Weekly Current Affairs: Quizzes, 13 to 18 November, 2023

EXPLANATION:

• The Ben Gurion Canal Project is a proposed canal in Israel, connecting the Gulf of Aqaba to the Mediterranean Sea, offering an alternative trade route between Europe and Asia.
• The canal would be approximately 150 kilometres long and 60 meters wide.
• Named after David Ben Gurion, Israel's first Prime Minister, the project aims to transform global trade dynamics.
• The concept of a canal in this region was initially proposed in the early 1900s.
• In 1963, the U.S. government explored using nuclear explosives for excavation, but environmental concerns led to the abandonment of this idea.
• The project gained renewed interest recently, with China expressing interest in investing in Middle East infrastructure projects.
• In 2016, China and Israel signed a memorandum of understanding to study the feasibility of the Ben Gurion Canal Project. Thus, option (b) is correct.

EXPLANATION: 

• Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second largest planet in our solar system. It is known for its spectacular rings comprising billions of pieces of ice and rock. Thus, statement 1 is correct. 
• Saturn is also home to several moons, including Titan, the largest moon in our solar system. 
• In 2025, Saturn's rings will appear to disappear from our view due to a specific alignment caused by the planet's axis of rotation and the tilt of its ring system. 
• Saturn's axis has a 26.7-degree tilt, affecting the appearance of its rings as it orbits the Sun. Every 13 to 15 years, the rings align directly with Earth, making them nearly invisible due to their thinness and low reflectivity. Thus, statement 2 is correct. 
• In March 2025, Saturn's rings will perfectly align with our line of sight, rendering them invisible from Earth. However, they will gradually become visible again as Saturn continues its orbit around the Sun.
• A 2018 NASA report suggests that Saturn might lose its rings within the next 300 million years or sooner due to gravitational forces pulling them into the planet.
• Despite Saturn being four billion years old, its rings are relatively recent additions, estimated to be less than 100 million years old. Thus, statement 3 is not correct.

EXPLANATION:

• Chikungunya is a viral disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an RNA virus in the alphavirus genus of the family Togaviridae, transmitted by mosquitoes.
• The primary vectors are Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti and Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus, known for transmitting dengue and Zika viruses. Thus, statement 1 is not correct. 
• The term "chikungunya" originates from the Kimakonde language, signifying "to become contorted."
• Prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Southeast Asia, and parts of the Americas, chikungunya leads to fever and severe joint pain.
• Infections can result in severe illness and prolonged health issues, with the virus identified in over 110 countries since its discovery in Tanzania in 1952.
• Climate change has raised concerns among public health experts, as it may expand the geographic reach of mosquitoes that transmit chikungunya.
• Similar symptoms with dengue and Zika make chikungunya prone to misdiagnosis.
• No approved vaccine or specific treatment exists except for the recent Ixchiq vaccine; no targeted antiviral drug for CHIKV infections exists. Thus, statement 2 is correct.

EXPLANATION:

• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), also known as the Washington Convention, is a multilateral treaty aimed at safeguarding endangered plants and animals from the risks of international trade. 
• Originating from a 1963 resolution at an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) meeting, the treaty seeks to prevent the trade of CITES-listed species from threatening their survival in the wild. 
• While legally binding on its Parties, CITES operates in conjunction with national laws rather than replacing them. 
• India has been a CITES Party since 1976.
• CITES classifies species into three appendices:
• • Appendix I: Includes species facing extinction, granting them the highest level of protection. Commercial trade in these specimens is prohibited, and non-commercial trade is strictly regulated through import and export permits. Thus, pair 1 is correctly matched. 
• • Appendix II: Encompasses species not necessarily facing extinction, but trade control is essential to prevent activities detrimental to their survival. Most CITES-listed taxa fall under Appendix II, requiring export permits or re-export certificates for any trade. Thus, pair 2 is not correctly matched. 
  • Appendix III: Consists of species protected in at least one country seeking assistance from other CITES Parties to control trade. Any trade involving Appendix III species typically requires a CITES export permit or a certificate of origin. Thus, pair 3 is not correctly matched.

