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CURRENT AFFAIRS – 02/11/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS - 02/11/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 02/11/2023

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  1. CURRENT AFFAIRS – 02/11/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 02/11/2023

Road accidents up by 12% from last year: Report

(General Studies- Paper II)

Source : The Indian Express

A report by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) reveals alarming statistics regarding road accidents and fatalities in India in 2022.

  • The report highlights a significant increase in both the number of accidents and the resulting casualties compared to the previous year.

Key Highlights

  • Alarming Increase in Road Accidents:
    • In 2022, the number of road accidents in India increased by 12 percent, totaling over 4.6 lakh accidents.
    • This translates to an average of 53 road accidents occurring every hour across the country.
    • In 2022, these road accidents claimed the lives of 1, 68,491 individuals.
    • Additionally, 4, 43,366 people sustained injuries as a result of these accidents.
  • Year-on-Year Comparison:
    • The report notes an 11.9 percent increase in accidents, a 9.4 percent increase in fatalities, and a 15.3 percent increase in injuries compared to the previous year.
  • Impact on Young Adults:
    • Young adults between the ages of 18 and 45 accounted for a significant portion (66.5 percent) of the accident victims in 2022.
    • The working-age group of 18 to 60 years constituted 83.4 percent of total road accident fatalities.
  • Government Target:
    • Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has set a target to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities by half by 2024.
  • Distribution of Accidents:
    • Out of the total accidents, 32.9 percent occurred on National Highways, 23.1 percent on state highways, and 43.9 percent on other roads.
    • Among the fatalities, 36.2 percent occurred on National Highways, 24.3 percent on state highways, and 39.4 percent on other roads.
    • Two-wheelers continued to be the most involved vehicle category in road accidents and fatalities in 2022, followed by light vehicles like cars, jeeps, and taxis.
    • Two-wheeler riders accounted for the highest share (44.5 percent) of fatalities in 2022, followed by pedestrian road-users at 19.5 percent.
  • State-Specific Data:
    • Tamil Nadu reported the highest number of road accidents on National Highways, while Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of fatalities.
  • Overspeeding was identified as a major factor in accidents, accounting for 71.2 percent of fatalities, followed by driving on the wrong side (5.4 percent).
  • Nearly half of the accidents (47.7 percent) and deaths (55.1 percent) occurred in open areas with no significant human activities.
  • Straight roads were the primary locations for accidents (67 percent), while curved roads, pothole roads, and steep grade roads accounted for only 13.8 percent of total accidents in 2022.
  • ‘Hit from Back’ was the most common accident type, accounting for 19.5 percent of deaths in 2022, followed by ‘Hit and Run’ and ‘Head on Collision’ at 18.1 percent and 15.7 percent, respectively.
  • Data Source:
    • The annual report is based on data from police departments of states/UTs, collected on a calendar year basis following standardized formats provided by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) under the Asia Pacific Road Accident Data (APRAD) project.

UN report on groundwater extraction: Every drop counts

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : The Indian Express

India is facing a severe groundwater depletion crisis, which has significant implications for the climate.

  • Researchers have highlighted the pressing issue of excessive groundwater extraction, particularly in the country’s southwest, where the presence of hard rock aquifers restricts natural replenishment.

Key Highlights

  • UN Report Highlights Alarming Depletion:
    • A recent report from the United Nations University has raised concerns about the rapid depletion of 27 out of 31 aquifers in India.
    • These aquifers are being drained at a faster rate than they can naturally recharge.
  • Long-standing Warnings:
    • The issue of groundwater depletion has been a cause for concern for over a decade.
    • In 2016, the Mihir Shah Committee emphasized the lack of understanding about river systems and their connections to catchment areas and groundwater health.
    • Reports commissioned by entities like NitiAayog and the Central Water Commission have also highlighted the precarious state of India’s aquifers.
  • Atal BhujalYojana Initiative:
    • In response to these concerns, the Union Jal Shakti Ministry launched the Atal BhujalYojana in 2020 in 78 water-stressed districts.
    • The program aims to bring about behavioral changes at the community level.
  • Data from the Ministry indicates a reduction of about 6 billion cubic meters in groundwater extraction for irrigation, domestic, and industrial uses in 2022 compared to 2020.
  • Groundwater Depletion in India:
    • India is the largest global consumer of groundwater, surpassing China and the United States combined.
    • Approximately 70 percent of the country’s water usage is dependent on groundwater sources, with tubewells and borewells playing a crucial role in ensuring food security.
    • The focus on tubewells and borewells has been instrumental in securing food production but has neglected institutional innovations in the water sector.
    • Power subsidies have led to overexploitation of groundwater in states like Punjab.
  • Climate Implications:
    • Researchers have connected excessive groundwater extraction to the climate crisis.
    • The problem is particularly severe in regions with hard rock aquifers, where rising temperatures reduce moisture for soil recharge.
  • Efforts to Address the Crisis:
    • Efforts have been made to promote less water-intensive crops such as millets and efficient watering techniques.
    • Awareness and behavioral change are essential, but borewells and tubewells are often covered, making it challenging for people to gauge the severity of the groundwater crisis.
    • Implementing technologies that allow individuals to monitor water levels in their borewells could encourage responsible aquifer management.
    • These technologies can serve as a catalyst for behavioral changes and promote sustainable groundwater practices.

