Current Affairs 26 June 2021 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 26 June 2021 focuses on Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

Pakistan On FATF Grey List

Source : Indian Express
GS II : International Relation

Content for Pakistan On FATF Grey List Article

1. About the news
2. What is FATF Grey List ?
3. What is its Impact ?

Read this article in-line with : Pakistan Setting Rules For FATF Norms

Why in News ?

Financial Action Task Force (FATF) refused to take Pakistan out of the Grey List yet again.

Key Facts

• A brief Background
  • Pakistan was put on the grey list by Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for money laundering and terror financing in June 2018 and the country has been struggling to come out of it.

    

• What is the Reason ?
  • Pakistan had failed to take appropriate action against UN-designated terrorists such as 26/11 accused Hafiz Saeed and JeM chief Masood Azhar.
• Measures Taken by Pakistan
  • Pakistan set to introduce new rules relating to anti-money laundering cases.
  • They change the prosecution process to meet its remaining tough conditions made by FAFT
  • Two sets of rules including the AML (Forfeited Properties Management) Rules 2021 and the AML (Referral) Rules 2021 approved by the federal Cabinet.
• Current Scenario/Comment by FAFT body       
  • Global anti-money laundering and terror financing body acknowledged some progress made by Pakistan
  • The country should continue to work to address its strategically-important deficiencies.
  • Pakistan has now completed 26 of the 27 action items given to it in 2018.
  • The FATF has asked Pakistan to take action against UN designated terrorists.
  • Pakistan government has failed to check risk of money laundering, leading to corruption and terror financing.

What is Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and Grey List ?

• Global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog is an inter-governmental body sets international standards.
• The ultimate aim is to prevent these illegal activities and the harm they cause to society.
• FATF works to generate the necessary political will to bring about national legislative and regulatory reforms in these areas.
• There are 39 members of FATF. Indian is a member. 
• What is FAFT Grey List ?
  • It is a list of countries that should be put under increased monitoring that is decided by FAFT.
  • These countries lags policy that can curb money laundering, terror funding, financial proliferation and those issues mentioned by FAFT.
  • Those countries put under Grey List should address the issues as early as possible.
  • Countries continues under this list are Albania, Barbados, Botswana, Cambodia, Jamaica, Haiti, Malta, Mauritius, Myanmar (Burma), Nicaragua, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, South Sudan, Syria, Uganda, Yemen, Zimbabwe.
  • Note that these countries will be updated from time to time. And all these countries continues as their financial system are not standard according to FAFT.
• How does this grey List Impact a country ?
  • As a result Pakistan loss its economic value at globally.
  • GDP of the country may impact and external aide from global bodies may get affected. 
  • Even further not implementing the country may get blacklisted.
  • Also lacks trade opportunities and various global ratings may down graded. 

What does it mean for Indian ?

• Pakistan never took action against terrorist leaders such as JeM founder Masood Azhar and Sajid Mir a mastermind of LeT’s 2008 Mumbai attacks that India demanding.
• India’s long stand demand for Pakistan to act against terrorism.

Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA)

Source : PIB
GS II : Health

Content for Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) Article

1. About the website
2. Drugs-Free India Campaign

Why in News ?

Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment Shri Thawaarchand Gehlot launched the website for the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) on the occasion of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

• The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment which is the nodal ministry for Drug Demand Reduction, implements various programmes for the drug abuse prevention across the country.
• A 6-day Nasha Mukt Bharat Summit which ended with the e-launch of several initiatives undertaken by the Ministry for the prevention of Drug Abuse.
• Summit showcases the events that took place during the week-long summit along with the activities happening on-ground for the Abhiyaan across the country.

Key Facts

• To strengthen Indian determination against drug abuse in any form.
• To send a message to the world that India will leave no stone unturned to fight against this evil.

  

• Also reaffirms India’s commitment to achieve social goals, initiatives to end drug abuse and strengthen community–centric approaches and outcomes. 
• Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan website launched today provides detailed information about the Abhiyaan and its activities
• Need for Such Initiatives
  • According to the National Comprehensive Survey conducted by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment there are more than 60 million drug users in the country
  • A large number of users are in the age group of 10-17 years.
  • A large number of lives have been ruined by the menace of substance abuse.
  • Need to generate awareness about the ill-effects of this dug abuse.
• Other Major Initiatives In Inidia against Drug abuse
  • There are more than 500 voluntary organizations across the country, which are assisted financially under the NAPDDR scheme of the Ministry.
  • NGOs have been actively involved in the implementation of drug-free India campaign.

Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) or Drugs-Free India Campaign

• Flagged off on 15th August 2020.
• Across 272 districts of the country found to be most vulnerable based on the data available from various sources.
• The objective is to made by the Ministry is to bring down the consumption of drugs and rehabilitate the addicts and we are going ahead with it with full determination.
• The focal points of the Campaign are preventive, mass education and sensitization, capacity building of service providers, positive partnership with educational institutions, and augmentation of treatment, rehabilitation and counselling facilities.
• Nearly 8000 youth volunteers have been going door to door and canvassing against substance abuse.
• Action Plan includes
  • Awareness generation programmes.
  • Focus on Higher Educational institutions, University Campuses and Schools.
  • Community outreach and identification of dependent population.
  • Focus on Treatment facilities in Hospital settings.
  • Capacity Building Programmes for Service Provider.

