Daily Current Affairs MCQ- August 15, 2022 - UPSC MCQ

The Council of the European Union approved conclusions on a European Union strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific to reinforce its strategic focus to contribute to regional stability at a time of “rising challenges and tensions in the region.

• The Council tasked the High Representative and the Commission with putting forward a Joint Communication on cooperation in the Indo-Pacific by September 2021.
• The EU will aim to promote effective rules-based multilateralism, reiterating its support for ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) centrality, a point also stressed by India.
• The Council of the European Union is the third of the seven Institutions of the European Union (EU) as listed in the Treaty on European Union.
• It is one of three legislative bodies and together with the European Parliament serves to amend and approve the proposals of the European Commission, which holds legislative initiative.
• It was founded on 1 July 1967.

The main European Institutions are: the European Council, the European Commission, the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament. Other institutions include for instance the Court of Justice of the European Union, the European Central Bank, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions and the European Court of Auditors. 

Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

The Vande Bharat Mission (VBM), which started repatriating Indians stranded abroad due to COVID-19 and the resultant lockdowns since May 7, 2020, has turned out to be one of the largest evacuations of civilians by a country.

• Into the middle of Phase 10, the VBM has surpassed the large-scale airlift of 1,10,000 people in 1990 at the onset of the Gulf War.
• Till now, the Air India (AI) Group has operated 11,523 inbound flights to carry 18,19,734 passengers and 11,528 outbound flights with 13,68,457 passengers.
• The national carrier, which carried out the bulk of air transfers under the mission, was supported by its budget carrier Air India Express.
• The current VBM Phase 10 has international and domestic schedules operating till October 31.
• Air India Express (AIE) used its B-737-800 fleet to lift agricultural produce, mainly fruits and vegetables, to West Asian countries, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
• “Transport bubbles” or “air travel arrangements”, temporary arrangements between two countries aimed at restarting commercial passenger services when regular international flights are suspended as a result of the pandemic, are in place.

Hence both statements are correct.

World liver day is observed on April 19 every year, to spread awareness about the liver-related disease.

• The liver is the second largest and the most complex organ in the body, except the brain. It is a key player in your body’s digestive system.
• The theme for this year is ‘Keep your liver healthy and disease-free.’

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed SpO2 (Blood Oxygen Saturation) supplemental Oxygen Delivery System for soldiers posted at extreme high-altitude areas.

• Saturation of Peripheral Oxygen (SpO2) is a measure of the percentage of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen and can be measured by oximetry or through blood tests.
• The body needs there to be a certain level of oxygen in the blood or it will not function as efficiently. In fact, very low levels of SpO2 can result in very serious symptoms. This condition is known as hypoxemia.
• There is a visible effect on the skin, known as cyanosis due to the blue (cyan) tint it takes on.
• Hypoxemia (low levels of oxygen in the blood) can turn into hypoxia (low levels of oxygen in the tissue). This progression and the difference between the two conditions is important to understand.

Hence both statements are correct.

The Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), an autonomous think tank, under the patronage of Indian Army has established a joint initiative with Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Mangalore to conduct PhD programme for Army Officers.

• The Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), New Delhi, is an independent think tank on strategic studies and land warfare in the Indian context. CLAWS is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• CLAWS has taken this initiative to further enhance professional military education (PME) of officers which will eventually benefit the country with better equipped military leaders with in-depth knowledge in respective domains.
• Under the initiative, CLAWS has been recognised as a sub-centre of MAHE by virtue of which five of CLAWS faculties will serve as co-supervisors.
• CLAWS will also initiate the selection process and conduct mandatory research methodology classes, as per guidelines given by the UGC and MAHE, Mangalore.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 323, the first unit of the indigenously built ALH Mk III aircraft, was commissioned into the Indian Navy.

• The squadron will operate three state-of-the-art ALH Mk III, a multirole helicopter with Shakti engine manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• The Mk III version of the ALH has an all glass cockpit and will be used for Search and Rescue, Special Operations and Coastal Surveillance.
• 16 aircraft are under procurement and the aircraft are being delivered in a phased manner to the Indian Navy.

Hence both statements are correct.

The Fifth session of Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH), established under Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), began virtually with India as the Host and Spices Board India serving as the secretariat of Committee.

Codex Committee On Spices And Culinary Herbs (CCSCH):

• To develop and expand worldwide standards for spices and culinary herbs, CCSCH was formed in 2013 with support of more than a hundred countries with India as the host country and Spices Board India as the Secretariat for organising the sessions of the committee.
• Since its inception, the CCSCH has been successful in developing harmonised global Codex standards for spices and herbs.
• In its past four sessions, the committee developed and finalized standards for four spices, viz. dried or dehydrated forms of black/white/green pepper, cumin, thyme, and garlic.

Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)

• Set up in 1963, the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is an intergovernmental body established jointly by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), within the framework of the Joint Food Standards Programme to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in the food trade.

Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

US President Joe Biden is preparing to formally acknowledge the Armenian Genocide, the systematic killing and deportation of hundreds of thousands of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire that occurred more than a century ago.

• While Turkey disagrees, the consensus among historians is that during the Armenian Genocide, between 1915 to 1922, in the First World War, thousands of Armenians perished due to killings, starvation and disease, when they were deported by Ottoman Turks from eastern Anatolia.
• It is difficult to estimate the total number of Armenians who died during the genocide, but the Armenian diaspora says that approximately 1.5 million died.
• Some researchers have asserted and drawn comparisons between the Holocaust and the Armenian Genocide and this acknowledgement or wider acknowledgement of it in the international community may be unwelcome and unpalatable for Turkey.
• Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day is marked annually on April 24.
• Armenia is a landlocked country located in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia.
• It is a part of the Caucasus region; and is bordered by Turkey to the west, Georgia to the north, the Lachin corridor under a Russian peacekeeping force, and Azerbaijan to the east, and Iran and the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan to the south.
• Its Capital is Yerevan

Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has wished all Civil Servants on the occasion of Civil Services Day.

• When observed: 21st April every year.
• Why 21st April: On this day, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel addressed the first batch of probationers at the All India Administrative Service Training School at Metcalfe House, New Delhi in 1947. In his speech he called civil servants as the steel frame of India.
• Objective: To make civil servants re-dedicate themselves to the cause of the citizens and renew their commitment to public service.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Earth Day was celebrated on April 22.

• Earth day is an international event celebrated around the world to pledge support for environmental protection.
• This year’s theme for Earth Day is ‘Restore Our Earth’. This year’s theme focuses on natural processes, emerging green technologies, and innovative thinking that can restore the world’s ecosystems.
• The year 2021 marks the 51st anniversary of the annual celebrations. This year, seven major climate-related events are taking place in parallel on April 22, including the Leaders’ Summit on Climate hosted by the United States, and the Exponential Climate action Summit on Financing the Race to Zero emissions.
• Earth Day was first observed in 1970, when 20 million took to the streets to protest against environmental degradation. The event was triggered by the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, as well as other issues such as smog and polluted rivers.
• In 2009, the United Nations designated April 22 as ‘International Mother Earth Day’.
• Hence both statements are correct.