MLC Daily Current Affairs – 18 September 2024

Today in History (September 18^th, 2016)

Uri attack on 18th September, 2016, in Jammu and Kashmir, India by terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammad results in the deaths of nineteen Indian Army soldiers and all four attackers.

Let’s Revise

A) When is the International Day of Democracy observed?

1. September 10
2. September 15
3. October 15
4. November 8

Answer: B)
Explanation: The International Day of Democracy is an annual celebration observed on September 15.

B) Which organization established the International Day of Democracy?

1. UNESCO
2. UNICEF
3. United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
4. World Health Organization (WHO)

Answer: C)
Explanation: The UNGA established this day in 2007 to emphasize the global significance of democracy.

C) In which year was the International Day of Democracy established?

1. 2005
2. 2007
3. 2010
4. 2015

Answer: B)
Explanation: The United Nations General Assembly established the International Day of Democracy in 2007.

D) What is the main purpose of the International Day of Democracy?

1. To celebrate national holidays
2. To emphasize the global significance of democracy
3. To promote economic growth
4. To celebrate cultural diversity

Answer: B)
Explanation: The day serves to highlight the importance of democracy worldwide.

E) What does the International Day of Democracy remind us about democracy?

1. It is a fixed condition
2. It is an ongoing pursuit
3. It is irrelevant in modern times
4. It is only for developed countries

Answer: B)
Explanation: The day serves as a reminder that democracy is not merely a fixed condition but an ongoing pursuit.

F) Who is called to engage actively in pursuing the democratic idea?

1. Only governments
2. Only international organizations
3. International organizations, nation-states, civil society, and people
4. Only civil society

Answer: C)
Explanation: The day calls for active engagement from all these groups to pursue the democratic idea.

G) When did the UNGA pass the resolution to support new or restored democracies?

1. September 15, 1997
2. November 8, 2007
3. January 1, 2000
4. December 10, 1948

Answer: B)
Explanation: The UNGA passed the resolution on November 8, 2007.

H) What significant event does September 15 coincide with?

1. Adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
2. Adoption of the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s Universal Declaration on Democracy
3. Establishment of the United Nations
4. International Peace Day

Answer: B)
Explanation: September 15 coincides with the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration on Democracy in 1997.

I) Where was the Universal Declaration on Democracy adopted?

1. New York
2. Geneva
3. Paris
4. London

Answer: B)
Explanation: The Universal Declaration on Democracy was adopted in Geneva on September 15, 1997.

J) What does the Universal Declaration on Democracy proclaim about democracy?

1. It is a system of government based on the freely expressed will of the people
2. It is a system of government based on economic power
3. It is a system of government based on military strength
4. It is a system of government based on cultural heritage

Answer: A)
Explanation: The declaration outlines that democracy is based on the freely expressed will of the people.

K) When was the first-ever International Day of Democracy held?

1. 2007
2. 2008
3. 2009
4. 2010

Answer: B)
Explanation: The first-ever International Day of Democracy was held in 2008.

L) What is the theme for the International Day of Democracy in 2024?

1. Democracy and Human Rights
2. Artificial Intelligence as a Tool for Good Governance
3. Global Peace and Security
4. Economic Development and Democracy

Answer: B)
Explanation: The theme for 2024 is “Artificial Intelligence as a Tool for Good Governance.”

M) What does IPU stand for?

1. International Parliamentary Union
2. Inter-Parliamentary Union
3. International Peace Union
4. Inter-Parliamentary Unity

Answer: B)
Explanation: IPU stands for Inter-Parliamentary Union, which is the international organization of Parliaments.

N) When was the IPU established?

1. 1885
2. 1889
3. 1895
4. 1900

Answer: B)
Explanation: The IPU was established in 1889 in Paris to promote representative democracy and world peace.

O) Where was the IPU established?

1. London
2. Geneva
3. Paris
4. New York

Answer: C)
Explanation: The IPU was established in Paris.

P) What is the main purpose of the IPU?

1. To promote economic growth
2. To promote representative democracy and world peace
3. To promote cultural heritage
4. To promote technological advancements

Answer: B)
Explanation: The IPU was established to promote representative democracy and world peace.

Q) What does the IPU facilitate?

1. Economic development
2. Parliamentary diplomacy
3. Technological innovation
4. Cultural exchange

Answer: B)
Explanation: The IPU facilitates parliamentary diplomacy and empowers parliaments and parliamentarians to promote peace, democracy, and sustainable development around the world.

R) What is the slogan of the IPU?

1. “For peace and prosperity”
2. “For democracy. For everyone”
3. “Unity in diversity”
4. “Together for a better world”

Answer: B)
Explanation: The slogan of the IPU is “For democracy. For everyone.”

S) How many associate members does the IPU have?

1. 10
2. 12
3. 13
4. 15

Answer: C)
Explanation: The IPU has 13 associate members.

T) What is one of the key roles of the IPU?

1. To create international laws
2. To empower parliaments and parliamentarians
3. To manage global economic policies
4. To oversee international sports events

Answer: B)
Explanation: The IPU empowers parliaments and parliamentarians to promote peace, democracy, and sustainable development around the world.

Summary of Today’s News

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

Overview:
• Global Impact: According to a Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance (GRAM) published in Lancet, over 390 million deaths by antibiotic-resistant infections are estimated to occur worldwide by 2050.

What is Antimicrobial Resistance?
• Definition: AMR happens when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines. This makes infections harder to treat and increases the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death.
• Threat: Antibiotic resistance is a major threat to the successful treatment of infectious diseases, organ transplants, cancer chemotherapy, and major surgeries.

Key Highlights of the Report:
• India’s Situation: In India, bacterial AMR deaths are linked to six major superbugs:
o Escherichia coli
o Klebsiella pneumoniae
o Staphylococcus aureus
o Acinetobacter baumannii
o Mycobacterium tuberculosis
o Streptococcus pneumoniae

• Global Deaths: Each year between 1990 and 2021, more than 1 million people died worldwide due to AMR.
o Children Under Five: AMR deaths among children under five declined by 50% during this period.
o Elderly (70+): AMR deaths among people aged 70 and above increased by more than 80%.

• India’s Death Toll (2019):
o Indirectly Linked: 686,908 deaths were associated with these superbugs.
o Directly Linked: 214,461 deaths were directly attributable to these superbugs.
o Sepsis Deaths: 290,000 sepsis deaths in India were directly linked to AMR.
o Sepsis: A dangerous reaction to a bacterial infection that can lead to organ failure without treatment.

Causes of Antimicrobial Resistance:
o Overuse and Misuse of Antibiotics: Excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics in humans and animals is a major driver of AMR.
o Survey: A survey on prescribing trends for antibiotics was released by the National Centre for Disease Control.