Aspartame ‘possibly carcinogenic to humans’, labels WHO expert panel

• Artificial sweetener aspartame has been labelled “possibly carcinogenic to humans”, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is the cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO).
• IARC noted, is based on limited evidence on whether aspartame causes cancer in humans, specifically hepatocellular carcinoma (a type of liver cancer).
• Aspartame is a low-calorie artificial sweetener that is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar. It is a white, odourless powder and is used in more than 5,000 food products globally.
• Its link with cancer was reported in 2006 and 2007 when scientists from the Ramazzini Institute (RI) found that aspartame causes dose-related increases in malignant tumours in multiple organs in rats and mice.
• There is also limited evidence for cancer in experimental animals, the ICAR noted. Three studies have recorded increased cancer incidence in mice and rats.
• An adult weighing 70 kilogrammes would need to consume more than 9–14 cans per day to exceed the acceptable daily intake, assuming the person did not consume other intake from other food sources. A can of diet soft drink contains 200-300 milligrammes of aspartame.

Aspartame:

• It is the world''s most commonly used low-calorie artificial sweetener, which is approximately 200 times sweeter than sucrose (common sugar).
• It was discovered by James M. Schlatter a chemist, in 1965, and was introduced to replace sucrose.
• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved aspartame for use in some dry foods in 1981 and for carbonated beverages in 1983.
• It is made up of two amino acids: aspartic acid and phenylalanine, which are naturally occurring amino acids in many protein-rich foods.
• In the body, aspartame is metabolised into its constituent components aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and a small amount of methanol.
• It is used worldwide as a sugar substitute in thousands of foods and drinks, including cereals, sugar-free chewing gum, low-calorie fruit juices and diet sodas.
• Around 100 countries around the world, including India, permit the use of aspartame.

Maputo Protocol contributed towards Africa’s progress on gender equality, but growth uneven: Report

• There has been some progress on gender equality in African countries thanks to the Maputo Protocol, but it has been uneven, according to a new report. The Protocol is considered one of the world’s most progressive legal frameworks for women’s rights and was launched 20 years ago.
• The Protocol has a target of universal ratification in Africa by 2028. However, with just five years until the target year, there are still 12 countries that are yet to ratify this important legal instrument.
• This means that the women and girls in those countries do not have the same rights as the other women and girls on the continent
• So, there is an urgent need for Botswana, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Madagascar, Morocco, Niger, Somalia and Sudan to renew their commitments and ratify the Maputo Protocol in order to deliver on their promises to the women and girls in their countries, read the report.

Maputo Protocol

• The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples'' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, better known as the Maputo Protocol, is an international human rights instrument established by the African Union.

Adoption

• It was adopted by the African Union in Maputo, Mozambique, in 2003 in the form of a protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples'' Rights (adopted in 1981, enacted in 1986). It went into effect in 2005.

Ratification

• Of the 55 member states, 44 have ratified or acceded to the Protocol on gender equality, becoming one of the most ratified instruments in the AU.
• Full domestication of the Protocol provisions into the national legislature has, in many cases, been slow or ineffective. Some African States are yet to ratify or accede to the Protocol.

Mandate

• It guarantees comprehensive rights to women including the right to take part in the political process, to social and political equality with men, improved autonomy in their reproductive health decisions, and an end to female genital mutilation.

The Maputo Protocol Advances African Women’s Rights

• The Protocol guarantees extensive rights to African women and girls and includes progressive provisions on:
• Harmful traditional practices, e.g. child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM).
• Reproductive health and rights.
• Roles in political processes.
• Economic empowerment.
• Ending violence against women.

How has the moon transformed our evolution?

• Though the Moon’s gravitational pull is weaker than Earth’s, it is responsible for Earth’s current length of the day, stable seasons and tides. It affects the everyday life of several species, including us.
• The moon played a role not only in the transformation of the earth, but also in the development of life on this planet. How recent models suggest that big tidal ranges have been responsible for forcing bony fish into shallow pools on land, prompting the evolution of weight-bearing limbs and air-breathing organs.
• The biggest impact that the moon has on life is through tides. The regular movement of water that exposes the land at the edge of the ocean and then covers it again just a few hours later could have encouraged life to adapt and move from the oceans to land.
• According to the Institute of Physics, tides resulting from the gravitational force of the moon affect animal life in the intertidal zone, where the ocean meets the land between high and low tides. Weaker tides due to the absence of the moon would have narrowed down this zone, increasing the competition for survival among the species.
• Billions of years ago, when the moon was closer to the Earth, extreme tides used to occur frequently because the Earth was spinning more rapidly. The tides eroded the coastal areas, adding minerals to the oceans which have been essential for life to evolve quickly.
• Tides led by the moon also affect the reproductive cycles of marine life, where the laying and hatching of turtles’ eggs depend on the timings of tides. Often, their reproductive cycles coincide with different phases in the lunar cycle. Most other animal behaviours relating to the moon are because the tides change the coastal environment.

