Current Affairs October 2024 PDF

Igot Lab Dr. L. Murugan, the Union Minister, has started the creation of an iGOT Lab (Integrated Government Online Training Lab) within the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. This new initiative will help Ministry employees improve their skills through online learning....

Igot Lab Dr. L. Murugan, the Union Minister, has started the creation of an iGOT Lab (Integrated Government Online Training Lab) within the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. This new initiative will help Ministry employees improve their skills through online learning. Shubha Tole Elected President-Elect of IBRO in Chicago IBRO = International Brain Research Organisation Tole will be the first president-elect from a developing country. Professor Tole, will officially take their roles on January 1, 2026. Their leadership terms will last until the end of 2028. The IBRO's current president is Tracy Bale. National Brain Research Centre (NBRC): Manesar, Haryana SAMARTHAK: The First Ship of Multi-Purpose Vessel built by L&T Shipyard launched at L&T Kattupalli. Key Specifications  Length: 106 meters (about the length of a football field)  Width: 16.8 meters  Maximum Speed: 15 knots 19th International Conference of Drug Regulatory Authorities (ICDRA) For the first time, India is hosting the 19th International Conference of Drug Regulatory Authorities (ICDRA) from 14th to 18th October 2024 at Yashobhoomi Convention Centre, Dwarka, New Delhi WHO receives $700 Million pledges for 2025-2028 budget in an event in Berlin PM inaugurates India Mobile Congress 2024 and ITU-WTSA at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on 15 oct International Telecommunication Union – World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly It is the first time India and the Asia-Pacific region will host the ITU-WTSA. Theme of the 8th edition of India Mobile Congress is "The Future is now " India Mobile Congress is Asia’s largest digital technology forum India Unveils National Electricity Plan for 500 GW Renewable Goal Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has started an ambitious National Electricity Plan (Transmission). This plan aims to increase India’s renewable energy capacity significantly. It sets a target of 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030 and more than 600 GW by 2032. The plan was announced by Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal during a meeting held in New Delhi on October 14-15, 2024. Goals of the Plan The key goals of this plan include:  Increasing Renewable Energy: Installing more than 600 GW of renewable energy by 2032. Energy Storage Systems: Creating storage systems that can keep excess energy, such as:  47 GW of Battery Energy Storage Systems.  31 GW of Pumped Storage Plants.  Power Transmission and Renewable Energy Integration The plan will build a strong system for transmitting energy effectively. This will help deliver power to places that produce Green Hydrogen and Green Ammonia, especially in coastal regions like Mundra, Kandla, and Tuticorin. Infrastructure Development Key targets for building infrastructure include:  Building 1,91,000 circuit kilometers (ckm) of transmission lines by 2031-32. This is a long- distance network that carries electricity.  Creating a transformation capacity of 1270 GVA (gigavolt-amperes), which means how much power can be converted and used.  Planning for 33 GW of HVDC (High-Voltage Direct Current) bi-pole links. These links help carry large amounts of electricity over long distances. Inter-regional Transmission Expansion India’s ability to transfer electricity between different regions will grow:  From 119 GW today to 143 GW by 2027.  To 168 GW by 2032. Cross-border Interconnections The plan also aims to improve connections with neighboring countries, including:  Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.  There are plans for connections with Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The team of scientists, led by Prof. Devasish Chowdhury at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST) develop Efficient Photocatalyst to Degrade Antibiotic sulfamethoxazole (SMX) USA will send the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) missile system to Israel. US-India Leadership Summit 2024 The USISPF (US-India Strategic Partnership Forum) is holding its Annual India Leadership Summit on October 14, 2024, in New Delhi. This event is occurring after PM’s visit to the US for the Sixth Quad Leaders’ Summit and the United Nations General Assembly. Snooping Scandal Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is caught up in a major scandal involving illegal access to private bank accounts by a bank clerk at Banca Intesa Sanpaolo New Aadhaar Rules Cause Enrollment Issues for OCIs and NRIs Now, anyone over 18 must prove that they have stayed in India for at least 182 days during the previous year to qualify for Aadhaar enrolment. Deadly ‘Dragon Drones’ Emerge in Russia-Ukraine Conflict Dragon drones are unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that drop thermite, a substance that burns at extremely high temperatures. Thermite is made from aluminum and iron oxide, and when it ignites, it produces intense heat, over 2,400 degrees Celsius. 