Daily News Analysis : 27 July 2024

New data from NOvA experiment

The mystery surrounding the mass of Neutrinos gets deepens by new data from the NOvA (NuMI Off-axis ve Appearance) experiment. The NOvA experiment is to study Neutrinos and the experiment is managed by the US Department of Energy’s Fermi National Accelerator laboratory. Neutrinos are elementary subatomic particles with no electric charge.

Key Points:

A) Neutrinos are subatomic particles. They have no electricity, they have mass, and they are left-handed (a physics term meaning they reverse their motion). They are flooding the universe.
B) It is the second most abundant particle after photons (particles of light) and is the most abundant constituent of matter.

Scientists discover Dark Oxygen

A strange phenomenon dubbed as “Dark Oxygen” was recently discovered by scientists in the deep sea. It is being produced 13,000 feet below the ocean surface. The discovery has baffled scientists as it defies the general scientific consensus of production of oxygen via photosynthesis. Dark oxygen can be defined as Oxygen that is produced in complete darkness thousands of feet below the ocean surface.

Key Points:

A) Now, that understanding has been challenged by new evidence that oxygen can also be produced by electrolysis on the floor of the ocean, 4,000 metres below the surface, according to a study published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Geoscience.
B) A team of scientists led by Andrew Sweetman of the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) made the discovery on the seabed of the Clarion-Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean.

25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas

The 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas was observed on July 26 by the Government of India. It is celebrated annually to commemorate India’s victory over Pakistan in the Kargil War. The day is celebrated to mark the courage and sacrifice of Indian soldiers who valiantly defended Nations sovereignty.

Key Points:

A) Prime Minister Modi was addressing the nation at the Kargil Vijay Diwas Shradhanjali Samaroh event held in Ladakh to commemorate India’s victory in the 25th Kargil war.
B) The Indian soldiers secured this victory after a three-month conflict on July 26, 1999.
C) However, the war resulted in casualties on both sides, with the Indian forces losing nearly 490 officers, soldiers, and jawans.
 

Wind Demon

The Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has recently unveiled the country’s first air to surface missile namely “Wind Demon” at the Farnborough International Airshow 2024. The missile weighs 140 kg and can be launched from aerial platforms such as attack helicopters and fighter jets. It has a range of 200 kilometres with a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of just 1 metre. 

Key Points:

A) The Wind Demon features laser-homing seekers and electro-optics for precise day and night target identification.
B) It also reportedly has remarkable accuracy, with a circular error probability of just one meter (3.3 feet).
C) The weapon features various speed profiles to allow rapid response or discrete approach, depending on the terrain.
Bolivia becomes member of MERCOSUR groupings

South American Nation Bolivia recently became a full time member of MERCOSUR groupings. The step was taken in order to increase trades with member countries. MERCOSUR or Southern Common Market is an economic and political bloc of Latin America and it was created in 1991 by signing the Treaty of Asuncion.

Key Points:

A) Bolivia’s potential accession to MERCOSUR (Southern Common Market) has been in the pipeline ever since it signed a protocol of accession to MERCOSUR in 2012.
B) Bolivia has been an associated member of MERCOSUR since 1996.
C) Mercosur, or the Southern Common Market, is an economic and political bloc that originally comprised Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

Exercise KHAAN QUEST

Indian Army contingent departed to Mongolia to participate in the Exercise KHAAN QUEST. The exercise is scheduled to be conducted between 27th July to 9th August at Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. It is a multinational military exercise that brings together military forces from around the world and enhances their peacekeeping capabilities. 

Key Points:

A) The KHAAN QUEST exercise will enable participating countries to share best practices in countermeasures, techniques and methods for joint operations.
B) The exercise will promote cooperation, relations and friendship between the armed forces of the participating countries.
C) Last edition of Exercise KHAAN QUEST was conducted in Mongolia from 19th June to 2nd July 2023. 

Vriksharopan Abhiyan 2024

Union Coal Minister Shri G Kishan Reddy launched the Vriksharopan Abhiyan 2024. The event was launched at Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) which is a subsidiary of CIL in Dhanbad. The abhiyaan is a part of the visionary campaign “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The program aims to plant more trees. 

Key Points:

A) This event was held simultaneously at about 300 locations across 47 districts in 11 coal/lignite-bearing states through video conferencing.
B) The Vriksharopan Abhiyan 2024 represents another significant milestone in the Coal/Lignite PSUs’ journey towards environmental sustainability and ecological restoration.
C) The efforts of PSUs are praiseworthy in transforming barren landscapes into green areas through extensive afforestation and innovative reclamation techniques. 

Halls in Rashtrapati Bhawan renamed

The President of India Shrimati Droupadi Murmu renamed Durbar Hall and Ashok Hall in the Rashtrapati Bhavan as Ganatantra Mandap and Ashok Mandap. The word Durbar used to refer to the courts of Indian rulers when they were ruled by Britain. Rashtrapati Bhavan was built between 1912 and 1929 during the British Raj.

Key Points:

A) The Durbar Hall witnessed a historic moment in the swearing-in ceremony of independent India’s first government in 1947.
B) The Ashok Hall was used as a ballroom and has an architectural style with diverse elements.
C) Durbar means the palace and meeting of Indian leaders and British people. After India became a nation it lost its meaning i.e. Ganatantra.

Shahrukh Khan conferred with gold coin from Grevin Museum

Indian Actor Shahrukh Khan became the first Indian actor to be honoured with a customised gold coin by the Grevin Museum in Paris. Grevin is a famous wax museum in Paris on the Grands Boulevards close to the Seine river.

Key Points:

A) His vast legacy and impact on global culture have always been recognized by international award councils, earning him nearly 200 awards throughout his career.
B) In 2011, SRK became the first Indian actor to receive the Pyramide con Marni Award from UNESCO for his contribution to supporting children’s education.

Sanjay Kapoor elected FIDE India Zone President

Former All India chess federation (AICF) President Shri  Sanjay Kapoor was unanimously elected as the FIDE India Zone President. He is entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the games growth and development across the globe. 

Key Points:

A) Dr Sanjay Kapoor’s new role is a significant opportunity for the stewardship of chess in India, given his responsibility to oversee the growth and development of chess worldwide.
B) Dr. Sanjay Kapoor presided over the success of the 44th Chess Olympiad in India.
C) He was the President of AICF when India hosted the 44th Chess Olympiad.