Lunar cycles affecting reproduction in animals

• The reproductive cycles of many marine creatures are closely synchronised with lunar phases’, including migration and spawning in fish, crabs and triggering in plankton by the moon’s glow. It has also been noted that the timing and mating season of wildebeest in the Serengeti have been influenced by lunar phases.
• Lunar phases and moonlight are closely connected to the annual seasonal migrations of billions of species, especially birds.
• The historian also linked lunar rhythms with human behaviour, activity and even fertility. The sleep cycles of the ‘pre-industrial communities’ were strongly influenced by lunar activity, he said. Also long-term data from women’s menstrual cycles showed a correlation with lunar light and lunar gravity, with some scholars arguing that human reproductive behaviour was originally synchronous with the moon, but got modified recently by modern lifestyles.

Climate change and stabilsing seasons

• The absence of moon would lead to extreme climate change. There would be huge differences between temperatures and daylight throughout the year, and ice ages would hit different parts of the world every few thousand years. Moon’s gravitational pull helps transport heat away from the equator and towards the poles, fundamentally shaping earth’s climate.
• Moon also stabilises the Earth''s rotation on its axis by slowing Earth''s rotation on its axis. In the absence of the moon, the poles would be burning hot and the equator freezing cold, seasons would be a thing of the past, and night and day would be equally long all year round.

Light of moon

• Just like the planets, moon does not emit its own light but shines due to the reflection of the Sun’s light. Fluctuating light levels by the moon have a startling impact on life on earth. The ability to see and to be seen enhances in the moonlight. Studies have documented changes in the success rates of predators and foraging patterns of prey animals due to this added nighttime illumination.
• Studies have shown that lions are less likely to hunt during the full moon and lion attacks on humans happen 10 days after the full moon. Many bats will be less active during the full moon.
• The article also mentions how coral and certain species of crabs, worms and fish can sense the moonlight from particular phases of the Moon. They use this as a trigger to start species-wide reproduction.
• Nocturnal animals behave differently depending on where the moon is in the sky during its 29.5-day cycle. When the moon is full and bright, prey fish stay hidden in the reef, when they''d be most visible.

Tectonic plates, water distribution

• The moon was formed when Earth was hit by a body called Theia. Researchers from Munster proved that Theia came from the outer solar system and delivered large quantities of water to Earth.
• According to the scientists, the collision that led to the formation of moon provided sufficient carbonaceous material to account for the entire amount of water on Earth.
• The moon’s pull of gravity might have set our tectonic plates. It raises the level of the world’s oceans towards the equator. Without this gravity, the oceans would redistribute, raising levels at the poles.

3rd Sherpas G20 meeting began in Hampi, Karnataka

• Location: Traditionally known as Pampakshetra of Kishkindha, Hampi is located in central Karnataka on the banks of the Tungabhadra River.
• It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• It is renowned for its historical and archaeological significance, as it was once the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, one of the greatest Hindu empires in South India, which thrived from the 14th to the 16th century.
• River: The Tungabhadra River flows through Hampi.
• Architecture:
  • The site boasts numerous grand temples, palaces, marketplaces, and other structures.
  • Some of the prominent landmarks include the Virupaksha Temple, Vittala Temple, Lotus Mahal, Queen''s Bath, and Elephant Stables.
  • Temples of this city are noted for their large dimensions, florid ornamentation, bold and delicate carvings, stately pillars, magnificent pavilions and a great wealth of iconographic and traditional depictions which include subjects from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

Vittala Temple Complex

• It is an iconic structure within Hampi, known for its extraordinary architecture and the famous stone chariot.
• It dates back to the 15th century. It was built during the reign of King Devaraya II (1422 – 1446 A.D.), one of the rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire.
• Several portions of the temple were expanded and enhanced during the reign of Krishnadevaraya (1509 – 1529 A.D.), the most famous ruler of the Vijayanagara dynasty.
• It is also known as Shri Vijaya Vitthala Temple. It is dedicated to Lord Vitthala, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
• Architecture:
  • It is built in the Dravidian style of architecture. It has traits and features that are characteristic of typical south Indian temple architecture.
  • It is believed that the main shrine of the temple originally had one enclosed Mantapa. An open Mantapa was added to it in the year 1554 A.D.
  • The temple complex is a sprawling area that is surrounded by high compound walls and three towering gateways.
  • The temple complex has many halls, shrines and pavilions located inside it. Each of these structures is made of stone.

