Contents :
- Trump threatens 100% tariffs on BRICS if dollar is undermined
- Plastic treaty negotiations fail with countries split over production cuts
- Bangladesh upheaval has not led to a spike in border interceptions: data
- 40 years after Bhopal gas tragedy, Union Carbide’s toxic waste yet to be removed
- Centre working on national policy document on female labour force participation
- New HIV infections declined 44% in 2023, AIDS-related deaths down 79%.
Trump threatens 100% tariffs on BRICS if dollar is undermined
Relevance : GS 2(International Relations )
Context
- Event: U.S. President-elect Donald Trump threatens 100% tariffs on BRICS nations if they undermine the dollar.
- Stakeholders: BRICS includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE.
Dollar Dominance
- The U.S. dollar accounts for 58% of global foreign exchange reserves.
- It remains the default currency for major commodities like oil.
BRICS Intentions
- BRICS nations aim to reduce dependency on the dollar.
- Proposals for a new BRICS currency are seen as a potential challenge to the U.S.-led financial system.
Trump’s Response
- Threat of 100% tariffs to deter BRICS from introducing an alternative currency.
- Consequences: Loss of access to the U.S. market for non-compliance.
Russia’s Position
- Accuses the U.S. of “weaponising” the dollar to impose unilateral sanctions.
- Advocates for an alternative system to SWIFT, enabling bypass of Western sanctions.
Implications
- Short-Term: The U.S. dollar’s dominance is secure.
- Long-Term:
- Growing GDP share of BRICS strengthens their influence.
- Adoption of non-dollar trade currencies may gradually erode the dollar’s global role.
Plastic Treaty Negotiations Fail With Countries Split Over Production Cuts
Relevance : GS 3(Environment )
- Failed Agreement: Delegates from nearly 170 countries failed to agree on a framework to eliminate plastic pollution.
- Divided Blocs: The main divide was between countries advocating for cutting plastic production and those opposing it.
- Resumption of Talks: Negotiations will resume next year under the tentative banner of INC-5.2.
- Disappointment: The European Union and other high-ambition countries expressed disappointment over the limited progress.
- Economic Concerns: Countries like Saudi Arabia and India opposed measures to cut virgin plastic polymer production due to economic implications.
Conclusion:
The fifth round of negotiations on a global plastic pollution treaty ended without an agreement due to deep divisions between countries.
Bangladesh Upheaval Has Not Led To a Spike In Border
Relevance : GS 3 (Internal Security )
Interceptions: data
- Stable Interceptions: Despite major political changes in Bangladesh, there hasn’t been a significant increase in the number of undocumented people intercepted at the India-Bangladesh border.
- Apprehensions Data: From August 5 to November 27, 1,393 Bangladeshis were apprehended, compared to 1,144 from January 1 to August 4.
- Overall Interceptions: A total of 3,907 undocumented people have been intercepted this year, including Indians and other nationalities.
- BSF Vigilance: The Border Security Force (BSF) has heightened its vigilance along the 4,096–km border with Bangladesh since August.
- Minority Concerns: There have been no mass movements of minority communities into India, despite fears for their safety.
- The recent political upheaval in Bangladesh, including the departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has not led to a spike in border interceptions.
- The BSF has maintained heightened vigilance, ensuring that unauthorised entries are minimised.
40 years after Bhopal gas tragedy, Union Carbide’s toxic waste yet to be removed
Relevance : GS 2 (Governance ),GS 3(Environment )
- The Bhopal gas tragedy : occurred on the night of December 2-3, 1984, is one of the world’s worst industrial disasters, caused by a gas leak at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant, resulting in thousands of deaths and lasting health and environmental impacts.
- Toxic Waste Remains: 337 tonnes of waste from 2005 still not disposed of, despite ₹126 crore released by the Centre.
- Additional Contamination: 11 lakh tonnes of contaminated soil, mercury, and underground dumps remain unresolved since 2010.
- Government Delay: No action taken on reassessment of toxicity, stalled for over 14 years.
- Groundwater Contamination: Ongoing pollution of groundwater with toxic substances, posing health risks.
- Ignored Orders: Supreme Court and NGT orders on waste disposal and reassessment repeatedly ignored.
- Environmental Crisis: Leachate from waste continues to contaminate water sources, exacerbating the situation.
- Longstanding Negligence: Hazardous waste dumped from 1969–1984 without proper disposal or enforcement, causing ongoing damage.
- Urgent Action Needed: Immediate disposal, reassessment, and remediation required to mitigate further contamination and health risks.
Centre Working On National Policy Document on Female Labour Force Participation
Relevance :GS 2( Social Justice )
- National Policy on Female Labour: Centre to release a policy focusing on increasing female labour force participation through a care economy structure.
- Care Economy: Emphasis on both paid and unpaid care work (childcare, healthcare, domestic services) to support women’s workforce participation.
- Inter-Ministerial Effort: Developed by Ministries of Skill Development, Labour, Rural Development, and Women and Child Development.
- Post-Marriage Employment Drop: World Bank report reveals a 12% drop in female employment post-marriage, even without children.
- Skilling Package for Caregivers: Policy to include core skilling for child caregivers to aid women’s workforce entry.
- Child Care for Informal Workers: Focus on providing childcare facilities for women in informal sectors, including under NREGS.
- Palna Scheme: 1,000 Anganwadi creches provide daycare services as part of the Ministry’s support for working parents.
New HIV infections declined 44% in 2023, AIDS-related deaths down 79%.
Relevance : GS 2 ( Health )
- Decline in HIV Infections: New HIV infections in 2023 are 44% lower than in 2010; AIDS-related deaths have dropped by 79%.
- High Prevalence Regions: HIV remains high in Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur, and rising in Punjab.
- High-Risk Groups: HIV continues to impact women sex workers, transgender people, truckers, and migrants.
- States with High Prevalence: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana have HIV prevalence above 0.4%.
- HIV Population Estimate: 25.44 lakh people living with HIV in India; 44% women and 3% children.
- Progress on 95-95-95 Targets:India’s revised 95-95-95 targets aim for 95% case detection, 95% treatment coverage, and 95% viral load suppression. 81% of AIDS cases identified, 88% on ART, and 97% with suppressed viral loads.
- Prevention and Awareness: Emphasis on healthy lifestyles, HIV awareness, and combating stereotypes.
