CSM23 HISTORY OPTIONAL PAPER-2.pdf
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History Optional Paper - 2 ✅️
civil engineering paper 1.pdf
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Civil Engineering paper 1&2
paper 2 question.pdf
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Commerce an Accountancy Paper 2
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🅾️Belem is the city in #Brazil
👉Members of (ACTO) issued an alliance for combatting forest destruction, asserting Indigenous rights and protections, and agreeing to cooperate on further sustainable development at Belem, Brazil
(called #BELEMDECLARATION ✅️)
👉But it failed to agree on a common goal for ending deforestation.
👉The summit brought together the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) for the first time in 14 years.
👉Members of (ACTO) issued an alliance for combatting forest destruction, asserting Indigenous rights and protections, and agreeing to cooperate on further sustainable development at Belem, Brazil
(called #BELEMDECLARATION ✅️)
👉But it failed to agree on a common goal for ending deforestation.
👉The summit brought together the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) for the first time in 14 years.
🅾️8 Amazonian countries of #ACTO are :
Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela
Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela
Belem Declaration: Amazon countries fail to agree on protection goals
https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/forests/belem-declaration-amazon-countries-fail-to-agree-on-protection-goals-91095
https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/forests/belem-declaration-amazon-countries-fail-to-agree-on-protection-goals-91095
DownToEarth
Belem Declaration: Amazon countries fail to agree on protection goals
At least 80 per cent of forest needs to be protected to avoid an irreversible tipping point
African Union to launch own credit ratings agency
The African Union plans to launch a new African credit rating agency next year in response to its concerns about what it views as unfair ratings given to African countries.
The agency will generate its own evaluation of lending risks associated with African countries. It will operate within the continent, self-funding its operations, and aims to provide additional context for investors when making decisions about purchasing African bonds or extending private loans to countries, as stated by the African Union.
The African Union and its member nations’ leaders assert that the “big three” ratings agencies – Moody’s, Fitch, and S&P Global Ratings – do not fairly assess the lending risks associated with African countries. They also allege that these agencies are quicker to downgrade African countries, especially during crises such as the global health crisis.
A study by the UN earlier had shown that subjective biases in credit ratings had cost African countries a combined US$74.5 billion. This was through funding opportunities lost and excess interest paid on public debt.
In essence, credit ratings serve to assess the likelihood of a borrower defaulting and influence the terms under which banks and other entities extend loans to them. Moody’s, Fitch, and S&P Global Ratings have consistently denied any bias in their assessments and maintain that their rating methodologies remain consistent worldwide.
As of now, there has been no immediate response from Moody’s, Fitch, and S&P Global Ratings to requests for comments on this matter.
The African Union plans to launch a new African credit rating agency next year in response to its concerns about what it views as unfair ratings given to African countries.
The agency will generate its own evaluation of lending risks associated with African countries. It will operate within the continent, self-funding its operations, and aims to provide additional context for investors when making decisions about purchasing African bonds or extending private loans to countries, as stated by the African Union.
The African Union and its member nations’ leaders assert that the “big three” ratings agencies – Moody’s, Fitch, and S&P Global Ratings – do not fairly assess the lending risks associated with African countries. They also allege that these agencies are quicker to downgrade African countries, especially during crises such as the global health crisis.
A study by the UN earlier had shown that subjective biases in credit ratings had cost African countries a combined US$74.5 billion. This was through funding opportunities lost and excess interest paid on public debt.
In essence, credit ratings serve to assess the likelihood of a borrower defaulting and influence the terms under which banks and other entities extend loans to them. Moody’s, Fitch, and S&P Global Ratings have consistently denied any bias in their assessments and maintain that their rating methodologies remain consistent worldwide.
As of now, there has been no immediate response from Moody’s, Fitch, and S&P Global Ratings to requests for comments on this matter.
Elon Musk’s Neuralink approved to recruit humans for brain-implant trial
Neuralink, the brain implant company founded by billionaire Elon Musk, has recently gained approval from an independent review board to initiate the recruitment of human participants for a brain implant trial. This groundbreaking development follows Neuralink’s previous announcement in May, where they revealed their intention to begin human testing after securing FDA acquisition.
According to a blog post from the California-based neurotechnology company, the primary objective of these human trials is to assess the safety and functionality of their brain-computer interface (BCI) known as “the Link.” Neuralink’s overarching mission is to develop implantable devices that empower users to control various functions using their thoughts. It is worth noting that Neuralink is just one of several companies working on brain interface devices, despite the futuristic nature of the technology.
In their announcement, the company stated, “The initial goal of our BCI is to grant people the ability to control a computer cursor or keyboard using their thoughts alone.” While this advancement holds promise, it’s important to acknowledge that Neuralink’s “first-in-human clinical trials” carry substantial risks for participants, as highlighted by the Mashable website.
Neuralink has faced significant criticism in the past, particularly for their experimentation on lab animals. In February 2022, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine lodged a complaint, alleging invasive and lethal brain experiments by Neuralink. By December of the same year, federal authorities were investigating the company for potential violations of animal welfare standards, with reports suggesting that around 1,500 animals, including rats, monkeys, pigs, and mice, had been used in experiments since 2018.
In response to these serious allegations, Neuralink defended its actions, claiming that they treated the rhesus macaque monkeys under their care with utmost respect and honour. Musk even took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to assert that no monkeys had died as a result of a Neuralink implant.
Although the announcement did not specify the start date for these trials, it did indicate that individuals with quadriplegia due to cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may qualify to participate in the trial, as per reports.
Neuralink, the brain implant company founded by billionaire Elon Musk, has recently gained approval from an independent review board to initiate the recruitment of human participants for a brain implant trial. This groundbreaking development follows Neuralink’s previous announcement in May, where they revealed their intention to begin human testing after securing FDA acquisition.
According to a blog post from the California-based neurotechnology company, the primary objective of these human trials is to assess the safety and functionality of their brain-computer interface (BCI) known as “the Link.” Neuralink’s overarching mission is to develop implantable devices that empower users to control various functions using their thoughts. It is worth noting that Neuralink is just one of several companies working on brain interface devices, despite the futuristic nature of the technology.
In their announcement, the company stated, “The initial goal of our BCI is to grant people the ability to control a computer cursor or keyboard using their thoughts alone.” While this advancement holds promise, it’s important to acknowledge that Neuralink’s “first-in-human clinical trials” carry substantial risks for participants, as highlighted by the Mashable website.
Neuralink has faced significant criticism in the past, particularly for their experimentation on lab animals. In February 2022, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine lodged a complaint, alleging invasive and lethal brain experiments by Neuralink. By December of the same year, federal authorities were investigating the company for potential violations of animal welfare standards, with reports suggesting that around 1,500 animals, including rats, monkeys, pigs, and mice, had been used in experiments since 2018.
In response to these serious allegations, Neuralink defended its actions, claiming that they treated the rhesus macaque monkeys under their care with utmost respect and honour. Musk even took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to assert that no monkeys had died as a result of a Neuralink implant.
Although the announcement did not specify the start date for these trials, it did indicate that individuals with quadriplegia due to cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may qualify to participate in the trial, as per reports.