[Mission 2024] INSIGHTS DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS + PIB SUMMARY 07 December 2023

GS Paper 2

 Syllabus: Issues related to Development

Source: TH

 Context: The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)’s annual report reveals a harrowing surge in crimes against women in India.

Key Highlights of NCRB’s Crime in India 2022 Report:

Insta Links

 National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)

Content for Mains Enrichment

Source: DTE

Context: The ongoing 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Dubai has drawn attention due to a record attendance of fossil fuel lobbyists.

What is Lobbying?

It is the act of individuals or groups attempting to influence decisions made by government officials or legislators. This influence can involve promoting specific policies, supporting or opposing legislation, or advocating for particular interests.

An analysis by the coalition Kick Big Polluters Out revealed that 2,456 fossil fuel lobbyists were on the provisional participant list in COP28, surpassing the number of official indigenous representatives by over seven times.

Despite 2023 being the hottest year on record, the lobbyists received more passes than the ten countries most affected by climate change combined. The number of lobbyists exceeded those of official indigenous representatives by more than seven times.

Ethical Issues with Lobbying at COP28:

• Conflict of Interest: The presence of a large number of fossil fuel lobbyists at a climate summit poses a potential conflict of interest, as their priorities may not align with climate action.
• Influence through Trade Associations: Lobbyists gain access through trade associations, potentially leveraging collective influence, as seen with the International Emissions Trading Association.
• Questionable Delegations: Some countries include fossil fuel giants in their delegation, adding to the perception of industry influence on climate discussions.
• Lack of Accountability: Calls for a UNFCCC Accountability Framework highlight the need to address undue influence from polluting interests and ensure transparency.
• Inadequate Climate Pledges: Evaluation of Big Oil companies’ climate plans reveals shortcomings, with profits directed toward fossil fuel investment instead of renewable energy, raising ethical concerns.

Usage: The example can be used in Questions to Pressure groups (Governance) and Environment Conservation

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH, Live Mint

 Context: Gujarat’s traditional dance form, “Garba,” has been added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, becoming the 15th cultural element from India to receive this recognition.

• The UNESCO statement describes Garba as a ritualistic and devotional dance performed during the nine-day Navaratri festival, dedicated to the worship of feminine energy or Shakti.
• The dance is celebrated in various settings, including homes, temple courtyards, public spaces, villages, urban squares, streets, and large open grounds, making it a participatory community event.
• The inscription aims to ensure the viability of this tradition and inspire the community to preserve and promote the knowledge, skills, and oral traditions associated with Garba.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

 Context: The Lok Sabha has passed two bills, the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

Background:

• The legislative assembly in Jammu and Kashmir initially had 100 members, including 24 for Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), until 1988 when the seats were increased to 111.
• The 24 PoK seats were not considered in quorum calculation, making the total contestable seats 87, including four for Ladakh.
• After delimitation in 2020, the total seats rose to 114, including those for PoK.

New Provisions added:

• The former seeks to reserve seats in the upcoming 114-seat Jammu and Kashmir Assembly for “Kashmiri migrants, people displaced from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), and Scheduled Tribes.”
• The latter replaces the term “weak and underprivileged classes” in the J&K Reservation Act, 2004, with “other backward classes.” Top of Form

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PIB

 Context: The India Infrastructure Report 2023 on Urban Planning and Development was recently released virtually.

• The report is a collaborative effort by the IDFC Foundation, Infrastructure Development Corporation (Karnataka) Ltd. (iDeCK), and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA).
• The report, part of the India Infrastructure Report series, covers various complex issues related to urban planning and development.

Key aspects of the report include Planning and Governance, Smart Initiatives, PPPs and Financing, Housing and Migration, Public Service Delivery, Integrating Infrastructure, and Urban Redevelopment.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

 Context: Google has unveiled its latest AI project, “Gemini,” designed to exhibit human-like behaviour.

• The rollout will occur in phases, introducing less sophisticated versions named “Nano” and “Pro” into Google’s AI-powered chatbot Bard and the Pixel 8 Pro
• Notable advancements are expected early next year with the introduction of the “Ultra” model, powering an advanced version of Bard.

Google emphasizes Gemini’s potential in problem-solving, particularly in math and physics, while expressing commitment to addressing AI risks responsibly.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: IE

Context: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal have conducted the first-ever genome sequencing of the jamun tree (Syzygium cumini).

• The study aimed to gain insights into the genomic and evolutionary basis of jamun’s medicinal properties.
• The research team used Oxford Nanopore and 10x Genomics sequencing technologies to sequence the S. cumini genome.
• The analysis revealed a higher number of coding genes in the jamun genome, suggesting a neopolyploidy event.

The study identified key genes involved in the adaptive evolution of jamun, contributing to its anti-diabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: The Independent

 Context: The world’s largest nuclear fusion reactor, the JT-60SA in Japan’s Ibaraki Prefecture, has commenced operations, marking a significant step toward achieving clean energy.

More about the News:

• Aim: The joint project between the European Union and Japan aims to explore the viability of nuclear fusion as a sustainable and virtually limitless power source.
• The achievement follows recent breakthroughs in nuclear fusion, including a net energy gain by scientists at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California.
• Another, even larger fusion reactor is currently under construction in France and is set to begin operations in 2025. 

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: Scientific American

 Context: IBM has introduced Condor, its latest quantum computing chip featuring 1,121 superconducting qubits, surpassing the 1,000 qubit milestone.

What are Qubits?

A qubit, short for a quantum bit, is the basic unit of quantum information in quantum computing. Unlike classical bits, which can exist in a state of 0 or 1, qubits can exist in a superposition of both 0 and 1 simultaneously. This property, along with entanglement and other Superposition, enables quantum computers to perform complex calculations much more efficiently than classical computers for certain tasks.

However, qubits exhibit high sensitivity and may cause calculation errors, and the problem worsens as quantum computer size increases

IBM plans to leverage the quantum low-density parity check (qLDPC) error-correction scheme, aiming to reduce the number of physical qubits needed for each logical qubit.

Prelims Links: 

Mapping

Source: BBC

 Context: Italy, the only major Western nation to join China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2019, has confirmed its withdrawal from the project ahead of the year-end deadline.

The BRI, a massive trade and infrastructure initiative, has faced criticism, with the US labelling it “debt-trap diplomacy.”