CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• Scientists at the CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) have shed light on the potential of Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF), a protein-rich extract obtained from the microalgae ‘Chlorella sorokiniana’, as an excellent ingredient for a wide array of food and feed applications.
• About Microalgae:
  • Microalgae are microscopic algae, unlike the macroscopic varieties.
  • They are primarily unicellular, although some form complex associations resulting in colonies with larger structures.
  • Their sizes vary from a few micrometers (µm) to several hundreds of micrometers, depending on the species.
  • Unlike higher plants, microalgae lack roots, stems, or leaves.
  • They predominantly engage in photosynthesis, facilitated by photosynthetic pigments.
  • Microalgae thrive in diverse aquatic habitats, including freshwater, brackish, marine, and hypersaline environments.
  • Examples of unicellular algal species include green algae, diatoms, and dinoflagellates.

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• The Telangana High Court has delivered a verdict against a taxpayer whom the revenue department had targeted using the General Anti-avoidance Rule (GAAR).
• About General Anti-Avoidance Rule (GAAR):
  • GAAR serves as a critical anti-tax evasion measure in India, designed to stem tax avoidance and plug revenue leaks.
  • It was implemented on 1st April 2017, falling under the purview of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
  • GAAR is a potent instrument to counter aggressive tax planning strategies, particularly transactions or business arrangements engineered to sidestep tax liabilities.
  • Its primary objective is to curb revenue losses resulting from corporate practices aimed at minimizing tax burdens.
  • GAAR applies to ostensibly legal transactions that result in tax reduction.
  • Tax reduction practices can broadly be categorized into three groups.
  • Tax mitigation, a 'positive' approach where taxpayers leverage fiscal incentives while adhering to legislation and considering economic repercussions, remains permissible under the Act even post-GAAR enforcement.
  • Tax evasion, on the other hand, entails the deliberate non-payment of due taxes to the government, constituting illegal activity subject to legal consequences.
  • GAAR does not address tax evasion, as existing legal frameworks adequately cover such illicit practices.
  • Tax avoidance encompasses legal maneuvers undertaken by taxpayers to minimize tax liabilities, albeit deemed undesirable and inequitable for undermining revenue collection objectives.
  • GAAR targets transactions solely aimed at tax avoidance, where legal steps are utilized to reduce tax liabilities that would not have been undertaken in the absence of such tax benefits.
  • This form of tax planning falls within GAAR's scope.
  • Under GAAR, there's no distinction between tax avoidance and evasion; all transactions with tax implications can face scrutiny, ensuring a robust deterrent against tax avoidance practices.

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• Sea cucumbers, the ocean's humble cleaners resembling elongated vegetables, have been a culinary delicacy in Asia for centuries. However, their popularity has led to rampant overharvesting in recent years, resulting in their dwindling numbers.
• About Sea Cucumbers:
  • Belonging to the class Holothuroidea within the phylum Echinodermata, sea cucumbers are marine animals ubiquitous in saltwater environments worldwide, typically dwelling on or near the seabed. They're recognized by their soft, leathery skin and elongated bodies.
  • Tropical Seas' Custodians: Sea cucumbers play a vital role as the janitors of tropical oceans. Much like vacuum cleaners clearing debris, they consume bacteria and decaying organic matter from the seafloor, converting it into their body mass and thereby reducing the available nutrients for microbial pathogens.
• Appearance and Habitat:
  • Varied Sizes and Colors: Sea cucumbers exhibit diverse sizes, ranging from a mere 0.75 inches to a whopping 10 feet in length, displaying an array of colors from browns and reds to oranges, yellows, whites, blues, and intricate patterns.
  • Distinct Body Structure: Adorned with bumps and lacking eyes or a brain, sea cucumbers have evolved ingenious mechanisms for navigation, defense, and foraging.
• Threats:
  • Predation and Human Exploitation: Sea cucumbers fall prey to numerous marine predators and are also a target for human consumption. Overfishing poses a significant threat, with more than 70 species exploited for commercial gain.
  • Symbiotic Bonds: Certain sea cucumber species engage in symbiotic relationships, such as with the star pearlfish, which seeks refuge within the sea cucumber's body.

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• In response to the escalating public health crisis posed by visceral leishmaniasis (VL), commonly known as kala-azar, the World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced a novel framework aimed at guiding health authorities, policymakers, and other stakeholders in eastern Africa towards the eradication of this disease.
• About Kala-azar:
  • Kala-azar, or visceral leishmaniasis (VL), represents a severe form of leishmaniasis, triggered by the protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani.
  • It spreads to humans through the bite of an infected female sandfly, predominantly Phlebotomus argentipes in India.
  • Symptoms: The condition manifests with intermittent fevers, significant weight loss, enlargement of the spleen and liver, and severe anemia if left untreated, potentially resulting in fatality within two years.
  • Diagnosis: Diagnosis involves a combination of clinical assessments and parasitological or serological tests, such as the rK39 diagnostic kit.
  • Kala-azar prevails as an endemic affliction across 75 nations spanning Asia, Africa, and the Americas, with India alone bearing 18% of the global burden in 2020.

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• In the newly constituted Indian cabinet, comprising 30 Union ministers, only two are women, marking a significant gender disparity. Moreover, the total number of ministers in the central council has dwindled from 10 in the preceding administration to just seven.
• About the Report:
  • The Global Gender Gap Report 2024, issued by the World Economic Forum (WEF), sheds light on the enduring gender disparities prevalent across diverse sectors worldwide.
• Key Findings:
  • Leading Nations: Iceland retains its status as the most gender-equal nation for the 14th consecutive year, boasting a commendable gender gap score of 91.2%.
  • Other Nordic countries like Norway, Finland, and Sweden also feature prominently in the top five rankings.
  • India secures the 129th spot in this year’s index, experiencing a marginal decline compared to the previous assessment.
  • This slight regression primarily stems from minor setbacks in 'Educational Attainment' and 'Political Empowerment', although there was a modest improvement in 'Economic Participation and Opportunity'.
  • Among South Asian economies, India ranks third lowest, trailing behind Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan, reflecting a comparatively inferior performance in gender parity metrics.