Umiam water set to be released

• The Umiam Dam, also known as the Barapani Dam, is a large reservoir located in the state of Meghalaya in northeastern India.
• It is situated on the Umiam River, about 15 kilometres north of Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya.
• Purpose: The primary purpose of the Umiam Dam is to provide hydroelectric power generation and supply drinking water to the region. It serves as a major water source for Shillong and its surrounding areas.
• Construction:
  • The construction of the dam began in 1964 and was completed in 1965.
  • It was built by the Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB) with technical assistance from the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO).
• Reservoir Capacity: The dam creates a reservoir known as the Umiam Lake, which has a storage capacity of approximately 9.6 billion cubic feet of water. The lake stretches over an area of about 220 square kilometres.
• Hydroelectric Power Generation: The Umiam Dam has a hydroelectric power station with a total installed capacity of 2x30 megawatts.

Trade boost. UK signs treaty to join Trans-Pacific free trade bloc

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)

• It is a free trade agreement (FTA) between 11 nations: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.
• It was signed in March 2018.
• It **succeeded the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)**after the United States withdrew from the TPP in 2017.
• All 11 countries of CPTPP are members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
• The rights and obligations under the CPTPP fall into two categories:
  • Rules: for example, on how countries should make new food safety regulations or whether they can ban the transfer of data to other CPTPP member These are the same for all CPTPP parties (including any new members that may join).
  • Market access: how far each CPTPP member will cut its tariffs, open up its services markets, liberalise visa conditions for business travellers, and so on. Each member has its own schedules of commitments. In some cases, the commitments are offered to all other members, while in others, they are restricted to specific negotiating partners.

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

• It is a forum of 21 Asia-Pacific economies established in 1989.
• Members: Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People''s Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; the Philippines; the Russian Federation; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; the United States of America; Vietnam.
• It seeks to promote free trade and economic cooperation throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
• The APEC Secretariat, headquartered in Singapore, provides advisory and logistic services as well as research and analysis.
• APEC decisions are reached by consensus, and commitments are made on a voluntary basis.

Valmiki Tiger Reserve on alert to stop poaching amid influx of nomads

Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR)

• Location:
  • It is located at the India-Nepal border in the West Champaran district of Bihar on the bank of river Gandak.
  • It is situated in the Gangetic Plains bio-geographic zone of the country.
  • It forms the easternmost limit of the Himalayan Terai forests in India and is the only tiger reserve in Bihar.
• VTR comprises the Valmiki National Park and Valmiki Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Boundaries: It is surrounded by the Royal Chitwan National Park of Nepal in the north and the river Gandak on the western side.
• Rivers: Rivers Gandak, Pandai, Manor, Harha, Masan, and Bhapsa flow through various parts of the reserve.
• The forest of this region has a combination of bhabar and terai tracts.
• Vegetation: The vegetation types include mainly Moist mixed deciduous, Open-land vegetation, Sub-mountainous semi-evergreen formation, Freshwater swamps, Riparian fringes, Alluvial grasslands, high hill savannah and Wetlands.
• Flora: Sal, rohini, sihor, teak, bamboo, semal, Mandar, shisham, Jamun, Gular etc.
• Fauna:
  • Tigers, Leopards and Indian Wild Dogs are large predators. Leopard cat and fishing cat are also found in patches. Deer species are represented by spotted deer, sambar, barking deer and hog deer.
  • Indian bison (Gaur), Nilgai and wild boar are other ungulates found in these forests.
  • Kaleej Pheasant, hill myna, paradise fly catcher, Himalayan bulbul, lesser adjutant stork, white backed and slender billed vultures are some exclusive birds of the sanctuary.