EXPLANATION: 

• Clouds form as water vapour condenses around small particles, leading to droplet formation. As these droplets collide and grow, they eventually cause rainfall.
• Cloud seeding involves injecting clouds with salts like silver iodide, potassium iodide, or sodium chloride, acting as 'seeds' to provide additional nuclei for cloud droplet formation. Dispersal methods include aircraft or ground-based generators.
• Cloud seeding accelerates cloud microphysical processes, aiming to create larger droplets that can reach the Earth's surface without evaporating en route. Different salts serve as cloud condensation nuclei and ice nuclei for forming droplets and ice crystals, respectively.
• Conditions Required for Cloud Seeding:
• • The presence of supercooled liquid water in clouds: Cloud seeding provides a nucleus for water droplets to freeze around. However, the clouds must already contain supercooled liquid water for this to work. This is water that is below freezing temperature but has not yet frozen. Thus, statement 1 is correct. 
  • Sufficient cloud depth: The clouds must also be deep enough to allow the ice crystals to grow large enough to fall as precipitation.  Thus, statement 2 is correct. 
  • Appropriate wind speeds: The wind speeds must be low enough to allow the ice crystals to grow and fall but not so low that they evaporate before reaching the ground. Thus, statement 3 is not correct. 
  • Suitable cloud type: Cloud seeding is most effective on cumulus clouds, which are the puffy clouds that often produce rain and thunderstorms.
• Cloud Seeding in India:
• • Previous Attempts: Cloud seeding has been attempted during the monsoon in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.
  • Recent Experiment: The fourth phase of the Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment (CAIPEEX-IV) in 2018 and 2019, conducted in Solapur, Maharashtra, showed a relative enhancement of 18% in rainfall.

EXPLANATION: 

• The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are a natural light display in the sky, predominantly seen in the high-latitude regions (around the Arctic and Antarctic Circle). The effect is caused by colliding charged particles from the sun with atoms in the Earth's atmosphere. Thus, statement - I is correct. 
• The Northern Lights typically appear as a shimmering or dancing curtain of light, with colours ranging from green and blue to red and purple. The lights can be seen for hours or even days at a time, and they are often most visible during the winter months.
• The Northern Lights are created by interacting charged particles from the sun with atoms in the Earth's atmosphere. The sun constantly releases a stream of charged particles, known as the solar wind. When the solar wind interacts with the Earth's magnetic field, it is channelled towards the poles.
• At the poles, the charged particles collide with atoms in the Earth's atmosphere, causing them to emit light. The colour of the light depends on the type of atom that is struck. Oxygen atoms emit green and blue light, while nitrogen atoms emit red and purple light.
• The Northern Lights are most visible in the high-latitude regions because the Earth's magnetic field is strongest there. The magnetic field channels the charged particles towards the poles, where they collide with the atmosphere and produce the light display. Thus, statement - II is incorrect.

EXPLANATION:

• The International Energy Agency (IEA), established in 1974 as an autonomous intergovernmental organisation, operates within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) framework, emerging in response to the 1973 oil crisis. Thus, statement 1 is correct. 
• The IEA provides policy recommendations, comprehensive analysis, and global energy sector data.
• It focuses on analysing and providing data on carbon emissions reduction and achieving global climate targets, including those outlined in the Paris Agreement.
• Members:
• • The IEA has 31 member countries and 11 association countries, collectively representing 75% of global energy demand.
  • Membership is exclusive to OECD member states, with India holding the status of an association country. Thus, statement 2 is not correct, but statement 3 is correct.  
• Structure:
• • The Governing Board, comprised of representatives from member countries, serves as the primary decision-making body, convening three to four times annually.
  • The Ministerial Meeting, held biennially, gathers energy ministers to determine the broad direction of the IEA.
  • Standing Groups, composed of member-state officials, convene multiple times each year to address specific aspects of the IEA's work.
• The International Energy Agency (IEA) publishes a wide range of reports on energy topics, including
• • World Energy Outlook
  • Energy Technology Perspectives
  • Oil Market Report
  • Gas Market Report
  • Electricity Market Report
  • Coal Market Report

EXPLANATION:

• Green Crackers, developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the National Environmental and Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), are environmentally friendly fireworks aiming to reduce air/ noise pollution caused by traditional firecrackers. Thus, statement 1 is not correct. 
• These eco-friendly alternatives encompass various types, such as flower pots, pencils, sparklers, maroons, bombs, and chakkar, designed to cause at least 30% less air pollution than their traditional counterparts. 
• The manufacturing cost of green crackers is comparable to or even less than traditional fireworks. Thus, statement 2 is correct. 

