11 August 2023 : Daily Current Affairs
Daily Current Affairs
11-August-2023
Daily Current Affairs For UPSC ,Daily Current affairs of The hIndu and Indian Express.
1. Bill seeks to remove CJI from panel that picks CEC and ECs.
Topic: GS2 – Indian polity
Context:
- The Union government has introduced a Bill on Thursday, which has sparked controversy, aiming to remove the Chief Justice of India (CJI) from the panel responsible for selecting the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners.
More about the news:
- Under the proposed changes, the three-member panel that selects these officials will now include a Union Cabinet Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and the Prime Minister as its head. The Chief Justice of India (CJI) will no longer be a part of this panel.
- Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023, in the Rajya Sabha amidst ongoing disruptions related to Manipur.
- The Opposition has swiftly criticized this move, arguing that it could compromise the neutrality of the Election Commission (EC).
- The new selection panel would effectively consist of two members from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Minister.
2. ISRO gears up for soft landing of Chandrayaan-3
Topic: GS3 – Science and technology.
Context:
- Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released two images taken by Chandrayaan-3 ahead of its soft landing on the lunar surface.
- The first image shows the Earth as viewed by the Lander Imager (LI) camera on July 14, the day of the mission’s launch.
- The second image captures the moon taken by the Lander Horizontal Velocity camera (LHVC) on August 6.
After landing of Chandrayaan-3:
- ISRO has assessed the current space situation around the moon in preparation for Chandrayaan-3’s soft landing on August 23.
- The moon and Mars are among the most explored and crowded planetary bodies, and Chandrayaan-3 is the latest addition to lunar orbit exploration.
- Increased activities around the moon are anticipated due to renewed interest in lunar exploration, including Artemis missions and Mars colonization preparations.
- The assessment highlights the need for better understanding of the space environment to avoid close-approach threats in planetary orbits.
- As of July 2023, there are six active lunar orbiters, including NASA’s ARTEMIS P1 and ARTEMIS P2, Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), Chandrayaan-2, and Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO).
- The defunct spacecraft are Japan’s Ouna (part of Kaguya/SELENE mission) and Chandrayaan-1.
3. Should there be a blanket ban on smartphones in schools?
Topic: GS3 – Science and technology.
Context:
- UNESCO recommended a universal ban on smartphone usage in schools to address classroom disruption, enhance learning, and protect children from cyberbullying.
Potential Issues with cell phone use of schoolchildren:
- Distraction: Mobile phones can divert students’ attention from classroom activities and hinder their focus on learning.
- Academic Performance: Excessive phone use can lead to a decline in academic performance due to reduced engagement in class and distracted studying.
- Social Interactions: Students might prioritize online interactions over face-to-face communication, affecting their social skills and relationships.
- Cyberbullying: Mobile phones can be a platform for cyberbullying, leading to mental health issues and decreased well-being among students.
- Addiction: Excessive smartphone use can lead to addiction, negatively impacting students’ physical health and mental well-being.
- Comparison and Anxiety: Students might feel pressured to conform to unrealistic standards portrayed on social media, leading to anxiety and self-esteem issues.
- Inequality: Disparities in smartphone ownership could create a digital divide among students, affecting their access to educational resources.
4. China’s deflation; a cause for concern?
Topic: GS3 – Global economy.
Context:
- Consumer prices in China dropped by 0.3% in July compared to the previous year.
- This marks the first decline in consumer prices in over two years.
- The drop in prices has led to calls for measures to stimulate demand in the Chinese economy.
- This situation contrasts with global trends, where inflation has been a significant concern recently.
What is deflation?
- Deflation is a sustained and widespread decrease in the general price level of goods and services in an economy, leading to negative inflation.
- The prices of goods and services are still rising – however with reduced rate.
Concern for global economy:
- Reduced Demand: Lower consumer spending in China can decrease global demand for goods and services.
- Trade Impact: Countries reliant on exporting to China may face reduced exports and economic challenges.
- Supply Chain Disruptions: Global supply chains could be affected if Chinese manufacturers cut production.
- Commodity Price Decline: China’s lower demand could lead to decreased global commodity prices.
- Investment and Capital Flow Changes: Reduced investment and capital outflows from China may affect global financial markets.
