10 PM Daily Current Affairs Quiz | May 1 2021

Taiwan Strait was in news recently. All of the above locations are nearby. UPSC seldom asks direct questions. You should be prepared for every eventuality.

• Statement 1 is correct: Chemolithotrophic microbes– bacteria that can thrive in the most extreme surroundings– have the ability to survive in the subterranean liquid.
• Statement 2 is correct: They can obtain all the energy required for their growth from the oxidation of inorganic compounds such as hydrogen (H2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and reduced metals.

• NEO-01 is a robot prototype developed by China-based space mining start-up ‘Origin Space’.
• Aim: The aim is to observe small celestial bodies in deep space and to experiment with a novel approach to clearing up space debris.
• Method to remove space debris: NEO-01 will use a large net to capture debris left behind by other spacecraft. After collection, it will burn them using its electric propulsion system.

• Electric Propulsion (EP) is a class of space propulsion. This propulsion will make use of electrical power to accelerate a propellant. These technologies generate electrical energy either from a solar source or from a nuclear source

• Statement 1 is incorrect: The supermoon is a full moon or a new moon that nearly coincides with a perigee (A point of the Moon’s orbit closest to Earth).
• Statement 2 is incorrect: When two full moons appear in the same calendar month, the second is termed a “blue moon”.
• Statement 3 is correct: The meaning of a “blood moon” is based on its red glow of the moon. The blood moon occurs during a total lunar eclipse. The air molecules from Earth’s atmosphere scatter out most of the blue light. The remaining light reflects onto the Moon’s surface with a red glow making the Moon appear red in the night sky.

• The name “blood moon” is also sometimes used for a Moon that appears reddish because of dust, smoke or haze in the sky

Statement 1 is incorrect. Regulation through DPCO is not applicable for patented drugs or fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs. For example, the price of the antiviral drug remdesivir. The government is not regulating the prices of this drug even though it is in great demand to treat serious cases of Covid-19.

Statement 2 is incorrect. Section 92 deals with compulsory licensing. It says that the government without the permission of the patent holder can provide license under the following situations:

1. The circumstance of national emergency; or
2. The circumstance of extreme urgency; or
3. Case of public non-commercial use.

After the government issues a notification under Section 92 the pharma companies can approach the government for a license. They can start manufacturing the patented drug by reverse-engineering the product.

Statement 3 is incorrect. A state government regulate prices of medicine under Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897. However, these powers are limited.

The IA 2030 strategy—to extend the benefits of vaccines to everyone, everywhere—is underpinned by four core principles: it puts people in the centre, is led by countries, implemented through broad partnerships, and driven by data. The IA2030 strategy systematically applies the core principles across each of the strategic priorities.

The Immunisation Agenda 2030 (IA2030) launched during World Immunisation Week.

IA 2030 intends to reduce the number of zero-dose children by 50 per cent, according to the document released by the WHO, Unicef and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

The IA2030 is based on learnings from Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP). It also aims to address the unmet targets of the GVAP that were initially to be fulfilled as part of the global immunisation strategy of the ‘Decade of vaccines’ (2011–2020).

• The Net Zero Producers Forum has been formed for the oil and gas producing countries. The Forum aims to discuss the ways to achieve net zero carbon emission targets to limit global warming.
• The countries will also discuss ways to support the implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
• Strategies: The Forum will consider strategies and technologies which include

• Methane abatement
• Advancing the circular carbon economy approach
• Development and deployment of clean energy and carbon capture and storage technologies,
• Diversification from reliance on hydrocarbon revenues and
• Other measures in line with each country’s national circumstances.

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An earthquake’s effects vary with the softness of the sediment. As seismic waves travel through the ground, they move faster through hard rock than soft soil. When waves transition from hard to soft earth, they increase in amplitude (or size). A bigger wave causes stronger shaking.

The same principle also applies to sediment thickness. The deeper the sediment layer above bedrock, the more soft soil there is for the seismic waves to travel through. Soft soil means bigger waves and stronger amplification.

Statement 1 is incorrect. The definition of Genocide is mentioned in Article II of the Convention. It describes genocide as a crime committed with the intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, in whole or in part.

Statement 2 is correct. The Genocide Convention was the first human rights treaty adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 9 December 1948 and signified the international community’s commitment to ‘never again’ after the atrocities committed during the Second World War.

• Statement 1 is correct: In February 2020, RBI proposed to create an alternative umbrella organisation for retail payments. This is to prevent the monopoly of the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI). Presently NPCI is taking care of all retail payments systems in India.
• Statement 2 is correct: The RBI in its framework mentioned certain guidelines for capital New Umbrella Entities. These are,

• Capital: The pan-India new umbrella entity (NUE) or entities will focus on retail payment systems with a minimum paid-up capital of Rs 500 crore.
• However, the RBI will not permit any single promoter or group to hold more than 40% investment in the NUE. Also, the NUE should maintain a minimum net worth of Rs. 300 crore at all times.