The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has recently initiated talks with four new countries, declaring its intention to expand its sphere of influence. The organization, originally established in 1960, now controls approximately 30% of global crude oil production. Amidst this backdrop, the nations of Azerbaijan, Malaysia, Brunei, and Mexico could potentially soon find themselves a part of OPEC’s network.
OPEC’s Expansion Considerations
OPEC’s Secretary-General unveiled the negotiations during a recent announcement. Established initially by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela, OPEC now comprises 13 member countries and controls a significant portion of the world’s petroleum trade. In 2016, the organization extended its alliance to include ten more major oil-producing countries forming what is now known as OPEC+. This extended membership includes Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Russia, South Sudan, and Sudan. Stationed in Vienna, Austria, OPEC strives to unify and coordinate petroleum policies and stabilize oil markets.
Childhood Diabetes Skyrockets in India
In other news, a study published in the JAMA Network journal has pointed out that India recorded the highest number of childhood diabetes cases and deaths in 2019 globally. Furthermore, India topped the chart for disability-adjusted life years (DALY), which denotes a loss of a full health year, as defined by the World Health Organization. The study also revealed a 39.4% increase in global childhood diabetes cases since 1990. Unhealthy lifestyles, childhood obesity, and a familial history of the disease are contributing to the alarming rise of type 2 diabetes among children.
Japan-India Maritime Exercise 2023 (JIMEX 23)
On the international front, the seventh edition of the bilateral Japan-India Maritime Exercise 2023 (JIMEX 23) is scheduled to commence from 5th to 10th July 2023. The designated location for this event is Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. JIMEX 23 will see a convergence of units from the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) and the Indian Navy. These maritime exercises will involve various naval assets, including guided missile destroyers, submarines, and patrol aircraft.
DGCA India and EASA Join Forces for Unmanned Aviation Advancement
Efforts to advance unmanned aviation have received a significant boost with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) India and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Focused on Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Innovative Air Mobility, the MoU covers several crucial areas, including personnel training, air traffic management, infrastructure, and establishing Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) standards and services.
Last Modified: February 22, 2024