Current Affairs Reverse Engineering – CARE (28-05-2024)
| News at a Glance |
| Science and Technology: Australian scientists discover ancient ‘echidnapus’ |
| International Relations: Burkina Faso Extends military rule by Five Years |
| Defence: Exercise Shakti- 7th edition of India-France joint military exercise concludes in Meghalaya |
| Economy: Zimbabwe’s gold-backed currency — ZiG |
| Public Health: Government Creates Centralized IT platform for Health Safety of Pilgrims |
Australian scientists discover ancient ‘echidnapus’
Source: BBC News
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cw88ewqjxd1o
UPSC Syllabus Relevance: GS 3 Science and Technology
Context: Australian scientists discover ancient ‘echidnapus’
Why in News
- Scientists have discovered a bizarre creature dubbed the “echidnapus” which they believe roamed Australia in prehistoric times.
Key Findings
- Fossilised pieces of the echidnapus jaw bone were found in opal fields in northern New South Wales, alongside evidence of several other ancient and now extinct monotreme species.
- Officially named Opalios splendens, the new species has been nicknamed for its resemblance to the platypus and echidna which is the only egg-laying mammals in the world today.
- The team behind the research say it indicates that Australia once had an “age of monotremes” – in which the incredibly rare order of animals were abundant and dominant.
- The array of fossils were found about 25 years ago by palaeontologist Elizabeth Smith and her daughter Clytie while they were going through the discards of an opal mine.
- They donated the specimens – estimated to be about 100 million years old – to the Australian Museum, where they sat forgotten in a drawer until about two years ago.
- Some of the bones belonged to the already-discovered Steropodon galmani, a shorter, stumpier and toothier ancestor of the platypus.
- But the other fragments were unfamiliar. From them, Dr Flannery and his team discovered evidence of three species previously unknown to science, findings which were published in Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology.
- The critters had combinations of features never seen before – in living or fossil monotremes.
What are opal fossils?
- All opal fossils are rare – monotreme ones even more so – but these specimens are a revelation.
- They take the total number of monotreme species known to have once lived at Lightning Ridge – which was in ancient times a cold, wet forest bordering a vast inland sea – to six.
- They show the world that long before Australia became the land of pouched mammals, marsupials, this was a land of furry egg-layers – monotremes.
- It seems that 100 million years ago, there were more monotremes at Lightning Ridge than anywhere else on earth, past or present.
- Other experts say it is too early to say whether Australia once hosted a multitude of monotremes and that further exploration is needed.
- The study’s authors hope their paper will encourage more funding for more targeted digs in the region, to support their findings.
How do opalised fossils form?
- Opal forms in cavities within rocks.
- If the cavity is there because part of a living thing – for example a bone, shell or pinecone – was buried in the sand or clay before it turned to stone, then the opal can form a fossil replica of the object that was buried.
- A fossil is simply “the remains or traces of an ancient animal or plant preserved in rock”.
- Opalised fossils form in ways similar to other fossils, except that here they are preserved in silica.
- Elsewhere, fossils are preserved in minerals such as agate, pyrite or limestone.
- The sediments that buried plant and animal remains in the opal fields were rich in silica from ancient volcanoes, so here we have fossils preserved as silica in the form of opal.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
| Q1. Consider the following statements with regards to Opal Fossils:
1. Opal fossils are formed deep at the ocean bottom. 2. Opalised fossils form in ways similar to other fossils, except that here they are preserved in silica. 3. Africa is the only place on earth that produces opalised bones of land-living animals including dinosaurs. Select the correct answer using the code given below: A. Only one B. Only two C. Only three D. None |
Q. The word ‘Denisovan’ is sometimes mentioned in media in reference to (2019)
(a) fossils of a kind of dinosaurs (b) an early human species (c) a cave system found in North-East India (d) a geological period in the history of Indian subcontinent Answer: b |
| Answer 1 – A
Explanation –
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Burkina Faso Extends military rule by five Years
Source: BBC News
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5117d8kz16o
UPSC Relevance: GS 2- International Relations
Context: Military Rule in Burkino Faso
Why in News
- Burkina Faso’s military government has announced it will extend junta rule for another five years.
