Daily Current Affairs.20.JULY.2023
1.lighting causes and impacts
2.BRICS summit
3 .4th Energy Transitions Working Group Meeting
4.BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers meeting started in Bangkok
5.5.India will host the ASEAN Countries Conference
1.lighting causes and impacts
In News : India sees 2,000-2,500 lightning deaths every year on average.
Lightning is a natural phenomenon that occurs when there is a sudden discharge of electricity between two electrically charged objects. The most common type of lightning is cloud-to-ground lightning, which occurs when negatively charged electrons on the bottom of a cloud are attracted to positively charged particles on the ground.
The causes of lightning are not fully understood, but it is believed that they are due to the separation of charges within clouds. As water droplets in a cloud collide, they can become electrically charged. The positively charged water droplets tend to rise to the top of the cloud, while the negatively charged water droplets tend to sink to the bottom. This creates a large electrical imbalance between the top and bottom of the cloud.
The impacts of lightning can be both immediate and long-term. Immediate impacts include:
Death or serious injury. Lightning is one of the leading causes of weather-related deaths in the United States.
Fires. Lightning can start fires, both in homes and in the wild.
Damage to property. Lightning can damage homes, businesses, and other structures.
Long-term impacts of lightning include:
Plant damage. Lightning can damage plants, both directly and indirectly.
Soil erosion. Lightning can cause soil erosion, especially in areas where there is a lot of vegetation.
Changes in water quality. Lightning can change the quality of water, both in surface water and groundwater.
There are a number of things that can be done to reduce the risk of lightning-related injuries and damage. These include:
Stay indoors during thunderstorms. If you must go outside, stay away from tall objects, such as trees and flagpoles.
Avoid using electronic devices during thunderstorms. Electronic devices can conduct electricity, which can increase the risk of being struck by lightning.
Have your home properly grounded. This will help to protect your home from lightning strikes.
By following these safety tips, you can help to reduce your risk of being injured or killed by lightning.
2.BRICS summit
The BRICS summit is an annual meeting of the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The summits are hosted by each member country in turn. The first BRICS summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia in 2009. The most recent BRICS summit was held in Beijing, China in 2022.
The BRICS summits are a forum for the member countries to discuss a wide range of issues, including economic cooperation, political cooperation, and global governance. The summits have also been used to launch new initiatives, such as the BRICS New Development Bank and the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement.
The BRICS summits have been growing in importance in recent years. The member countries are all major economies, and they are increasingly working together to shape the global agenda. The BRICS summits are a platform for the member countries to coordinate their positions on key issues and to promote their common interests.
The 2023 BRICS summit will be hosted by South Africa. The theme of the summit is “BRICS in Africa: Collaboration for Inclusive Growth and Shared Prosperity in the 4th Industrial Revolution.” India will attend this summit.
The BRICS summits are an important forum for the member countries to discuss a wide range of issues and to promote their common interests. The summits are likely to become even more important in the years to come, as the BRICS countries continue to grow in economic and political influence.
3.4th Energy Transitions Working Group Meeting
The 4th Energy Transitions Working Group (ETWG) Meeting is a two-day meeting that will be held in Goa, India on July 19-20, 2023. The meeting is being hosted by India, which is the current chair of the G20.
The ETWG is a forum for G20 countries to discuss and coordinate their efforts on energy transitions. The meeting will focus on the following topics:
The role of energy transitions in achieving the G20’s climate goals.
The challenges and opportunities of energy transitions in different countries.
The need for international cooperation on energy transitions.
The meeting is expected to produce a Ministerial Communiqué that will outline the G20’s priorities on energy transitions. The Communiqué will be presented at the G20 Energy Ministerial meeting, which will be held in Goa on July 22, 2023.
The 4th ETWG Meeting is an important opportunity for G20 countries to come together and discuss how they can work together to achieve the G20’s climate goals. The meeting is also an opportunity for countries to share their experiences and learn from each other on the challenges and opportunities of energy transitions.
The 4th ETWG Meeting:
The meeting agreed on the need for a comprehensive approach to energy transitions that includes both mitigation and adaptation measures.
The meeting called for increased international cooperation on energy transitions, including through the sharing of technology and best practices.
The meeting highlighted the importance of energy transitions for achieving the G20’s climate goals.
The 4th ETWG Meeting was a success and it is expected to help to accelerate the global transition to clean energy.
4.BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers meeting started in Bangkok
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Foreign Ministers’ meeting started in Bangkok, Thailand on July 17, 2023. The meeting was attended by the foreign ministers of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
The meeting was chaired by the Thai Foreign Minister, Don Pramudwinai. The main topics of discussion at the meeting were:
- Strengthening BIMSTEC cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, connectivity, and tourism.
- Addressing common challenges, such as climate change, terrorism, and transnational crime.
- Promoting peace and stability in the Bay of Bengal region.
The meeting concluded with a joint statement in which the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening BIMSTEC cooperation and promoting regional integration.
BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ meeting:
- The ministers agreed to set up a BIMSTEC working group on trade and investment.
- The ministers also agreed to launch a BIMSTEC tourism cooperation program.
- The ministers expressed their concern about the situation in Myanmar and called for a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
- The ministers also agreed to work together to address the challenges posed by climate change.
The BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ meeting was a success and it is expected to help to strengthen BIMSTEC cooperation and promote regional integration.
5.India will host the ASEAN Countries Conference
In NEWS : India to host ASEAN Countries Conference on Traditional Medicines in New Delhi
The ASEAN Countries Conference is a biannual meeting of the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The conference is hosted by each member country in turn. The first ASEAN Countries Conference was held in Bali, Indonesia in 1976. The most recent ASEAN Countries Conference was held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in 2022.
The ASEAN Countries Conference is the highest policy-making body in ASEAN. The conference is a forum for the member countries to discuss a wide range of issues, including economic cooperation, political cooperation, and security cooperation. The conference has also been used to launch new initiatives, such as the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).
The ASEAN Countries Conference is an important forum for the member countries to discuss a wide range of issues and to promote their common interests. The conference is likely to become even more important in the years to come, as ASEAN continues to grow in economic and political influence.
India will host the 43rd ASEAN Countries Conference on July 20, 2023 at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The conference will be attended by the leaders of all 10 ASEAN member states. The theme of the conference is “ASEAN: A resilient and innovative community in a turbulent world.”
The conference is expected to focus on the following topics:
- The COVID-19 pandemic and its economic and social impact.
- The need for greater economic cooperation within ASEAN.
- The challenges posed by climate change.
- The importance of promoting peace and stability in the region.
The ASEAN Countries Conference is an important opportunity for India to strengthen its ties with ASEAN and to promote its interests in the region. The conference is also an opportunity for India to share its experiences and expertise with ASEAN countries.
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