Indian Naval Ship Tabar

Source : PIB
GS III : Internal Security

Content for Indian Naval Ship Tabar Article

1. About the News
2. About INS Tabar

Why in News ?

In order to enhancing military cooperation with friendly nations Indian Naval Ship Tabar commenced prolonged deployment on 13 June.

Key Facts

• Will visit a number of ports in Africa and Europe till end September.
• During port visits INS Tabar will conduct professional, social and sporting interactions.
• The ship will also participate in a number of joint exercises with friendly navies.
• INS Tabar will transit across the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, Suez Canal, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea and Baltic Sea while making port calls at Djibouti, Egypt, Italy, France, UK, Russia, Netherlands, Morocco, and Arctic Council countries like Sweden and Norway.
• In addition to PASSEX with host navies of countries being visited, the ship is also scheduled to participate in bilateral exercises like Ex Konkan with Royal Navy, Ex Varuna with French Navy and Ex Indra with Russian Federation Navy.
• What is the aim ?
  • Operate in conjunction with the friendly navies, so as to build military relations, develop interoperability and project long range sustenance.
  • INS undertakes regular overseas deployments particularly in the maritime areas of primary interest.
  • These engagements are aimed to further strengthen maritime security in the region and to consolidate combined operations against maritime threats.
  • These interactions will also offer an opportunity to navies to observe and imbibe the ‘Best Practices’ followed in each other’s Navy.

About INS Tabar

• INS Tabar, is a Talwar class stealth Frigate built for Indian Navy in Russia.

  

• The ship has a complement of 300 personnel. 
• The ship is equipped with a versatile range of weapons and sensors.
• Also is among the earliest stealth frigates of the Indian Navy.
• The ship is part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet which is based at Mumbai under Western Naval Command.

International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

Source : UN
GS III : Internal Security

Content

1. About the Day
2. India And Drug Traffic issues

Why in News ?

June 26 every year is International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

• Theme : Share Facts On Drugs, Save Lives
• The World Drug Report 2021 was released by UNODC

Read in-line with : The World Drug Report 2021 by UNODC

Key Facts

• General Assembly decided to observe 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

  

• Expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.
• The day aims at combating misinformation and promotes sharing the facts on drugs from health risks and solutions to tackle the world drug problem, to evidence-based prevention, treatment, and care.
• The campaign invites everyone to do their part, by taking a firm stance against misinformation and unreliable sources; while committing to sharing only the real science-backed data on drugs and save lives.
• World Drug Day is a day to share research findings, evidence-based data and life-saving facts, to continue tapping into a shared spirit of solidarity by is a United Nations International Day.

Indian and drug use and Regulations

• India has always taken a firm stand against drug trafficking and drug use.
• Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act), illegal for any person to produce/ manufacture/cultivate, possess, sell, purchase, transport, store, and/or consume any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance.
• The Act extends
  • To the whole of India
  • Applies to all Indian citizens outside India
  • All persons on ships and aircraft registered in India.
• Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) was created for the implementation of the Act.
  • Also have the mandate of controlling drug trafficking.

Delta Plus Coronavirus Variant

Source : Indian Express
GS II : Health

Content for Delta Plus Coronavirus Variant Article

1. What is Delta Plus Variant ?
2. Where does it Affected ?
3. Corona Virus Variants

Why in News ?

India has found around 40 cases of the Delta coronavirus variant carrying a mutation that appears to make it more transmissible, and advised states to increase testing.

Key Facts

• What is Delta Plus Variant ?
  • Delta Plus Variant is a sub-lineage of the Delta variant first detected in India.

    

  • It has acquired the spike protein mutation called K417N.
  • This type also found in the Beta variant first identified in South Africa.
  • Concern : Mutation, coupled with other existing features of the Delta variant could make it more transmissible.
  • Variant does not seem to be common, currently accounting for only a small fraction of the Delta sequences.
• Where does it Affected ?
  • At least 197 cases had been found from 11 countries — Britain (36), Canada (1), India (8), Japan (15), Nepal (3), Poland (9), Portugal (22), Russia (1), Switzerland (18), Turkey (1), the United States (83).
  • India , around 40 cases of the variant have been observed in the states of Maharashtra, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh.

Corona Virus Variants

• The variants emerging from the B.1.617 lineage are designated as Variants Under Investigation (VUI).
  • Three variants first identified in India are called VUI-21APR-01, VUI-21APR-02 and VUI-21APR-03) by (Public Health England) PHE.
• US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classifies variants into three categories– variant of interest (VOI), variant of concern (VOC) and variant of high consequence.
  • B.1.1.7, B.1.351, P.1, B.1.427, and B.1.429 variants circulating in the US are classified as variants of concern.
• Four emerging variants of coronavirus
  • • B.1.617.3 a sibling of the Delta variant (B.1.617.2)
    • B.1.1.318, which has 14 mutations
    • Lambda (C.37)
    • Delta-plus B.1.617.2.1 or AY.1 strain

Variants Under Investigation (VUI) : A variant with specific genetic markers that have been associated with changes to receptor binding, reduced neutralization by antibodies generated against previous infection or vaccination, reduced efficacy of treatments, potential diagnostic impact, or predicted increase in transmissibility or disease severity.

Daily Current Affairs : Click Here