Weekly Current Affairs: Quizzes, 27 May to 01 June 2024

EXPLANATION:

• Recently, the Allahabad High Court stated that an alleged act of intentional insult or intimidation that causes humiliation is considered an offence under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, if it occurs in the public eye.
• This Act is designed to deter the perpetration of atrocity crimes against individuals belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) by those who are not members of these groups. It establishes punishment for those found guilty of committing such atrocities against SCs and STs. 
• The Act is implemented by the respective state governments and union territory administrations, which are provided due to central assistance under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for effective implementation of the provisions of the Act. Additionally, the Act empowers the Central Government to establish regulations to fulfil the objectives of the Act. Hence, statement II is not correct.
• This Act does not apply to offences occurring between members of the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) or vice versa. The Act encompasses 37 specific offences that constitute behaviour patterns resulting in criminal acts against and undermining the dignity and esteem of the SCs and STs communities. These offences include the denial of economic, democratic, and social rights and the manipulation and misuse of the legal process. Hence, Statement I is correct.
• Every offence detailed in the Act is recognised as cognisable. An offence under this Act may only be probed by an officer holding a rank not lower than that of a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). The probe must be concluded within 30 days, and the findings must be forwarded directly to the state police's director.
• The Act mandates the establishment of special courts in each district to quickly address cases of atrocities against SCs and STs, requiring the approval of the Chief Justice of the High Court.
• The exclusive Special Courts are mandated to conduct daily trials of offences under this Act. Each Special Court will have a Public Prosecutor designated by the State Government, or an advocate with a minimum of seven years of practice will be appointed as a Special Public Prosecutor to manage cases in that Court.
• In most cases, the minimum punishment is six months of imprisonment, while the maximum is a year's sentence and a fine. In some cases, the minimum is enhanced to one year, while the maximum goes up to life imprisonment or even a death sentence.

EXPLANATION:

• Recently, Kabak Yano, a mountaineer and cricketer, made history as the fifth woman from Arunachal Pradesh and the first from the Nyishi tribe to successfully reach the summit of Mt. Everest.
• The Nyishi people are recognised as a Scheduled Tribe and the predominant ethnic community in Arunachal Pradesh. Their name originates from their language, with "Nyi" representing "a man" and "shi" meaning "a being." Together, these terms mean "a civilised human being." The language of the Nyishi belongs to the Sino-Tibetan language family, although the precise roots of this language are a Subject of debate. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
• The tribes are primarily found in eight districts within Arunachal Pradesh, namely East Kameng, Pakke Kesang, Papum Pare, Lower Subansiri, Kamle, Kra Daadi, Kurung Kumey, and Upper Subansiri. Their presence extends to Sonitpur and the North Lakhimpur district in Assam.
• The community engages in slash-and-burn farming alongside hunting and fishing activities. They possess expertise in various crafts such as weaving, working with cane and bamboo, creating pottery, blacksmithing, carving wood, and woodworking. They are not included in the Particular Vulnerable Tribal Groups(PVTG). Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
• Within the Nyishi community, polygyny is practised widely. Lineages are determined through the father's lineage, and the community is divided into several clans. The Nyishi culture stands out because it does not adhere to a caste system or strict social hierarchies. However, they acknowledge a fluid social hierarchy that doesn't rely on one's birth or job. In Nyishi culture, women hold a prestigious status, often viewed as the keystones of peace, development, and wealth. They also play a pivotal role in the 'reciprocal marital exchange' system.