2024 Nobel Peace Prize for Disarmament: Nihon Hidankyo Nihon Hidankyo,a Japanese organization made up of survivors of the atomic bombings, known as the Hibakusha. X-Band Radar approved for Wayanad Flood Monitoring Union Ministry of Earth Sciences approved the installation of an X-band radar in the region. This radar will help improve weather tracking and provide early warnings for landslides. RADAR is an acronym for Radio Detection and Ranging. What is X-Band Radar? X-band radar is emits radiation in the X-band of the electromagnetic spectrum: 8-12 GHz, corresponding to wavelengths of around 2-4 cm (microwave part of the spectrum.) Smaller wavelengths allow the radar to produce images of higher resolution. However, the greater the frequency of some radiation, the faster it will be attenuated. So X-band radars have a relatively shorter range. In Wayanad, the new radar is expected to be able to monitor the movements of particles, such as soil, to inform landslide warnings. The device will also perform high temporal sampling, that is, rapidly sample its environs, allowing it to spot particle movements happening in shorter spans of time. How many radars does India have? IMD started using radar for weather applications in the early 1950s. The first indigenously designed and manufactured X-band storm detection radar was installed in 1970 in New Delhi. In its X-band radar network, India has both wind-finding and storm-detecting radars, and some with dual capabilities.The country also uses S-band radars (2-4 GHz) for long-range detection. The first S-band cyclone detection radar was installed in Visakhapatnam in 1970 and the first locally made variant was commissioned in Mumbai in 1980. On September 11, the Union Cabinet cleared the Rs.2,000-crore ‘Mission Mausam’ to upgrade meteorological infrastructure in the country. This includes installing up to 60 meteorological radars until 2026 under the Mission’s first phase. What is NISAR? NISAR ( NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) is a satellite being developed by NASA and ISRO. It will use radar imaging to produce a high-resolution map of the earth’s landmasses. Its payload consists of an L-band radar (1.25 GHz, 24 cm) built by NASA and an S-band radar (3.2 GHz, 9.3 cm) built by ISRO. It will track and record changes in the earth’s various natural processes. It is currently expected to be launched onboard an ISRO GSLV Mk II rocket in 2025, at a total cost of $1.5 billion. Record Solar Power Capacity Reached Globally in 2023 In 2023, the world added 347 gigawatts (GW) of solar energy, marking a 74% increase from the previous year. This rapid growth was driven by the falling costs of solar panels and supportive government policies as noted in a report by IRENA and ILO. China played the biggest role in this solar energy boom Indian Naval Ships Enhance Maritime Cooperation in Bahrain Indian Naval Ship (INS) Tir and Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Veera arrived in Manama, Bahrain, as part of a Long Range Training Deployment in the Persian Gulf. 2024 Second Army Commanders’ Conference held in Gangtok First Joint Commanders' Conference held in Lucknow The maiden Joint Commanders' Conference (JCC) took place at Lucknow for 2 days on 4-5 September 2024, under the theme 'Sashakt and Surakshit Bharat: Transforming Armed Forces'. FBI exposes cryptocurrency manipulation with Ethereum Token called NexFundAI. This token is part of a sting operation designed to expose illegal activities in the cryptocurrency markets. Through this operation, the FBI has been able to take legal action against several individuals and companies involved in market manipulation. Telangana appoints Commission for Scheduled Castes Sub-Classification Successful IAF C-295 landing at Navi Mumbai Airport PM attended the 19th East Asia Summit (EAS) held in Vientiane, Lao PDR. Malaysia, will serve as the new ASEAN Chair. East Asia Summit started in 2005. It includes 18 countries, such as the 10 ASEAN members along with India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.  