India reimposes windfall tax on petroleum crude after two months

• **What is it?**It is a higher tax levied by the government on specific industries when they experience unexpected and above-average profits.
• When is it imposed?
  • When the government notices a sudden increase in an industry''s revenue, they impose this tax.
  • However, these revenues cannot be linked to anything the company actively pursued, such as its business strategy or expansion.
  • Consequently, a Windfall Tax is imposed on an industry''s profits when it experiences a sharp increase in revenue due to unrelated external events.
• Rationale behind the imposition of windfall tax:
  • Redistribution of unexpected gains, when high prices benefit producers at the expense of consumers;
  • To fund social welfare schemes;
  • As a supplementary revenue stream for the government;
  • As a way for the Government to narrow the country’s widened trade deficit;

Govt plans 100 mt coal gasification by 2030 with ₹6,000 crore scheme

• The Coal Ministry announced that it is considering a comprehensive scheme to promote coal gasification projects for both government Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and the private sector with an outlay of Rs 6,000 crores.

Coal gasification

• It is the process of producing syngas, a mixture consisting primarily of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and water vapour (H2O) - from coal and water, air and/or oxygen.
• During gasification, coal is blown with oxygen and steam while also being heated under high pressure.
• In this reaction, oxygen and water molecules oxidize the coal and produce syngas.
• Advantages
  • Coal gasification can help address local pollution problems.
  • It is considered a cleaner option compared to the burning of coal.
  • It will help in reducing reliance on imports of natural gas, methanol, ammonia and other essential product
  • This initiative holds the potential to alleviate the environmental burden by reducing carbon emissions and fostering sustainable practices, contributing to India’s global commitments towards a greener future

NASA rover discovers new evidence of organic molecules on Mars

• The results reveal that Mars has a more complex organic geochemical cycle than previously thought, implying the existence of multiple reservoirs of potential organic molecules on the planet.
• The findings suggest that water may have been a significant factor in Mars’s vast range of organic matter.
• A high possibility for past habitability exists at the rover’s landing site in Jezero Crater.
• It has a variety of minerals, including carbonates, clays, and sulphates, due to its history as an old lake basin.
• Organic compounds and perhaps even traces of prehistoric life could be preserved by these minerals.
• The scientists used a first-of-its-kind instrument called the Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals (SHERLOC) to map the distribution of organic molecules and minerals on rock surfaces.

Perseverance rover

• It is robotic explorer to land on Mars as part of NASA’s ongoing Mars 2020 Mission.
• Main Job: Seek signs of ancient life and collect samples of rock and regolith (broken rock and soil) for possible return to Earth.
• The rover will collect samples of rock and soil, encase them in tubes, and leave them on the planet''s surface to be returned to Earth at a future date.
• Launch: It was launched on July 30, 2020 from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
• Landing: Successfully landed on the surface of Mar''s Jezero Crater on Feb. 18, 2021.
• Features:
  • It is about the size of a car, but weighs only about 1,025 kilograms with all instruments on board.
  • Power source: Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG). Converts heat from the radioactive decay of plutonium into electricity.

London at risk of major measles outbreak, UK Health Security Agency warns

Measles

• It is a highly contagious and serious airborne disease.
• It is caused by a virus in the paramyxovirus family, and is normally passed through direct contact and the air.
• The virus infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing severe disease, complications and even death.
• Symptoms
  • The first sign of measles is usually high fever, beginning about 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus and lasting four to seven days.
  • A runny nose, cough, red and watery eyes, and small white spots inside the cheeks can develop in the initial stage.
  • A rash erupts after several days, usually on the face and upper neck. The rash spreads over about three days, eventually reaching the hands and feet, and lasts five to six days before fading.
• Who is at risk?
  • Any non-immune person (not vaccinated or vaccinated but did not develop immunity) can become infected.
  • Unvaccinated young children and pregnant persons are at highest risk of severe measles complications.
• Treatment**:** No specific antiviral treatment exists for measles.
• Criteria for Measles elimination:
  • Measles elimination is defined as the absence of endemic measles virus transmission in a region or other defined geographical area for more than 12 months.
  • Conversely, a country is no longer considered to be measles free if the virus returns and transmission is sustained continuously for more than a year.
• Measles & Rubella Initiative (M&RI):
  • M&RI is a partnership formed in 2001 of the American Red Cross, CDC, the United Nations Foundation, UNICEF and World Health Organization (WHO)
  • It is committed to achieving the Global Vaccine Action Plan goal of measles and rubella elimination in at least five WHO regions by 2020.

Skill India project successfully revives the dying Namda Art of Jammu and Kashmir

• The Namda craft of Kashmir is being successfully revived under a Skill India’s Pilot Project as part of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), with nearly 2,200 candidates from across six districts of the state, receiving training in the dying art form.

