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Prelim Bits 01-07-2019

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July 01, 2019

Group of Twenty (G20)

  • The 14th edition of the G-20 Summit is currently underway in Japan’s Osaka.
  • G20 is a global forum comprised of twenty of the world’s largest economies.
  • It focuses on addressing global economic challenges.
  • Its membership includes 19 countries and European Union.
  • The members are divided into 5 groups, consisting of a maximum of four states for choosing the President:
  1. Group 1: Australia, Canada, United States, Saudi Arabia.
  2. Group 2: India, Russia, South Africa, Turkey.
  3. Group 3: Argentina, Brazil, Mexico.
  4. Group 4: France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom.
  5. Group 5: China, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea.
  • In addition to the member countries Spain is a permanent guest and always participates in the G20 summits. Every year, the host country also chooses other guests.
  • G20 was conceived in 1999, while the repercussions of the Asian financial crisis of 1997 still lasted.
  • In a G7 meeting, it was decided to expand the group and make it more representative in order to generate policies that have an impact in the economy.
  • So a new forum of finance ministers and presidents of Central Banks, which would later become the G20.
  • With the global financial crisis of 2008, the G20 became the main instrument and thereafter, Presidents and Heads of State joined the G20.
  • The group does not have permanent offices or employees.
  • The President is chosen by a rotation system amongst the member countries.
  • There are two working channels of G20,
  1. Finance Channel -  It covers meetings between finance ministers and central bank presidents.
  2. The Sherpas Channel - It covers non-financial issues, such as political commitment, the fight against corruption, development, gender equality, trade and energy.
  • Civil societies through, Affinity groups participate in the G20 that seeks to enrich submit.
  • The key regional organizations  like ASEAN, African Union, OECD, ILO are usually invited to participate and are represented by the country that holds the presidency.
  • In the recent submit in Osaka, India held  talks with member countries to address the Trade and Security issues.

INS Shivalik and INS Sindhukirti

  • These are the Indian Navy’s indigenously conceived design and constructed frontline stealth frigate.
  • INS Shivalik is the Shivalik-class advanced, stealth-minded, guided-missile frigate warship.
  • It is the first stealth warship built by India at  Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai s part of the Indian Navy's Project 17.
  • It is equipped with a wide range of electronics and sensors.
  • In addition, it uses HUMSA (hull-mounted sonar array), ATAS/Thales Sintra towed array systems.
  • It is equipped with a mix of Russian, Indian and Western weapon systems.
  • It also has improved stealth and land attacking features over the preceding Talwar-class frigates.
  • It is the first Indian navy ship to use the CODOG (COmbined Diesel Or Gas) propulsion system.
  • INS Sindhukirti is the seventh Sindhughosh-class, diesel-electric submarine of the Indian Navy, built at the Admiralty Shipyard and Sevmash in the Soviet Union.
  • It is among the oldest operational submarines in the Navy.
  • It has been virtually rebuilt with modern sensors weapons and systems which make it "a hole in the water" for the Navy.

Japanese Encephalitis

  • Japanese Encephalitis has been recently reported in Assam.
  • It is a mosquito-borne viral infection.
  • It is a flavivirus family related to dengue, yellow fever and West Nile viruses.
  • It is the leading cause of viral encephalitis in Asia.

https://www.who.int/images/default-source/imported/map-japanese-encephalitis.png?sfvrsn=91d0f0c5_2

  • It will not spread from one person to another.
  • There is no cure for the disease. Treatment is focused on relieving severe clinical signs and supporting the patient to overcome the infection.
  • Most JEV infections have mild (fever and headache) or without apparent symptoms.
  • Approximately 1 in 250 infections results in severe clinical illness. The incubation period is between 4-14 days.
  • Safe and effective vaccines are available to prevent JE.
  • ‘SA 14-14-2’ vaccine become the most widely used vaccine in endemic countries, and it was prequalified by WHO.
  • Since the recent outbreak in Assam, all 27 districts of Assam were covered under the JE vaccination campaign for those aged between 1 to 15 years.
  • Migratory birds along with pigs in the community play an important role in the transmission of JE from one area to another.

 

Source: Indian Express, PIB  

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