16th MAY, 2024

UNEP launched Phasing out mercury measuring devices in healthcare project

It is $134-million initiative led by UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

About Project
Aim
Phase out mercury thermometers and sphygmomanometers at a rate of 20% annually, and reduce mercury spillages.
Encourage adoption of accurate, affordable and safe mercury-free alternatives, while improving management of mercury-
containing medical waste.
Member countries: Albania, Burkina Faso, India, Montenegro, and Uganda.
Funding: By Global Environment Facility.
Execution: By World Health Organisation. Minamata Convention on Mercury
About Mercury Adopted in 2013 at Kumamoto (Japan) and came into force in
It is a naturally occurring element found in air, water and soil. 2017.
It is the only metal which is found in liquid state at room 1st global legally binding treaty to protect human health and
temperature. environment from adverse effects of mercury.
It is a persistent, bio-accumulative, toxic pollutant. Purpose:
Ban on new mercury mines,
All humans are exposed to low levels of mercury.
phase-out of existing ones,
Several countries and international organizations have phase-out and phase-down of mercury use in products and
established reference levels for daily or weekly processes.
methyl-mercury or mercury intakes that are estimated to Named after the city in Japan that became the epicentre of
be safe (or without appreciable risk to health). Minamata disease, caused by severe mercury poisoning.
Sources: Gold mining, Coal-based thermal power plant, India ratified it in 2018.
Volcanic emissions, etc.
Effect:
Toxic effects on nervous, digestive and immune systems, lungs, kidneys, skin and eyes.
♦ Minamata disease is a chronic neurological disorder caused by methyl-mercury, a heavy metal with many industrial
uses.
When released into environment, it accumulates in water laid sediments where it converts into toxic methyl-mercury and
enters food chain.

Draft Digital Competition Bill (DCB) 2024: Stakeholders Seek Extension for feedback
DCB aims to regulate Systemically Significant Digital Enterprise (SSDE) and their Associate Digital Enterprises (ADEs) to prevent
Anti-Competitive Practices (ACPs) by them.
DCB takes a leaf out of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) of the European Union, introduced to prevent ACP of tech giants like
Google, Facebook, and Amazon.
Key provisions
Ex-Ante Regulation: Facilitates Competition Commission of India (CCI) to intervene to prevent any potential ACPs from
occurring.
Core Digital Services (CDS): These are services that are susceptible to market concentration and included in a predefined list
outlined in Schedule I.
SSDE: Provides criteria for SSDE and also empowers CCI Need for DCB
to designate an enterprise as an SSDE if it has a significant The current ex-post framework (intervening after an event
market presence in CDS. occurs) under the Competition Act, 2002, does not facilitate
Obligations of SSDEs: timely redressal of anti-competitive conduct by digital
To report to the CCI about their ADEs which are directly or enterprises.
indirectly involved in the provision of the CDS. The present framework may not be effective in addressing the
Also, SSDEs are prohibited from giving preference to their irreversible tipping of markets (permanent dominance of a
products/ services, relying on non-public data of business firm) in favour of large digital enterprises.
users operating on its CDS, and impeding the ability of Prevalence of practice of collection of user data, self-
end users to download, install, operate or use third-party preferencing (i.e., platform favours its services), etc. by big
applications. tech giants.
To support an orderly expansion of the digital ecosystem.
Covers enterprise outside India: CCI has the power to cause
an inquiry against such enterprise for non-compliance with this Act or rules or regulations framed thereunder

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 Indian Ocean: IORA’s role Critical amidst heightened presence of global powers

IORA’s significance is expected to increase with the rising presence of Non-Resident global powers like US (have military base in
Diego Garcia Island), Russia (conducts military exercise with Myanmar) in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Reasons for enhanced presence of global Powers in IOR
Maritime choke points: For example, the Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Malacca are essential for the free flow of trade,
energy, and free movement to ensure security.
Geostrategic competition: Emergence of Indo-Pacific as an integrated maritime theatre, due to competing interests of China
and other democracies advocating for a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.
Pursuance of Blue Economy: Home to a third of the global population, the IOR's littoral States (mostly developing) depend
heavily on marine resources.
This presents substantial opportunities for sustainable
economic and livelihood development. Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)
Challenges in the IOR Secretariat: Mauritius
Naval aggressions from China. Genesis: An inter-governmental organisation established in
1997 and based on the vision of Nelson Mandela.
Small countries depend on external powers for security due
Aim: Strengthening regional cooperation and sustainable
to regional power imbalances which also prevent optimal development within IOR.
regional cooperation. Members: 23 members within IOR (including India).
Re-emergence of security issues like piracy and maritime Apex body: Council of Foreign Ministers (COM) which meets
terrorism. annually.
6 priority areas
Role of IORA
Maritime Safety & Security
IORA is the only multilateral grouping that spans the entire Trade & Investment Facilitation
Indian Ocean. Fisheries Management
Disaster Risk Management
Offers a space for inclusive diplomacy, allowing member Tourism & Cultural Exchanges
states greater agency in negotiations. Academic, Science & Technology
Together with India’s SAGAR initiative, it can be a potential ‘IORA's Outlook on the Indo-Pacific’: A consensus document
adopted in 2022 (proposed by India) which calls for adherence
counter to China led ‘China-Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
to 1982 UNCLOS and other relevant UN treaties.
Forum’.

