Ten relevant news updates from across the world, useful for examinations
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Headlines - 29 - 06 - 2021
- Science and Technology - LiDAR Based survey of forest areas - The Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) based survey of forest areas in ten states was released. The ten mapped states are: Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Nagaland, and Tripura. The project was awarded to WAPCOS in July 2020 at a cost of over Rs. 18 crore for implementation in 26 states. It is a first of its kind study using LiDAR technology. It will help augment water and fodder in jungle areas thereby reducing human-animal conflict. States will be given Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) funds to use in this project. One major ridge inside a forest block is identified in these states with an average area of 10,000 ha selected in each State.
- Healthcare and Medicine - Link between Air Quality and Covid-19 - A pan-India study has found a direct correlation between air pollution and Covid-19. The study titled ‘Establishing a link between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) zones and Covid-19 over India based on anthropogenic emission sources and air quality data’ dealt with how people living in highly polluted areas are more vulnerable to coronavirus infections. It found that areas with poor air quality and higher emissions of particulate matter (PM) 2.5 are more likely to have Covid-19 infections and related deaths. It was conducted by scientists from various universities such as Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, National Institute of Technology Rourkela; IIT, Bhubaneswar. It was partially funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the Government of India. The study involves three kinds of data sets. National Emission Inventory (NEI) of PM2.5 for 2019, developed by the scientists; Number of Covid-19 positive cases and corresponding death as of 5th November, 2020. The regions using huge amounts of fossil fuels such as petrol, diesel and coal by combustion in transport and industrial activities also experience a far higher number of Covid-19 cases. The novel coronavirus sticks to fine particles like PM2.5 allowing them to move from one part to another by making the airborne transmission of Covid-19 more effective. It is an atmospheric particulate matter of diameter of fewer than 2.5 micrometres, which is around 3% the diameter of a human hair. It is very small and can only be detected with the help of an electron microscope.
- Science and Technology - China’s Dragon Man - Researchers from China have found an ancient human skull of new human species dubbed the “Dragaon Man” or Homo longi in the Songhua River in China’s Harbin city that could belong to an altogether. The name “Dragon Man” has been derived from the Long Jiang or Dragon River in China’ Heilongjiang province where Harbin is located. The cranium could be over 146,000 years old. Because of the distinctive shape of the skull, some team members have suggested that it be declared a part of a new species of the genus Homo. The size of the skull, which has a considerable brain capacity, is comparable to that of modern humans and Neanderthals. Significance of the discovery - If the “Dragon Man” is a new species, it might bridge the gaps between our ancient ancestors called Homo erectus and us. It brings new knowledge about the evolution of sapiens. Interbreeding with ancient humans allowed Homo sapiens to acquire genes that improved their chances of survival, and that some of these genes are present in modern humans even today.
- Indian Economy - New financial relief package for second pandemic wave - Union Finance Minister announced new measures to provide relief to diverse sectors affected by the secod wave. The FM announced a relief package totalling Rs 6,28,993 crore with 17 new measures including two announced earlier, i.e. the additional subsidy for DAP & P&K fertilizers, and extension of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) from May to November, 2021. The FM announced Rs. 1.1 lakh crore Loan Guarantee Scheme for COVID affected sectors. A sum of Rs. 50 thousand crore will be for te health sector. The scheme is aimed at upscaling medical infrastructure targetting unreserved areas. A sum of Rs. 1.5 lakh crore was allotted for the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) launched as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat Package in May, 2020. The Creadit Guarantee Scheme was launched, a new scheme to facilitate loans to 25 lakh people through Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs). The guarantee will be provided to Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) for loans to new or existing NBFC- MFIs for on lending upto Rs. 1.25 lakh to about 25 lakh to small borrowers.
- Indian Economy - Energy compant goals towards sustainability - NTPC Limited, India’s largest power generating company under Ministry of Power, became the first energy company in India to declare its "Energy Compact goals" as part of UN High-level Dialogue on Energy (HLDE). NTPC has set a target to install 60 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2032. India’s largest power producer is also aiming at 10% reduction in net energy intensity by 2032. NTPC is among the few organisations globally to declare its Energy Compact goals. Further, NTPC has declared that it will form at least 2 international alliances/groups to facilitate clean energy research and promote sustainability in energy value chain by 2025.
