Daily News Analysis : 9 July 2024

Bharat Bill Payment System

[Image Source: Mint]

The RBI has recently announced that all payments must now be routed through the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS). It is a one stop payment platform for all bills and driven by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). The platform connects banks and non banks and offers Bill collection categories like electricity, Telecom, mobile postpaid, DTH etc. 

Key Points:

A) The Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) is developed by the central bank to enhance the payment collection process for businesses and customers.B) BBPS boasts a wide-reaching network of brick-and-mortar establishments such as bank branches and retail stores, in addition to a variety of online platforms like apps and websites, spanning the entire nation.C) This system provides convenient and prompt settlements, accommodating a wide range of payment methods for greater flexibility and ease of use.

Camcorder S-100

[Image Source: Nikon]

In a deal with Australian company Schiebel, India is in the process of buying an Unmanned Aerial System namely Camcopter S-100. The Australian UAV uses rotorcraft design and is powered by a heavy fuel engine that can carry multiple payloads. The maximum takeoff weight is 200 kg with 6 hours of endurance.

Key Points:

A) The Indian Navy undertakes Intelligence Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) to monitor the sea lane of communication in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and has been doing the same with unmanned systems since the beginning of 21st century using fixed wing UAVs operated from shore as well as the ships by handing over control to ships at sea.B) The Indian Naval program provides for Austrian industry, namely Schiebel in this case to work with an Indian production partner VEM Technologies in order to license produce the unmanned system in India. 

Vizhinjam International Seaport

[Image Source: India Today]

The first phase of India’s first exclusive trans-shipment port, the Vizhinjam Port has been completed and it is all set to receive its first mothership. It is India’s first Deepwater container transshipment port located at Vizhinjam, in Kerala. The port is located 10 nautical miles from the International Shipping route and connects Europe and the Persian Gulf with East Asia. 

Key Points:

A) Indian Navy has more than 8000 km of coastline and some of the busiest sea lanes through which merchant traffic passes every day.B) S-100 has provided the Navy with an alternate and very capable platform from which a plethora of maritime activities can be undertaken which previously needed a manned helicopter.C) With the S-100, the Navy has found its reach and capability getting enhanced multi-role multi-domain in leaps and bounds. 

Genome editing mission to boost Pearl Spot Fish production

[Image Source: Mint]

A genome edition mission is set to be launched by the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Kufos) to boost Pearl spot fish production. The Pearl spot fish is commonly known as Karimeen in Kerala its Habitat lies in brackishwater and freshwater environments. The Pearl spot fish is rich in Vitamin D and Riboflavin.

Key Points:

A) Port director Divya S. Iyer said everything is fine and the first parents will arrive on July 12.B) This is a seminal moment for the port because it is important in the first phase of the grand plan.C) Apart from being the first dedicated cargo port, Vizhinjam will also make history as the first medium-sized container port in the country.

Brown Palm Civet observed in Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary

[Image Source: Wikipedia]

A rare Brown palm Civet also known as Jordan’s Palm Civets was recently sighted in Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary. They are endemic to the Western Ghats and its IUCN status is Least Concern. They play a vital ecological role as seed dispensers. It’s food habit is predominantly Frugivorous and turkey they thrive in high altitude tropical tropical Rainforest.

Key Points:

A) Pearl spots are sold in the retail market for about ?650 to ?700 a kg while tilapia fetches between ?250 and ?300 a kg.B) But, GIFT achieves a body weight of 600 to 700 grams in six months compared to 12 months needed for pearl spots to achieve a body weight of 300 to 400 grams.C) According to data available for 2020, Kerala produces around 2,000 tonnes of pearl spots annually against the market demand for about 10,000 tonnes. 

World witnessed the warmest June in 2024

[Image Source: BBC News]

The Copernicus Climate Centre Service (C3S) in its report stated that the World went through its warmest June in 2024. The average was 0.67 degree Celsius above the 1991-2020 average and 0.14 degree Celsius above the previous high set in June 2023. C3S is one of the six Thematic information services provided by the Copernicus Earth Observation Programme of the European Union. 

Key Points:

A) Recently, the Discover Koyna team, known for spotting rare birds and butterflies, spotted a rare brown civet in the reserve.B) The civet cat is native to the Western Ghats and plays an important role as a seed disperser in the community.C) These civets contribute to the growth of tropical forests in areas where few or no other large seeds are available due to human activities. 

Right to Repair Portal India

[Image Source: Mint]

The Central Government of India recently urged the automobile companies to join the Right to Repair Portal India. The portal launched by the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs on National Consumer Rights Day 2022 and it aims to provide consumers with access to Repair information for their products and reduce e-waste. The portal provides information about a new economic model called Circular Economy. 

Key Points:

A) Since June last year, the world has witnessed record temperatures for 12 consecutive months, a situation the world has never witnessed before, reported Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) data.B) The data gathered points out that 2024 would outcompete 2023 as the hottest year due to a significant rise in temperature over the years.C) Scientists also believed that the July month would end the record-setting part of the heat streak, but not the climate chaos that comes with it.

Masoud Pezeshkian elected as New President of Iran

[Image Source: The Indian Express]

The Centrist Masoud Pezeshkian was elected as the new President of Iran with 53.7 percent of the vote. He is a former heart surgeon and health Minister.  He was born in Mahabad in September 1954 and served in the military in Zabul, one of the poorest towns of Iran. 

Key Points:

A) Pezeshkian entered politics first as the country’s deputy health minister and later as the health minister under the administration of reformist President Mohammad Khatami.B) Almost immediately, he found himself involved in the struggle between hardliners and reformists, attending the autopsy of Zahra Kazemi, a freelance photographer who held both Canadian and Iranian citizenship.C) In 2006, Pezeshkian was elected as a lawmaker representing Tabriz. 

Jharkhand Mica Mines declared as “Child Labour free”

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights(NCPCR) Chairperson Priyank Kanoongo recently declared Mica Mines in Jharkhand as “Child Labour Free”. The declaration was made at the programme organised by “Child Labour free Mica” in Koderma. The creation of Child Labour free Mica was the result of collaboration among children, communities, civil society organizations and government. 

[Image Source: India Today]

Key Points:

A) This is the beginning of the end of child labour in mica mines and must be supported now.B) More importantly, a 2004 study by the “Bachpan Bachao Andolan” revealed that over 5,000 children were involved in digging and collecting mica waste or mica waste currently at the Kodma mica waste dump (Giridih District). 

R Ashwin buys team American Gambits in Global Chess League

[Image Source: India Today]

The Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin recently bought team American Gambits in the Global Chess League. The team is owned by business leaders Prachura PP, Venkat K Narayana and Ashwin. The team will feature in the second edition of Global Chess League, a JV between Tech Mahindra and International Chess Federation (FIDE). 

Key Points:

A) The Global Chess League is the most exciting league to emerge in the world of chess, where top players worldwide battle for their teams.B) For a sport played in over 190 countries and one that has no age or gender bar, owning a franchise is a wonderful opportunity.C) The players will compete in a unique joint team format consisting of six players, including two top female chess players and a prodigy player per team. 

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