Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 28 October 2022

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC 2022

Q) Recently in news, the Greenhouse Gas Bulletin 2022 has been released by which of the following organizations?

1. UN Environment Programme
2. UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
3. IPCC
4. World Meteorological Organizatio

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 27 October 2022

Explanation:

Context: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has released the Greenhouse gas bulletin 2022.

About the Report

• The report shows the average surface mole fractions for carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) and compares them with the mole fractions during the previous year and with the preindustrial levels.
• It also provides change in radiative forcing by long-lived GHGs (LLGHGs) and the contribution of individual gases to this increase.

Highlights of the Report

• Atmospheric levels of the three main greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide have reached new record highs in 2022.
• The biggest year-on-year jump was observed in methane concentrations in both 2020 and 2021 since systematic measurements began nearly 40 years ago.

Q) Consider the following statements regarding the Radiative forcing

1. Radiative forcing is a condition that occurs when the amount of energy that enters the Earth’s atmosphere is different from the amount of energy that leaves it.
2. Negative radiative forcing: It means Earth receives more incoming energy from sunlight than it radiates to space.
3. Positive radiative forcing: it means that Earth loses more energy to space than it receives from the sun, which produces cooling.

Which of these statements are correct?

1. All of the above
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 only
4. 1 and 3 only

Explanation:

Radiative Forcing:

• Radiative forcing is a condition that occurs when the amount of energy that enters the Earth’s atmosphere is different from the amount of energy that leaves it. (Statement 1 is correct)
  • The concept is used to quantify and compare the external drivers of change to Earth’s energy balance.
• Positive radiative forcing: It means Earth receives more incoming energy from sunlight than it radiates to space. This net gain of energy from radiation will cause warming. (Statement 2 is not correct)
• Negative radiative forcing: it means that Earth loses more energy to space than it receives from the sun, which produces cooling. (Statement 3 is not correct)

Q) Consider the following statements regarding the International Energy Agency (IEA)

1. The IEA was set up under the framework of the G7 in the aftermath of the 1973 oil crisis.
2. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

Which of these statements are correct?

1. 1 only
2. Both 1 and 2
3. 2 only
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

About the International Energy Agency (IEA)

• Establishment: The IEA was set up under the framework of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in the aftermath of the 1973 oil crisis to respond to physical disruptions in global oil supplies. (Statement 1 is not correct)
• Mission: To ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy for its member countries and beyond.
• Headquarters: Paris, France. (Statement 2 is not correct)
• Objectives:
  • It provides policy recommendations, analysis and data on the entire global energy sector, with a recent focus on curbing carbon emissions and reaching global climate targets, including the Paris Agreement.
  • It mainly focuses on its energy policies which include economic development, energy security and environmental protection. These policies are also known as the 3 E’s of IEA.
• Significance: The 31 member countries and 11 association countries of the IEA represent 75% of global energy demand.

Q) Which of the following publications is not released by the International Energy Agency?

1. World Energy Investment Report.
2. World Energy Transition Outlook.
3. World Energy Statistics.
4. World Energy Balances.

Explanation:

• Key publications of IEA are:
  • World Energy Outlook Report.
  • World Energy Investment Report.
  • World Energy Statistics.
  • World Energy Balances.
  • Energy Technology Perspectives.
  • India Energy Outlook Report.
• World Energy Transition Outlook is released by the International Renewable Energy Agency.

Q) Consider the following statements regarding the News Broadcasters & Digital Association

1. The NBDA is a statutory body having 26 news and current affairs broadcasters (comprising 119 news and current affairs channels) as its members.
2. The organization is entirely funded by its members.

Which of these statements are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

What is the News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA)?

• About:
  • The NBDA [Formerly known as News Broadcasters Association (NBA)] represents the private television news, current affairs and digital broadcasters.
  • The NBDA presents a unified and credible voice before the Government, on matters that affect the growing industry.
• Mission: To serve as the eyes and ears of the private news, current affairs and digital broadcasters, to lobby on its behalf and to act as a central point of joint action on matters of interest.
• Composition:
  • The NBDA has 26 news and current affairs broadcasters (comprising 119 news and current affairs channels) as its members. (Statement 1 is not correct)
  • Various senior members of Indian media organizations serve on its Board of Directors.
  • The body includes a Chairperson who is to be an eminent jurist, and other members such as news editors, and those experienced in the field of law, education, literature, public administration, etc. nominated by a majority of the Board.
• Funding: The organization is entirely funded by its members. (Statement 2 is correct)

Q) Recently in news, the Delhi Agreement of 1952 was signed in context of which of the following?