What is an aquifer?

  • An aquifer is a geological formation composed of porous rock or sediment.
  • It is saturated with groundwater, which is water that has seeped through the soil and collected within the aquifer.
  • Groundwater can enter an aquifer as precipitation infiltrates the ground.
  • Groundwater within an aquifer can flow through it and may resurface through natural springs or be accessed via wells.
  • There are two main types of aquifers: confined and unconfined.
  • Confined aquifers are situated beneath an impermeable layer of rock or clay, while unconfined aquifers lie beneath a permeable layer of soil.

About Central Water Commission (CWC)

  • The Central Water Commission (CWC) is a premier technical organization in India that works under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India.
  • Its primary mandate is to undertake a wide range of water resource development and management activities to ensure sustainable and efficient utilization of water resources across the country.
  • The Central Water Commission was established in 1945 as a successor to the Irrigation Branch of the erstwhile Central Public Works Department.
  • Functions:
    • Initiating and Coordinating Schemes:
      • The CWC takes the lead in initiating and coordinating water resource schemes in consultation with the relevant State Governments.
    • Flood Control:
      • One of the primary responsibilities of the CWC is to implement measures and projects for flood control.
      • This includes activities to reduce the risk of flooding in vulnerable areas and to manage floodwaters effectively.
    • Irrigation:
      • The CWC is involved in the planning and development of irrigation projects.
    • Navigation:
      • Water resources are crucial for navigation in rivers and waterways.
      • The CWC participates in schemes and projects related to improving navigation facilities in India.
    • Drinking Water Supply:
      • Ensuring a reliable supply of safe drinking water to communities is another important aspect of the CWC’s responsibilities.
      • This includes developing infrastructure for drinking water supply.
    • Water Power Development:
      • The CWC is engaged in the development of water power projects.
      • These projects harness the energy of flowing water to generate hydroelectric power, contributing to India’s energy needs.
    • Investigations and Construction:
      • The CWC is responsible for conducting detailed investigations, as well as planning and executing projects related to water resource management.
      • This involves the construction of dams, reservoirs, canals, and other infrastructure.

Why a ‘normal’ monsoon isn’t normal anymore for India!

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : The Indian Express

The monsoon season in India for this year recorded 94 percent overall rainfall, marking the eighth consecutive year of generally normal seasonal rainfall.

  • However, this apparent consistency in monsoon rainfall masks significant variations in both spatial and temporal distribution.
  • Climate change may be contributing to these increased irregularities.

Key Highlights

  • Spatial and Temporal Variability:
    • There have been notable differences in the distribution of rainfall, with some days experiencing heavy rainfall while others remained excessively dry.
    • A majority of districts received insufficient rainfall for most of the season, highlighting growing rainfall variability.
    • An analysis by Climate Trends, a research organization, examined the district-level rainfall data during the four-month monsoon period.
    • It revealed that very few districts experienced normal daily rainfall.
    • Out of the 85,000 district rain-days (121 days of rainfall for each of the 718 districts), only 6 percent were classified as normal.
    • Over 60 percent of daily district-wise rainfall showed deficits of over 60 percent or received no rainfall on days when rain was expected.
    • Conversely, large excesses, with districts receiving 60 percent or more than normal rainfall, were also frequent.