Key Highlights
- Burkina Faso’s ruler, Capt Ibrahim Traoré, will be able to contest the next presidential election.
- When he seized power in a coup nearly two years ago, Capt Traore pledged to restore the civilian government by 1 July this year.
- But Burkina Faso has now joined neighbouring Mali in extending military rule.
- An amended charter, signed by Capt Traoré, states that the new 60-month transition period will take effect from 2 July this year.
Background
- Burkina Faso has been governed by the army since January 2022, when Lt Col Paul-Henri Damiba seized power from President Roch Kaboré.
- Col Damiba justified the coup by saying the previous government had failed to deal with growing militant Islamist violence.
- Since 2015, jihadist rebels affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group have waged a grinding insurgency that has killed thousands and displaced millions.
- In September 2022, Capt Traoré ousted Col Damiba, arguing a second coup was necessary because Col Damiba was himself unable to tackle the insurgency.
- Capt Traoré promised to improve the country’s dire security situation within “two to three months” and restore civilian rule within 21 months.
- But since issuing the pledge, Capt Traoré has warned that elections are not “a priority” until territory is recaptured from jihadist forces so that all citizens of the country can vote.
- Under the new charter, quotas will no longer be used to assign seats in the assembly to members of traditional parties.
- Instead, “patriotism” will be the only criteria for selecting deputies.
Response to Military Rule
- Local media reports indicated that political parties were absent at the start of the meeting.
- International and human rights groups, including the European Union and UN, have accused Burkina Faso of serious human rights violations in its fight against Islamists, including the indiscriminate killings and forced disappearances of dozens of civilians.
What caused the coup in Burkina Faso?
- The 24 January military coup that overthrew Burkina Faso’s president Roch Marc Christian Kaboré comes amid a deepening security crisis in the country.
- Both civilians and defence and security forces have long voiced their discontent, including with Kaboré’s political stewardship.
- This is also West Africa’s fourth coup in less than two years.
- Kaboré’s deposition follows those of former Malian presidents Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta and Bah N’Daw in August 2020 and May 2021 respectively, and that of former Guinean president Alpha Condé in September 2021.
- Much more than a trend, increasing coups reflect a major crisis in West Africa’s political systems, which aren’t meeting the people’s expectations and are plagued by corruption.
- They indicate a need to rethink democratic models – not just elections, but also the effectiveness of institutions that are supposed to protect and serve citizens.
- Burkina’s latest coup was orchestrated by Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who was recently promoted to head the country’s third military region.
What is world’s reaction?
- African and Western powers denounced what they called an “attempted coup” and the EU demanded the “immediate” release of President Roch Marc Christian Kabore.
- The United States also called for Kabore’s release and urged “members of the security forces to respect Burkina Faso’s constitution and civilian leadership.”
- UN chief Antonio Guterres said in a statement he “strongly condemns any attempted takeover of government by the force of arms”, calling events a “coup”.
- The African Union said its commission chief, Moussa Faki Mahamat, “strongly condemns the attempted coup d’etat against the democratically elected president”.
- France, the former colonial power in Burkina Faso, urged its citizens in the country to “avoid any travel”.
About Burkina Faso
- Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa.
- It covers an area of 274,223 km2 bordered by Mali to the northwest, Niger to the northeast, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Ivory Coast to the southwest.
- Previously called the Republic of Upper Volta (1958–1984), it was renamed Burkina Faso by President Thomas Sankara.
- Its citizens are known as Burkinabè, and its capital and largest city is Ouagadougou.
- Burkina Faso has been severely affected by the rise of Insurgencies in the Sahel.
- The largest ethnic group in Burkina Faso is the Mossi people
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
Q2. Consider the following statements regarding Burkina Faso:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
|
Q. Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched? (2013)
Geographical Feature – Region (a) Abyssinian Plateau : Arabia Answer: (b) |
| Answer 2– B
Explanation –
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Zimbabwe’s Gold-backed Currency — ZiG
Source: The Hindu
UPSC Relevance: GS 2- International Relations
Context: Zimbabwe’s sixth national currency in 15 years needs all the help it can get.