1. Refugee Settlement
2. Indo-Pak War 1947
3. Accession of Jammu and Kashmir
4. Transfer of Population

Explanation:

• Post accession of J&K:
  • Indian jurisdiction: The Instrument of Accession allowed the extension of Indian Jurisdiction to external affairs, communications and defence.
  • Government: An interim popular government was formed in the state with Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah as the Prime Minister.
  • Delhi Agreement: The Prime Ministers of India and Jammu & Kashmir signed the Delhi Agreement in 1952, giving special status to the state of Jammu & Kashmir under Indian constitution.
  • Special provisions: Article 370 and Article 35A were added into the Indian constitution to give special status to the state of J&K.

Q) Consider the following statements regarding Dirty Bomb

1. A dirty bomb is an explosive device that contains radioactive, biological or chemical materials, that disperses material after explosion.
2. These bombs are expensive and can be used to create mass panic as a weapon of terror.
3. Compared to conventional atomic, chemical or biological bombs, dirty bombs cause less human mortality.

Which of these statements are correct?

1. 1 and 3 only
2. All of the above
3. 1 and 2 only
4. 2 and 3 only

Explanation:

Context: Russian defence minister has informed his counterparts in India and China that Ukraine intends on using a ‘dirty bomb’.

• Ukraine has rejected the claims and counter-accused Russia of preparing its own ‘dirty bomb’ and planning to explode it in a false operation.

About the Bomb:

• A dirty bomb is an explosive device that contains radioactive, biological or chemical materials, that disperses material after explosion. It mostly refers to radioactive explosives. (Statement 1 is correct)
• Working: These bombs use dynamite or other explosives to scatter radioactive dust, smoke, or other material in order to cause radioactive contamination.
• Components: These bombs are cheap and can be made very fast. The radioactive materials in these bombs can be obtained from hospitals, nuclear power stations, or even research laboratories. (Statement 2 is not correct)
• Effects: The radioactive fallout from the bomb can cause serious health problems, such as cancer.
  • The bomb is used to create mass panic as a weapon of terror.
  • The environmental hazard because of dirty bombs can potentially result in the need for large-scale cleanups that can be financially costly.
  • Mortality: Compared to conventional atomic, chemical or biological bombs, dirty bombs cause less human mortality. (Statement 3 is correct)

Q) Recently in news, CAR-T Cell Therapy is used in the treatment of which of the following?

1. HIV AIDS
2. Sickle Cell Anaemia
3. Lymphoma
4. Auto-immune disorder

Explanation:

What is the Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T Cell T therapy?

• CAR-T cells are a patient’s own immune cells that are genetically engineered in the laboratory to fight cancer.
• As part of the treatment, a specific type of white blood cells called T cells are changed in the lab so they can find and destroy cancer cells.
• It is also sometimes referred to as a type of cell-based gene therapy because it involves altering genes inside T cells to help them attack cancerous cells.

How the Therapy Works?

• It uses lentiviral technology. In gene therapy, this is a method of inserting, modifying, or deleting genes in organisms using lentivirus, a family of viruses responsible for diseases such as AIDS.
• T cells taken from the patient’s blood are modified by adding a gene for a receptor (called a chimeric antigen receptor or CAR), which helps the T cells attach to a specific cancer cell antigen. The CAR T cells are then given back to the patient.
• The CAR-T cell therapy is mostly effective against leukaemia and lymphoma.

Q) Consider the following statements regarding Influenza Virus

1. Influenza A and B are the two types of influenza that cause epidemic seasonal infections nearly every year.
2. Influenza C is found mainly in cattle. It’s not known to infect or cause illness in humans yet.
3. Influenza D mainly occurs in humans but has been known to also occur in dogs and pigs.

Which of these statements are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

Types of Influenza Virus

• There are four types of influenza viruses: influenza A, B, C, and D
• Influenza A and B are the two types of influenza that cause epidemic seasonal infections nearly every year. (Statement 1 is correct)
• Influenza C mainly occurs in humans but has been known to also occur in dogs and pigs. (Statement 2 is not correct)
• Influenza D is found mainly in cattle. It’s not known to infect or cause illness in humans yet. (Statement 3 is not correct)

Avian Influenza Type A Viruses

• Type A viruses are classified based on two proteins on their surfaces – Hemagglutinin (HA) and Neuraminidase (NA). There are about 18 HA subtypes and 11 NA subtypes.
• Several combinations of these two proteins are possible e.g., H5N1, H7N2, H9N6, H17N10, H18N11 etc.
• All known subtypes of influenza A viruses can infect birds, except subtypes H17N10 and H18N11, which have only been found in bats.

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 29 October 2022

Sharing is caring!