EXPLANATION: 

• Recently, the Supreme Court intervened to stop the expulsion of a woman who had been identified as a foreigner by an Assam Foreigners' Tribunal.  
• The Foreigners (Tribunals) Order of 1964 facilitated the establishment of the Foreigners Tribunals (FTs). This order empowered state officials, such as the District Collector or District Magistrate, to direct individuals believed to be foreigners to these tribunals for assessment. The central government promulgated the order, leveraging the authority conferred by Section 3 of the Foreigners Act of 1946. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• The Foreigners (Tribunals) Order of 1964 applies across India, but Tribunals for Foreigners are currently only established in Assam. In other states, when illegal immigrants are detected, they are brought before a local court and processed according to the provisions of the Foreigners Act of 1946. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
• The authority to identify suspected foreign nationals was granted to the superintendents of police (SPs) and district commissioners. They were mandated to refer these "suspected individuals" to a specific body established by the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order 1964. 
• Before the 2019 amendment to the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order of 1964, the authority to set up Foreigners Tribunals (FTs) within states exclusively belonged to the Central Government. However, the states have also been given the power to establish these tribunals following the 2019 amendment. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

EXPLANATION: 

• According to a recent study, researchers have discovered that ferroptosis is the primary mechanism of cell death responsible for lung disease in COVID-19 patients.
• Ferroptosis is a type of cell death caused by the accumulation of lipid peroxides and requires iron. It occurs when lipid peroxides build up in cell membranes, causing the cells to die. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
• This type of cell death is distinct from other forms, such as apoptosis, because it necessitates the presence of iron. Hence, it has been given the name "FERroptosis." Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• Ferroptosis is unique among cell death mechanisms due to its reliance on iron. This process involves iron acting as a catalyst for forming lipid peroxides via Fenton reactions, producing reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cells undergoing ferroptosis display specific morphological alterations, including reduced mitochondrial size and heightened membrane density, distinctively lacking typical apoptosis features such as chromatin condensation and membrane blebbing.
• Ferroptosis plays a role in the development of several diseases, such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, ischemia-reperfusion injuries, and renal diseases. Adjusting ferroptosis could open up novel treatment avenues for these issues.

EXPLANATION:

• The Arab League recently advocated for deploying UN peacekeeping forces in the Palestinian territories during a summit in Bahrain's Manama. 
• The League of Arab States, commonly known as the Arab League, is a regional alliance comprising Arab nations in the Middle East and Africa. It was established in Cairo on March 22, 1945. The formation of the league was chartered in response to address the postwar partitioning of territories and to express unified opposition against the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestinian lands. 
• The league's primary objective is to foster Arab interests. Its central ambitions include enhancing and synchronising its member states' political, cultural, economic, and social initiatives and attempting to resolve conflicts within or between its members and external parties. In 1950, the members concurred on offering mutual military assistance for defence purposes. Arab is the only official language of the league. Hence, option D is not correct.
• The League comprises 22 countries. The founding member nations include Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. The League recognises Palestine as a sovereign state. It has also granted observer status to four countries: Brazil, Eritrea, India, and Venezuela. 
• The Council, the league's highest body, consists of member state representatives, often foreign ministers or their delegates. The majority makes decisions, but compliance isn't enforceable. Each member has one vote, and decisions are only binding for those who voted in favour.

EXPLANATION: 

• Recently, the GSAP SKILLS Platform was launched at the Fourth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation, Convention on Biological Diversity. 
• The Global Species Action Plan (GSAP) makes its wealth of content accessible online through the Species Conservation Knowledge, Information, Learning, Leverage, and Sharing (SKILLS) platform. This platform supports the real-time updating of technical tools and resources, aiming to foster global collaboration and partnerships. It is a nexus for decision-makers, species conservation practitioners, and experts across various levels to connect and engage in conservation efforts.
• The platform offers real-time data on technical tools and resources, guaranteeing they are accessible and pertinent. Each target within the Global Biodiversity Framework has a detailed summary and explanation supporting species conservation measures, including specific interventions, actions, sub-actions, involved parties, and the technical tools and resources required for these actions. This approach aids in expediting the expansion of implementation activities. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• The IUCN oversees the platform to address the requirements of governments and various stakeholders in taking measures for species conservation. The creation of the GSAP SKILLS platform has primarily been facilitated by support from the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea, supplemented by funds from the Tech4Nature Initiative, a collaboration between IUCN and Huawei initiated in 2020. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

EXPLANATION:   

