proliferation. Coastal structures like piers can trap jellyfish near shorelines, while urban runoff and sewage discharge elevate nutrient levels in coastal waters, leading to plankton blooms—the primary food source for jellyfish.
- Climate Change and Overfishing: Human-induced climate change is warming oceans, a significant driver of jellyfish blooms. Additionally, overfishing has depleted natural predators of jellyfish, like certain fish species and sea turtles, further contributing to their population growth.
- Strategies to Manage Jellyfish Blooms: Educating beachgoers about jellyfish risks, regularly monitoring jellyfish populations, reducing coastal pollution, and promoting sustainable fishing practices are essential to mitigating the risks associated with jellyfish blooms.