1) World Employment and Social Outlook Trends 2024: Report was released by International Labour Organisation (ILO).
- ILO is only tripartite UN agency with government, employer, and worker representatives formed in 1919.
- Headquarter: Geneva (Switzerland)
- Key highlights
- Macroeconomic environment deteriorated significantly over 2023.
- Despite slowdown, global growth in 2023 was modestly higher than anticipated.
- Real wages declined in majority of G20 countries due to inflation.
- Other Major reports of ILO
- Global Wage Report
- World of Work Report
2) African Elephants: Nigeria has destroyed $11.2 million worth seized elephant tusks.
- Earlier trade of Ivory was banned globally in 1989.
- African elephants are largest animals walking on earth.
- They are of two types:-
- Savannah Elephants (IUCN- Endangered)
- Forest Elephants (IUCN- Critically Endangered)
- Comparison with Asian Elephants
- African elephants have comparatively larger ears.
- Both male and female African elephants have tusks (unlike only male Asian elephants).
- Other facts
- Female elephant (Matriarch) leads their herd.
- Elephants have a gestation period of 22 months (longest in mammals).
3) Modern Monetary Theory (MMT): MMT argues that countries that issue their own currencies can never “run out of money” the way people or businesses can.
- As long as there is unemployment, it calls for government spending without being concerned about fiscal deficit.
- At full employment, MMT prescribes taxes and government borrowing to counter inflation.
- The monetization of fiscal deficit aligns with this theory.
- It involves central bank printing currency for emergency spending by government.
- India ceased this practice in 1996 via an MOU between the RBI and the government
4) Lead exposure: Many parts of Odisha is reportedly suffering from Lead contamination.
- Sources of lead exposure include mining and smelting, recycling of electronic waste and lead-acid batteries, plumbing, lead paint, etc.
- Lead accumulates in the body and gets deposited in the bones and teeth.
- It poses severe health risks including Cognitive impairments, developmental delays, behavioural disorders in children.
- Lead poisoning is often asymptomatic early stages, leading to delayed detection.
- According to the WHO, almost one million people die every year due to lead poisoning across the globe.
Places in News:
1) Ecuador (Capital: Quito):
- Ecuador has declared nationwide emergency following escape of high-profile prisoner.
- Political Features
- South American country, opening to the Pacific Ocean in its west.
- Bordered by Columbia (North) and Peru (South).
- It includes Pacific archipelago of Galapagos Islands.
- Geographical Features
- Highest Peak: Chimborazo
- Major Volcanoes: Cotopaxi, Reventador, Sierra Negra.
- Major rivers: Pastaza, Napo, Morona etc.
- Situated on the equator from which it derives its name.
- Climate: Humid tropical
