Daily Current Affairs UPSC 09 May 2024

INTERPOL (International Criminal Police Organization)

Interpol Issues Blue Notice Against Absconding MP

• Interpol has issued a blue colour notice against an absconding MP who is facing serious sexual harassment allegations.
• The blue notice is used to collect additional information about a person's identity, location, or activities in relation to a criminal investigation.

About INTERPOL

• INTERPOL was established in 1956 in Lyon, France.
• The General Assembly is the supreme governing body of INTERPOL, meeting once a year and comprising representatives from every member country.
• There are 196 member countries, including India, in INTERPOL.
• INTERPOL supports national efforts in combating crimes across four global areas: Terrorism, Cybercrime, Organized crime, and Financial crime and Anti-corruption.

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

Sperm Whale Communication

• Scientists studying sperm whales have discovered that they communicate using bursts of clicking noises known as codas, similar to Morse code.

Sperm Whale Characteristics

• Sperm whales are the largest of the toothed whales, with only males typically observed closer to the poles.

Sperm Whale Distribution

• Sperm whales are found in deep open waters, as well as around islands and coastal areas with deep canyons or narrow continental shelves.
• They can be found in countries such as India, Argentina, and Bangladesh.

Threats to Sperm Whales

• Sperm whales face threats such as vessel strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, and underwater noise pollution.

Conservation Status of Sperm Whales

• The IUCN lists sperm whales as Vulnerable.
• In India, sperm whales are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 as Schedule II species.

Krishi Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC)

Inauguration of Krishi ICCC at Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi by MoA&FW

• The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) recently opened a Krishi ICCC at Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi.

About Krishi ICCC

• The Krishi ICCC is a technology-driven solution implemented by MoA&FW to facilitate informed decision-making in agriculture through the use of technologies such as artificial intelligence, remote sensing, and Geographic Information Systems.
• It functions by monitoring the farm sector through the consolidation of geospatial information from various sources, including sowing data from Digital Crop Survey and the Unified Portal for Agricultural Statistics for market intelligence.
• The application of Krishi ICCC includes providing customised farmer advisories based on GIS soil mapping and weather data, proactive drought management, and identification of crop diversification.

Aggregate measurement of support (AMS)

Accusations of Exceeding WTO Subsidy Limit

• The US and Australia have accused India of providing excessive subsidies to sugarcane farmers, exceeding the WTO's 10% subsidy limit for developing countries.
• These subsidies are referred to as aggregate measurement of support (AMS) in trade terminology.

AMS

• AMS calculates the annual support given to agricultural products.
• It combines all product-specific and non-product-specific support into one figure.
• AMS is used to identify subsidies that may be distorting trade and may need to be reduced according to the Agreement on Agriculture.

Shinku La tunnel

Construction of Shinku La Tunnel by Border Road Organisation

• The Border Road Organisation will start building the 4.1-km long Shinku La tunnel.

Features of Shinku La Tunnel

• Upon completion, the Shinku La tunnel will be the highest tunnel globally at 15,800 ft, surpassing China's Mila tunnel.
• It will offer all-weather connectivity between Manali and Leh.
• The tunnel is anticipated to improve the transportation of heavy machinery to key locations like Kargil and Siachen.

Constructed wetlands

Constructed Wetlands as Engineered Replicas of Natural Wetlands

• Constructed wetlands are man-made structures that mimic the functions of natural wetlands by using vegetation, soil, and water to purify water.

Biodiversity in Constructed Wetlands

• Constructed wetlands support a diverse range of organisms, from microorganisms to birds, that contribute to the purification process.

Benefits of Constructed Wetlands

• Constructed wetlands replicate the functions of natural wetlands while requiring minimal energy and lower operational costs for construction and maintenance.

Natural Wetlands as Earth's Kidneys

• Natural wetlands are often called "earth's kidneys" because of their ability to filter pollutants and purify water.

Batagay Crater

• Aerial footage of Batagay Crater shows annual growth.
• The nickname and location of Batagay Crater.
• Factors contributing to the growth of Batagay Crater.

Aerial footage of Batagay Crater shows annual growth

• The recently captured aerial footage of Batagay Crater indicates that the crater is expanding every year as the frozen ground continues to melt.

The nickname and location of Batagay Crater

• Batagay Crater, also known as the "Gateway to Underworld" or "Doorway to Hell," is the largest permafrost crater in the world. Located in Siberia, Russia, it is a massive depression in the Earth's surface that has been formed due to permafrost thaw.