WHO prequalifies new dengue vaccine TAK-003

Developed by Japan’s pharma company Takeda, TAK-003 is a live-attenuated vaccine containing weakened versions of the four
serotypes of the virus that cause dengue.
It is the second dengue vaccine to receive WHO prequalification, following the CYD-TDV vaccine.
WHO recommends the use of TAK-003 in children aged 6–16 years in settings with high dengue burden and transmission
intensity.
About WHO Vaccine prequalification
It was created in 1987 to assure the quality of vaccines distributed by UN purchasing agencies.
Vaccines showing positive outcomes after evaluation of
About Dengue
relevant data, testing of samples and WHO inspection of
relevant manufacturing sites are included in the list. Symptoms: High fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes,
muscle and joint pain, etc. may lead to death.
However, inclusion in the list does not imply approval of
vaccines and manufacturing sites by the WHO. Pathogen: Dengue virus named DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and
Such approval is a prerogative of the National Regulatory DEN-4.
Authorities. Vector: Infected female mosquitoes, primarily the Aedes
Yet, pre-qualification is an important step in the expansion of aegypti. Transmission by Aedes albopictus (tiger mosquito)
global access to vaccines as it enables procurement by UN has been seen in Europe.
agencies (including UNICEF) and PAHO (Pan American Health It can also be transmitted from a pregnant mother to her
Organization). baby, via blood products, organ donation and transfusions.

Other vector-borne disease for which vaccines are included in Affected regions: Dengue is found in tropical and sub-tropical
climates worldwide, mostly in urban and semi-urban areas
this list include malaria, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis,
(most of which are in Asia, Africa, and the Americas)
Rabies, etc.

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 Probe agencies must give written grounds Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) warns of
of arrest in UAPA cases: Supreme Court rising digital arrest scams by cybercriminals
(SC)
I4C, in collaboration with Microsoft, has blocked over 1,000
In Prabir Purkayastha v. State (NCT of Delhi) case, SC stated Skype accounts linked to intimidation, blackmail, extortion
that arrest of Prabir Purkayastha (Newsclick founder-editor) and digital arrests of citizens by cybercriminals posing as
personnel of police, CBI, Narcotics Department, RBI etc.
in Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) case is invalid
as Delhi Police failed to inform the grounds of arrest before About Digital Arrest
taking him into custody. It is a new form of cybercrime where fraudsters
impersonate law enforcement officials and deceive their
SC Observations targets into believing that their Aadhaar card, SIM card,
debit card or bank account has been used for criminal
Mandate under Pankaj Bansal v Union of India & Ors. activities.
Judgment that grounds of arrest must be provided About Cybercrime
to accused in writing will apply to cases under UAPA, It refers to any illegal activity involving a computer,
1967 as well. networked device or a network.
♦ Earlier, under this judgement, SC held that grounds Example, Stealing corporate data; Hacking government
computers etc.
of arrest must be provided to persons accused
According to ‘Crime in India’ Report, 65,893 cases were
under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), registered under cybercrime, showing an increase of
2002. 24.4% compared to 52,974 cases in 2021.
As provided under Articles 22(1) and 22(5) of Indian Challenges in tackling Cybercrimes
Constitution, communication of grounds of arrest or Lack of critical cyber security infrastructure, shortage
of cybersecurity professionals.
detention is sacrosanct and cannot be breached under
Evolving threat landscape in Cyber security e.g.,
any situation. involvement of non-state actors, organized crime.
♦ Article 22(1): No person who is arrested shall be Increase in proliferation of connected devices and
detained in custody without being informed of the internet, new technology like Internet of Things (IoT)
grounds for their arrest. etc.
♦ As per TRAI, internet penetration in India as of March
♦ Article 22(5): A person under detention should be 2023 is over 880 million.
communicated the grounds of detention order and
Government initiatives to tackle Cyber Threats
allowed to make a representation against detention.
Indian Cyber Coordination Centre (I4C): Under MHA, it
coordinates activities related to combating cybercrime in
About UAPA, 1967 country.
It facilitates blocking of SIM cards, Mobile devices and
It provides for effective prevention of certain unlawful activities
Mule accounts used by such fraudsters.
of individuals and associations, and for dealing with terrorist
Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) is the national
activities.
nodal agency for responding to computer security incidents.
Section 43B (1): Any officer arresting a person under this act National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal launched to enable the
shall, inform accused of the grounds for such arrest. public to report incidents of cybercrimes.
Toll-free number- 1930 has been operationalized to assist with
online cyber complaints.

