Hezbollah
Israel’s Pagers Attacks against Hezbollah
- Shiite Muslim political party and militant group.
- Base – Lebanon.
- Strongly opposes Israel and Western influence in West Asia.
- Functions as a proxy for Iran in the region, involved in the Iran-Israel proxy conflict.
- Major Conflicts – 2006 Lebanon War, Syrian Civil War (actively involved in the Civil War, supporting the Assad regime)
- Designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, Israel, and several other countries.
UNESCO Convention of 1970
After Modi’s visit, U.S. to return 297 antiquities
- Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property
- Adoption on – 14 November 1970
- Objective – Combat the illicit trade in cultural property and provide a framework for the return and restitution of stolen cultural items.
- Key Provisions –
- Non-Retrospective Application – The convention does not apply retrospectively, excluding the peak phase of colonialism.
- Restitution – The convention outline the provisions for the return of stolen cultural property. The requesting State must provide evidence to support its claim.
- Membership – 142 States Parties as of the latest update.
Witness Protection Scheme 2018
Supreme Court raised concerns over the implementation of the WPS, 2018.
- Endorsed by the SC in 2018, enforceable in all States/ UTs.
- Objective – Protection of witnesses based on the threat assessment
- Protection measures include protection/change of identity of witnesses, their relocation, etc.
- Provides for a State Witness Protection Fund operated by the Department/Ministry of Home under State/UT Government
Credit Default Swaps
SEBI allowed mutual funds to buy and sell Credit Default Swaps (CDS) to improve liquidity in corporate bond market.
- A financial derivative that allows an investor to swap or offset their credit risk with that of another investor.
- CDS are like insurance contracts that protect the investor in case the bond borrower defaults on their payment of dues.
- Maintained through premium payments similar to insurance contracts for the bond market.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel
India and Brazil decided to collaborate on production and use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF).
- Viable pathway to decarbonise aviation sector.
- A liquid fuel currently used in commercial aviation which reduces CO2 emissions by up to 80%.
- Contains fewer impurities (such as sulphur), which enables an even greater reduction in sulphur dioxide and particulate matter emissions.
- Sources – Feedstock, including waste oil and fats, green and municipal waste and non-food crops.
- Can also be produced synthetically via a process that captures carbon directly from the air.