{"id":131395,"date":"2024-09-11T19:54:43","date_gmt":"2024-09-11T14:24:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/?post_type=current-affairs&p=131395"},"modified":"2024-09-12T13:42:04","modified_gmt":"2024-09-12T08:12:04","slug":"news-in-shorts-11-september-2024","status":"publish","type":"current-affairs","link":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/current-affairs\/news-in-shorts-11-september-2024","title":{"rendered":"News in Shorts: 11 September 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Montelukast<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Montelukast\"<\/td>\n

Context:<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While caution is being exercised everywhere, the<\/span> sale of Montelukast drugs in India is unregulated<\/b> and seems to be increasing exponentially.<\/span><\/p>\n

About Montelukast:<\/b><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Refers:<\/b> An<\/span> orally dosed drug<\/b> to prevent<\/span> wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and coughing <\/b>caused by <\/span>asthma<\/b>, and also used to<\/span> prevent breathing difficulties during exercise.<\/b><\/li>\n
  • Classification: <\/b>Montelukast is <\/span>not an antihistamine.<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • \n
      \n
    • Antihistamines<\/b> are common drugs that can be purchased without a prescription and are used to treat short-lived allergic reactions, like a sneezing fit or an itch.<\/span>\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
    • Availability:<\/b> It is readily available as <\/span>a film-coated tablet, chewable tablet, or oral granules and syrup <\/b>(for kids) under different brand names.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Approval: <\/b>It was approved by the <\/span>US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998 <\/b>and marketed under the brand name <\/span>\u2018Singulair\u2019.<\/b>\n
        \n
      • It was approved for<\/span> treating chronic asthma and prophylaxis<\/b> and the prevention of exercise-induced <\/span>bronchoconstriction.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n
      • It is also approved to <\/span>relieve seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis symptoms.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

YUDH ABHYAS-2024<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"YUDH<\/td>\n

Context:<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Recently, the <\/span>20th edition of India-USA Joint Military Exercise YUDH ABHYAS-2024 was held<\/b> at Foreign Training Node in Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

About Exercise YUDH ABHYAS:<\/b><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Annual Joint Exercise:<\/b> It has been held annually<\/span> since 2004, alternating between India and the USA.<\/b><\/li>\n
  • Aim: <\/b>To <\/span>enhance joint military capability<\/b> of both sides to undertake counter terrorism operations in a <\/span>sub conventional scenario under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Significance:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Share Best Practices: <\/b>It will enable both sides to<\/span> share best practices in tactics, techniques and procedures of conducting joint operations.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Interoperability:<\/b> It will facilitate developing interoperability, bonhomie and camaraderie between the two armies.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Enhance Cooperation:<\/b> The joint exercise will also enhance defence cooperation, further augmenting bilateral relations between the two friendly nations.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Counter Terrorism:<\/b> Prepare a joint exercise to a terrorist action, joint planning and combined field training exercises that simulate real-world counter-terror missions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Joint Exercises of India-USA:<\/b><\/p>\n

        \n
      • Military Training: <\/b>Yudh Abhyas, Vajra Prahar and Exercise Tiger Triumph<\/span>\n
          \n
        • Exercise Tiger Triumph is the first tri-service military exercise between the two countries.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n
        • Its 1st edition was held in 2019.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
        • Air Forces:<\/b> Cope India<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Naval Exercise (along with Japan): <\/b>Malabar<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR):<\/b> In September 2022, the <\/span>QUAD countries <\/b>(US, India, Japan and Australia) signed the \u201cGuidelines for the Quad Partnership on HADR in the Indo-Pacific\u201d.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Additional Solicitor Generals<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Additional<\/td>\n

Context: <\/b>Recently, the government has appointed six senior advocates as Additional Solicitor Generals (ASGs) to represent it in the Supreme Court.<\/span><\/p>\n

Additional Solicitor General of India:<\/b><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Role<\/b>\n
      \n
    • The Addl. SGI is a law officer who assists the SGI and the Attorney General of India.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    • The SGI and Addl. SGIs advise the government and represent the Union of India in legal matters.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
    • Appointment<\/b>\n
        \n
      • The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), <\/span>headed by the Prime Minister,<\/b> recommends and officially appoints the SGI and Addl. SGIs.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
      • The proposal for appointment is usually made by the Joint Secretary or Law Secretary in the Department of Legal Affairs.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
      • Status: <\/b>The SGI and Addl. SGIs are statutory posts, unlike the Attorney General of India’s Constitutional post.<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Governing rules: <\/b>The Addl. SGI is governed by the Law Officers (Conditions of Service) Rules, 1987.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Solicitor General of India<\/b><\/p>\n

          \n
        • The Solicitor General is a <\/span>subordinate office to the Attorney General of India.<\/b> He is the secondary law officer of the country.<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Assistance<\/b>: The Solicitor General is assisted by Additional Solicitor Generals, who represent the Union of India across courts.<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Constitutional Position:<\/b> While the Attorney General of India is a <\/span>constitutional office<\/b>, the<\/span> Solicitor General of India<\/b> and <\/span>Additional Solicitor Generals <\/b>are <\/span>statutory<\/b> offices, appointed by the<\/span> Appointment Committee of the Cabinet<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

INS Malpe and INS Mulki<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"INS<\/td>\n