Also in News

Indian National Space Promotion and

Kanwar Lake
Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe)

IN-SPACe has been honoured with the Leadership Award for “Public Condition of the Kanwar Lake has been deteriorating.
Policy: Enabling Industry Development” by the Geospatial World
About Kanwar Lake (also known as Kabartal Wetland or Jheel)
Forum (GWF).
GWF is an interactive platform of the global geospatial Located in Begusarai district, Bihar, it is a freshwater natural
community. wetland.
IN-SPACe Draws water from confluence of Gandak, Bia and Kareh river.
Headquarters: Ahmedabad(Gujarat)
Bihar’s first Ramsar site recognised as wetland of international
Genesis: Establishment in 2020 as a part of space sector reform. importance in 2020.
Nodal department: An autonomous agency in the Department of
Space (DOS). Important stopover along Central Asian Flyway.
Aim: To facilitate the participation of private players in India’s Important species: Red-headed vulture, white-rumped vulture and
space sector. Indian vulture.
Key roles: Importance: Acts as a sink for sediments, Habitat for several
Enable and nurture non-government entities (NGEs) to migratory species, provide livelihood opportunities, Supports
accomplish their ventures in space sector and supervise their lifecycle of fish or amphibians etc.
activities.
Authorize space operations and services in the country Threat: Water management activities like drainage, water
through well defined framework. abstraction, damming and canalization.
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 BHISHM Portable Cubes Global Report on Internal Displacement 2024

Indian Air Force tested BHISHM portable cubes, a state-of the-art Report was released by Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre
indigenous mobile hospital, at Agra for airdrops. (IDMC).
About BHISHM Portable Cubes Internally displaced people (IDPs) refers to people forced to flee
These are a part of initiative named Project BHISHM (Bharat their homes, however, unlike refugees, they remain within their
Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri), designed to treat own country
up to 200 casualties. Key findings:
Consists of 72 small cubes equipped with advanced medical 75.9 million people were IDPs globally as of the end of 2023
equipment which are Radio Frequency Identification (71.1 million in 2022).
(RFID)-tagged. 68.3 million people were IDP due to conflict and violence.
Integrates Artificial Intelligence and data analytics to facilitate Sudan, Syria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC),
effective coordination, real-time monitoring of medical services Colombia and Yemen host nearly half of such IDPs.
in field. In South Asia, Manipur has major contribution to such IDPs
These cubes are robust, waterproof, and light, designed for Most of the disasters linked to internal displacement happened
various configurations, making them ideal for diverse emergency in China and Türkiye due to severe weather and high-magnitude
scenarios. earthquakes.

Lead
Soil Nailing
Scientists have developed an affordable sensor for detecting and
Tamil Nadu is using Soil Nailing to ensure the stabilization of slopes measuring lead concentrations in water.
around the Nilgiris’ major roads About Lead
Soil Nailing It is a naturally occurring toxic metal found in Earth’s crust.
It is a geotechnical engineering technique that involves the Lead in the body is distributed to the brain, liver, kidney and
insertion of reinforcing elements into the soil in a specified area bones. It is stored in the teeth and bones, where it can accumulate
to strengthen it. over time.
This is followed by ‘hydroseeding’ wherein mixture of seeds, It is poor conductor of heat and do not react with water.
fertilizer, organic materials and water are applied onto the soil. Sources of lead exposure: Mining and smelting, recycling of
It facilitates the growth of grass and plant life, that will help electronic waste and lead-acid batteries, plumbing, toys, lead
hold the topsoil together and prevent erosion. paint etc.
Lead exposure causes damage to child’s brain and nervous
system, anaemia, hypertension, toxicity to reproductive organs
etc.
Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ)
Sangam: Digital Twin Initiative
Supreme Court has halted all mining activities within a 1-Km radius
of the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan enforcing its 2023 order.
Ministry of Communications has unveiled Stage-I Participants for
2023 order of SC on ESZ: “Sangam Initiative: A Leap Towards AI-Driven Infrastructure
SC revised its 2022 directive that directed states to establish a Transformation”.
mandatory 1 Km ESZ around protected forests. About Sangam: Digital Twin Initiative
SC said that ESZs cannot be the same for all the protected forests It is a Proof of Concept focused on revolutionizing the planning
and may vary case by case. However, it prohibited any mining & design of infrastructure by leveraging digital twin technology to
activities within a 1-Km radius of such protected areas. create precise, dynamic models of physical environments.
ESZ It combines the ability of 5G, IoT, AI, Digital Twin and next-
generation computational technologies.
ESZs are ecologically fragile areas around protected areas (PAs) Digital twin is a virtual representation of an object or system
designated so under the Environment Protection Act (EPA), 1986 designed to reflect a physical object accurately.
They are created to minimize the negative impact of development It enhances the efficiency and accuracy of infrastructure
activities on the fragile ecosystem of PAs. projects.

Places in News Slovakia (Capital: Bratislava)

Slovakia Prime Minister was shot multiple times after a cabinet meeting in Handlova town.
Political Features:
Landlocked country of central Europe.
Borders: Poland (North), Ukraine (East), Hungary (South), Austria (West) and Czech Republic (Northwest).
Geographical Features
Mountain Range: Carpathian Mountains, including Tatra Mountains.
Highest Point: Gerlachovský Peak.
Major Rivers: Danube, Váh, Hron, etc.

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