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.
2023 SDG Summit: Developing countries urge developed ones to contribute towards climate finance
World leaders are expressing concerns for the changing climate at the UN SDG Summit in New York. Addressing the Summit, various country heads including Pakistan's and Peru's took up the matter of climate financing.
It is pertinent to note that climate financing has been a major point of discussion and cause of concern at various climate forums.
Climate financing for developing countries
Pakistan's caretaker Prime Minister and Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on September 19 called on rich countries to fulfill their financial pledges to flight climate change.
Kakar, who was addressing the United Nations summit on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), said that Pakistan's developed country partners must fulfill their pledge to provide $100 billion annually in climate finance. Earlier in 2022, Pakistan was in news for the devastating floods that submerged one third of the country, affecting 33 million people, half of whom were children. The floods damaged most of the water systems in affected areas, forcing more than 5.4 million people to rely solely on contaminated water from ponds and wells.
It is hopeful that the upcoming CoP28 will seek and deliver climate justice. Pakistan alone faces a financing gap to achieve the SDGs which has risen to 4.0 trillion annually.
Speaking on the matter, Peruvian President Dina Boluarte also said that today more than ever it is urgent to mobilise annually 100 billion dollars for climate action in developing countries, that they (developed countries) are committed to. Also, (it is urgent) to establish the losses and damages fund agreed in the last Conference of the Parties, the COP.
Call for peace, focus on climate change
Meanwhile, Colombian President Gustavo Petro in his speech to the United Nations General Assembly on September 19 to call for peace summits to resolve conflicts in Ukraine and between Israel and the Palestinians, so humankind can focus instead on addressing climate change.
He also said the world should work toward a de-carbonized economy. He said, "We need to plan and finance the transition towards the decarbonized economy. I have no doubt that a decarbonized econony will be a more humane and fair economy. That is why I, the president of the country of beauty, propose to reform the world financial system, the International Monetary Fund, multilateral banks, to end with economic blockades and to guide private equity funds.”
SDGs need a global rescue plan
António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations said, "The SDGs aren’t just a list of goals. They carry the hopes, dreams, rights and expectations of people everywhere.” The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, called for ending hunger, switching to renewable energy, spreading digitisation and education, and full gender equality rights.
"The transition to renewable energy isn't happening fast enough. We are putting forward new energy compacts in which governments, businesses, and global organizations joined forces to invest in decarbonizing energy systems and ensuring a just and equitable transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy," he said.
Each of the 17 goals contains targets, with 169 overall, however, currently only 15 per cent are on track, while many are going in reverse.
Creation of an international pact
Peruvian President Dina Boluarte has proposed the creation of an international pact to tackle the effects of the El Nino weather phenomenon, at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Boluarte urged increased collaboration to ease the effects of the weather phenomenon, which the country's central bank has said remains a risk to the local economy and inflation.
The natural climate phenomenon fuels tropical cyclones in the Pacific and boosts rainfall and flood risk in parts of the America and elsewhere.
World leaders are expressing concerns for the changing climate at the UN SDG Summit in New York. Addressing the Summit, various country heads including Pakistan's and Peru's took up the matter of climate financing.
It is pertinent to note that climate financing has been a major point of discussion and cause of concern at various climate forums.
Climate financing for developing countries
Pakistan's caretaker Prime Minister and Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on September 19 called on rich countries to fulfill their financial pledges to flight climate change.
Kakar, who was addressing the United Nations summit on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), said that Pakistan's developed country partners must fulfill their pledge to provide $100 billion annually in climate finance. Earlier in 2022, Pakistan was in news for the devastating floods that submerged one third of the country, affecting 33 million people, half of whom were children. The floods damaged most of the water systems in affected areas, forcing more than 5.4 million people to rely solely on contaminated water from ponds and wells.
It is hopeful that the upcoming CoP28 will seek and deliver climate justice. Pakistan alone faces a financing gap to achieve the SDGs which has risen to 4.0 trillion annually.
Speaking on the matter, Peruvian President Dina Boluarte also said that today more than ever it is urgent to mobilise annually 100 billion dollars for climate action in developing countries, that they (developed countries) are committed to. Also, (it is urgent) to establish the losses and damages fund agreed in the last Conference of the Parties, the COP.
Call for peace, focus on climate change
Meanwhile, Colombian President Gustavo Petro in his speech to the United Nations General Assembly on September 19 to call for peace summits to resolve conflicts in Ukraine and between Israel and the Palestinians, so humankind can focus instead on addressing climate change.
He also said the world should work toward a de-carbonized economy. He said, "We need to plan and finance the transition towards the decarbonized economy. I have no doubt that a decarbonized econony will be a more humane and fair economy. That is why I, the president of the country of beauty, propose to reform the world financial system, the International Monetary Fund, multilateral banks, to end with economic blockades and to guide private equity funds.”
SDGs need a global rescue plan
António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations said, "The SDGs aren’t just a list of goals. They carry the hopes, dreams, rights and expectations of people everywhere.” The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, called for ending hunger, switching to renewable energy, spreading digitisation and education, and full gender equality rights.
"The transition to renewable energy isn't happening fast enough. We are putting forward new energy compacts in which governments, businesses, and global organizations joined forces to invest in decarbonizing energy systems and ensuring a just and equitable transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy," he said.
Each of the 17 goals contains targets, with 169 overall, however, currently only 15 per cent are on track, while many are going in reverse.
Creation of an international pact
Peruvian President Dina Boluarte has proposed the creation of an international pact to tackle the effects of the El Nino weather phenomenon, at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Boluarte urged increased collaboration to ease the effects of the weather phenomenon, which the country's central bank has said remains a risk to the local economy and inflation.
The natural climate phenomenon fuels tropical cyclones in the Pacific and boosts rainfall and flood risk in parts of the America and elsewhere.