Context: <\/b>The Indian navy launched the fourth and fifth ships, Malpe and Mulki, of the 8 Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft project.<\/span><\/p>\n
    \n
  • INS Malpe and INS Mulki are two of the latest <\/span>indigenously designed and built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Watercrafts (ASWSWCs)<\/b> developed for the Indian Navy.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • These vessels are the <\/span>fourth and fifth<\/b> ships in the series of ASWSWCs commissioned by the Navy.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Constructed by <\/span>Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL)<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • The contract for<\/span> eight such vessels<\/b> was signed between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and CSL on April 30, 2019.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Classified as the <\/span>Mahe Class,<\/b> these ships will eventually <\/span>replace the Abhay Class ASW Corvettes<\/b> currently in service.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Features:\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n
  • \n
      \n
    • The ships are designed for a range of operations, including<\/span> anti-submarine warfare in coastal waters<\/b>, mine-laying, sub-surface surveillance, search and rescue, and low-intensity maritime missions.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Measuring <\/span>78 meters in length, 11.36 meters in width<\/b>, and with a <\/span>draught of 2.7 meter<\/b>s, these vessels displace around<\/span> 900 tonnes<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    • They can reach speeds of <\/span>up to 25 knots<\/b> and have a <\/span>range of 1,800 nautical miles.<\/b><\/li>\n
    • Fitted with state-of-the-art, <\/span>indigenously developed SONAR<\/b> systems for underwater detection,\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Also equipped with<\/span> lightweight torpedoes, anti-submarine warfare rockets<\/b>, a close-in weapon system, and remote-controlled guns for enhanced operational capability.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Financial Action Task Force (FATF)<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Financial<\/td>\n

Context: <\/b>The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is expected to release its report on <\/span>India\u2019s mutual evaluation<\/b>, which was adopted at its <\/span>June 2024<\/b> plenary in Singapore, on <\/span>September 19<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

About FATF<\/b><\/p>\n

    \n
  • FATF is an<\/span> intergovernmental organization<\/b> established in <\/span>1989 out of a G-7 meeting <\/b>of developed nations in <\/span>Paris.<\/b><\/li>\n
  • Secretariat: <\/b>Located at the <\/span>OECD headquarters in Paris<\/b>, it supports the substantive work of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) membership and global network.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Evolution of Mandate:<\/b> Originally formed to <\/span>combat money laundering<\/b>, it expanded its mandate<\/span> after the 9\/11 attacks<\/b> to include efforts against <\/span>terrorist financing<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span>\n
      \n
    • Later, efforts to counter the financing of <\/span>Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)<\/b> were added in <\/span>2012<\/b>.<\/span>\n
        \n
      • Weapons of mass destruction (WMD) are weapons that can cause <\/span>massive destruction and loss of human life<\/b> on a large scale.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
      • Grey and Black Lists<\/b>\n
          \n
        • Grey List:<\/b> Includes countries considered safe havens for supporting<\/span> terror funding and money laundering<\/b>, serving as a warning.<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Black List:<\/b> Comprises <\/span>Non-Cooperative Countries or Territor<\/b>i<\/span>es (NCCTs)<\/b> supporting such activities.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
        • Sessions and Decision-Making<\/b>:<\/span>Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Plenary<\/b> is the decision-making body, meeting <\/span>three times per year<\/b> to discuss <\/span>Mutual Evaluation Reports (MERs)<\/b> of countries.<\/span>\n
            \n
          • Countries with major deficiencies in their <\/span>Anti-Money Laundering\/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML\/CFT<\/b>) regimes are listed under \u201cjurisdictions under increased monitoring\u201d<\/span> (grey list) or \u201chigh-risk jurisdictions\u201d (black list).<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
          • Membership:<\/b> Currently, a <\/span>40-member body <\/b>representing major financial centres globally.<\/span>\n
              \n
            • Includes<\/span> two regional organisations:<\/b> the European Commission and the Gulf Cooperation Council.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
            • India\u2019s Association:<\/b> India joined as an<\/span> observer in 2006 <\/b>and became a <\/span>full member <\/b>in <\/span>2010.<\/b>\n
                \n
              • Additionally, India is part of its <\/span>regional partners<\/b>, the <\/span>Asia Pacific Group (APG) and the Eurasian Group (EAG).<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
              • India\u2019s Status: “Regular follow-up” <\/b>category (includes France, Italy, Russia, and the UK)<\/span><\/li>\n
              • Observers:<\/b> There are <\/span>31 international and regional organisations<\/b> which are Associate Members or Observers of the FATF and participate in its work.<\/span>\n
                  \n
                • Organisations with observer status include the <\/span>Asian Development Bank (ADB), International Monetary Fund (IMF), Interpol, and the World Bank<\/b>, among others.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                • Mutual Evaluation Report:<\/b>\n
                    \n
                  • It is an assessment of a<\/span> country\u2019s measures<\/b> to <\/span>combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism<\/b> and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
                  • Evaluation Team:<\/b> The reports are <\/span>peer reviews<\/b>, where members from different countries assess another country.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
                  • Without prejudice:<\/b> The mutual evaluation report is <\/span>without prejudice<\/b> to the status or justification that led to the designation of an entity as a terrorist or terrorist group or organisation.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
                  • Mutual Evaluations have two main components<\/b>\n
                      \n
                    • Effectiveness\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
                    • Technical compliance<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G)<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Pradhan<\/td>\n

Context: <\/b>The Centre has relaxed the<\/span> \u201cautomatic exclusion\u201d <\/b>criteria under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G).<\/span><\/p>\n

More in news:<\/b><\/p>\n