Why in News
- Desperate to halt a money crisis underlining the country’s economic troubles, the Zimbabwe government launched the gold-backed ZiG, the latest attempt to replace the Zimbabwe dollar, which had been battered by depreciation.
What is Zig Mari?
- The new gold-backed currency called the ZiG, or Zimbabwe Gold, has come into effect from April 5, 2024 and will co-circulate with other foreign currencies in the economy.
- Banks in Zimbabwe have been converting the country’s previous national currency, the Zimbabwe dollar, into ZiGs.
- Desperate to halt a money crisis underlining the country’s economic troubles, the government launched the gold-backed ZiG, the latest attempt to replace the Zimbabwe dollar, which had been battered by depreciation and often outright rejection by people unwilling to put their faith in it.
Key features of ZiG
- The ZiG stands out as a new currency backed by gold reserves, ensuring its value is supported by the physical gold held by the government.
- ZiG notes and coins will be available and issued in denominations: 1ZiG, 2ZiG, 5ZiG, 10ZiG, 20Zig, 50ZiG, 100ZiG, and 200ZiG, with the gold backing aims to provide stability and prevent currency devaluation.
- The ZiG signifies Zimbabwe’s shift away from past economic challenges towards a more secure monetary future by establishing a stable foundation to control inflation, stimulate economic growth, and restore public trust in Zimbabwe’s financial system after years of currency instability.
- In essence, as Zimbabwe introduces this new gold-backed currency, the effectiveness of the ZiG in mitigating economic instability, rebuilding public trust in the monetary system, and fostering long-term economic growth and prosperity remains to be seen, as success will rely on robust economic policies, political stability, and the commitment of the government and central bank to uphold fiscal discipline and transparency.
Concerns with ZiG
- The ZiG is facing a familiar problem: public mistrust and structural barriers that have people still clamouring for U.S. dollars.
- Although the ZiG has largely held its value on the official market, it has tumbled on the black market, where $1 can be exchanged for up to 17 ZiGs.
- Authorities are also using force to prop up the new banknotes.
- They have packed jail cells with dozens of street currency dealers, and frozen the accounts of businesses accused of undermining the ZiG.
- Law enforcement agents have arrested more than 200 street currency dealers on allegations of flouting foreign currency exchange regulations.
- The government accuses them of undermining and devaluing the new currency by using exchange rates higher than the official one.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
| Q3. For the Assertion (A) and Reason (R) given below, choose the correct alternative from the following:
Assertion (A): The Zimbabwe Gold, or ZiG, is a new gold-backed currency introduced by Zimbabwe’s central bank. Reason (R): The central bank of Zimbabwe has introduced ZiG to combat high inflation and reduce the country’s dependence on the US dollar. A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A). B. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A). C. (A) is true, but (R) is false. D. (A) is false, but (R) is true. |
Q. “Gold Tranche” (Reserve Tranche) refers to: (2020)
a) A loan system of the World bank b) One of the operations of a central bank c) A credit system granted by WTO to its members d) A credit system granted by IMF to its members Ans – d
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| Answer 3 A
Explanation
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Exercise Shakti: 7th edition of India-France joint military exercise concludes in Meghalaya
Source: Indian Express
UPSC Syllabus Relevance: GS2- International Relations, Defence
Context: India-France joint military exercise ‘Shakti’ concludes in Meghalaya.
Why in News
- The 7th edition of the Joint Military Exercise ‘Shakti’ between India and France started on May 13 and concluded on May 26, 2024.
Key Findings
- The 12-day long India and France joint military exercise came to an end at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi Meghalaya.
- The 7th edition of the Joint Military Exercise Shakti between India and France started on May 13 and concluded on May 26, 2024.
- The joint exercise was conducted to enhance the joint tactical operations between the armed forces of the two countries.
About Exercise Shakti
- Exercise Shakti is a biennial event that alternates between India and France, with the previous edition held in France in November 2021.
- The Indian contingent consisted of 90 personnel from the RAJPUT Regiment, along with observers from the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, who participated alongside 90 personnel from the 13th Foreign Legion Half-Brigade (13th DBLE) of France.
