Consensus on new climate finance goal remains elusive

A day before this round of UN climate talks is scheduled to end in Baku, developed and developing nations are far from agreeing on a number - still denoted as 'x' in the draft text that will define the world's new collective quantified goal (NCQG) on climate finance.

The NCQG refers to money that will be given by developed countries to developing nations to help them transition away from fossil fuels and curb greenhouse gas emissions. Developing nations say this would cost "trillions of dollars". 

As per the Paris Agreement, a new target above $100 billion must be agreed upon by 2025. 

CAQM's submissions in the Supreme Court ignore the increase in paddy-burnt areas in Punjab, Haryana

The Central government constituted the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) had information that the 'burnt area' of paddy fields in Punjab and Haryana increased and many farmers were burning stubble after satellites passed over the area to avoid detection, according to multiple sources and documents accessed.

According to data from both the Punjab government and the Centre, the 'burnt area' of paddy fields in Punjab and Haryana increased in 2023 compared with previous years.

While the CAQM (a statutory body) has informed the Supreme Court time and again that over the past couple of years there has been a "significant reduction" in stubble-burning incidents, the increase in burnt areas suggests that the actual number of stubble-burning incidents could be higher than the official count. 

India to host global meet of cooperatives in Delhi from Nov. 25

India is all set to host the global conference of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) in Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the 'United Nations International Year of Cooperatives 2025'. 

First time in the 130-year-long history of the ICA, the premier body for global cooperative movement, with the initiative of IFFCO, the ICA General Assembly and Global Cooperative Conference will be hosted by India.

Bhutan Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay and Fiji Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica will also attend the event as esteemed guests. 

Rock-cut footprints, human figures dating back to the Megalithic period unearthed at Kerala's Kanhirapoil

A remarkable archaeological discovery has come to light at Kanhirapoil in Madikkai grama panchayat of Kerala where 24 pairs of prehistoric footprints and a human figure have been found carved into rock on private property.

Experts believe these carvings date back to the Megalithic period, providing a fascinating glimpse into ancient culture.

The find was first reported by local archaeology enthusiast Satheesan Kaliyanam recently, following which archaeologist Professor Ajith Kumar and history Professor Nanda Kumar confirmed its significance during a site visit.

The carvings, made with iron tools, include footprints varying in size from six to 10 inches, suggesting representations of both children and adults. At the end of the footprints, a human figure has been intricately etched, accompanied by four circular pits around it.

India needs an environmental health regulatory agency

The 2024 Conference of Parties (COP 29) ends in Baku, Azerbaijan. As a global voice for developing countries, India will push for ambitious climate mitigation financing from developed nations. 

At the same time, pollutants in our air, water and land continue to pose grave health risks. 

According to the Emissions Gap Report 2024 from the United Nations Environment Programme, India has seen over 6% more greenhouse gas emissions than the previous year. 

A bilateral investment treaty with a ‘bit’ of change

The bilateral investment treaty (BIT) between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was signed earlier. 

This BIT, which will replace the 2014 India-UAE investment treaty, is critical. 

It reveals India's latest investment treaty practice and might elucidate India's ongoing negotiations with the United Kingdom and the European Union. 

A typical BIT should accomplish two objectives. First, it should balance the competing goals of investment protection and the state's sovereign right to regulate. 

Second, it should contain unambiguous provisions to reduce the discretion of investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) tribunals. 

The world should embrace Buddhist doctrines to resolve conflicts: Rajnath

The world should embrace Buddhist doctrines to find solutions to the ongoing conflicts and challenges to the international order, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said at a regional security conclave in Laos.

India has always advocated and adopted dialogue-based solutions to resolving complex international issues and its approach to a wide range of international challenges from border disputes to trade agreements, he told an audience of his counterparts from several countries, including China's Defence Minister Dong Jun.

The Defence Minister made the remarks at the conclave of the 10-nation ASEAN grouping and some of its dialogue partners, held in Vientiane, the capital city of Laos. 

Price stability bedrock for sustained growth: Das

Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das said price stability acts as a bedrock for sustained growth, and the central bank endeavours to bring down retail inflation to 4% on a durable basis.

Speaking on 'Balancing Inflation and Growth: The Cardinal Principle of Monetary Policy', he said resilient growth has given the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) the space to focus on inflation to ensure its durable descent to the 4% target.

CEA Nageswaran asks India Inc. not to seek the protective cover of a weak currency

Chief Economic Advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran advised the Indian industry not to seek protective cover of weak currency as it is not a substitute for productivity and investment in research and development.

A weak currency can be good for exporters, making their products relatively less expensive for buyers abroad. 

Mr Nageswaran further said the reliance on the weak currency should not be instrumental to boosting exports, “if anything, it should be part of the policy arsenal to be deployed contextually, but not as a substitute for productivity, investment in R&D and quality, but as a complement at best”. 

ICC issues arrest warrants against Netanyahu, Gallant, Hamas leaders

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas officials, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity over their 13-month war in Gaza and the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, respectively.

Russia launched an ICBM for the first time: Ukraine

Ukraine claimed that Russia launched an inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) overnight at a city. If confirmed, it would be the first time Moscow has used such a weapon in the war.