• Globally, Artificial Intelligence (AI) regulation is becoming more complex. Countries are working to implement various regulatory frameworks within their territories, ranging from laws to executive orders. Although many experts advocate for a single global agreement, major obstacles make it difficult to achieve.
• Europe's commitment to AI governance is highlighted by the Council of Europe's adoption of the Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law, known as the 'AI Convention'. This convention is significant because it has binding implications, unlike other ethical guidelines and soft law instruments. It focuses on the crucial intersection of AI governance with fundamental human rights, democratic values, and the principles of responsible AI deployment. 
• The growth of AI and automation risks job loss in repetitive roles, causing unemployment and economic instability, particularly in manual labour sectors. This uneven distribution of AI technology might increase economic and societal inequalities. Some other concerns include control devices, Driverless cars, the Development of customised medicine, Climate-resilient infrastructure, etc.
• Due to their training data, AI algorithms can unintentionally reinforce biases, leading to discrimination in hiring and law enforcement areas and worsening social inequalities. 
• Hence, option D is correct.

EXPLANATION: 

• Recently, twelve countries came together to endorse the Space Zero Debris Charter during the ESA/EU Council meeting, committing to eliminate space debris by 2030. The nations that have signed the Zero Debris Charter at this ESA/EU Space Council event include Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

• Some National and International initiatives to eliminate the Space Debris are: 

• • Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC): Formed in 1993, the IADC is an international governmental forum coordinating spacefaring nations' efforts to tackle space debris issues.
  • United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS): COPUOS focuses on creating guidelines for the long-term sustainability of outer space activities, including measures to mitigate space debris.
  • European Space Agency (ESA) Clean Space Initiative: The ESA's Clean Space Initiative aims to reduce space debris and promote sustainable space activities.
  • System for Safe and Sustainable Operations Management (IS 4 OM): ISRO has established IS 4 OM to monitor objects that pose collision threats continuously, predict space debris’s evolution, and mitigate associated risks.
  • Centre for Space Debris Research: ISRO has set up the Centre for Space Debris Research to monitor and mitigate the threat posed by space debris.
  • Project NETRA: India’s ISRO has developed Project NETRA, an early warning system to detect debris and other hazards to Indian satellites. Hence, option D is correct.

EXPLANATION: 

• The University of Kerala's Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries recently conducted a research project called "Microplastic contamination in Ashtamudi Lake, India: Insights from a Ramsar wetland," supported by the Ecomarine Project. 
• Microplastics are tiny plastic fragments less than 5 mm (0.2 inches) in length that result from plastic pollution. Carbon and hydrogen atoms are linked in polymer chains and often contain chemical additives like phthalates and flame retardants. These particles are not biodegradable and accumulate in various ecosystems, including marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Both statement 1 and statement 2 are correct.
• Types of Microplastics: 
  • Primary Microplastics: These small plastic particles are originally less than 5 mm in size before entering the environment. Examples include microbeads in personal care products, plastic pellets used in manufacturing processes, and microfibers released from synthetic fabrics during laundry.
  • Secondary Microplastics: These are produced from the degradation of larger plastic items due to environmental factors such as weathering, UV radiation, and wave action. Examples include small pieces broken off from plastic bottles, bags, and fishing nets.

EXPLANATION: 

• Recently, the Supreme Court of India mandated the swift shutdown of 68 mines within one kilometre of the Sariska critical tiger habitat because mining has detrimental effects on the tiger reserve. The court criticised the Rajasthan government for misinterpreting its directives, erroneously believing that the one-kilometre exclusion zone pertains solely to national parks and sanctuaries and not to tiger reserves.
• The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill of 2015 was presented in the Lok Sabha in 2015 to propose changes to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act of 1957. This legislation serves as the regulatory framework for the mining industry in India, specifying the fundamental requirements for granting licenses and initiating mining operations. The Mines and Minerals Act 2015 requires mine leaseholders to contribute 10-30% of the royalty to the District mineral foundation. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• The entry at serial No. 54 of List I (Union List) of the Indian Constitution authorises the central government to oversee and manage mining and mineral development, provided that the Parliament declares such oversight and management to serve the public interest. Hence, statement 2 is correct.