Arabic language was officially included in the list of the Languages at Pope Benedict’s weekly general audiences. The move is an attempt of Vatican to expand its reach to Christians and Muslims in Middle East.  
Vatican is concerned about the mass departure of the Christians from Middle East who fear their safety over there. A century ago Christian community was 20 % of the total population which has declined to a 5%.

What is expected out of this step?

• Speaking Arabic during the audiences that is broadcasted across the world on radio and television may allay fear of Christians in Middle East consoling them to stay back on the land that is a home for many of the holy places for Christians.
• The act is also likely to improve the strained relations with the Muslim world.
• The relations b/w both the communities turned sour after Pope’s speech at Regensburg in 2006, which made the Muslim world feel that his message was an attack on Islam.

India was ranked at 65^th position on the Global Hunger Index released by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Welthungerhilfe, and Concern Worldwide.

What was the theme of the report?

The theme of the report was “The Challenge of Hunger: Ensuring Sustainable Food Security under Land, Water, and Energy Stresses”.

As per the report:

• There is a proportional growth in hunger decline of people worldwide but the pace of progress was terribly slow and alarming.
• 20 countries across the world mainly from South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa to be highly alarming and have highest level of hunger.
• The nations that made absolute progress b/w 1990 Global Hunger Index to 2012 Global Hunger Index were Bangladesh, Angola, Malawi, Nicaragua, Ethiopia, Niger, and Vietnam.
• 15 countries have managed to curtail it by 50% or more.
• India trails behind in improving its position in Global Hunger Index chart. It was ranked 65^th in the list of 79 countries in the global Hunger Index.
• China placed at 2^nd place, Pakistan at 57^th and Sri Lanka at 37^th position.
• Bangladesh, India and Timor-Leste have highest prevalence of underweight children under the age group of 5 years, which records to more than 40 % in each country.
• After Timor-Leste, India with 43.5% of its children less than 5 underweight, stands at 2^nd spot in the list of the 129 countries compared for underweight child.

Union Cabinet approves amendments in the "Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986"

The Union Cabinet approved the introduction of Amendments to the "Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986".

Major amendments proposed are as follows:

• Broaden the scope of the law to cover the audio-visual media and material in electronic form.
• Penalties to be enhanced to a maximum of 3 years of imprisonment and fine of b/w Rs.50,000 to Rs.1,00,000 for first conviction, and imprisonment of not less than 2 years, but which may extend to 7 years, and a fine b/w Rs.1,00,000 to Rs.5,00,000 for second conviction.

Police officers not below the rank of Inspectors authorized to carry out search and seizure, in addition to State and Central Government officers authorized by the State or Central Government.

The International Conference on Biodiversity also known as CoP11 has decided to integrate Human Health issues with Convention on Biodiversity. In this regard, a Joint Group will be set up with representatives of the member countries to work out modalities to facilitate joint efforts by Health organizations and the biodiversity conservation organizations. This is the first time that human health related issues have been discussed at the CoP level.

CoP11 will encourage Taxonomy scientists for identification and cataloging of living species. A contact Group has been set up to deliberate on methods to integrate Traditional Knowledge with the Biodiversity Convention. CoP also decided to establish a scientific body to discuss ways and means to integrate Traditional Knowledge to serve the objectives of the convention on biodiversity.

India and France signed an Administrative Agreement in the field of Sustainable Urban Development. India could benefit immensely from the French experience.
The Agreement would provide an enabling platform for the officials, professionals, business leaders and local self-governing bodies to meet and share knowledge and best practices in the urban sector. India invited international firms including French firms to participate in the process of making cities greener and more sustainable.