  • Challenges of Normal Rainfall Data:
    • The analysis acknowledges that normal rainfall data represents an average over several years and may not reflect the true consistency of rainfall.
    • India’s districts often oscillate between extremes, with only a minuscule number of days classified as “normal” rainfall.
  • Extreme Rainfall Events:
    • This monsoon season witnessed the second-largest number of extreme rainfall events in the past five years.
    • These extreme events compensated for deficits on dry days, creating an illusion of normalcy.

  • Regional Variations in Rainfall:
    • The monsoon season exhibited significant regional disparities in India.
    • Northwest and central regions received over 100 percent of their expected seasonal rainfall, while the eastern and North-Eastern regions saw only around 80 percent.
    • The southern part of India experienced deficits for most of the season, ending with 92 percent of expected rainfall.
  • Long-term Deficiency in East and North-East:
    • The eastern and North-Eastern regions have consistently received less than 100 percent of normal rainfall in nine out of the last ten years.
    • On five of those occasions, the deficiency exceeded 10 percent, which is particularly concerning as this region traditionally receives substantial rainfall.
    • In the monsoon season, states like Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal had significant rainfall deficits, each exceeding 20 percent.
    • States in the North-East, including Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura, also faced deficits of more than 20 percent.

  • Kerala’s Rainfall Decline:
    • Kerala, known for its abundant rainfall, experienced the largest deficit of 34 percent this year.
    • The state has been witnessing a declining trend in rainfall over recent years, including during the monsoon season.
  • Factors Contributing to Erratic Monsoon:
    • Climate change is often attributed to the erratic behaviour of monsoon rainfall, but it’s not the sole factor at play.
    • El Nino events in the eastern Pacific Ocean, which usually lead to rainfall deficits, didn’t have a significant impact this year, except in August, the driest on record.
    • An extended cyclone in June and heavy rainfall in northern states in July offset El Nino’s influence.
    • September brought good rainfall, despite El Nino’s strengthening.
  • Impact of Climate Change:
    • Climate change has introduced greater uncertainty into weather events, making monsoon rainfall less predictable.
    • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for global warming and climate change, can mitigate the unpredictability, but it will take time.
    • Preparing for unpredictable events is the current coping mechanism.
    • This includes improving disaster preparedness, addressing urban flooding, and enhancing climate resilience in infrastructure.

AI and the issue of human-centricity in copyrightlaw

(General Studies- Paper II)

Source : TH

The Biden administration issued an Executive Order on ‘Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence’ on October 30, reflecting the evolving stance of global leaders on AI regulation.

  • Regulation is deemed necessary due to the potential far-reaching consequences of AI without proper safeguards.

Key Highlights

  • Ownership and Enforcement of AI-Generated Intellectual Property (IP) Rights:
    • AI technology, like ChatGPT and Midjourney, has led to questions about the ownership and enforcement of intellectual property rights.
    • These questions encompass the use of copyrighted materials as training data and copyright ownership of AI-generated outputs, whether autonomous or with human inputs.
  • A Landmark Case: Stephen Thaler vs. Shira Perlmutter:
    • The United States District Court for the District of Columbia recently made a significant decision regarding the copyrightability of work autonomously created by AI.
    • Stephen Thaler claimed that his AI system, ‘Creativity Machine,’ autonomously created a piece of visual art, and he applied for copyright registration with ‘Creativity Machine’ listed as the author.
    • The U.S. Copyright Office rejected the application, arguing that the work lacked human authorship.
    • Thaler challenged this rejection in the District Court, leading to a critical legal question: can AI-generated work be copyrightable?
  • Court’s Ruling and U.S. Copyright Office’s Position:
    • The District Court concluded that human creativity is essential for copyright protection, aligning with the U.S. Copyright Office’s stance.
    • The Copyright Office’s document ‘Copyright Registration Guidance: Works Containing Material Generated by Artificial Intelligence,’ released in March 2023, explicitly stated that copyright protection applies only to material originating from human creativity.
    • The term ‘author,’ as used in the Constitution and the Copyright Act, is considered to exclude non-human entities.
    • Copyright applicants are obligated to disclose AI-generated content in applications, with guidelines provided for registration forms.
    • The Copyright Office initiated a public consultation on various copyright-related questions posed by AI, indicating the ongoing effort to address these issues.
  • Indian Copyright Office and AI Registration:
    • In 2020, the Indian Copyright Office registered a work of art called ‘Suryast’ where an AI system named “RAGHAV Artificial Intelligence Painting App” was listed as a co-author.
    • The same AI system had been previously rejected as the sole author in an application.
    • Notably, India has not introduced legislative changes in its Copyright Act of 1957, which sets requirements for human authorship.
  • Controversy and Lack of Disclosure Requirements:
    • When the registration of ‘Suryast’ with AI co-authorship became contentious, the Copyright Office sent a notice to the human co-author with the intent to withdraw the registration.
    • However, data from the Indian Copyright Office website indicates that the work remains registered.
    • The Copyright Office has yet to define mandatory disclosure requirements for AI use and has not initiated broader consultations on the matter.
  • 161st Report of the Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce:
    • The 161st Report of the Parliamentary Committee from July 2021was titled ‘Review of the Intellectual Property Rights Regime in India.’
    • The report recommended reviewing the Copyright Act of 1957 and the Patent Act of 1970 to incorporate AI and AI-related inventions.
    • However, the report’s recommendations seem to focus on relaxing standards for copyright and patents without thorough consideration of AI-related challenges and implications for India’s startup ecosystem.
  • Cautious Approach Needed:
    • There needs to be a caution in extending existing intellectual property protections to AI-generated work.
    • It raises concerns about diluting the human-centric nature of copyright law and emphasizes the need to consider the potential adverse consequences of granting AI-generated work the same IP rights traditionally given to human-created content.
    • The economic arguments that incentivize authors and inventors through copyright and patents may not apply straightforwardly to AI-generated output, as machines do not respond to such incentives.

