UPSC QUIZ 07.11.2023

Explanation:

• As per the latest edition of Adaptation Gap Report, 2023 released by UN Environment Programme, developing countries, together, need at least USD 215 billion every year this decade to carry out meaningful adaptation work.
• In 2021, just about USD 21 billion went to developing countries for adaptation projects, which was down about 15% from the previous years.This year’s report focuses on adaptation finance, or the availability of money to carry out the adaptation projects.
• The adaptation finance gap – the difference between estimated adaptation financing needs and costs and finance flows - has grown over the past.
• The adaptation gap is likely 10-18 times as great as current international adaptation finance flows — at least 50% higher than previous range estimates.
• The current adaptation finance gap is now estimated at USD 194-366 billion per year.

Explanation:

• Indian Air Force (IAF) to strengthen its defence capabilities has deployed three S-400 Triumf air defence missile squadrons along the borders with China and Pakistan.
• India in 2018-19 signed a contract with Russia for five S-400 missile squadrons. Three have arrived, and the remaining two are delayed due to Russia-Ukraine conflict.
• In another development, the Indian Defence Acquisition Council recently cleared the procurement of the Indian Long Range Surface Air Missile(LRSAM) system under Project Kusha.

S-400 Triumf Missiles System

• The S-400 Triumf is a mobile, surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by Russia, capable of intercepting and destroying various aerial targets, such as aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles.
• The S-400 has a range of up to 400 km, at an altitude of up to 30 km and can engage up to 36 targets simultaneously, with four different types of missiles.
• It is the most dangerous operationally deployed modern long-range SAM (MLR SAM) in the world, considered much ahead of the US-developed Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD).

Explanation:

• 11 Asian and South American countries signed a landmark deal in Bogota, Colombia to save the world’s six surviving species of river dolphins from extinction.
• This landmark deal signifies a ray of hope in combating the severe decline of river dolphin populations, which have dwindled by a staggering 73% since the 1980s.

Global Declaration for River Dolphins

• The Global Declaration for River Dolphins aims to halt the decline of all river dolphin species and bolster the most vulnerable populations through concerted efforts.
• It outlines measures such as eradicating gillnets, reducing pollution, expanding research initiatives, and creating protected areas to safeguard the remaining river dolphin species.
• Countries that adopted the declaration include: Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Peru, and Venezuela.

Explanation:

• Rating agency Fitch raised India's gross domestic product (GDP) medium-term growth forecast by 70 basis points to 6.2%, from 5.5% earlier.
• This cut is mainly due to a large reduction in the estimate of China's supply-side growth potential by 0.7 percentage points.
• The agency said in its report that the potential growth of the emerging market has weakened due to China's slow pace.
• China's medium-term growth forecast has been reduced from 5.3% to 4.6%.
• Fitch has said that India's growth rate for 2023-24 is expected to be 6.3%.
• The forecast for Russia has been reduced from 1.6% to 0.8%, for Korea from 2.3% to 2.1% and for South Africa from 1.2% to 1%.

Explanation:

• Every year on 7th November, National Cancer Awareness Day is observed.
• It is observed to promote awareness about the diagnosis, treatment, and early detection of cancer.
• National Cancer Awareness Day is being celebrated every year on 7 November since 2014 in India.
• It is observed on 7th November coinciding with the birth anniversary of scientist Madame Curie.
• In India, nearly 1.1 million new cases of cancer are reported annually.
• The main reasons for the late detection of 50% of cancers are illiteracy, lack of awareness, fear, and stigma.
• In India, 70% of cancers (40% tobacco related, 20% infection related and 10% others) are caused by potentially modifiable and preventable risk factors.
• World Cancer Day is celebrated on 4 February.