UPSC QUIZ 12.12.2023

Explanation:

• Lok Sabha has passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2023 and the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
• The Bill seeks to represent those who became refugees in their own country and also reserves one seat in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly for people who have been displaced from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
• Before the Revocation of Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir had distinct rules for delimiting Lok Sabha and Assembly seats.
• Post the abrogation of Article 370 and the region's transition into a Union Territory, a Delimitation Commission was formed in March 2020.
• This commission was tasked not only with delimiting J&K's seats but also those of Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland, aiming to finish within a year.
• Recently, the commission concluded its delimitation process, resulting in an increase in J&K's legislative assembly seats from 107 to 114, facilitated by the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

Explanation:

• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has proposed an action plan aimed at significantly reducing emissions from the global cooling sector in its recent report titled “Keeping it Chill: How to meet cooling demands while cutting emissions.
• This initiative carries the potential to make a substantial impact on the predicted 2050 greenhouse gas emissions, reducing them by 60%.
• The report is released in support of the Global Cooling Pledge, a joint initiative between the United Arab Emirates as host of the Conference of Parties(COP28) and the Cool Coalition.
• The Cool Coalition is a global network of partners working to provide efficient, climate-friendly cooling for all.
• The UNEP launched the Cool Coalition at the First Global Conference on Synergies between the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.India is a member of the Cool Coalition.

Explanation:

• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter. Its purpose was to alert the UN Security Council about the potential threat of Israel's actions in Gaza.
• The Secretary-General has taken this step to draw attention to the urgent need to stop this major humanitarian disaster.

Article 99 of the United Nations Charter

• Article 99 is a provision within the United Nations Charter that serves as the constitution of the United Nations.
• It empowers the Secretary-General to draw the attention of the Security Council to potential threats to international peace and security.
• Article 99 is considered discretionary, allowing the Secretary-General to highlight important issues and requiring the involvement of the Security Council to implement it.
• This article has been used sparingly, with previous calls to address matters such as the 1960 revolution in the Republic of the Congo, Tunisia's complaint against French military actions in 1961, and the formation of Bangladesh in 1971.

Explanation:

• The first delta ranking of the Aspirational Block Program (ABP) announced by NITI Aayog has been released.
• The rankings were announced at a virtual event at NITI Aayog.
• In this ranking, Tiryani block of Kumaram Bheem Asifabad district of Telangana has secured the top rank. “Kaushambi Block” of Kaushambi district of Uttar Pradesh has secured second position in the ABP ranking.
• The program launched a “Wall of Fame” showcasing the top rankers of Aspirational Block Program (ABP) and Aspirational District Program (ADP).

Delta Ranking Criteria

• The ranking of the blocks has been calculated based on the performance of the blocks and the progress achieved in the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in the month of June, 2023.
• In a unique initiative, top rankers of ABP and ADP will be displayed on the Wall Fall built at NITI Aayog.
• In this exhibition, NITI Aayog will showcase the efforts and projects undertaken by the Aspirational Blocks and Districts to improve their indicators and achieve progress.

Explanation:

• Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023’ issued by CCPA.
• On 30 November, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), in the exercise of the powers conferred by Section 18 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, issued these guidelines.
• The Guidelines have been issued for preventing and regulating dark patterns listing 13 specified dark patterns.
• Dark patterns involve using design and choice architecture to deceive, coerce, or influence consumers into making choices that are not in their best interests.
• Dark patterns include various manipulative practices, such as drip pricing, disguised advertising, bait and switch, false immediacy, etc.
• As defined under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, such practices fall under the category of “unfair trade practices.”
• Under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the Department of Consumer Affairs has also notified the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020, to protect consumers from unfair trade practices in e-commerce.
• On June 9, 2022, the Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsement of Misleading Advertisements Guidelines, 2022 was notified by the CCPA.
• On 23 November 2022, the framework on ‘Online Consumer Reviews — Principles and Requirements for their Collection, Moderation and Publication’ was notified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).