Impacting a woman’s freedom to reproductive choices

(General Studies- Paper II)

Source : TH

On October 16, the Supreme Court of India heard a case (X vs Union of India) where a woman sought permission to terminate her 26-week-long pregnancy.

  • The Court, presided over by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, declined her request, stating that it fell outside the scope of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act of 1971.

Key Highlights

  • Legal Framework:
    • The MTP Act allows the termination of pregnancies beyond 24 weeks only in specific cases, such as substantial foetal abnormality or a direct threat to the woman’s life.
    • In this case, since the foetus was considered viable, the Court rejected the plea, citing that it couldn’t use its extraordinary powers.
  • Viable Foetus and Women’s Rights:
    • The judgment did not explicitly grant rights to the unborn but established a significant limitation.
    • When a foetus becomes viable and can survive outside the mother’s uterus, a woman’s right to choose abortion is extinguished, except in cases specified by the MTP Act.
  • The judgment faces criticism for two main reasons:
    • Failure to Address Key Questions:
      • The Court did not delve into essential questions like whether a foetus has an autonomous moral status, legal standing, or the ability to exercise constitutional rights.
      • This omission places the rights of a foetus above those of a pregnant woman in terms of privacy and dignity.
    • Failure to Examine the MTP Act’s Nature:
      • The Court did not consider whether the MTP Act is merely an enabling legislation, facilitating the exercise of fundamental rights, or if its exemptions constitute a conferral of rights.
      • If the right to make reproductive choices is deemed fundamental, flowing from the Constitution, the Court could have considered allowing pregnancy termination outside the Act’s specified terms.
    • Case Details:
      • The petitioner, a 27-year-old married woman with two children, discovered her pregnancy at 20 weeks due to lactational amenorrhea.
      • When she underwent an ultrasound at 24 weeks due to symptoms, she sought termination.
      • The Court’s ruling denied her request, highlighting the limitations imposed by the MTP Act.
      • The petitioner, referred to as X, made two primary pleas.
      • First, she argued that she was suffering from post-partum depression, making it challenging for her to raise another child.
      • Second, she stated that her husband was the sole breadwinner of the family, and they could not afford to care for a third child.
      • On October 9, a bench of the Supreme Court examined a report from a medical board constituted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, ruling in favour of X.
      • They acknowledged that allowing the pregnancy to continue could severely impact X’s mental health.
    • Union Government’s Challenge and Disagreement Among Judges:
      • However, on the following day, the Union government raised concerns, indicating that one member of the medical board sought clarification regarding the termination due to the viable status of the foetus.
      • On October 11, Justices HimaKohli and B.V. Nagarathna disagreed with each other.
      • Justice Kohli was not inclined to permit the abortion, while Justice Nagarathna emphasized the paramount importance of the woman’s choice and her right to reproductive health.
      • Justice Nagarathna argued that a foetus is dependent on the mother and cannot be recognized as a separate individual personality.
    • Constitution of a New Bench and the Final Ruling:
      • The impasse between the two judges led to the formation of a new Bench presided over by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud.
      • A new medical board report confirmed the viability of the foetus with no abnormalities and stated that X’s medication would not endanger the pregnancy.
      • As neither of the exemptions under the MTP Act was met, the Court ruled to recall its earlier order, denying X’s request for abortion.
      • The final ruling contradicts the Court’s recent jurisprudence regarding fundamental rights to privacy and dignity.
      • In a prior case, the Court had upheld the right to privacy, enabling individuals to exercise autonomy over their bodies and minds, granting women the freedom to make reproductive choices.
      • The judgment emphasized that a woman has the right over her body and is the ultimate decision-maker when it comes to abortion, rooted in the idea of human dignity.
    • MTP Act as Enabling Legislation:
      • The MTP Act should be viewed as an enabling legislation that facilitates the exercise of fundamental rights, rather than a law that merely provides a means to enforce a fundamental right.
      • Courts should issue directions to further a woman’s right to choose when the statute’s mandate is found inadequate.
    • Foetuses and Constitutional Rights:
      • The judgment implicitly suggests that foetuses have constitutional rights, which is a departure from established jurisprudence on abortion.
      • The Constitution does not confer personhood on foetuses, and the MTP Act does not make such an assertion either.
      • Recognizing foetuses as separate, distinct personalities would conflict with a woman’s freedom to make reproductive choices, a right intrinsic to Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.

About Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2021

  • The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2021, was passed by the Indian Parliament and received the President’s assent on March 25, 2021.
  • It brought significant changes to the existing MTP Act, 1971.
  • Some key features and amendments introduced by the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2021:
    • Extension of the Legal Timeframe for Abortion:
  • The amendment extended the legal timeframe for an abortion from 20 weeks to 24 weeks.
  • This extension is intended to allow women more time to make a decision in case of abnormalities detected in the foetus or other medical conditions.
  • Approval for Abortion Beyond 24 Weeks:
    • In cases where there is a substantial fetal abnormality or a threat to the woman’s life, an abortion can be allowed beyond 24 weeks.
    • However, the decision to allow such late-term abortions is subject to the opinion of a medical board.
  • Single Registered Medical Practitioner:
    • The Amendment Act allows single registered medical practitioners, in addition to hospitals, to provide abortion services up to 20 weeks of pregnancy.
    • This change is aimed at increasing accessibility to safe abortion services.
  • Privacy and Consent:
    • The amendment emphasizes the need for protecting the privacy and confidentiality of women seeking abortion services.
    • It requires the woman’s written consent before any abortion procedure.
  • The amendment aims to make safe abortion services more accessible to women by expanding the provider base and increasing the gestation period during which abortion is allowed.

What is lactational amenorrhea?

  • Lactational amenorrhea is a natural and temporary form of birth control that occurs in some women who are breastfeeding their infants.
  • It is a condition in which a woman’s menstrual periods are temporarily suppressed or delayed due to the hormonal changes associated with breastfeeding.

The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act of 1971: When abortion is allowed?

The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act of 1971 in India allows for abortion under specific circumstances, which are considered exemptions from the general prohibition on abortion after a certain gestational age.

  • Up to 12 Weeks of Pregnancy:
    • A pregnancy can be terminated up to 12 weeks of gestation (or up to 20 weeks with the approval of a registered medical practitioner) based on the following conditions:
      • If the pregnancy poses a risk to the physical or mental health of the woman.
      • If the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest.
    • Between 12 and 20 Weeks of Pregnancy:
      • Between 12 and 20 weeks of gestation, a pregnancy can be terminated under the following circumstances:
        • If it poses a risk to the woman’s life or physical or mental health.
        • If there are substantial foetal abnormalities detected that may result in physical or mental abnormalities.
        • If the pregnancy is the result of the failure of any contraceptive device or method used by the woman.
      • Beyond 20 Weeks of Pregnancy:
        • Beyond 20 weeks of gestation, an abortion can be allowed only if it poses a risk to the woman’s life.
      • It’s important to note that the MTP Act, as amended in 2021, extended the permissible gestational limit for abortion to 24 weeks in certain circumstances, such as substantial foetal abnormalities or a threat to the woman’s life.
      • The decision to permit abortion beyond 20 weeks is subject to the opinion of a medical board.

Understanding the U.S.-Israel relations

(General Studies- Paper II)

Source : TH

President Joe Biden’s support for Israel in the wake of a Hamas attack and the subsequent Israeli response highlights the historical context of U.S.-Israel relations, emphasizing the consistent support the U.S. has provided to Israel.

