Daily News Analysis : 23 July 2024

Zebra Mussel found in Colorado River

Invasive species Zebra Mussel, capable of wiping out aquatic Ecosystems has been found for the first time in the Colorado River. It is an invasive, fingernail-sized mollusk native to the Caspian and Black Sea, South of Russia and Ukraine. Its scientific name is Dreissena Polymorpha. The Colorado River is the most important River  Southwest. 

Key Points:

A) The larvae of these invasive zebra mussels—known as zebra mussel veligers—were detected in river water.
B) This is concerning for conservationists, as the presence of zebra mussels in the Colorado River could have significant impacts on native fish populations, especially in areas of slower water movement.
C) This challenging discovery has ecological and economic impacts not only on the Grand Valley but potential statewide impacts as well.

Fused Silica Radomes for Missiles

The Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL) has developed indigenous fused silica radomes for missiles. Radomes are enclosures that safeguard radar antennas and influence the effectiveness of missiles. DMRL is a research laboratory of DRDO located in Hyderabad and is responsible for development of advanced metallic and ceramic materials .

Key Points:

A) The significant breakthrough achieved by the DMRL involves the development of a cost-effective and efficient method to produce Radomes using indigenous raw materials.
B) By effectively mastering cold isostatic pressing (CIP) technology, the laboratory can now produce these crucial components with high success rates and the desired properties.
C) CIP is a technique that involves applying high pressure from all directions to compress powdered materials evenly.

Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety (RAMSES)

The new RAMSES spacecraft of the European Space Agency was recently announced to accompany Asteroid Apophis. RAMSES is a Planetary defence mission of ESA that will intercept the Asteroid 99942 Apophis and accompany it through its safe and exceptionally close flyby of Earth in 2029.

Key Points

A) ESA is the second major space agency, after NASA, to commit a space mission for Apophis that was once considered to be on a pathway to collide with the Earth.
B) Apophis will come within 32,000 km of the Earth in 2029, offering space agencies a rare opportunity to study an asteroid from such close quarters.
C) ESA said an asteroid of such large size comes this close to  the Earth only once in about 5,000 to 10,000 years.
 

Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite

The theory of two black holes at the centre of galaxy OJ 287 was confirmed by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite. The Galaxy OJ 287 is located 4 billion light years away. The TESS mission is NASAs mission designed to discover thousands of exoplanets orbiting around the brightest dwarf stars in the sky.

Key Points:

A) The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has been created to identify numerous exoplanets that revolve around the most luminous dwarf stars in the celestial sphere. It is uncovering a wide range of planets, from compact, rocky ones to massive planets, thus demonstrating the variety of planets within our galaxy.
B)  It has so far found 410 confirmed exoplanets or “new worlds” circling stars other than the Sun.
C) In 2021, TESS spent several weeks studying another kind of system, a 4 billion light years away galaxy called OJ 287.
 

Crop loans limit increased to 5 lakh

The Union Government of India is planning to increase the upper limit of the short term crop loans from 3 lakh to 5 lakh under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS). It is a central sector scheme launched in 2006-07 with the aim to provide short term agri loans availed by farmers through Kisan Credit Card (KCC). NABARD and RBI are the implementing agencies for the scheme.

Key Points:

A) The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare is currently reviewing a proposal to increase the borrowing limit for farmers at a concessional rate.
B) State governments are pushing for an increase in the maximum limit for Kisan Credit Card loans, offering a discounted annual interest rate of 7%, and 4% for those who repay promptly.
C) In the interim Budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman allocated Rs 22,600 crore under MISS, as presented to Parliament on February 1st of this year.

National DMF portal

Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G Kishan Reddy launched the National District Mineral foundation (DMF) portal and Mineral Exploration Hackathon in Hyderabad. The DMF portal is a centralised portal that will gather information on the District Mineral Foundations across the country. DMF is a non-profit body under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regular) Amendment act 2015.

Key Points:

A) Union Minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy also inaugurated the ‘Mineral Exploration Hackathon’.
B) The event is aimed at promoting the use of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) for geophysical data collection to identify new mineral targets, particularly deep-seated and concealed ore bodies.

Bhusanket Web Portal

The National Landslide Forecasting Centre along with Bhusanket web Portal and Bhooskhalan Mobile App was recently launched by Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G Kishan Reddy. The National Landslide Forecasting Centre was inaugurated at Geological Survey of India (GSI) Kolkata. GSI was set up in 1851 as an attached office to the Ministry of Mines.

Key Points:

A) NLFC will conduct medium- and short-range landslide forecasting that will then be dissiminated through the app and the portal.
B) GSI has thus far completed mapping 4.3 lakh sq km of landslide-prone areas in the country in 19 states and Union territories.
C) The app will have colour coded warnings. 

Periyar Vision OTT platform

A social organisation Dravidar Kazhagam founded by Periyar EV Ramaswamy launched Periyar Vision OTT platform. EV Ramaswami also known as Periyar or Thanthai Periyar was an Indian Social Activist and politician. He started the Self-Respect Movement and Dravidar Kazhagam and is also known as Father of Dravidian  Movement. 

Key Points:

A) The platform features content on various superstitions associated with religion, interviews with prominent political party leaders, on rationalism, films, short films, documentaries and other programmes.
B) Periyar Vision OTT was perhaps the first such platform in the world based on an ideology.
C)  In this era of social media, Periyar Vision OTT is being launched to take Periyar’s ideologies to youth.

Upper Karnali Hydro-Electric Power Project

The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) invested 290 crore in Nepal’s Upper Karnali Hydro-Electric Power Project. It is a 900 MW run of the river hydropower project developed on Karnali River in Nepal. The project is being built on a build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) basis.

Key Points:

A) The project also includes major stakeholders like GMR and the Nepal Electricity Authority, signifying a robust collaboration between Indian and Nepalese entities in the renewable energy sector.
B) The inclusion of IREDA and SJVN Limited is expected to bolster the project’s execution and ensure energy independence in the region.

Leander Paes and Amritraj inducted into International Tennis Hall of Fame

Indian veteran tennis stars Leander Paes and Vijay Amritraj have recently been inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. They are inducted as the 265th and 267th members. 

Key Points:

A) While Paes was inducted under the player category, Amritraj made it into the coveted club under the contributor category.
B) In 2001, Amritraj became the first Indian to serve as United Nations Messenger of Peace.
C) Paes has won 18 Grand Slam titles – eight in men’s doubles and 10 in mixed doubles.