- Defence and Military - Agni Prime tested - A new-generation nuclear-capable ballistic missile, Agni-P (Prime) was successfully test-fired by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam island, Balasore, off the coast of Odisha. The ‘Agni Prime’ is the advanced version of the ‘Agni-1’ missile. The ‘Agni Prime’ is a short-range ballistic missile that will have a range of 1000 km to 1500 km and will have advanced features in agility and road mobility. It is a surface to a surface missile that can carry a payload of around 1,000 Kg or a nuclear warhead. The double stage missile will be lighter and much sleeker than its predecessor ‘Agni-1’. It is a canisterised missile. Canisterisation of missiles reduces the time required to launch the missile while improving its storage and mobility. The Agni class of missiles are the mainstay of India’s nuclear launch capability which also includes the Prithvi short-range ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles and fighter aircraft.
- Healthcare and Medicine - India reported 40,845 Mucormycosis cases, 3,129 deaths - Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said India reported at least 40,845 cases of Mucormycosis and 3,129 deaths from the fungal infection during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Out of the total number of Mucormycosis patients, 34,940 were infected with COVID-19, 26,187 had the co-morbidity of diabetes and 21,523 were on steroids. Mucormycosis is a serious but rare fungal infection caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes. These live throughout the environment. Mucormycosis mainly affects people who have health problems or take medicines that lower the body's ability to fight germs and sickness.
- Healthcare and Medicine - Cases of COVID-19 Variants of Concern rose to 51% in June - COVID-19 cases with Variants of Concern (VOC) rose from 10.31% of total infections in May to 51% till June 20, government officials told a Parliamentary panel. Officials informed the Parliamentary panel that the Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta variants of COVID-19 have been traced in 174 districts of 35 states and Union Territories. The term VOC (variant of concern) for the novel coronavirus is a category used when mutations in the RBD (Receptor Binding Domain) increase the binding affinity in RBD-hACE2 complex, while also being linked to rapid spread in human populations. The three classifications by US CDC are - (i) Variants of Interest (VOI) – A variant with specific genetic markers that have been associated with changes to receptor binding, reduced neutralization by antibodies generated against previous infection or vaccination, reduced efficacy of treatments, potential diagnostic impact, or predicted increase in transmissibility or disease severity.; (ii) Variants of Concern (VOC) – A variant for which there is evidence of an increase in transmissibility, more severe disease (e.g., increased hospitalizations or deaths), significant reduction in neutralization by antibodies generated during previous infection or vaccination, reduced effectiveness of treatments or vaccines, or diagnostic detection failures; (iii) Variants of High Consequence (VOHC) – A variant of high consequence has clear evidence that prevention measures or medical countermeasures (MCMs) have significantly reduced effectiveness relative to previously circulating variants.
- World Economy - Facebook surpasses $1 trillion in value - Facebook has hit the $1 trillion market cap milestone after closing above $1 trillion for the first time on 28th June. This comes after a federal judge dismissed an antitrust complaint from the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) against Facebook over its acquisition of WhatsApp and Instagram. The court ruled that the FTC failed to prove that Facebook is a monopoly.
- Indian Politics - Covid Update - (a) India reported 37,566 new COVID-19 cases and 907 deaths in 24 hours (less than 40,000 daily cases after 102 days). With this, the total COVID-19 cases reached 3,03,16,897 while the death toll surged to 3,97,637. (b) Moderna, the first international vaccine in India, will be administered in two doses: Dr VK Paul, member-health, Niti Aayog. (c) India's drug regulator DCGI has granted permission to Mumbai-based pharmaceutical company Cipla to import Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine for restricted emergency use in India. (d) Walmart announced stepping up its Covid-19 support to MSMEs with the launch of a new programme called 'Vriddhi Cares.' The programme helps MSMEs support their family members and employees with telecare services, health advice and provides access to pandemic-related business advice and resources.
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