Daily News Analysis : 28 July 2024

RAMSES mission

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is seeking to collaborate  with the European Space Agency on its Ramses mission. The mission is aimed to track and study the Apophis asteroid that is slated to make a close encounter with Earth in 2019. Apophis is a 375 metre asteroid that will pass only 32,000 km from Earth. 

Key Points:

A) This project shows how more people around the world are working together to study objects close to Earth.B) The 375-meter asteroid Apophis will pass only 32,000 km from Earth, which is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for scientists to learn more about space.C) As part of the IS4OM project, ISRO has launched an advanced mission to observe stars and hopes to develop specialised telescopes for observation.

Cultural Property Agreement signed between India and US

The first bilateral “Cultural Property Agreement” was signed between India and US to prevent illegal trafficking of cultural Property. The pact aims to ensure the retrieval of antiquities to their place of origin. The pact is in line with the UNESCO convention of 1970.

Key Points:

A) India has returned 358 cultural artefacts since 1976, of which 345 have been returned since 2014.B) Following the return of a large haul of antiquities from the United States, the deal is now seen as a major step towards preventing illegal trade and speeding up the process of recovering stolen goods.C) India joins the ranks of 29 countries who have already signed the agreement with the US.South Africa passed first sweeping climate change law

South Africa recently passed its first sweeping climate change law that will set caps for large emitters and require every town and city to publish an adaptation plan. The bill seeks to meet emission reduction commitments under the Paris Climate agreement. South Africa is the world’s most carbon intensive major economy and among the top 15 greenhouse gas emitters.

Key Points:

A) South Africa is the world’s largest carbon emitter and one of 15 greenhouse gas emitters, but is on track to meet the target due to the weight of coal used for power generation.B) This is very significant in that it’s the first time that our climate change response is directly brought into domestic law.C) The law also stipulates that the environment minister must allocate a carbon budget to large-scale plantation companies and determine their emissions over a specific period.

China’s Chang’e-5 mission funds traced of water in Moon

Chinese scientists have recently claimed to have found traces of water molecules in lunar soil. The water was discovered while studying the soil samples of the moon brought by the Chang’e-5 mission. India’s Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft detected similar hydrated minerals containing Oxygen and Hydrogen molecules in sunlit regions of the moon.

Key Points:

A) Chinese scientists have discovered mineral water rich in molecular water, according to lunar soil samples sent by the Chang’e-5 mission in 2020, the Chinese Academy of Sciences said.B) In 2009, India’s Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft had discovered similar hydrated minerals containing oxygen and hydrogen molecules in sunlit regions of the moon.C) Among its equipment, it carries NASA’s Lunar Mineralogy Mapper (M3), an imaging spectrometer that helped confirm the discovery of water locked in lunar minerals.

Hantavirus

The state of Arizona in the United States has issued a health alert after a rodent borne hantavirus killed four people. The virus spreads to humans through droplets from Urine, Saliva or faeces of rats. Hantavirus causes diseases like Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome and Haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) and are mainly spread by rodents like rats and mice. 

Key Points:

A) This virus is a family of viruses spread mainly by rodents and can cause varied disease syndromes.B) Two cases related to this deadly virus have also been found in California

Moidams included to World Heritage List

The mound burial system of Ahom Dynasty in Assam popularly known as “Moidams” was recently included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It became the first cultural Property from Northeast to receive the coveted tag. The decision to include it in the list was taken at the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee held in India.

Key Points:

A) The inclusion of Moidham in the UNESCO World Heritage List under cultural heritage is a major victory for Assam.B) The northeastern region has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List under the cultural category for the first time and is the third world heritage site in Assam.C) These unique tombs are represented by pyramid-like structures called ‘Moidams’ which were used by the Taihom dynasty that ruled Assam for about 600 years.

Heavy rain damages structure near Yamunotri Dham

Structures near the Yamunotri Dham were damaged due to flood like situation experienced after heavy rains. Yamunotri Dham is a part of Char Dham Yatra along with Kedarnath, Badrinath and Gangotri and is situated at an altitude of 3923 metres in the Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand. 

Key Points:

A) As the water level of Yamuna rose in the low-lying areas from Yamunotri district to Jankichadi due to heavy rainfall yesterday, many houses were damaged in Yamunotri Dham area.B) Due to high water level in the Yamuna river, electricity and lighting of the Purohit Sabha chamber and temple committee on the banks of Yamunotri Dham were partially damaged.

Discovery of Rock named Cheyava Falls

The Perseverance River of NASA has recently discovered a rock namely Cheyava Falls that could shed light on the ancient history of Mars and possibility of past microbial life. The rock measures 3.2 feet and it contains large white calcium sulphate veins and reddish bands. 

Key Points:

A) It is rich in chemical signatures and structures that may have been formed by life when the area contained running water.B) The rover’s SHERLOC (Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman & Luminescence for Organics & Chemicals) instrument detected organic compounds in Cheyava Falls.C) Cheyava Falls is the most puzzling, complex, and potentially important rock yet investigated by Perseverance.

500th Community Radio Station at Aizawl

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw recently inaugurated the 500th Community Radio Station “Apna Radio 90.0 FM” at IIMC, Aizawl. Winners of the 10th National Community Radio Awards were also announced at the event. 

Key Points:

A) This initiative will bring a substantive change in the lives of people in the coverage area of Apna Radio station.B) This launch is also a significant milestone in the Government’s policy of Act East.C) The station ‘Apna Radio 90.0 FM’ is a station run by Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Aizawl.

Kazakhstan wins first medal of Paris Olympics 2024

Kazakhstan after beating Germany 17-5 in the bronze medal match in the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team event won the first medal of the Paris 2024 Olympics. China and Korea will compete for the first gold medal of the games in the same event.

Key Points:

A) China and Korea will compete for the first gold medal of the Games in the same event.B) Kazakhstan had also finished third in the qualification round while Germany finished fourth.
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