Factors contributing to the growth of Batagay Crater

• The growth of Batagay Crater has been accelerated since the 1960s, primarily due to deforestation and climate change. From 1991 to 2018, the area of the crater has increased by almost three times, highlighting the significant impact of these factors on the expansion of the crater.

Rocky Planet

Atmospheric Gases Detected Around 55 Cancrie

• Researchers have found gases in the atmosphere of 55 Cancri e, a hot rocky exoplanet.

55 Cancri e: A Super-Earth

• 55 Cancri e, also known as Janssen, is classified as a super-Earth because it is larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune. It is likely similar in composition to rocky planets in our solar system.

Rocky Planets (Terrestrial Planets)

• Terrestrial planets, like 55 Cancri e, are made up of rock and metals and have high densities. They include Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, and are located between the sun and the asteroid belt.

Jovian Planets

• In contrast to terrestrial planets, Jovian planets like Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are gaseous in nature.

Chad (Capital: N’Djamena

Chad is holding a presidential election to transition away from military rule.

a. Political features:

• Located in north-central Africa, Chad is a landlocked country.
• It shares borders with Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, and Cameroon, Nigeria, and Niger to the west.

b. Geographical features:

• Chad is mostly a semi-desert country.
• The largest lake in Chad is Lake Chad.
• The major river in Chad is the Chari River.
• The highest point in Chad is Mount Koussi.

"India's Generous Contribution to U.N. Counter-Terrorism Fund"

1. Minister of External Affairs Announces India's Contribution to UN Counter-            Terrorism Efforts

• The announcement was made by the Minister of External Affairs during a meeting of the UN Security Council's Counter Terrorism Committee in 2022, which was held under India's presidency.
• India's contribution will support UNOCT's global programmes, with a focus on Countering Financing of Terrorism (CFT) and Countering Terrorist Travel Programme (CTTP).

2. Challenges in Addressing Terrorism

• Lack of universally accepted definition of terrorism.
• Difficulty in tracing terror funding, especially with the use of virtual currencies like Bitcoin.
• Difficulty in countering Lone-wolf attacks due to attackers often not sharing their plans.

3. Measures Taken to Counter-Terrorism

a. Global Efforts:

• Implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy to enhance national, regional, and international efforts.
• Utilization of the Regional Anti-terrorist Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization for fighting terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
• Involvement in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog.

b. India's Efforts:

• Utilization of the Financial Intelligence Unit - India to strengthen efforts against money laundering and financing of terrorism.
• Establishment of the National Investigation Agency as the Central Counter Terrorism Law Enforcement Agency.

4. United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT)

• Established in 2017, UNOCT plays a crucial role in global counter-terrorism efforts.
• The UN Counter-Terrorism Trust Fund was established in 2009 and transferred to UNOCT.
• The UN Counter Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) serves as the main capacity-building arm for UNOCT.
• Functions include improving visibility, advocacy, and resource mobilization for UN counter-terrorism efforts, as well as strengthening the delivery of capacity-building assistance to Member States.

"CBSE Emphasizes Mother Tongue Education"

CBSE Circular Emphasizing Education in Mother Tongue

• Recent circular from CBSE aligns with NEP 2020 and NCF 2022.
• NEP 2020 supports mother tongue education until Grade 5 or beyond.
• NCF 2022 recommends mother tongue as primary medium of instruction till eight years of age.

Provisions for Education in Mother Tongue

• Article 350A mandates primary education in mother tongue for linguistic minority groups.
• Right to Education Act, 2009 suggests using mother tongue as medium of instruction.

Importance of Education in Mother Tongue

• Enhances cognitive skills and academic performance.
• Helps in understanding complex subjects.
• Empowers learners to connect with heritage and express themselves confidently.
• Improves communication and understanding between teachers and students.

Challenges in Education in Mother Tongue

• Resource allocation for materials and teacher training.
• Difficulty in standardizing curriculum.
• Transition to English-medium higher education can be challenging.

Initiatives to Promote Education in Mother Tongue

• NISHTHA FLN program promotes teaching in mother tongue in India.
• 52 primers in various mother tongues launched by NCERT and Indian Institute of Languages.
• International Mother Language Day and Yuelu Proclamation by UNESCO for linguistic diversity protection and promotion.

"Enhancing Earth Observation's Global Impact"

Overview of Earth Observation (EO) Technologies

• The report from the World Economic Forum discusses the economic potential of EO technologies in various sectors, including agriculture, electricity and utilities, and mining.

Definition and Types of EO Data

• EO involves collecting information about Earth's activities and characteristics, including remotely-sensed data from satellites and in-situ data from GPS-enabled devices and sensors.

