Current Affairs of 14th June 2023 For IAS And WBCS Examination

Science and Technology

Gravitational Lensing:

• Context: Astronomers have  captured four photos of the same background supernova being gravitationally lensed by the immense gravitational well of the foreground supernova.
• Gravitational Lensing:
• It occurs when a large celestial body, like  a galaxy cluster, causes enough curvature of spacetime to bend the path of light around it, as if by a lens.
• The body causing the light to curve is accordingly called a gravitational lens.
• Magnification is a significant result of this lensing distortion, allowing us to observe objects that would otherwise be too far away or too faint to be seen.
• Albert Einstein predicted gravitational lensing in 1915, which involves the bending of light by objects of enormous mass.
• Time and space are fused together in a quantity called as spacetime, according to Einstein’s general theory of relativity.
• As per this theory, large objects bend spacetime, and gravity is simply the curvature of spacetime.
• The theory states that as light travels through spacetime, its path will be curved by an object’s mass.
• Gravitational lensing is a dramatic and observable application of Einstein’s theory.
• Spacetime is significantly curved due to extremely huge celestial bodies such as galaxy clusters.
• When light from a more distant light source passes through a gravitational lens, its path is curved resulting in a distorted image of the far object – maybe a ring or halo of light surrounding the gravitational lens.

International News

The United States has decided to rejoin UNESCO

• Context:
• UN cultural and scientific agency UNESCO stated that the United States plans to rejoin — and pay more than $600 million in back dues.
• The return of the U.S., along with the payment of over $600 million in back dues, is a significant financial boost for UNESCO’s initiatives. Prior to leaving, the United States supplied 22% of the agency’s total funding.
• Background:
• After voting to include Palestine as a member state in 2011, the United States and Israel stopped supporting UNESCO.
• The Trump administration decided in 2017 to withdraw entirely from the agency following year.
• During the Cold War, in 1984 the United States had  withdrew from UNESCO.
• Under President George W. Bush’s administration, the country rejoined the organization in 2003.
• Reasons for Withdrawal:
• Anti-Semitic Resolutions: The United States and Israel cited a number of resolutions that they saw as discriminatory against Israel.
• Disdain for multilateralism and the ‘America First’ policy: The United States exhibited a lack of interest in multilateral institutions while prioritizing its own interests.
• The decision was based on rising arrears, the need for reform, and perceived anti-Israel prejudice.
• Lack of interest in repaying UNESCO debts: The Trump administration saw little incentive to repay UNESCO debts accumulated since the Obama administration froze contributions.
• Consequences of the withdrawal:
• Impact on UNESCO’s day-to-day operations: The absence of the United States and Israel hampered the organization’s work.
• The Palestinian Authority’s diplomatic win was of little political or economic significance for Palestinians living under occupation.
• Reasons for rejoining:
• The United States seeks to curb China’s growing influence in shaping global policies on artificial intelligence and technological education.
• Reunification enables the United States to protect and advance its interests in cultural heritage preservation, climate change measures, and girls’ education.
• UNESCO’s management reforms and efforts to address concerns have contributed to the US decision to rejoin.
• The decision to rejoin UNESCO has won bipartisan support in the United States, ensuring long-term commitment regardless of future political changes.
• The United States intends to meet its financial responsibilities to UNESCO, including payment of dues and arrears, demonstrating a commitment to supporting key initiatives within the organization.
• UNESCO/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization:
• It is specialized agency of the United Nations (UN).
• The 1946 constitution called for the advancement of international partnership in education, research, and culture.
• Headquarters: Paris, France.
• United Nations Economic and Social Council is the parent organization.
• Objectives:
• UNESCO’s principal goals are to contribute to peace and security by encouraging international collaboration in education, research, and culture, as well as to promote sustainable development and intercultural communication.
• According to UNESCO, these sectors are crucial for creating a more just, peaceful, and inclusive world.
• Major areas of focus:
• UNESCO promotes quality education for all by encouraging  equal access to education, increasing teacher training, and promoting global citizenship.
• UNESCO encourages scientific research and the utilization of knowledge to address global issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable development.
• UNESCO works to protect and preserve tangible and intangible cultural resources, such as monuments, sites, customs, and languages. It also promotes cultural variety and intercultural communication.
• UNESCO promotes for free expression, media growth, and information access. It seeks to develop a media environment that is free, independent, and pluralistic.
• UNESCO designates and maintains a list of World Heritage Sites, which are places of exceptional global worth that should be preserved for future generations.
• Reports published by UNESCO:
• Global Education Monitoring Report
• The United Nations World Water Development Report
• World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development
• Global Ocean Science Report
• Important Programs and Activities:
• The World Heritage Program: recognizes and protects places of outstanding universal importance.
• Program for Education for All: Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
• International Hydrological Program: Promoting sustainable water management and cooperation.
• Man and the Biosphere Program: Promoting sustainable development and natural resource conservation.
• The Intangible Heritage Program protects and promotes intangible cultural resources.

