Category: current affairs

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 06/10/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 06/10/2023 Defusing the ticking time bomb called diabetes (General Studies- Paper III) Source : TH A study conducted in June 2023 by the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research and the Union Health Ministry, revealed concerning statistics about diabetes, pre-diabetes, and obesity in India. The study found that 11.4% of the population (approximately 10.13 crore people) are living with diabetes, and an additional 15.3% (approximately 13.6 crore people) are pre-diabetic. Furthermore, 28.6% of the population is considered obese based on BMI measurements. Key Highlights Role of Ultra-Processed Foods The World…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 05/10/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 05/10/2023 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry (General Studies- Paper III) Source : TH The Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2023 has been awarded to three distinguished scientists: Moungi G. Bawendi, Louis E. Brus, and Alexei I. Ekimov. The prestigious accolade was granted in recognition of their groundbreaking work on the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots.   Key Highlights Quantum Dots’ Unique Properties: Quantum dots, nanoscale semiconductor particles, possess exceptional characteristics. They emit light used in television screens and LED lamps. They also play a pivotal role in catalyzing chemical reactions and can illuminate tumor tissue, aiding…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 04/10/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 04/10/2023 Using AI for audit techniques (General Studies- Paper III and IV) Source : The Hindu Girish Chandra Murmu, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) and chair for the Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) of the G20, has cautioned against excessive reliance on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for auditing, highlighting the potential for inaccurate findings. Ethics is emphasized as a crucial element of responsible AI in auditing, considering challenges related to transparency, objectivity, fairness, and bias. Key Highlights Foundations of Responsible AI in Auditing Responsible AI in auditing must be ethical and inclusive to enhance credibility, trust,…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 03/10/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 03/10/2023 Why 32 European countries are facing the largest climate action lawsuit till date? (General Studies- Paper III) Source : The Hindu On September 27, 2023, a landmark legal battle begins in the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France. This historic case involves 32 European governments, including the U.K., Russia, and Turkey, facing off against six young people from Portugal, aged 11 to 24. The young plaintiffs argue that their governments have failed to take adequate action against the climate crisis, violating their human rights and discriminating against young people worldwide. Key Highlights Unprecedented Scale:…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 02/10/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 02/10/2023 Oil firms raise ATF, commercial LPG prices (General Studies- Paper III) Source : The Hindu On October 1, the price of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), commonly known as jet fuel, was increased by 5%, marking the fourth consecutive monthly increase since July. The price hike also affected commercial cooking gas, which saw a sharp increase of ₹209 per 19-kg cylinder. Despite the increases in ATF and commercial cooking gas prices, the cost of a 14.2-kg domestic LPG cylinder remained unchanged. Key Highlights Impact on Air Fares: The rise in ATF prices is expected to lead to…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 30/09/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 30/09/2023 Global dispute settlement, India and appellate review Source : The Hindu Prabhash Ranjan teaches at the Faculty of Legal Studies, South Asian University The recently concluded G-20 Declaration, among its many commitments, reiterated the need to pursue reform of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to improve all its functions and conduct proactive discussions “to ensure a fully and well-functioning dispute settlement system accessible to all members by 2024”. The WTO’s dispute settlement system, conceived as a two-tier panel cum appellate body structure, has been dysfunctional since 2019, because the United States has blocked the appointment of…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 28/09/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 28/09/2023 China refuses to further expand cooperation under CPEC (General Studies- Paper II) Source : The Hindu China has refused to expand cooperation in key areas under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This development signals strain in the traditionally strong friendship between China and Pakistan. Key Highlights The CPEC is a multi-billion dollar project connecting Gwadar Port in Pakistan to China’s Xinjiang province. It is a flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), aimed at expanding Chinese influence through global infrastructure projects. Delays and Differences in the 11th JCC Meeting The 11th Joint Cooperation Committee…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 27/09/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 27/09/2023 Central Govt and Navy’s new project to reconstruct an ancient ‘stitched ship’ (General Studies- Paper I) Source : The Indian Express The Indian government is embarking on a significant endeavor to resurrect India’s ancient maritime heritage in partnership with the Indian Navy and Hodi Innovations based in Goa. This project aims to reconstruct an ancient stitched ship reminiscent of those that sailed India’s maritime trade routes around 2,000 years ago. Key Highlights Project Collaboration and Funding This ambitious project involves collaboration across various government ministries and departments. The Indian Navy is responsible for designing, constructing, and…

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 26/09/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 26/09/2023 Surety Bonds market fails to kick off (General Studies- Paper III) Source : The Indian Express The government’s ambitious plan to launch the Surety Insurance Bonds market as an alternative to bank guarantees in infrastructure projects has faced significant challenges in the last three years. Despite the launch of two basic level Surety Bonds (Bid Bonds) in December 2022, the Surety Bond market in India has not made significant progress. Key Highlights Insurance Companies’ Plans Hindered Leading general insurers like New India Assurance, ICICI Lombard General Insurance, SBI General Insurance, and Bajaj Allianz General Insurance have…