Key Highlights

  • Origins of U.S.-Israel Ties:
    • The United States had supported the idea of a Jewish homeland even before Israel’s establishment in 1948.
    • In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson expressed support for a “Jewish Commonwealth” in Palestine, aligning with the Balfour Declaration.
    • The U.S. Congress endorsed the Balfour Declaration in 1922 and 1944.
    • The U.S. was the first country to recognize Israel in 1948, with President Harry Truman expressing faith in the new nation.
  • Early Hurdles in the Relationship:
    • The initial two decades of U.S.-Israel relations faced challenges, with the Eisenhower administration unhappy about Israel’s involvement in the Suez War.
    • Threats from both the U.S. and the Soviet Union led to Israel’s withdrawal from captured territories.
    • In the 1960s, the Kennedy administration expressed concerns about Israel’s secret nuclear program.
  • 1967 War and Paradigm Shift:
    • The 1967 Six-Day War, in which Israel defeated Jordan, Syria, and Egypt, marked a significant turning point in U.S.-Israel relations.
    • The U.S. was preoccupied with the Vietnam War, and Israel’s quick victory without major U.S. assistance was noted.
    • Israel’s victory was seen as crucial in countering Soviet influence in the Middle East, given that two defeated Arab countries, Egypt and Syria, were Soviet allies.
  • Current U.S.-Israel Relations:
    • Recent events, such as President Biden’s show of solidarity with Israel and U.S. actions at the UN, reflect a continuation of unwavering support for Israel.
    • The historical context suggests a consistent pattern of support, despite occasional disagreements or concerns over specific issues.
    • The relationship between the United States and Israel is exceptionally close, with the U.S. providing significant financial, military, and political support to Israel.
    • Israel is the largest recipient of U.S. aid, having received $158 billion since the end of World War II, with annual military aid of $3.8 billion, constituting about 16% of Israel’s military budget.
    • Both countries maintain a deep defense partnership, involving joint research, development, and weapons production.
      • For example, the Iron Dome missile defense system relies on U.S.-made parts.
    • Israel, with U.S. assistance, has become the world’s 10th largest military exporter.
    • The U.S. has used its veto power over 50 times in the UN Security Council to block resolutions critical of Israel.
  • Historical U.S. Support for Israel in Conflicts:
    • The U.S. has consistently provided military support to Israel in conflicts, starting with the 1973 Yom Kippur War when U.S. supplies were crucial for Israel’s defense.
    • In 1982, the U.S. sent Multinational Forces to Lebanon following Israel’s invasion of the country.
    • During the first intifada, the U.S. supported the Oslo process and the two-state solution while maintaining its relationship with Israel.
    • The current U.S. stance emphasizes support for “Israel’s right to defend.”
  • Past Tensions, But No Breakdown:
    • Despite occasional personality clashes between American Presidents and Israeli Prime Ministers, the “special relationship” has endured.
    • In the 1970s, President Jimmy Carter pressured Israel to make peace with Egypt and give concessions to the Palestinians, eventually leading to the Camp David Accords and the Oslo process.
    • During the second intifada, President George W. Bush urged Israel to show restraint in the West Bank, which led to disagreements, but the relationship remained intact.
    • President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clashed over the Iran nuclear deal, with Netanyahu addressing the U.S. Congress, but this did not disrupt the relationship.
    • In 2002, Mr. Bush asked Israel to withdraw from the West Bank, but Israel did not comply.
    • Despite criticism of the Netanyahu government’s judicial reforms, the Biden administration fully supported Israel’s response to the October 7 attack by Hamas.
  • Why the U.S. Backs Israel:
    • Strategic Value:
      • Israel’s strategic importance in a volatile region has been a key factor in the U.S.’s consistent support.
      • During the Cold War, the U.S. viewed Israel as a powerful counterbalance to potential Soviet expansion in the Arab world.
      • Even after the Cold War, as the U.S. increased its involvement in the Middle East, Israel continued to be seen as a stabilizing force, along with Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
    • Influence of Public Opinion and Domestic Politics:
      • Israel has historically enjoyed near-unanimous support in the U.S. Congress.
      • A majority of Americans have favourable views of Israel.
      • American Jews and evangelical Christians, politically active groups, are pro-Israel, and their support is significant for both political parties.
      • The powerful Israel lobby, as described by John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt, plays a substantial role in shaping U.S. policy toward Israel.
      • The lobby amplifies pro-Israel voices, supports pro-Israel politicians, and counters voices critical of Israel.
    • Role of Pro-Israel Lobby:
      • The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is a powerful pro-Israel lobbying group that hosts top leaders from both countries and wields considerable influence.
      • Pro-Israel groups provide financial support to both U.S. political parties.
      • During the 2020 campaign, these groups contributed over $30 billion, with a significant portion going to both Democrats and Republicans.
      • Strong ties exist between the military-industrial complexes of the U.S. and Israel, contributing to the overall institutional consensus regarding the U.S.-Israel relationship.

