CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• Currently, a staggering hundred million tonnes of nitrogen are extracted from the atmosphere and transformed into fertilizer through the Haber-Bosch process, contributing an additional 165 million tonnes of reactive nitrogen to the soil.
• Overview of the Haber-Bosch Process:
  • The Haber-Bosch process synthesizes nitrogen with hydrogen to create ammonia (NH3), a vital component in the production of plant fertilizers. Developed in the early 20th century by Fritz Haber and later optimized by Carl Bosch, this method is widely regarded as one of the most significant technological breakthroughs of the 1900s.
  • Its importance lies in its ability to enable mass production of plant fertilizers through ammonia synthesis. Notably, it was the first industrial chemical process to employ high pressure for chemical reactions.
• How the Haber-Bosch Process Functions:
  • The process efficiently combines atmospheric nitrogen with hydrogen under conditions of high pressure and moderate temperature. A catalyst primarily composed of iron allows the reaction to occur at lower temperatures than would typically be feasible. By promptly removing ammonia from the reaction mixture as it forms, the process maintains a favorable equilibrium for product formation. Increasing pressure and lowering temperature enhances the yield of ammonia in the mixture.

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• Recent research has unveiled a significant link between ecology and speciation in Darwin's finches, the renowned inhabitants of the Galápagos Islands.
• Overview of Darwin’s Finches:
  • Named after Charles Darwin, Darwin's finches are a group of small terrestrial birds. This group consists of 15 species, with 14 endemic to the Galápagos Islands and one found on Cocos Island in the Pacific Ocean. They are all derived from a common ancestor that migrated from Central or South America to the Galápagos Archipelago, with descendants later colonizing Cocos Island.
  • Though similar in shape, size, and coloration, Darwin's finches exhibit key differences that aid in identification, such as diet, habitat, and variations in beak size and shape. They are particularly noted for their diverse beak forms and functions, which have evolved to match the various food sources available on the islands. Their beak adaptations allow them to exploit different niches, ranging from seeds and fruits to invertebrates and even blood.
  • Darwin's finches serve as a quintessential example of adaptive radiation, illustrating how groups of organisms evolve into distinct species that are finely tuned to specific ecological environments.

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• The Shiite militia group, known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, has recently taken responsibility for executing two drone strikes targeting Israeli sites in the Jordan Valley.
• Overview of the Jordan Valley:
  • The Jordan Valley is a rift valley located in southwestern Asia, part of the larger East African Rift System. It spans approximately 105 kilometers, stretching from the Sea of Galilee in the north to the Dead Sea in the south. The valley runs alongside the Jordan River and forms part of Jordan's western border with Israel and the West Bank, encompassing over one-fifth of the West Bank's territory.
  • At its lowest point, the Jordan Valley descends more than 1,400 feet (430 meters) below sea level at the Dead Sea, which is the lowest natural point on Earth's surface. The valley varies in width, typically around 6 miles (10 kilometers), though it narrows in certain areas. While the region is generally sparsely populated, notable communities exist, including the city of Jericho in the West Bank.
  • The Jordan Valley also holds significant religious importance for the three major Abrahamic faiths: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

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• The Supreme Court has recently declined to consider a public interest litigation (PIL) that sought directions under Article 142 to incorporate sexual offenses against men, transgender individuals, and animals into the newly established Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
• Overview of Article 142:
  • Article 142 pertains to the Supreme Court's authority to exercise its jurisdiction and issue orders aimed at achieving complete justice in any case or matter before it. This article grants the apex court extraordinary powers to ensure justice for litigants who have experienced illegality or injustice during legal proceedings.
  • According to Article 142(1), “The Supreme Court, in the exercise of its jurisdiction may pass such decree or make such order as is necessary for doing complete justice in any cause or matter pending before it, and any decree so passed or order so made shall be enforceable throughout the territory of India in such manner as may be prescribed by or under any law made by Parliament and, until provision in that behalf is so made, in such manner as the President may by order prescribe.”
  • This provision allows the Supreme Court to administer justice in exceptional circumstances where existing laws may not be applicable. If a legislative measure attempts to render unenforceable any decree or order issued by the Supreme Court under Article 142 concerning specific causes and parties, that law would be invalid for violating Article 142. However, this power cannot be used to replace substantive law that is relevant to the case at hand.
• Notable Cases Involving Article 142:
  • Babri Masjid Case: Article 142 was invoked in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute, playing a crucial role in transferring the disputed land to a trust designated by the union government.
  • Bhopal Gas Tragedy: The Supreme Court exercised its plenary powers in the Union Carbide vs. Union Government case to ensure compensation for victims of the catastrophic Bhopal Gas Tragedy.

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• Mount Adams, the largest volcano in Washington, has recently experienced an increase in seismic activity after being largely dormant for thousands of years.
• Overview of Mount Adams:
  • Mount Adams is a stratovolcano situated in Washington State, United States. Standing at 12,277 feet (3,742 meters) tall and spanning 18 miles (29 kilometers) in width, it is the largest active volcano in the state, exceeding Mount Rainier—Washington's highest peak—in volume.
  • This volcano is located in the Mount Adams volcanic field, which covers an area of 1,250 square kilometers and includes at least 120 predominantly basaltic volcanoes. These formations consist of spatter and scoria cones, shield volcanoes, and extensive lava flows.
  • Mount Adams is home to over 10 active glaciers that supply water to the surrounding forests, streams, and meadows below. The most recent eruption at this site occurred between 3,800 and 7,600 years ago, during a time when humanity was still in the Stone Age.