IBSA Foreign Ministers declared a United Front against Global Terrorism.

About declaration

• Called for stringent actions against groups listed by the UN, including notorious organizations such as Al-Qaeda, etc. 
• Renewed commitment to accelerate the adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). 

About IBSA

• IBSA Trilataeral Forum comprises India, Brazil and South Africa.

• The Brasilia declaration in 2003 formalised and named the IBSA Dialogue Forum.
• Objectives: To contribute to the construction of a new international architecture and bring their voice together on global issues.

Karnataka Lokayukta filed a FIR against the Karnataka Chief Minister over land allotment irregularities.

About Lokayukta

• Lokayukta is an anti-corruption ombudsman organization at State-level in India. (Lokpal at the Center).
• It is established under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 through enactment of a law by the State legislature.
• The structure of Lokayukta is not uniform across all the states. 
• Appointment: By Governor (generally in consultation with the Chief Justice of the State High Court, and Leader of Opposition in the State Legislative Assembly).

Recently, reports suggest use of a thermobaric weapon (ODAB-1500 bomb) by Russia in Ukraine.

About Thermobaric Weapon

• Releases a fuel cloud on striking, which, when ignited, causes a high-temperature explosion.
  • Uses atmospheric oxygen to ignite the fuel as opposed to use of a oxidiser in conventional explosives.
• Creates a vacuum effect after the high pressure blast as the oxygen is consumed.
• Also known by names- ‘vacuum bombs’, ‘enhanced blast weapons', etc.
• High destruction capacity: Can destroy structures, damage human body by rupturing organs with the dual impact of extreme heat and pressure.

Food and Public Distribution Union Minister highlighted that India has become the World’s third largest Producer and Consumer of Ethanol. 

• US is the largest producer followed by Brazil. 

About Ethanol (C2H5OH):

• It is a colourless liquid with a characteristic odour formed primarily with fermentation of sugars. 
  • Also known as Ethyl Alcohol. 
• Renewable fuel made from corn and other plant materials.
  • It is used as a fuel either alone or in combination with other fuels, as solvents, for alcoholic beverages etc.
  • It has environmental and long-term economic advantages over fossil fuel.
• India’s Initiative 
  • Under the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme, the target is to blend 20% ethanol with petrol by 2025-26.
  • PM Ji-VAN Yojana promotes creation of 2G Ethanol (non-food sources) capacity.

Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has set up a Group of Ministers (GoM) to decide on the taxation of luxury, sin and demerit goods once the compensation cess ends in March 2026.

GST Compensation Cess

• GST (Compensation to States) Act, 2017 was enacted to levy Compensation Cess for providing compensation to the States for the loss of revenue arising on account of implementation of the GST.
• Compensation cess at varied rates is levied on luxury, sin and demerit goods over and above the 28% tax. 
  • Demerit goods are products or services that are considered harmful to consumers and society like alcohol, gambling etc. 

Indian External Affairs Minister participated in the first-ever Joint Ministerial Meeting of the C-10 and L.69 groupings.

• L69 is a grouping that includes countries from Africa, Latin America, Caribbean, Pacific Island states and Asia.
• India is also member.

C-10 Group

• Genesis: Committee of Ten African Ministers of Finance and Central Bank Governors (C-10) was created in 2008. 
• Members: Algeria, Botswana, Cameroon, Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, the Central Bank of West African States (CBWAS), and the Central Bank of Central African States (CBCAS). 
• Mandate: Advocating enhanced African participation in governance of international financial institutions (IFIs), etc. 

Meta unveils Orion, a prototype of Augmented Reality (AR) Glasses.

About Augmented Reality (AR)

• AR refers to the real-time integration of digital information into a user’s environment.
• AR devices are equipped with cameras, sensors and displays. They capture the physical world and then integrate digital content.
• In AR, images generated from a computer are projected onto real-life objects or surroundings.
  • In Virtual Reality (VR), a simulated environment is created and the physical world is completely shut out.