Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs |15 November 2023 | Download PDF

National and International News

With wheat flour (atta) becoming costly around the festival season, the Union Food and Consumer Affairs Ministry released more stocks of the ‘Bharat’ brand atta through 100 mobile vans and the outlets of Kendriya Bhandar.

Key points

• Bharat Atta will be available at ₹27.50 a kg. 
• The launch of retail sale of Bharat Atta will increase supplies in the market at affordable rates, and will help in continued moderation of prices of this important food item

• Annually on November 9, India observes National Legal Services Day to mark the adoption of the Legal Services Authorities Act 1987, which was officially enacted on the same date in 1995
• The theme for National Legal Services Day 2023 is ‘Access to Justice for All: Empowering the Marginalised through Legal Awareness.’ 
• This theme emphasises the importance of providing equal access to legal resources and knowledge, especially to those who are underprivileged and marginalised.

G-7 Foreign Ministers called for humanitarian pauses in the Israel-Hamas war to let aid in and help the release of hostages and sought a return to a “broader peace process”, as Israeli forces continue to strike the Gaza Strip.

About G-7

• It is an intergovernmental organisation that was formed in 1975.
• The bloc meets annually to discuss issues of common interest like global economic governance, international security and energy policy.
• The G7 countries are the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the US.
• All the G7 countries and India are a part of G20.
• The G7 does not have a formal charter or a secretariat. 
• The presidency, which rotates among member countries each year, is in charge of setting the agenda. Sherpas, ministers and envoys hammer out policy initiatives before the summit.

Seventy-three years and 60 days of practice as a lawyer is a Guinness World Record. 

Palakkad’s veteran civil lawyer P.B. Menon has brought that world record to India by knocking out Gibraltar government lawyer Louis Triay.

Key points

• Guinness World Records,  is a British reference book published annually, listing world records both of human achievements and the extremes of the natural world.
• It is known from its inception in 1955 until 1999 as The Guinness Book of Records and in previous United States editions as The Guinness Book of World Records.

The Kerala government has created an Organic Farming Mission to encourage the adoption of sustainable organic and climate-smart farming practices in the State. 

Key points

•  The mission aims at expanding organic farming to 5,000 hectares in the next five years through an annual target of 1,000 ha.
• In farms run by the Agriculture Department, at least 10% of the area will be set aside for organic farming. 
• Mandate of the mission is to make sure that selected beneficiaries/farms of organic farming schemes pursue the system at least for five years.
• The mission will take steps to expand the system for certification, branding, and marketing of organic agricultural products from Kerala. 
• The mission will also focus on value addition of organic products.

The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has agreed to invest $553 million in the Adani Ports-led container terminal project in Colombo.

Key points

• The DFC seeks to drive private-sector investments that advance development and economic growth while strengthening the strategic positions of our partners
• Adani Ports signed a $700-million deal with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and Sri Lankan conglomerate John Keells Holdings in September 2021 to jointly develop the terminal.

According to World Health Organization’s (WHO) ‘Global TB Report 2023’, India has made tremendous progress in improving case detection and reversed the impact of COVID-19 on the tuberculosis (TB) programme.

Key facts

• TB treatment coverage, according to the report, has also improved to 80% of the estimated TB cases, an increase of 19% over the previous year.
• India’s efforts have resulted in the reduction of TB incidence by 16% from 2015 to 2022, almost double the pace at which global TB incidence is declining (which is 8.7%). 
• TB mortality has also reduced by 18% during the same period in India, and globally.

• It is located along the Bay of Bengal coast, between Puri and Konark.
• It includes sandy beaches, coastal dunes, groves of introduced Casuarina plantations.
• Major Fauna: Blackbuck, spotted deer.

• Satkosia Tiger Reserve = Satkosia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary + Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary.
• The Tiger Reserve is located where the Mahanadi River passes through a long gorge in the Eastern Ghats.
• The area is also a part of the Mahanadi ER.
• Vegetation: Moist deciduous forests and riverine forest.
• Major Fauna: Leopard, indian wild dog (dhole), sloth bear, Asian elephant, Bengal tiger.

• It is a freshwater oxbow lake formed by the Mahanadi River. 
• It is the largest freshwater lake in Odisha.
• Endangered species: Indian Skimmer (EN), Black-Bellied Tern (EN), Wagur (EN), Indian River Tern (VU), Helicopter Catfish (Wallago attu – VU)

• It was launched by the Odisha Government for farmer’s welfare.
• The aim of the scheme is to accelerate agricultural prosperity and reduce poverty in the State payments to encourage cultivation and associated activities.
• The scheme is being seen as a viable alternative to farm loan waivers.
• Under the scheme, around Rs, 10,180 crores will be spent over three years until 2020-21 in providing financial assistance to cultivators and landless agricultural laborers.

• Location: It is situated in the Bargarh district of Odisha near the Hirakud dam (Mahanadi River).
• It finds a special mention because of noted freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai. 
• During his rebellion against the British, his base at ‘Barapathara” was located within the sanctuary.
• It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1985.
• Vegetation: Dry deciduous mixed forests.
• Flora: Major trees found here are Sal, Asana, Bija, Aanla, Dhaura etc.
• Fauna: A huge variety of wild animals reside in the dense forest of the sanctuary, such as Tiger, Sloth Bear, Leopard, Hyena, Spotted Deer, Antelopes, Sambar, Gaur, Nilgai, Bison, Langur Monkeys etc.

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