The Governments of various countries have united to combat chemical pollution today, launching a $134-million project to eliminate the use of one susbstance in medical devices.

Used in health-care settings for centuries, mercury is a toxic metal that poses a threat to human health and the environment. Medical thermometers and sphygmomanometers (devices which measure blood pressure) contain this substance and are harmless as long as they remain intact.

However, when these devices break or are taken out of service, this substance they contain can escape into the environment where it vaporises, exposing health care workers and patients to harmful fumes. Inhalation can cause damage to the lungs, kidneys and nervous system, while the waste generated can contaminate the immediate area of the spill, as well as a facility’s wastewater.

Source – https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/134-mil

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Passage 2

India has contributed $500,000 to the U.N. Counter-Terrorism Trust Fund, underscoring its unwavering commitment to support multilateral efforts in the global fight against the scourge of terrorism.
India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador on May 7 handed over to Under Secretary General, United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) the country’s voluntary financial contribution of half a million dollars towards the U.N. Counter-Terrorism Trust Fund (CTTF).
“India places great significance on the mandate and the work undertaken by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism in building the capacity of member states to effectively deal with the threat of terrorism. The latest contribution reaffirms India’s unwavering commitment to supporting multilateral efforts led by the United Nations in the global fight against the scourge of terrorism,” a statement by the Permanent Mission of India to the U.N. said.

Source- https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/india-contri

25th MAY 2024 CLAT

Name

Mobile

Passage 1

1. The substance mentioned in the above passage is?

A. Lead

B. Mercury

C. Arsenic

D. Cadmium

2. The governments of which of this country did not have united to combat chemical pollution by launching a USD 134-million project to eliminate the use of mercury in medical devices?

A. India

B. Montenegro

C. Burkina Faso

D. None

3. The initiative is led by ____, funded by Global Environment Facility (GEF), and executed by World Health Organisation (WHO), aiming to reduce the impact of healthcare on the environment and human health.

A. WHO

B. MPMC

C. UNEP

D. Both a and b

4. Which of this the famous Convention on the above substance/element?

A. Minamata

B. Ramasar

C. Bonn

D. Rio

5. Indiscriminate disposal of used fluorescent electric lamps causes mercury pollution in the environment. Why is this substance used in the manufacture of these lamps?

A. A mercury coating on the inside of the lamp makes the light bright white.

B. When the lamp is switched on, the mercury in the lamp causes the emission of ultra-violet radiations.

C. When the lamp is switched on, it is the mercury which converts the ultra-violet energy into visible light.

D. None of the statement given above is correct about the use of mercury in the manufacture of fluorescent lamps

Passage 2

6. The UN Counter-Terrorism Trust Fund (UNCTTF) aims to support global efforts in countering terrorism. It was established in?

A. 2005

B. 2007

C. 2009

D. 2010

7. In which year did India hosted a special meeting of the UNSC’s Counter Terrorism Committee (CTC) to discuss terror-financing through crypto-currency and use of drones in the new-age terrorism?

A. 2022

B. 2021

C. 2019

D. 2018

8. Who is the India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador?

A. Diwakar Singh

B. Ruchira Kamboj

C. Taranjit Sandhu

D. Arindam Bagachi

9. Which of this is incorrect about UNSC-CTC?

A. It was established by Security Council resolution 1373 which was adopted unanimously on 28th September 2001 in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks in the US.

B. The Committee comprises all 15 Security Council member.

C. Five permanent members: China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and ten non-permanent members elected for three-year terms by the General Assembly.

D. None

10. UN Counter-Terrorism Trust Fund (UNCTTF) aims to support global efforts in countering terrorism. It was established and later incorporated into the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) in ___.

A. 2017

B. 2018

C. 2019

D. 2021