Key Categories of Green Crackers:

• Safe Water Releaser (SWAS):
• • Releases water vapour into the atmosphere, reducing dust.
  • Emits 30% less particulate matter.
  • Does not contain sulfur or potassium nitrate.
• Safe Thermite Cracker (STAR):
• • Does not contain potassium nitrate or sulfur.
  • Emits less particulate matter.
  • Reduces sound intensity.
• Safe Minimal Aluminium (SAFAL):
• • Uses magnesium instead of aluminium.
  • Emits less noise than traditional crackers. Thus, statement 3 is correct. 
• To distinguish green crackers from regular ones, a Quick Response (QR) coding system has been implemented. 
• The primary goal behind producing green crackers is to address environmental imbalances and promote eco-friendly celebrations.

EXPLANATION:

• The LEAP AHEAD initiative, launched by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), is a collaborative effort between the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) and The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) Delhi-NCR.

Key Features:

• STPI, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, actively promotes software exports and nurtures the tech startup ecosystem.
• LEAP AHEAD is particularly beneficial for tech startups in scaling, growth, product diversification, or planning expansion into new geographical locations.
• Eligible startups can receive funding support of up to Rs. 1 Crore and a comprehensive three-month mentorship program, blending virtual and in-person sessions.
• The initiative offers startups access to a broad network and personalised guidance through one-on-one mentorship sessions with experienced investors and industry experts.
• Startups participating in LEAP AHEAD will gain insights and support in establishing a product-market fit, identifying customer segments, developing growth hacking strategies, ensuring business compliance, leadership recruitment, and fundraising. Thus, option (c) is correct.

EXPLANATION: 

• Solar Geoengineering, also known as Solar radiation management (SRM), is a set of technologies that aim to reflect some of the sun's energy back to space before it reaches the Earth. This could help to reduce global warming and mitigate the effects of climate change. Thus, statement 1 is correct. 
• Several different SRM technologies have been proposed, including
• • Stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI), which involves injecting reflective particles, such as sulfate aerosols, into the stratosphere. These particles would then scatter sunlight back into space.
  • Marine cloud brightening (MCB): MCB involves spraying seawater into the air to create more reflective clouds. These clouds would then reflect more sunlight into space.
  • Space-based sunshades: Space-based sunshades would be placed in orbit around the Earth to block some of the sun's energy from reaching the planet.
• Potential benefits
• • Reduce global warming
  • Mitigate the effects of climate change
  • Less expensive and disruptive than other climate change mitigation measures.
• Potential risks
• • Unintended consequences for the Earth's climate, such as reducing rainfall or increasing ozone depletion
  • Negative impacts on marine ecosystems. Thus, statement 2 is correct. 
  • Could delay or discourage action on reducing greenhouse gas emissions

EXPLANATION: 

• Before the controversial Electoral Bonds (EB) Scheme was introduced in 2018, the UPA government implemented the Electoral Trusts (ET) Scheme in 2013 to facilitate political party donations. Thus, statement 1 is not correct. 

• Under the Electoral Trusts (ET) Scheme, companies registered under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956 can establish an electoral trust.
• Donors include any citizen of India, registered Indian companies, firms, Hindu Undivided Families, or associations of persons residing in India.
• Electoral trusts must apply for renewal every three financial years. Thus, statement 2 is not correct. 
• They must donate 95% of contributions received annually to political parties registered under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
• Contributor details, such as PAN (for residents) or passport number (for NRIs), are mandatory during contributions.

• Thus, statement 3 is correct.

EXPLANATION:

• The European Union (EU) introduced the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) as the first of its kind policy tool to combat carbon emissions. Thus, statement 1 is correct. 
• Functioning as the world's first carbon border tax, CBAM imposes a carbon tax on imported products, ensuring they face equivalent carbon costs as those produced within the EU. Thus, statement 2 is not correct. 
• This initiative is a key component of the EU's "Fit for 55 in 2030 package," aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.
• One of CBAM's primary objectives is to tackle the issue of 'carbon leakage' or offshoring emissions. 
• Carbon leakage occurs when EU-based companies shift carbon-intensive production to countries with less stringent climate policies or when carbon-intensive imports replace EU products. 
• Initially applied to goods like cement, iron and steel, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity, and hydrogen, CBAM's scope will expand to cover over 50% of emissions in Emission Trading System (ETS) covered sectors.
• CBAM entered its transitional phase on October 1, 2023, with the initial reporting period for importers concluding on January 31, 2024. 
• During this phase, importers report greenhouse gas emissions embedded in their imports without financial payments or adjustments. 
• CBAM is designed to comply with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and is expected to be fully effective in 2026, with reporting beginning in 2023. Thus, statement 3 is correct.