Hiroshima AI Process (HAP)

• Context:The annual G7 Summit in 2023, hosted by Japan (Hiroshima), initiated the Hiroshima AI Process (HAP), an endeavor to figure out how to regulate artificial intelligence (AI).
• Background:
• The G7 Digital and Technology Ministers discussed responsible artificial intelligence (AI) and global AI governance –
• To promote human-centric and trustworthy AI based on the OECD AI Principles, and
• to facilitate collaboration in order to maximize the benefits of AI technology for everybody.
• Hiroshima AI Process (HAP):
• The G-7 Leaders’ Communiqué emphasized the importance of international dialogue on inclusive AI governance and interoperability guided by shared democratic values.
• The HAP will hold discussions on various elements of generative AI through a G-7 working group in partnership with international institutions such as the OECD and GPAI.
• These discussions may include governance, intellectual property rights protection, transparency promotion, countering foreign information manipulation, and responsible use of AI technologies. The HAP is planned to complete its work by December 2023.
• Importance of the HAP:
• It will highlight the shared values and standards that can be utilized to establish guiding principles for AI regulation (fairness, accountability, transparency, and safety).
• AI development and application will aid in the alignment of values such as as liberty, democracy, and human rights.
• The emphasis on multi-stakeholder international cooperation suggests that the HAP will not address AI legislation from a State-centric standpoint.
• Challenges:
• Divergence among the G7 countries.
• Instead of waiting for the results of the HAP, the G7 countries are acting on their own.
• The relationship between AI and intellectual property is not clear.
• Way forward:
• A common guideline for G7 countries that permits the use of copyrighted materials.
• An interoperable AI governance framework to address the concerns of other countries.
• Similar tactics and policy instruments are needed to realize the shared vision and aim of trustworthy AI.
• Conclusion: The Hiroshima AI Process demonstrates the worldwide significance of AI governance. The HAP seeks to regulate AI development and implementation in accordance with values such as freedom, democracy, and human rights through inclusive conversations and collaboration. While gaining consensus and avoiding utter dissent among the G-7 countries remains a challenge, the HAP has the potential to impact the future of AI governance on a global scale.
• Global Partnership on AI (GPAI):
• It is a multi-stakeholder project aimed at bridging the gap between AI theory and reality by funding cutting-edge research and applied initiatives on AI-related priorities.
• It was launched in June 2020 with 15 members.
• It currently has 29 members, and India is also a part of this project.
• Its secretariat is at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)

• Context: SIPRI recently released its annual Yearbook, which contains important information about the state of the world’s nuclear arsenals. This article outlines SIPRI’s major findings, with  focus on China’s nuclear buildup, India and Pakistan’s increasing arsenals, and global trends.
• SIPRI: The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (HQ: Solna, Stockholm, Sweden; founded in 1966) is a non-profit international organization based in Stockholm. It provides information, analysis, and recommendations on armed conflict, military spending, and the arms trade, as well as disarmament and arms control.
• Key findings:
• The United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel are the nine nuclear-armed states. The United States and Russia own over 90% of all nuclear weapons.
• Nuclear Warheads Deployed:USA (largest number) > Russia > France > United Kingdom
• Total Nuclear Warhead Inventory: Russia has the highest total inventory, followed by the United States and China.
• India, China, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel are the only countries with no deployed nuclear weapons.
• India has 164 nuclear warheads in its arsenal; India and Pakistan are both nuclear powers.
• The reduction of Nuclear Warheads:  Primarily due to the dismantling of retired warheads by the USA and Russia.
• China’s nuclear weapons increased from 350 in January 2022 to 410 in January 2024, according to SIPRI estimates.
• The estimated global inventory of warheads stood at around 12,512, with approximately 9,576 warheads maintained in military stocks for future deployment.

