As Chandrayaan-3 and Luna 25 prepare to land on Moon, two questions Subject: Science and technology Section: Space technology Context: India’s Chandrayaan-3 and Russia’s Luna 25 are both in lunar orbit, preparing for a landing on the Moon next week. Luna 25 is expected to go first, on August 21, while Chandrayaan-3 is […]
PM Modi mentions Katchatheevu: Why the tiny, uninhabited island remains a hot-button political issue in TN Subject :Geography Section: Paces in news Context: PM Modi said it was the Indira Gandhi government which gave away Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka in 1974. Details: The transfer of Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka, by the Union government, […]
Gabon announces $500 million debt-for-nature swap deal for marine conservation Subject :Environment Section: International convention Context: Gabon on August 15, 2023 announced a $500 million debt-for-nature swap. In Africa, it is the largest such deal signed by any country to refinance its debt and conserve marine resources. What is the Debt-for-nature swaps deal? […]
India’s fight against tobacco needs strength Subject: Science and technology Section: Health Context: The health ministry of India has proposed to place nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) under Schedule K so that in future they would be available only on the prescription of authorised medical practitioners and not as over-the-counter (OTC) preparation. 89th Drug […]
WHO and US CDC are now tracking new COVID variant BA.2.86 Subject :Science and technology Section: Health Context: The World Health Organization (WHO) on August 18, 2023 said it is monitoring a new variant of the novel coronavirus, BA.2.86, also known as BA.X. About the new variant BA.2.86 or BA.X: It has so […]
Third-longest monsoonal break in this century has ended Subject :Geography Section: Physical geography Context: The current monsoon break that started on August 7, 2023 has finally ended, according to the regional centre of India Meteorological Department, Pune. Details: This current monsoonal break makes it the third-longest for this century after 2002 and 2009. […]
Himachal Pradesh government declares incessant rain as State calamity Subject :Geography Section: Indian geography Context: Following the heavy loss of life and property caused by incessant rains that triggered landslides and floods, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on August 18 declared Himachal Pradesh a ‘Natural Calamity Affected Area’. Himachal Pradesh is highly prone […]
Material consideration: On the LK-99 ‘superconductor’ episode Subject :Science and technology Section: Msc Context: A group of South Korean scientists have recently claimed the discovery of a material they named LK-99. According to their reports, LK-99 is a superconductor at room temperature and pressure. What does the Claim on Discovery of LK-99 Suggest? […]
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Subject :IR Section: International Organisation Context: UNRWA has decided to suspend its relief work in Lebanon’s largest refugee camp. More about UNRWA It is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 when nearly three-quarters […]
US, Japan ,S. Korea to enter into security pact for the Pacific Subject :IR Section: International groupings Context: A historic meeting was held between the U.S , Japan and South Korea at Camp David on strengthening economic and security ties. More about the news: The summit at Camp David was the first standalone […]