- Currency Movements: Competitive devaluations could occur if China’s currency value is impacted.
Implications of China’s deflation for the Indian economy:
- Trade Impact: Reduced demand from China can affect India’s exports, especially raw materials and commodities.
- Competitive Pressure: If China’s goods become cheaper due to deflation, Indian products may face tougher competition in global markets.
- Import Pressure: Deflation in China can lead to lower global commodity prices, impacting India’s commodity exports.
- Currency Depreciation: A stronger Indian Rupee due to deflationary pressures in China could impact India’s export competitiveness.
- Investment and Capital Flows: Reduced growth prospects in China might impact foreign investment and capital flows to India.
- Manufacturing Sector: Cheaper Chinese imports could challenge India’s domestic manufacturing industry.
- Global Supply Chains: Disruptions in Chinese supply chains might impact Indian industries dependent on them.
5. Rajya Sabha adjourned in 36 minutes as Opposition, govt. spar over Rules
Topic: GS2 – Indian polity
Context:
- The Rajya Sabha functioned for 36 minutes with a significant portion of time spent debating the rule for a discussion on Manipur, but no consensus was reached.
Issues with decreased sitting of the Parliament:
- Decreased sitting of the Parliament leads to limited time for discussions on important matters.
- It reduces the opportunity for thorough debates and in-depth analysis of bills and issues.
- Lack of regular sessions can result in delays in passing crucial legislation and reforms.
- Decreased parliamentary activity can hinder accountability and oversight of the government’s actions and policies.
- It can undermine the democratic process by limiting the participation of elected representatives in decision-making.
- Reduced sittings may lead to public dissatisfaction due to perceived lack of responsiveness and transparency in governance.
- Important national issues and concerns may not receive the attention they deserve.
- Parliamentary inactivity can affect public trust in the democratic institutions and their ability to address citizens’ needs.
- It might limit the opportunities for opposition parties to voice concerns, leading to potential imbalance in political discourse.
6. Wildfire destroys Hawaiian town, leaving at least 36 dead
Topic: GS3 – disaster management.
Context:
- A fast-moving wildfire in a historic Hawaiian town has resulted in at least 36 deaths.
- The fire began burning early Tuesday, endangering homes, businesses, and lives on Maui.
- The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency issued fire warnings due to strong winds and dry conditions.
Recent global incidents of forest fires:
- Indonesia:In July 2023, forest fires broke out in several provinces in Indonesia, including Sumatra and Kalimantan.
- Greece:In July 2022, forest fires broke out in several parts of Greece, including the Peloponnese peninsula and the island of Evia.
- Russia:In August 2022, a large forest fire broke out in Siberia, Russia.
- Amazon forest fires: Amazon Forest is one of the most vulnerable reason for forest fires. It has witnessed a massive forest fires in recent years – 2020, 2021, 2022.
Reasons for forest fire:
- Natural Causes:
- Lightning strikes
- Volcanic eruptions
- Human Activities:
- Campfires left unattended
- Burning of agricultural fields
- Arson and intentional acts of vandalism
- Industrial activities and electrical faults
- Deforestation and loss of vegetation.
- Weather Conditions:
- High temperatures and drought
- Low humidity and dry vegetation
- Strong winds that aid fire spread
- Fuel Availability:
- Accumulation of dry leaves, branches, and dead vegetation
- Dense undergrowth and flammable plant species
- Climate Change:
- Altered weather patterns leading to prolonged dry spells and increased fire risk.
Ways to control forest fires:
- Early detection through fire surveillance and monitoring systems.
- Rapid mobilization of firefighting teams and resources.
- Creation of firebreaks to contain the spread of fires.
- Controlled burning to reduce fuel load and prevent uncontrolled fires.
- Use of firefighting equipment like fire engines, helicopters, and water bombers.
- Community involvement and education on fire safety and prevention.
- International cooperation and mutual aid agreements for cross-border fires.
- Post-fire rehabilitation and ecosystem restoration measures.
Question: What are the key strategies and measures that can be employed for controlling forest fires? Explain the significance of early detection, community participation, international collaboration, and technological advancements in ensuring effective fire management.
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