- Guests at the opening ceremony included the French Ambassador to India, Thierry Mathou, and Major General Prasanna Sudhakar Joshi, General Officer Commanding 51 Sub Area.
- The joint exercise focused on enhancing joint military capabilities in sub-conventional scenarios under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate.
- Training emphasised operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain, with a focus on physical fitness, tactical drill refinement, and the sharing of best practices.
- Exercise ‘Shakti’ as a collaboration not only strengthened defence cooperation but also reinforces the bilateral relations between the two friendly nations.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
| Q4. Consider the following pairs:
Exercise: Countries
Which of the pairs given above is/are incorrect?
|
Q. Recently, India signed a deal known as ‘Action Plan for Prioritization and Implementation of Cooperation Areas in the Nuclear Field’ with which of the following countries? (2019)
Answer: (b) |
| Answer 4 B
Explanation
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Government Creates Centralized IT platform for Health Safety of Pilgrims
Source: The Live mint
UPSC Syllabus Relevance: GS 2- Public Health
Context: The ‘pilgrim monitoring system’ is to be linked to the Central government’s flagship digital health mission, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
Why in news
- Pilgrims to Himalayan holy sites are set to be given protection from ailments associated with high altitudes and extreme cold, with the Centre and Uttarakhand government working on a technology ecosystem linked to the digital health mission—Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
Important Features
- The pilgrim monitoring system would create an Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID for all pilgrims to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath—together called the Chardham—and make their health records digitally accessible to doctors in case of a health emergency.
- The digital ecosystem will help identify morbidities in pilgrims so that doctors can take proactive health measures.
- This year, there is a continuous surge in the number of pilgrims for Char Dham in Uttarakhand which commenced on 10 May.
- It is one of the biggest pilgrimages in India but mortality is high.
- In order to streamline the pilgrimage, the Uttarakhand government has started a process of registration for Chardham Yatra in which an ABHA ID will be created for pilgrims.
ABHA Id
- E-Swasthya Dham programme has already been live with ABHA creation and verification functionalities while the process of integrating health records is ongoing.
- ABHA ID, enables citizens to authenticate, access, and manage their health records digitally and facilitates hospital and doctor appointments, helping patients avoid long queues for registration at healthcare facilities.
- The unique digital health ID is a part of ABDM, being implemented by the NHA aims to create digital health ecosystem in the country.
About Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)
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- Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission will connect the digital health solutions of hospitals across the country with each other.
- Prime Minister launched the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) via video conferencing on 27th September 2021.
- The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) aims to develop the backbone necessary to support the integrated digital health infrastructure of the country.
- It will bridge the existing gap amongst different stakeholders of Healthcare ecosystem through digital highways.
- National Digital Health Eco-system
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- It is a National Digital Health Eco-system that supports Universal Health Coverage in an efficient, accessible, inclusive, affordable, timely, and safe manner, through provision of a wide-range of data, information and infrastructure services, duly leveraging open, interoperable, standards-based digitalsystems, and ensuring the security, confidentiality and privacy of health-related personal information.
Ayushman Bharat Yojna
- Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) will provide a cover of up to Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year, for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
- PMJAY will provide cashless and paperless access to services for the beneficiary at the point of service.
- PMJAY will help reduce catastrophic expenditure for hospitalizations, which impoverishes people and will help mitigate the financial risk arising out of catastrophic health episodes.
- Entitled families will be able to use the quality health services they need without facing financial hardships.
- When fully implemented, PMJAY will become the world’s largest fully government-financed health protection scheme.
- It is a visionary step towards advancing the agenda of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
- Ayushman Bharat is a progression towards promotive, preventive, curative, palliative and rehabilitative aspects of Universal Healthcare through access of Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) at the primary level and provision of financial protection for accessing curative care at the secondary and tertiary levels through engagement with both public and private sector.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
Q5. Which of the following statements about Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is incorrect?
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Q. With reference to the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, consider the following statements: (2022)
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Ans: (d) |
| Answer 5 C
Explanation
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