Just Energy Transition Partnership (JET-P): It is a mechanism for multilateral financing by developed countries to support an energy transition in developing countries. It aims to reduce emissions in the energy sector and accelerate the coal phase-out. Transition describes the gradual movement towards lower carbon technologies, while ‘Just’ qualifies that this transition will not negatively impact society, jobs and livelihoods. It was launched at the COP26 in Glasgow with the support of the UK, US, France, Germany, and the EU. Senegal has become the fourth country after South Africa, Indonesia and Vietnam to sign the JET-P deal, with the International Partners Group comprising France, Germany, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Canada. India refused to give its consent, saying that coal cannot be singled out as a polluting fuel and that energy transition talks need to take place on equal terms.
Aspartame: The artificial sweetener called aspartame, found in many soft drinks, is set to be declared carcinogenic by the WHO cancer research unit. It is the world’s most commonly used low-calorie artificial sweetener, which is approximately 200 times sweeter than sucrose (common sugar) It was discovered by James M. Schlatter, a chemist, in 1965 and was introduced to replace sucrose. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved aspartame for use in some dry foods in 1981 and for carbonated beverages in 1983. It is made up of two amino acids: aspartic acid and phenylalanine, which are naturally occurring amino acids in many protein-rich foods. In the body, aspartame is metabolised into its constituent components, aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and a small amount of methanol.- It is used worldwide as a sugar substitute in thousands of foods and drinks, including cereals, sugar-free chewing gum, low-calorie fruit juices and diet sodas. Around 100 countries around the world, including India, permit the use of aspartame.
World Asteroid Day: It is observed on June 30 every year. The day aims to raise awareness about asteroid impact hazards and crisis communication actions in case of a credible asteroid threat to planet Earth. The day also aims to educate people about the latest and upcoming asteroid research and technology through numerous events and activities held by organisations across the globe. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed a resolution in December 2016, designating June 30 as International Asteroid Day. The UNGA adopted the resolution based on the proposal made by the Association of Space Explorers, endorsed by the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). The date was chosen to commemorate the anniversary of the Tunguska asteroid’s impact over Siberia on June 30, 1908.
Intergovernmental Negotiations Framework (IGN): IGN is a group of nation-states working within the UN to further reform the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The IGN is composed of several different international organisations, namely: The African Union;
The G4 nations (India, along with Brazil, Japan and Germany are pressing for a permanent seat in the reformed UNSC); The Uniting for Consensus Group (UfC), also known as the “Coffee Club”; The L.69 Group of Developing Countries; The Arab League; and The Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The group’s conversations are considered “informal” in nature due to the lack of single text, and thus, UNGA rules of procedure don’t apply. But in 2015, a framework document was agreed when it comes to the reform, which can be the basis for future talks.
