8 May 2024, The Indian EXPRESS
Stop providing safe haven to criminals, secessionist elements: India tells Canada
Page no- 5
GS3- Role of External State and Non-state Actors in creating challenges to Internal Security
- The tensions between India and Canada seem to be escalating due to recent events. India's call for Canada to curb the activities of pro-Khalistan elements reflects a deep concern over the use of violent imagery and threats against Indian political figures and diplomats.
- The arrest of three Indian nationals in Canada on murder charges adds another layer of complexity to the situation, potentially straining bilateral relations further. It will be interesting to see how both governments navigate these issues and work towards resolving any underlying tensions.
Blaze in hills
Page no- 10
GS3- Disaster and Disaster Management
- The imagery of Forester Shiv Singh Rawat bravely battling a forest fire is vivid and intense. It depicts the urgency and danger of the situation as the fire spreads rapidly, likened to "molten lava" and "jungle ki aag ki tarah failna." Rawat's determination and courage shine through as he rushes towards the flames armed only with a branch to beat them out.
- His sweat-soaked uniform adds to the sense of intensity, highlighting the physical strain of his efforts.
- The teamwork between Rawat and the other forest guard, one using a gardening rake to widen the gap and prevent the fire from spreading further, underscores the importance of coordinated efforts in combating such natural disasters.
- This scene captures the heroism and dedication of those who put their lives on the line to protect forests and communities from the devastating impact of wildfires.
Australian parliamentary report questions deal over concerns of ‘child labour’ in India
Page no- 13
GS2- Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests
- The Australian parliamentary committee's report highlights a significant point of contention in the ongoing negotiations between India and Australia regarding their trade relationship.
- While both countries are working towards broadening their trade deal, concerns raised by the Australian committee regarding child labor in India underscore the complexities involved in such agreements.
- The report's assertion that the trade deal could potentially result in increased imports of goods with lower environmental and labor standards reflects broader concerns about the social and ethical implications of international trade agreements.
- Balancing economic interests with the need to uphold human rights and environmental protections is a delicate task for policymakers.
ECI letter on deepfakes; what poll panel has said, & what remains unclear
Page no- 13
GS3- Awareness in the fields of IT
- The Election Commission of India's response to the use of deepfakes during the election season underscores the growing concern over the spread of misinformation and manipulated content on social media platforms.
- By instructing political parties not to share such content and mandating its removal within three hours if discovered, the ECI aims to curb the dissemination of false information that could influence voters.
- The ECI's acknowledgment of the rapid and widespread distribution of misinformation facilitated by the ease of forwarding and sharing content on social media platforms highlights the urgent need for measures to address this issue.
- Deepfake technology, in particular, presents a significant challenge due to its ability to create highly convincing yet entirely fabricated audiovisual content, making it difficult for users to discern fact from fiction.
Will higher default limit for pesticide in spices impact health
Page no- 14
GS2- Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) recently announced an increase in the default limit for pesticide residues in spices from 0.01 mg/kg to 0.1 mg/kg.
- This ten-fold increase is intended to provide clarity in cases where Indian regulations do not specify maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides used on crops.
- However, it's important to note that the default MRL for other food products remains unchanged at 0.01 mg/kg.
- This adjustment in pesticide residue limits comes amidst concerns raised by the detection of higher-than-permissible levels of ethylene oxide, a pesticide, in some Indian spice mixes.
- This issue prompted the removal of these products from shelves in Singapore and Hong Kong.
- By revising the default limit, FSSAI aims to ensure compliance with international standards while addressing gaps in regulations pertaining to pesticide residues in spices.
Why EVs lies at the heart of trade frictions between China and Europe
Page no- 14
GS2- Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests
- President Xi Jinping's recent visit to Europe marks a significant diplomatic engagement amidst heightened tensions between China and certain European countries.
- His itinerary, including stops in France, Belgrade, and Budapest, underscores China's efforts to strengthen ties with European partners despite existing challenges.
- Trade disputes between China and the European Union (EU) have been a focal point, particularly concerning issues such as Chinese electric vehicle exports and market access for European companies in China. These disputes reflect broader economic tensions and competition between the two global powers.
