Contents :

1. Trump threatens 100% tariffs on BRICS if dollar is undermined
2. Plastic treaty negotiations fail with countries split over production cuts
3. Bangladesh upheaval has not led to a spike in border interceptions: data
4. 40 years after Bhopal gas tragedy, Union Carbide’s toxic waste yet to be removed
5. Centre working on national policy document on female labour force participation
6. New HIV infections declined 44% in 2023, AIDS-related deaths down 79%.

Trump threatens 100% tariffs on BRICS if dollar is undermined

Relevance : GS 2(International Relations )

Context

• Event: U.S. President-elect Donald Trump threatens 100% tariffs on BRICS nations if they undermine the dollar.
• Stakeholders: BRICS includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE.

Dollar Dominance

• The U.S. dollar accounts for 58% of global foreign exchange reserves.
• It remains the default currency for major commodities like oil.

BRICS Intentions

• BRICS nations aim to reduce dependency on the dollar.
• Proposals for a new BRICS currency are seen as a potential challenge to the U.S.-led financial system.

Trump’s Response

• Threat of 100% tariffs to deter BRICS from introducing an alternative currency.
• Consequences: Loss of access to the U.S. market for non-compliance.

Russia’s Position

• Accuses the U.S. of “weaponising” the dollar to impose unilateral sanctions.
• Advocates for an alternative system to SWIFT, enabling bypass of Western sanctions.

Implications

• Short-Term: The U.S. dollar’s dominance is secure.
• Long-Term:
  • Growing GDP share of BRICS strengthens their influence.
  • Adoption of non-dollar trade currencies may gradually erode the dollar’s global role.

Plastic Treaty Negotiations Fail With Countries Split Over Production Cuts

Relevance : GS 3(Environment )

• Failed Agreement: Delegates from nearly 170 countries failed to agree on a framework to eliminate plastic pollution.

• Divided Blocs: The main divide was between countries advocating for cutting plastic production and those opposing it.

• Resumption of Talks: Negotiations will resume next year under the tentative banner of INC-5.2.

• Disappointment: The European Union and other high-ambition countries expressed disappointment over the limited progress.

• Economic Concerns: Countries like Saudi Arabia and India opposed measures to cut virgin plastic polymer production due to economic implications.

Conclusion:

The fifth round of negotiations on a global plastic pollution treaty ended without an agreement due to deep divisions between countries.

Bangladesh Upheaval Has Not Led To a Spike In Border

Relevance : GS 3 (Internal Security )

Interceptions: data

• Stable Interceptions: Despite major political changes in Bangladesh, there hasn’t been a significant increase in the number of undocumented people intercepted at the India-Bangladesh border.

• Apprehensions Data: From August 5 to November 27, 1,393 Bangladeshis were apprehended, compared to 1,144 from January 1 to August 4.

• Overall Interceptions: A total of 3,907 undocumented people have been intercepted this year, including Indians and other nationalities.

• BSF Vigilance: The Border Security Force (BSF) has heightened its vigilance along the 4,096–km border with Bangladesh since August.

• Minority Concerns: There have been no mass movements of minority communities into India, despite fears for their safety.

• The recent political upheaval in Bangladesh, including the departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has not led to a spike in border interceptions.

• The BSF has maintained heightened vigilance, ensuring that unauthorised entries are minimised.

40 years after Bhopal gas tragedy, Union Carbide’s toxic waste yet to be removed

Relevance : GS 2 (Governance ),GS 3(Environment )

• The Bhopal gas tragedy : occurred on the night of December 2-3, 1984, is one of the world’s worst industrial disasters, caused by a gas leak at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant, resulting in thousands of deaths and lasting health and environmental impacts.

• Toxic Waste Remains: 337 tonnes of waste from 2005 still not disposed of, despite ₹126 crore released by the Centre.

• Additional Contamination: 11 lakh tonnes of contaminated soil, mercury, and underground dumps remain unresolved since 2010.

• Government Delay: No action taken on reassessment of toxicity, stalled for over 14 years.

• Groundwater Contamination: Ongoing pollution of groundwater with toxic substances, posing health risks.

• Ignored Orders: Supreme Court and NGT orders on waste disposal and reassessment repeatedly ignored.

• Environmental Crisis: Leachate from waste continues to contaminate water sources, exacerbating the situation.

• Longstanding Negligence: Hazardous waste dumped from 1969–1984 without proper disposal or enforcement, causing ongoing damage.

• Urgent Action Needed: Immediate disposal, reassessment, and remediation required to mitigate further contamination and health risks.

Centre Working On National Policy Document on Female Labour Force Participation

Relevance :GS 2( Social Justice )

• National Policy on Female Labour: Centre to release a policy focusing on increasing female labour force participation through a care economy structure.

• Care Economy: Emphasis on both paid and unpaid care work (childcare, healthcare, domestic services) to support women’s workforce participation.

• Inter-Ministerial Effort: Developed by Ministries of Skill Development, Labour, Rural Development, and Women and Child Development.

• Post-Marriage Employment Drop: World Bank report reveals a 12% drop in female employment post-marriage, even without children.

• Skilling Package for Caregivers: Policy to include core skilling for child caregivers to aid women’s workforce entry.

• Child Care for Informal Workers: Focus on providing childcare facilities for women in informal sectors, including under NREGS.

• Palna Scheme: 1,000 Anganwadi creches provide daycare services as part of the Ministry’s support for working parents.

New HIV infections declined 44% in 2023, AIDS-related deaths down 79%.

Relevance : GS 2 ( Health )

• Decline in HIV Infections: New HIV infections in 2023 are 44% lower than in 2010; AIDS-related deaths have dropped by 79%.

• High Prevalence Regions: HIV remains high in Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur, and rising in Punjab.

• High-Risk Groups: HIV continues to impact women sex workers, transgender people, truckers, and migrants.

• States with High Prevalence: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana have HIV prevalence above 0.4%.

• HIV Population Estimate: 25.44 lakh people living with HIV in India; 44% women and 3% children.

• Progress on 95-95-95 Targets:India’s revised 95-95-95 targets aim for 95% case detection, 95% treatment coverage, and 95% viral load suppression. 81% of AIDS cases identified, 88% on ART, and 97% with suppressed viral loads.

• Prevention and Awareness: Emphasis on healthy lifestyles, HIV awareness, and combating stereotypes