India Digital Agri Conference 2024 held in New Delhi, co-organized by the Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture (ICFA) and IIT Ropar TIF – AwaDH. India’s Vaccine Regulatory System Declared ‘Functional’ by WHO India’s vaccine regulatory system was rated as Maturity Level 3, which means it performs well in several critical areas. JP Nadda – Chairperson of 77th WHO South-East Asia Session This meeting is an annual event WHO South-East Asia Region includes 11 countries Global Biodiversity Declines 73% since 1970, urgent Action needed : Living Planet Report 2024 World Wildlife Fund (WWF) released its Living Planet Report 2024  Pests and invasive species Causes:  Climate change and pollution  Habitat degradation  Overuse of resources  Latin America and the Caribbean: 95% How Bad is the Decline? decrease The loss of biodiversity differs across various  Africa: 76% decrease ecosystems:  Asia-Pacific: 60% decrease  Freshwater species: 85% decline  Europe, Central Asia, and North  Land species: 69% decline America: Smaller declines, around 35-  Marine (ocean) species: 56% decline 39% Regionally, the most affected areas are: India’s Bird Population Declines Significantly, Vultures Hit Hardest : Living Planet Report 2024 The Living Planet Report 2024 draws attention to this issue, making India the only country to have a specific section on its bird crisis in the report. Vulture Population Decline in India  The White-rumped Vulture population fell by  Carcass Poisoning 98%.  Electrocution  The Indian Vulture and Slender-billed Vulture populations decreased by 93%.  Habitat Loss Main Causes of Vulture Decline:  Pharmaceutical Impact Modi Inaugurates Indian Institute of Skills in Mumbai PM also launched the Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK) in Maharashtra. The VSK uses technology and AI to improve educational system. There are currently 30 VSKs. The IIS was created through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), meaning it’s a collaboration between the Government of India and Tata Trusts Saudi Arabia denied Seat on UN Human Rights Council MHA declares Hizb-ut-Tahrir Terrorist Organization under UAPA Study Highlights Slowdown in Rising Life Expectancy Trends The study, called “Implausibility of Radical Life Extension in Humans in the Twenty-First Century,” was published in Nature Aging. New Target for Cancer Treatment Discovered by Scientists Scientists at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), Kolkata have found that by targeting an enzyme involved in DNA repair, called TDP1, they might help improve outcomes for patients whose cancer has become resistant to current therapies. World Bank has created a special Financial Intermediary Fund (FIF) to help Ukraine NASA’s Europa Clipper Mission Aims to Discover Alien Life On October 10, NASA will launch the Europa Clipper mission, which aims to explore Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons, for signs of extraterrestrial life. This mission is a major milestone in space exploration, involving NASA’s largest spacecraft ever built. IIT Indore launches affordable device for Early Breast Cancer Detection National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) in Lothal, Gujarat. DAE Inaugurates MACE, Asia’s Largest and World’s highest imaging Cherenkov Observatory, at Hanle, Ladakh developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) MACE is the world’s highest atmospheric Cherenkov telescope, How Does MACE Work? Although gamma rays, a form of high-energy radiation from space, cannot pass through the Earth’s atmosphere, they create particles that release flashes of light called Cherenkov radiation when they interact with the atmosphere. This radiation is similar to the sonic boom of an aircraft but happens with light. MACE captures these light flashes through its mirrors and cameras, helping scientists trace them back to their cosmic sources, such as supernovas or black holes. Nobel Prize in Physics 2024 : Hopfield and Hinton for their discoveries in machine learning, particularly their work on artificial neural networks. Nobel Prize 2024 in Medicine: Ambros and Ruvkun for MicroRNA Discovery microRNA (miRNA) are small pieces of RNA help control which genes are active in a cell. Victor Ambros – USA Gary Ruvkun - USA 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry Demis Hassabis and John M Jumper from Google DeepMind are recognized for using artificial intelligence (AI) to predict the 3D structures of nearly all known proteins. David Baker is honored for designing completely new proteins that do not naturally exist. One famous example is a protein called Top7, which Baker and his team developed in 2003 The Impact of AlphaFold2 In 2020, Hassabis and Jumper’s AI model, AlphaFold2, achieved accuracy close to that of X-ray crystallography, making it a breakthrough in protein research. Demis Hassabis : British National Space Commission approved India’s Fifth Lunar Mission new lunar mission, called the Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (Lupex) is a partnership between ISRO and Japan’s space agency JAXA What is BharatGen? BharatGen is a major new project in generative AI, which is a type of artificial intelligence that can create text, images, or even sound. The goal of BharatGen is to improve public services and increase citizen participation in India using AI. This project was