What is Balfour Declaration?

  • The Balfour Declaration was a letter issued on November 2, 1917, by Arthur Balfour, the British Foreign Secretary at the time, to Lord Rothschild, a prominent British Jewish leader.
  • This declaration expressed the British government’s support for the establishment of a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire.
  • The Balfour Declaration was a significant moment in the lead-up to the creation of the state of Israel in 1948.
  • It marked the first time a major world power publicly endorsed the idea of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

Air pollution increasesdiabetes risk in Delhi,Chennai: CARRS study

(General Studies- Paper II)

Source : TH

Two studies published in international journals have highlighted a concerning link between air pollution levels and the incidence of type 2 diabetes in Chennai and Delhi, India.

  • While the link between air pollution and type 2 diabetes has been observed in Western countries and China, these studies demonstrate that the connection also holds true in urban India.
  • Indian cities consistently rank among the worst places for air quality, often exceeding the limits set by the World Health Organization.

Key Highlights

  • Centre for cArdiometabolic Risk Reduction in South Asia (CARRS) Surveillance Study:
    • The research is part of the CARRS Surveillance Study, involving 6,722 adults in Chennai and 5,342 in Delhi.
    • Researchers tracked participants’ health through questionnaires and blood samples, measuring fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) from 2010 to 2016.
    • Air pollution and exposure models were developed using satellite data and emissions inventories.
  • Key Findings:
    • The studies revealed that a 10 μg/m3 difference in annual average PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) was associated with a 9-36% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
    • Long-term exposure to ambient PM2.5 was linked to the development of type 2 diabetes, not just intermittent episodes of high pollution levels.
    • Increases in PM2.5 levels were associated with elevated FPG and HbA1c levels, indicating worsening blood glucose control.
    • Hypertensive individuals were more susceptible to developing type 2 diabetes with long-term PM2.5 exposure in Chennai, while younger individuals were more susceptible in Delhi.
  • Mechanisms Behind the Link:
    • Some studies suggest that ambient PM2.5 concentrations can affect internal processes, causing insulin resistance and inflammation, particularly in vascular systems.
    • The association between oxidative stress and various conditions may increase the susceptibility to harm from PM2.5.
  • Burden of Noncommunicable Diseases in India:
    • India already bears a significant burden of noncommunicable diseases, accounting for 64% of the national disease burden in 2021.
    • Poor air quality has been linked to respiratory and heart health issues, leading to concerns of a public health crisis.
    • Additionally, new research indicates the impact of air pollution on various aspects of life, including a potential 3% increase in pregnancy loss due to increased PM2.5 exposure in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

About Type 2 diabetes

  • Type 2 diabetes, often simply referred to as “diabetes,” is a chronic medical condition that affects how your body regulates blood sugar (glucose).
  • Glucose is a vital source of energy for the cells in our body, and it comes from the foods we eat.
  • To enter our cells and provide energy, glucose requires a hormone called insulin, which acts as a key to unlock the cell doors.
  • In type 2 diabetes, there are two primary issues:
    • Insulin Resistance:
      • The body’s cells become less responsive to the effects of insulin.
      • This means they don’t allow glucose to enter as easily, leading to higher levels of sugar in the bloodstream.
    • Insufficient Insulin Production:
      • Over time, the pancreas (an organ that produces insulin) may struggle to keep up with the increased demand for insulin, resulting in reduced insulin production.
    • As a result of these two issues, glucose accumulates in the blood instead of being used for energy by the cells, leading to high blood sugar levels.
    • Over time, this elevated blood sugar can cause various health problems and complications, including heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, vision problems, and more.
    • Risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes include genetics, a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, obesity, and age.
    • It is often managed through lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, regular physical activity, and, in some cases, medications or insulin injections.