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- Mount Ruang volcano in Indonesia experienced multiple eruptions, prompting authorities to raise the alert level to the highest category.
- As a precautionary measure, more than 6,000 individuals have been evacuated from the affected areas to safer locations.
- The situation remains under close monitoring as authorities continue to assess the volcanic activity and its potential impact on the safety of nearby communities.
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has released a draft notification outlining the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) for the Shergarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan.
- The primary objective of establishing the ESZ is to address the challenges of human-wildlife conflict while promoting the conservation of wildlife within the sanctuary.
- Shergarh Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1983, is home to several endangered species, including the leopard, Indian wolf, and vulture, highlighting the critical importance of its protection.
- The Ministry of Finance has awarded Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status to the gem and jewellery sector as part of efforts to streamline business processes and promote ease of doing business.
- Asian Star, a prominent diamond manufacturer, has become the first recipient of this prestigious status within the industry.
- The AEO program, operating under the World Customs Organization (WCO) SAFE Framework, is designed to bolster the security of international supply chains.
- By obtaining AEO status, businesses like Asian Star can enjoy a range of benefits, including expedited clearance procedures and enhanced security measures, in line with trade facilitation agreements outlined by the World Trade Organization.
- NHPC Limited, a leading hydropower developer in India, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ocean Sun, a Norwegian technology firm known for its expertise in floating solar solutions.
- The primary objective of this agreement is to collaborate on joint ventures focused on deploying Ocean Sun's innovative floating solar technology, which utilizes hydro-elastic membranes.
- Through this partnership, NHPC reaffirms its dedication to sustainable development and the expansion of renewable energy sources.
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Finance Ministry are exploring the potential benefits of adopting ASEAN's evolving green taxonomy to steer towards sustainable development paths.
- Green taxonomy serves as a framework defining environmentally sustainable investments, offering clarity to investors and policymakers, thereby preventing greenwashing and facilitating informed decision-making.
This taxonomy plays a crucial role in directing funds towards economic activities that promote sustainability, including initiatives focused on climate mitigation, adaptation, and biodiversity conservation.
- International Labour Day, observed annually on May 1st, is a global celebration honoring the contributions of the labor movement.
- Its origins trace back to the 1886 labor strike in Chicago, where workers demanded an eight-hour workday.
- The significance of International Labour Day grew following the Haymarket incident, which occurred during the Chicago strike.
- Discovery and Naming:
- A new species of deep-sea isopod was recently discovered off the Kollam coast, Kerala.
- Named Brucethoa isro, it belongs to the genus Brucethoa and was found parasitizing the Spinyjaw greeneye fish.
- The species was named in tribute to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for its notable space missions.
- Physical Characteristics:
- Brucethoa isro exhibits sexual dimorphism, with females larger than males.
- Females typically reach lengths of about 19 mm and widths of 6 mm, while males are approximately half the size.
- Introduction of BhashaNet Portal:
- The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) is poised to launch the BhashaNet portal during the upcoming Universal Acceptance (UA) Day.
- This initiative aims to advance digital inclusion and foster linguistic diversity across India.
- About NIXI:
- Established in 2003, NIXI operates as a not-for-profit organization under the Companies Act 2013.
- Its primary objective is to enhance the utilization of Internet Service Protocols (ISPs) for domestic traffic routing, thereby improving service quality and reducing bandwidth costs for ISPs.
- Introduction to World Happiness Report:
- The World Happiness Report, an annual publication, is a collaborative effort involving Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), and the World Happiness Report's Editorial Board.
- It synthesizes global survey data on individuals' self-assessments of happiness alongside economic and social indicators.
- Key Factors Considered:
- The report evaluates happiness based on six key factors: social support, income, health, freedom, generosity, and absence of corruption.
- Happiness scores are calculated based on a three-year average of the data.
- EPA's Ban on Asbestos:
- The United States' Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently made a significant announcement, implementing a comprehensive ban on all forms of the deadly carcinogen asbestos.
- Understanding Asbestos:
- Asbestos refers to a group of six silicate minerals with similar properties, categorized into two sub-groups: serpentine and amphiboles. Serpentine asbestos, also known as chrysotile or white asbestos, was the most commonly utilized type.
- Properties of Asbestos:
- Asbestos exhibits several desirable properties, including heat and corrosion resistance, non-flammability even at high temperatures, exceptional flexibility and durability, good tensile strength, low heat conductivity, and high electrical resistance.
- Introduction to Project GR00T:
- Nvidia, a leading AI chip manufacturer, recently unveiled Project GR00T, aiming to revolutionize the development of humanoid robots.
- Project GR00T Overview:
- Project GR00T, which stands for Generalist Robot 00 Technology, is a cutting-edge multimodal AI system designed to serve as the cognitive framework for humanoid robots.
- Capabilities and Functionality:
- This innovative system enables humanoid robots to acquire new skills and interact with the physical world.
- Robots utilizing GR00T can comprehend natural language and replicate human movements, learning coordination, dexterity, and other essential skills in real-time.
- Introduction to the Study:
- A groundbreaking study, spearheaded by the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia, sheds light on the unexpected threat posed by Lianas amidst escalating global temperatures.
- Understanding Lianas:
- Lianas, also referred to as vines, climbing plants, or climbers, are characterized by their long, flexible stems that climb and attach to trees for support.
- They flourish in disturbed forest environments, such as those impacted by logging or natural events like treefalls and landslides.
- Introduction to the Goldman Environmental Prize:
- The Goldman Environmental Prize, often referred to as the Green Nobel Award, is presented by the Goldman Environmental Foundation.
- Founding of the Prize:
- Established in 1989 by Richard and Rhonda Goldman, the prize aims to recognize and honor grassroots environmental activists worldwide.
- Recipient of the 2024 Prize:
- Alok Shukla, a forest and tribal rights activist, has been awarded the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize for his remarkable achievements.
- Shukla's successful campaign resulted in the preservation of 4.45 lakh acres of biodiversity-rich forests in Chhattisgarh's Hasdeo Aranya region.
- Description of the Submarine:
- The Hangor class submarine is a diesel-electric attack submarine.
- Size Comparison:
- It surpasses the Indian Navy's Kalvari class submarines in size, boasting a displacement of 2,800 tons, compared to the Kalvari class's 1,775 tons.
- Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) System:
- One of the notable features of the Hangor class is its Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system.
- AIP technology enables submarines to prolong their submerged operations by generating power without the need to surface frequently.
- Introduction to the Vienna International Plan of Action:
- The Vienna International Plan of Action was a pioneering international initiative that initiated discussions on aging.
- Adoption and Endorsement:
- It was adopted by the World Assembly on Ageing in 1982 and subsequently endorsed by the UN General Assembly.
- Objectives and Framework:
- The primary objective of the plan is to enhance the capacity of governments and civil society in addressing the challenges posed by population aging.
- It serves as a comprehensive framework for the development of policies and programs related to aging, providing guidance to nations on how to effectively manage this demographic shift.
- Guinea Worm Disease Overview:
- Guinea worm disease, also known as Dracunculiasis, is caused by the Guinea worm (Dracunculus medinensis), a parasitic nematode.
- It is a debilitating parasitic disease that can incapacitate infected individuals for weeks or months.
- Transmission:
- The disease is transmitted when individuals ingest stagnant water contaminated with water fleas carrying Guinea worm larvae.
- Treatment and Prevention:
- Currently, there is no vaccine or specific medication available to treat Guinea worm disease.
However, successful prevention strategies have been implemented to control its spread, primarily focusing on improving water safety measures and community education.