Government Scheme

SANKALP Programme

• Context: The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) recently certified 98 trainers trained under the SANKALP programme.
• SANKALP Programme/ The Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) programme:
• It was launched in 2018.
• It is an outcome-oriented programme of Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) with a special emphasis on decentralized planning and quality improvement.
• It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme which collaborates with the World Bank.
• It is intended to carry out the mandate of the National Skill Development Mission (NSDM).
• The scheme’s primary goals are as follows:
• Creating convergence among all skill training programs at the state level, both state-led and government-funded.
• Improving the quality of skill development programs by cultivating a pool of qualified trainers, creating model curriculum and content, and standardizing evaluation and certification.
• Establishing a strong monitoring and assessment mechanism for skill training programs.
• Providing access to skill training opportunities to the disadvantaged sections. Developing industry-led and demand-driven skill training capacity.
• Strategy:
• Four key result areas have been identified under SANKALP:
• Institutional Strengthening (at National, State & District level)
• Quality Assurance Quality Assurance of skill development programs;
• Inclusion of marginalised population in skill development; and
• Expanding Skills through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).

Kanya Shiksha Pravesh Utsav

• Context: Recently, officials from the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) have brought back 1 lakh girls into the mainstream education system under the `Kanya Shiksha Pravesh Utsav’’.
• Kanya Shiksha Pravesh Utsav:
• This initiative was started by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and UNICEF.
• Goal: The initiative aims to expand on current schemes and programs such as Schemes for Adolescent females (SAG), BetiBachaoBetiPadhao (BBBP), and National Education Policy (NEP) to create a comprehensive system for out-of-school females.
• Convergence and collaboration between ministries, departments, and states are crucial to the campaign’s implementation.
• The programme  was  implemented as part of the BBBP project, with the primary beneficiaries being over 4,00,000 out-of-school adolescent girls.
• It aims to collect information on out-of-school girls through their visits to anganwadi centers for nutrition, nutrition education, and skilling.
• Significance: Bringing out-of-school girls back to the education system has been the target since the Right to Education Act was enacted (2009).

Defence News

Anjadip Shallow Water Craft

• Context: The third of eight ships in the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (SWC) Project being built for the Indian Navy by Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), ‘Anjadip,’ was recently launched.
• Anjadip Shallow Water Craft:
• It is a shallow watercraft anti-submarine warfare vessel built for the Indian Navy.
• Anjadip is the third of eight ships under the contract signed in April 2019 between Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata, and the Ministry of Defence.
• The ship was named after the island of Anjadip, which is located off the coast of Karwar Port in Karnataka, indicating its strategic maritime importance.
• It is intended to conduct anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, as well as low-intensity maritime operations and subsurface surveillance.
• The ship is a 900-ton, 77-metre-long vessel powered by water-jet propulsion.
• It can achieve a maximum speed of 25 knots (46 km/h) and has an endurance of 1,800 nautical miles (3,300 km) at 14 knots (26 km/h).
• It has an Anti-submarine Combat Suite, potentially the DRDO-developed IAC MOD’C, a Hull Mounted Sonar, and a Low-frequency Variable depth Sonar.
• It also has a fire control system (FCS), a platform management system, an atomic power management system, and a battle damage control system.

Polity

Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs)

• Context: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India recently said that Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) must inevitably prepare themselves for auditing AI-based governance systems and look for chances to incorporate AI into their audit techniques.
• Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs):
• They are public oversight institutions which audit a government’s spends of public funds.
• These are  important link in the accountability chain of a country.
• These institutions provide assurance that resources are used as prescribed by scrutinizing public financial management and reporting.
• The majority of SAIs are mandated by the constitution and/or legislation.
• SAIs conduct financial audits of organizations’ accounting systems and financial statements, as well as compliance audits reviewing the legality of transactions made by the audited body.
• They also undertake performance audits to examine the efficiency, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of government initiatives.
• India’s SAI is the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).
• INTOSAI – International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions:
• It is an autonomous, non-political organization.
• It serves as a clearinghouse for the external government audit community.
• It has special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations.
• Among other things, it aims to enhance auditing standards, good governance of SAIs, and SAI independence.
• The International Congresses of Supreme Audit Institutions (INCOSAI) is INTOSAI’s supreme organ, comprised of all members.
• The INTOSAI Governing Board meets on an annual basis to provide strategic leadership, stewardship, and continuity of INTOSAI activities between INCOSAI .
• The CAG of India is a member of the INTOSAI’s Governing Board.

