UPSC Daily Current Affairs- January 16, 2022 | Current Affairs: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - CLAT PDF Download

GS-I

Context

Recently, a new study published in the journal Science, offers an explanation for the existence of organic compounds on the surface of Meteorite called (ALH) 84001. 

• It landed on Earth from Mars in 1984, and can possibly unravel the existence of life on Mars (Red Planet).

About Meteorite (ALH) 84001

• Meteorite named Alan Hills (ALH) 84001 was found in December, 1984 in the Far Western Icefield of Allan Hills in Antarctica by a US meteorite hunting expedition. At the time of its discovery it was recognised as the most unusual rock collected. 
  • It was described at the time of discovery as, shaped like a rounded brick or a large potato, about 6 inches long by 4 inches by 3 inches, and was partly covered with black glass. 
• In 2021, NASA’s Perseverance rover collected the first sample of Martian rock. 
• It can be said with certainty that the meteorite did come from the Red planet because of the presence of traces of certain gases that are just like the Martian atmosphere.

Study

• The study posits that the organic compounds found in the meteorite were a result of the interactions between water and rocks that occurred on Mars. These interactions were similar to those that happen on Earth. 
• These kinds of non-biological, geological reactions are responsible for a pool of organic carbon compounds from which life could have evolved and presents a basis that must be taken into consideration when searching for evidence of past life on Mars. 
• The search for life on Mars is not just an attempt to answer the question ‘are we alone, but also It relates to early Earth environments and addresses the question of ‘where did we come from.

Significance of Studying meteorites

• Significance of Studying meteoritesScientists are interested in studying meteorites as examining them offers clues about the beginning of the solar system and maybe even the Earth. 
• Space agencies have launched specific missions to asteroids to be able to study them. 
• One such example is NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission launched in 2018 with the aim of reaching asteroid Bennu and getting back a sample from the ancient asteroid.

GS-II

Context

The Geneva talks that was held recently between the United States and Russia were inconclusive.

About Issue's

• USA and Ukraine say 100,000 Russian troops moved to within striking distance of Ukraine could be preparing a new invasion, eight years after Russia seized the Crimean Peninsula from its neighbour. 
• Russia denies any such plans and says it is responding to what it calls aggressive behaviour from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Ukraine, which has tilted toward the West and aspires to join the alliance. 
• The build-up of troops near Ukraine, has raised U.S.-Russia tensions to their highest levels since the end of the Cold War.

What is Russia’s major concern?

• The source of Russia’s staunch opposition to NATO is its deep insecurity. 
• After the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991, a substantially weakened Russian Federation saw NATO’s continued expansion into Eastern Europe as a violation of the post-Cold War consensus. 
• Russia responded militarily in 2008 when Georgia was considering joining NATO, and in 2014, it took Crimea from Ukraine after the pro-Russian regime in Ukraine was toppled by protests. 
• Russia has demanded the U.S.-led NATO alliance rule out admitting the Ukraine or expanding further into what Russia sees as its own back yard. 
• On the other side, the West sees Russia as an aggressive, abrasive and destabilising giant that breathes down the neck of Europe Both NATO’s expansions and Russia’s military responses are driving instability in Eastern Europe.

Has there been diplomatic efforts to ease the tension?

• US has hinted at the possibility of mutual compromises, saying US was open to discussing missile deployments in Europe as well as limiting the size and scope of military exercises. 
• The United States formally withdrew from the landmark 1987 INF pact with Russia in August 2019 after determining that Moscow was violating the treaty, an accusation the Kremlin has denied. 
• The treaty banned land-based missiles with a range of between 310 and 3,400 miles (500 and 5,500 km). 
• Russia repeated a set of sweeping demands including a ban on further NATO expansion and roll back the alliance’s military presence to 1990 levels Despite the lack of obvious progress, the atmosphere between the two sides appeared cordial.

What is the status of the recent Geneva talks?

• The U.S. has publicly said that it will not shut NATO’s door on potential future members against the Russia’s demand of banning the NATO. 
• Any aggression against Ukraine might serve Russia’s tactical interests but could deal a deadly blow to any plan to bring the Russia-Europe ties back on track. 
• Finding a solution to the crisis depends on whether both sides are able to get out of their Cold War mentality and build mutual confidence in bilateral relations.

GS-III

Context

In order to deal with insolvency of firms in the financial sector, the Finance Ministry has recently sought views of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on drafting a modified version of the Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance (FRDI) Bill which was withdrawn in 2018.

About the FRDI Bill

• The Parliament had passed FRDI Bill in 2017, however, it was withdrawn in 2018. 
• The bill was meant to address the issue of insolvency of firms in the financial sector with the least disruption to the system and other stakeholders. 
• The Bill was withdrawn due to concerns among the public over safety of deposits despite assurances by the Central government. 
• A key point of criticism was the so-called bail-in clause in the Bill that said in case of insolvency in a bank, the depositors will have to bear a part of the cost of the resolution by a corresponding reduction in their claims. 
• Now under a modified version, in order to allay fears of depositors the deposit insurance cover has also been raised to Rs 5 lakh from Rs 1 lakh per account.

Context

Recently the doctors in the USA transplanted a genetically altered pig heart into a patient which is referred to as xenotransplantation (from animals to humans).

About xenotransplantation

• Xenotransplantation is any procedure that involves the transplantation of either live cells, tissues, or organs from a nonhuman animal source, or human body fluids, cells, tissues or organs into a human recipient. 
• Such cells, tissues or organs are called xenografts or xenotransplants. 
• It offers a potential treatment for end-stage organ failure, a significant health problem in parts of the industrialized world. 
• It also raises many novel medical, legal and ethical issues.