Namda Art

• It is said to have begun in the 16th century when Mughal Emperor Akbar wanted to get a covering for his horses to protect them from the cold.
• It was introduced by a Sufi saint named Shah-e-Hamdan to Kashmiris.
• Namda is a type of traditional Kashmiri felted carpet that is created using sheep wool and has colourful hand embroidery.
• The distinct feature of this Kashmiri craft is that wool is felted and not woven.
• It is usually a sandwich of many layers of wool flattened over each other.
• After a layer is spread, it is sprinkled homogeneously with water and pressed with a tool known as ‘pinjra’ (woven willow wicker).
• Unique themes and floral patterns provide the themes for these masterpieces and flowers and leaves, buds and fruits are the essence of the designs.
• It is practised as a craft in several cultures, especially in the countries throughout Asia, viz. Iran, Afghanistan and India.

Guidelines for Operationalisation of Production Linked Incentive Scheme 2.0 for IT Hardware approved

Production Linked Incentive Scheme 2.0:

• The scheme proposes a financial incentive to boost domestic manufacturing and attract large investments in the value chain.
• The target segments under PLI 2.0 Scheme shall include Laptops, Tablets, All-in-One PCs and Servers and Ultra Small Form Factor.
• Implementation: Companies, both global and domestic, that meet the eligibility criteria specified in the PLI 2.0 Scheme guidelines will receive support for manufacturing goods in India within the specified target segment.
  • The classification of applicants into the Hybrid (Global/Domestic) category will be determined by whether the company is domestic or global.
  • A comprehensive ranking of all applicants will be maintained based on the eligibility criteria outlined in the scheme guidelines.
  • Subsequently, the selection of applicants in each category—global, hybrid, and domestic—will be based on their ranking and overall PLI projection, subject to the availability of the budget.
• Tenure: The incentives provided under the PLI 2.0 Scheme will be applicable for a period of 6 years
• Base year: For the calculation of net incremental sales of manufactured goods, the base year will be the financial year 2022-23.
• Incentives payout:
  • The incentive granted to each company will be based on the net incremental sales of manufactured goods in the target segment, compared to the base year.
  • The maximum incentive amounts will be capped at INR 45 billion for global companies, INR 22.50 billion for hybrid (global/domestic) companies, and INR 5 billion for domestic companies.

Centre procures 3 lakh tonnes of onion for buffer stock; piloting irradiation of onion with BARC

The Central government has procured 20% more onion at 3 lakh tonnes as buffer stock this year, while also piloting irradiation of onion with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) to increase shelf life, Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh said on Sunday.

In the 2022-23 fiscal, the government had maintained 2.51 lakh tonnes of onion as buffer stock.

The buffer stock is maintained under the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) to meet any exigencies, if rates go up significantly during the lean supply season.

• Price Stabilisation Fund:
  • Established in 2014-15, PSF is any fund created to absorb extreme volatility in selected commodity prices.
  • Such goods will be procured directly from farmers or farmers'' organisations at the farm gate/mandi, and made available to consumers at a more affordable price.
  • Losses sustained, if any, between the Centre and the states must be shared in the operations.
  • The sum in the fund is usually used for activities aimed at bringing down/up the high/low prices say, for example, acquisition of certain goods and distribution of the same as and when appropriate so that costs remain within a range.
• Provides Loans:
  • The PSF scheme provides for the advancement of interest-free loans to State Governments/Union Territories (UTs) and Central Agencies to finance their working capital and other expenses, which they may incur in the procurement and distribution of such commodities.
  • The PSF scheme was transferred from the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution w.e.f. 1 April, 2016.
• Fund Management:
  • It is centrally managed by a Price Stabilisation Fund Management Committee (PSFMC) that approves all State Government''s and Central Agencies'' proposals.
• Maintaining the Corpus Fund:
  • Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC), a society promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare for linking agriculture to private enterprises, investment, and technology, maintains the PSF as a central corpus fund.
• Related Scheme:
  • Launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Operation Green (OG) aims to build value chains of Tomatoes, Onions, and Potatoes (TOP) on the lines of “Operation Flood” (AMUL model) for milk in such a way that will ensure a higher share of consumer’s rupee goes to farmers and stabilizes their prices.
    • While presenting the Union budget 2021, the government announced that Operation Green (OG) will be expanded beyond TOP to 22 perishable commodities.