Important One-Liner:

• Australia won the title of World Test Champions in a commanding fashion, securing a resounding 209-run victory over India in the thrilling WTC Final at The Oval.
• Every year on June 14, World Blood Donor Day is observed to express gratitude to selfless voluntary blood donors and to honor the essence of life and humanity. The slogan or theme of the World Blood Donor Day 2023 is “Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often.”
• The Geological Survey of India Training Institute (GSITI), operating under the Ministry of Mines, has received accreditation from the National Accreditation Board of Education and Training (NABET). This honor is a testament to the institute’s outstanding services and the high standards it promotes in the field of earth science education. GSITI was granted the Certificate of Accreditation with the distinguished grading of “Athi Uttam.”
• India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have set an ambitious target of increasing non-oil bilateral trade from USD 48 billion to USD 100 billion by 2030. The decision was made during the inaugural meeting of the Joint Committee for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and the UAE. Both countries intend to double their non-petroleum trade in the next seven years, highlighting the need of expanding economic relations beyond the oil industry.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has made an important step in expanding its presence in North East India by opening a sub-office in Kohima, Nagaland’s capital. With this step, the RBI hopes to broaden its regional reach and better serve the people’s financial requirements.
• Paterson Joseph, an actor-author, has won the RSL Christopher Bland Prize 2023 for his debut novel, “The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho.”
• On November 20, 1997, the Rohini RH-300 Mk-II sounding rocket successfully launched from Svalbard, Norway, marking a key milestone in the collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Norway’s space agency. This mission not only constructed a new rocket launch range in Norway, but it also lay the groundwork for future space exploration cooperation and knowledge exchange.
• Epson India has signed actor Rashmika Mandanna as its brand ambassador.
• A meeting was held between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and disaster management ministers from states and union territories to discuss catastrophe risk reduction and strengthening the country’s disaster management system. During the conference, Shah announced three significant schemes worth over 8,000 crore to strengthen disaster management efforts across the country.
• The fourth ship of the Survey Vessels (Large) (SVL) Project, named ‘Sanshodhak’ (‘Researcher’), was launched for the Indian Navy in Kattupalli, Chennai by L and T/ GRSE.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has stated that it has no plans to introduce distinct laws for financial sector social media influencers, citing that the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) already has mechanisms in place to manage the issue.
• According to Forbes’ most recent Global 2000 list, billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Limited is the highest-ranking Indian company rising from 53rd to 45th this year.JPMorgan is ranked first, followed by Saudi oil giant Aramco and three massive state-owned Chinese banks.
• Lalitha Natarajan, a Chennai-based lawyer and activist, won the US Department of Labor’s 2023 Iqbal Masih Award for the Elimination of Child Labor.
• The Community Spirit Index recently ranked 53 cities from different countries depending on how friendly and unfriendly their residents are. The Community Spirit Index recently ranked 53 cities from different countries depending on how kind or unfriendly their citizens are.The report names Toronto and Sydney as the world’s friendliest cities, while India’s capital New Delhi and Mumbai are among the least friendly.
• The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) certified 98 trainers who took part in the cluster-based Training of Trainers (ToT) programme. The Automotive Sector Development Council (ASDC), GIZ-IGVET, and the Maharashtra State Skill Development Mission (MSSDS) collaborated on this effort. The initiative, developed as part of the National component of Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP), aims to improve trainers’ skills in a variety of vocations, including Advanced Welding, CNC operations, Robotics, Quality Control, and Advanced Automotive Technology.
• Cormac McCarthy, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of such acclaimed novels as “The Road” and “No Country for Old Men,”passed away.
• Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has announced a Rs 10,000 monthly pension for the state’s Padma recipients.
• The implementation of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes in the country has resulted in major beneficial effects such as increased output, job creation, economic growth, and exports. According to Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary of DPIIT, the PLI Schemes resulted in a 76% increase in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the manufacturing sector in fiscal year 2021-22, reaching USD 21.34 billion, compared to the previous fiscal year’s USD 12.09 billion.