Why in the News?

Recently, Basohli Pashmina, a traditional craft with over a century of history from the Kathua district in Jammu and Kashmir, has been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

About Basohli Pashmina:

• Basohli Pashmina is renowned for its exceptional softness, fineness, lightweight quality, insulation, and durability.
• Pashmina products include shawls, mufflers, blankets, and baskets.
• Pashmina is a premium variety of cashmere, obtained from the fine undercoat of the Changthangi mountain goats.
• These goats are found on the Changthang Plateau in Tibet and parts of Ladakh.
• The Changpa people, who are nomads living on the Changthang plateau of Tibet, are traditional producers of pashmina wool.

Why in the News?

Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai attends the two-day conference to mark the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crimes (UNTOC) at Palermo in Italy.

About the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC):

• NTOC, established by the United Nations in 2000, is a global treaty targeting transnational organized crime.
• It's often referred to as the Palermo Convention.
• It has 147 signatories and 190 parties to the convention.
• The Convention is complemented by three Protocols:
• Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women, and Children
• Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea, and Air
• Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, their Parts, and Components, and Ammunition.
• India signed UNTOC and its three Protocols on December 12, 2002.
• The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is the primary agency responsible for all interactions related to UNTOC.

Why in the News?

On the 3rd of October 2023, India and Bangladesh kicked off the 11th installment of exercise SAMPRITI in Umroi, Meghalaya.

About Exercise SAMPRITI:

• This is an annual joint military exercise that India and Bangladesh hold together.
• It began in Jorhat, Assam, in 2009 and has successfully completed ten editions up to 2022.
• The exercise is organized alternately by both countries, demonstrating their strong bilateral defense cooperation.
• SAMPRITI-XI, which spans 14 days, will involve around 350 personnel from both sides.
• The primary focus of the exercise is to improve interoperability between the two armies, exchange tactical strategies, and promote best practices.
• A wide range of units, including artillery, engineers, and other supporting arms and services, will participate from both sides.
• The exercise centers on the execution of Sub-Conventional Operations in line with Chapter VII of the UN mandate.
• It includes a Command Post Exercise (CPX) and a Field Training Exercise (FTX), concluding with a Validation Exercise.
• SAMPRITI-XI aims to strengthen defense cooperation between India and Bangladesh, fostering deeper bilateral relations, cultural understanding, and mutual benefits through shared experiences in Sub-Conventional Operations.

Why in the News?

Recently, the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) announced its commitment to obtain both public and private investments to support the conservation and restoration of coral ecosystems.

About the International Coral Reef Initiative:

• It was established in 1994 with founding members including Australia, France, Japan, Jamaica, the Philippines, Sweden, Britain, and the United States.
• It now boasts a membership of 45 countries, collectively representing three-quarters of the world's coral reefs.
• India is one of these member countries.
• This initiative serves as a global partnership between nations and organizations dedicated to preserving coral reefs and their related ecosystems worldwide.
• It's important to note that the decisions made by ICRI are not legally binding on its members.
• ICRI's work is frequently recognized in United Nations documents, emphasizing its significant role in cooperation, collaboration, and advocacy on the international stage.

Objectives of ICRI include:

• Promoting the adoption of best practices for sustainable management of coral reefs and associated ecosystems.
• Building capacity to effectively manage and protect these ecosystems.
• Raising awareness at all levels about the challenges faced by coral reefs worldwide.

Why in the News?

The WHO has given its thumbs-up to the R21 vaccine, the second malaria vaccine they've recommended, following the RTS, S/AS01 vaccine, which got their approval in 2021. Right now, the WHO is closely examining this vaccine for prequalification, which is like their gold seal of approval. Once it's prequalified, organizations like GAVI (a global vaccine alliance) and UNICEF can purchase the vaccine from the manufacturers.

About the R21/Matrix-M Vaccine:

• It's a new vaccine designed to protect children from malaria.
• The University of Oxford and the Serum Institute of India developed it, with support from the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP), the Wellcome Trust, and the European Investment Bank (EIB).
• This vaccine is a game-changer as it's the first one to meet the WHO's target of 75% effectiveness.
• Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Nigeria have already given the green light for its use.
• In early 2024, these African countries will start administering the vaccine, and by mid-2024, it will be available in other countries too.