Economic Opportunities of EO

• EO technologies are projected to contribute $3.8 trillion to global GDP between 2023-2030, with industries like agriculture, electricity, and mining benefiting the most.

Climate Opportunities of EO

• EO applications have the potential to reduce over 2 billion tonnes of CO2 annually by 2030 through early warning systems for wildfires and monitoring greenhouse gases.

Challenges in EO Implementation

• Challenges in implementing EO technologies include limited awareness, shortage of specialized talent, fragmented standards, and navigating the complex marketplace.

Global Initiatives for EO

• Initiatives like MethaneSAT, Allen coral atlas monitoring tool, and NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) are examples of global efforts to utilize EO technologies for monitoring methane emissions, coral reefs, and Earth's ecosystems.

Impact of Climate Change on Monetary Policy Transmission

Effects of Climate Change on Monetary Policy

• Climate change can directly impact inflation through adverse weather events affecting agricultural production and global supply chains.
• It can also impact the Natural Rate of Interest (NRI) by undermining productivity and lowering potential output due to increasing temperatures and extreme weather events.

Importance of NRI in Monetary Policy

• The NRI is a real short-term interest rate that helps define the monetary policy stance, whether it is accommodative, neutral, or restrictive.
• It plays a crucial role in stabilizing output and inflation in the economy.

Impact of Climate Change on Financial Institutions

• Climate change can affect the financial health of banks and other financial institutions, the value of assets, and the economic expectations of individuals and businesses.

Transition to Green Economy

• Adopting green taxonomy to assess the sustainability credentials and ranking of economic activity.
• Incorporating climate risk into modeling frameworks used for monetary policy.

Steps Taken for Transition to Green Economy

• Introduction of Sovereign Green Bonds in the Union Budget 2022-23 to fund projects accelerating India's transition to a low-carbon economy.
• Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) allowed to participate in future green government securities.
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100 percent under the automatic route for solar energy projects allowed.
• Green Climate Fund providing financial support for low-emission and climate-resilient development projects.
• India engaging with GCF on projects related to water, clean energy, etc.

"SC Warns Celebrities and Influencers for Unethical Product Promotion"

Supreme Court Directs Ministry of Consumer Affairs on Deceptive Advertising Measures

• The SC has instructed the Ministry of Consumer Affairs to provide information on actions taken against deceptive advertising, particularly in the food industry.

Importance of Regulating Advertisements

• Digital platforms and social media pose a higher risk of misleading consumers and unfair trade practices.
• Regulation is necessary to promote genuinely healthy and safe products, especially for children, and to prevent false claims.
• Celebrity endorsements have a significant impact on consumer decisions, particularly among their followers and young people.

Ethical Concerns with Celebrity Endorsements

• Conflict of interest arises when an advertisement contradicts the celebrity's image, principles, or interests.
• Lack of transparency is an issue when hazardous products are promoted through surrogate advertising.
• Celebrities may override expert opinions by making false claims.
• Lack of authenticity occurs when celebrities endorse products they do not actually use.

Government Initiatives Against Misleading Advertisements

• The Consumer Protection Act 2019 aims to safeguard consumer interests.
• The Department of Consumer Affairs has issued guidelines called "Endorsements Know-hows!" for celebrities, influencers, and virtual influencers on social media.
• The Department of Consumer Affairs has launched an online portal for registering complaints related to misleading advertisements (GAMA).

"India Ranks Third in Solar Power Generation"

Key Findings of Global Electricity Review 2024

• According to the Global Electricity Review 2024 report by Ember, renewables accounted for 30% of global electricity for the first time.
• Solar energy was the main contributor to electricity growth in 2023.
• India experienced the fourth-largest increase in solar generation in 2023, following China, the US, and Brazil.
• India contributed 5.9% to global solar generation growth in 2023.
• India's per capita emissions from the power sector are lower than the global average and even further below the average in Asia.

Challenges in the Power Sector

• Drought conditions led to a significant decrease in hydropower generation globally.
• India's electricity generation is more carbon-intensive than the global average.
• India had the second-highest increase in coal generation globally, after China.
• Despite progress, wind, solar, and other low-carbon sources are not growing quickly enough to meet India's increasing electricity demand.

India's Targets for Decarbonizing Power Generation

• India aims to reduce the carbon intensity of its economy by less than 45% by 2030.
• The country plans to have 50% of its cumulative electric power installed from renewables by 2030.
• India targets achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.
• The country also aims to have 500 GW of renewable energy installed capacity by 2030.