1) Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF): U.S, India, and Taiwan convene a cybersecurity workshop, to foster operational expertise and sharing best practices under GCTF.
- GCTF was launched by US and Taiwan in 2015 as a platform to utilize Taiwan’s strengths and expertise to address global issues.
- GCTF allows practitioners from around the world to strengthen connections among experts on topics like public health, supply chains, humanitarian assistance, digital health and other regional issues.
- Taiwan, United States, Japan, and Australia are its full members.
- India is not a member of GCTF.
2) LeadIT 2.0: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, revealed the three pillars of LeadIT (Leadership Group for Industry Transition) 2.0 at the LeadIT Summit 2023, held at COP28.
- The three pillars are as follows:-
- Foster international conversations between governments and industry leaders.
- Facilitating business-to-business technology transfer, shared patents, etc.
- Coordinate multilateral technical and financial support for global industry transition projects.
- LeadIT was launched by India and Sweden in 2019.
- It brings together countries, companies and industry experts to achieve net-zero emissions from heavy industries by 2050.
3) PM Vishwakarma Scheme: Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE)’s data showed that 21.15 lakh applications were received under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme.
- It was launched in 2023 to enhance accessibility and quality of products and services offered by traditional artisans.
- Also, integrate them with domestic and global value chains.
- Key Services:
- Skill upgradation of artisans and craftspeople.
- Ensuring access to collateral-free credit and reduced cost of credit through interest subvention.
- Type: Central Sector Scheme.
- Coverage: 18 trades including carpenters, blacksmiths, potters, masons, etc.
4) Universal Dynamic Crosslinker (UDC): Researchers at IIT Madras, Columbia University and Colorado State developed a sustainable plastic recycling technique known as UDC.
- UDC avoids the need for deconstruction and reconstruction of plastics and successfully blends usually incompatible plastics.
- UDC helps to address plastic waste crisis and could potentially revolutionise the plastics recycling industry.
- Resulting upcycled materials can be used and reprocessed through multiple cycles and have enhanced performance over virgin plastics.
Places in News:
1) Slovenia (Capital: Ljubljana):
- 23rd Meeting (COP23) of Barcelona Convention took place in Slovenia.
- Convention provides for protection of the Mediterranean Sea against pollution.
- Political Features:
- Located in central Europe.
- It borders Italy (West), Austria (North), Croatia (South) and Hungary (North East).
- It also borders with the Adriatic Sea.
- Geographical Features:
- Physiographic regions: European Alps, the karstic Dinaric Alps, the Pannonian and Danubian lowlands and hills, and the Mediterranean coast.
- Highest Point: Mount Triglav
- Major Rivers: Sava, Drava, Mura, etc.