officially launched in New Delhi by Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State. BharatGen is part of India’s efforts to develop its advanced technologies and aims to make India a global leader in AI. Key Goals of BharatGen The main purpose of BharatGen is to create AI models that can work with language, speech, and visual information. These models will help solve different social challenges. Some of the key goals include: Promoting social equality: Making AI accessible to all parts of society. Preserving cultural heritage: Ensuring that India’s diverse cultures and languages are represented. Accessibility: Making AI technology available to everyone, especially in different regional languages. Who is Managing BharatGen? The project is being led by IIT Bombay under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS). It is managed by the TIH Foundation for IoT and IOE, which will work with many top universities and research institutions to develop the project. Four Important Features of BharatGen BharatGen is special for several reasons: Multilingual and Multimodal Models: It will focus on developing AI that works across many Indian languages and forms of communication, like text and speech. Bhartiya Data Set: It will use Indian data to train its AI models, making them more relevant to local needs. Open-Source: BharatGen will be an open-source platform, meaning its technology will be available to everyone, encouraging collaboration. AI Ecosystem: The project will support the growth of AI research in India, helping more researchers and developers work on generative AI. Project Timeline BharatGen is expected to be completed in two years, with key milestones, including developing important AI models, set to be achieved by July 2026. Focus on Indian Data and Efficiency A unique feature of BharatGen is its focus on data sovereignty, meaning that it will use data collected from India Banjara Virasat ‘Nagara’ Museum opened by PM in Pohradevi, Washim,Maharashtra. It is dedicated to celebrating the cultural heritage of the Banjara community, which is why Pohradevi is often called the “Kashi of the Banjara Community.” It is the home of the tomb of Sant Sewalal Maharaj and Ramraobapu Maharaj Kho Kho World Cup Scheduled for 2025 in India India has been chosen to host the first-ever Kho Kho World Cup in 2025, which will bring together 24 countries from six continents. It will feature 16 men’s teams and 16 women’s teams Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) was founded in 1958 in Pune Kho Kho World Cup 2025 will take place from January 13 to 19 at the IGI Stadium in New Delhi Union Cabinet Grants Classical Language Status to Five Languages : Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali, and Prakrit. The concept of classical languages was introduced on October 12, 2004, when Tamil became the first language to receive this prestigious status. Since then, other languages such as Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia have also been granted classical status. As of October 3, 2024, India has 11 classical languages:  Original six: Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia  Five new languages: Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan PM launched the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, on 2 Oct 2024. It focuses on improving the living conditions of tribal communities across India. Financial Overview Total budget for DAJGUA is Rs.79,156 cr. The Central Govt. will contribute Rs.56,333 crores Multiple Ministries Involved: 17 different Goals of DAJGUA The initiative focuses on the overall government ministries will work together development of tribal areas by: It will benefit about 5 crore tribal people in Critical Infrastructure: Improving health, 63,843 villages, 549 districts spread across 30 education, and jobs with 25 key measures. states and Union Territories in India.  Areas of Improvement Housing Innovative Support Village Infrastructure Marketing Help Skill Development Tourism Development Education. Sickle Cell Disease Diagnosis Healthcare Assam launches Nijut Moina Scheme to fight against child marriage DRDO successfully conducts Flight-Tests of Advanced VSHORADS System in Pokhran, Rajasthan. Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) What is VSHORADS? VSHORADS is a 4th generation, portable missile system designed to protect against threats in the air at short distances. The Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) is meant to defend against low-flying threats like drones and aircraft within a range of 5 to 20 kilometers. It uses surface-to-air missiles guided by infrared, radar, or optical systems to track and hit targets. VSHORADS is becoming more important in modern warfare due to the increasing use of drones. One key feature of VSHORADS is its “hit-to-kill” capability. This means the missile can hit and destroy the target directly, not just damage it. National Agriculture Code The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is developing a new set of guidelines called the National Agriculture Code (NAC). This is similar to the existing national codes used for buildings and electrical systems, but specifically for agriculture. The goal is to create a set of standards that can help improve the quality and efficiency of farming practices in India, which currently lack detailed regulations. BIS is working on drafting the NAC, and the goal is to finish it by October 2025 To help test and promote the NAC, the BIS is also setting up Standardized Agriculture Demonstration Farms (SADF). Union Cabinet Approves Two Umbrella Schemes for Agriculture  Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY)  Krishonnati Yojana (KY) These are Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) What are these schemes? PM-RKVY focuses on promoting sustainable agriculture. It provides states with flexibility, allowing them to choose solutions based on their needs, like a “cafeteria” style approach. Krishonnati Yojana (KY) is aimed at achieving food security and helping India become self-sufficient in agriculture. Together, these schemes are expected to be implemented with a total budget of ₹1,01,321.61 crore. How will the schemes be implemented? The schemes will be carried out in partnership with State Governments. While they will build on existing programs, new elements will be added to make things more efficient, especially through the use of technology. Key Components and Special Missions Some important missions under these schemes include: National Mission for Edible Oil-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP): To boost domestic production of edible oils. Clean Plant Program: Focuses on ensuring disease-free plants for farmers. Digital Agriculture: Promotes the use of technology to make farming more efficient. Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER): Aims to develop organic farming in the Northeast and includes new features to provide more flexibility for this region. The total budget of Rs.1,01,321.61 crore Launched in 2007, PM-RKVY is designed to improve farmers’ income and promote agricultural growth. Introduced in 2016, Krishonnati Yojana focuses on improving productivity, sustainability, and farmers’ income. India Joins International Medical Device Regulators Forum On October 3, 2024, India’s Union Health Ministry announced that the country has become an affiliate member of the International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF). IMDRF was created in 2011 Rajnath Singh Launches Aditi 2.0 and DISC 12 Initiatives —at DefConnect 4.0 in Delhi. What is ADITI 2.0? ADITI 2.0 focuses on 19 technology challenges that cover advanced areas like Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Technology, military communication systems, and anti-drone technology. The government is offering grants of up to ₹25 crore for those who come up with successful solutions to these challenges. What is DISC 12? DISC 12, the 12th Defence India Start-up Challenge, introduces 41 new technology challenges. These challenges include innovations in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and medical technologies. The programme also includes the Medical Innovations and Research Advancement (MIRA) initiative, which focuses on developing medical technologies specifically for the Armed Forces. The top ideas can receive grants of up to Rs.1.50 crore. iDEX Initiative The Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative, which works with the Atal Innovation Mission, supports start-ups and small businesses (MSMEs) in developing new defence technologies. iDEX helps companies create prototypes and eventually bring these products to market. ISRO’s PSLV C-37 Upper Stage Re-enters Earth’s Atmosphere On October 6, 2024, the upper stage of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle C-37 (PSLV-C37) successfully re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere. This mission, which launched on February 15, 2017, was a major achievement for ISRO, as it set a world record by launching 104 satellites in a single mission. Mission Overview The PSLV-C37 mission had Cartosat-2D as its main satellite, along with 103 other satellites. After the launch, the upper stage (called PS4) was placed into an orbit India joins 44th Codex Committee Meeting on Nutrition and Special Diets held in Dresden, Germany, from October 2-6, 2024. National Anubhav Awards Scheme 2025 In March 2015, the Prime Minister introduced the ‘Anubhav’ platform through Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare. This is an online platform where retiring and retired government employees can share their work experiences To motivate more people to participate, an Annual Awards Scheme was launched in 2016. For 2025, the Government of India has introduced the National Anubhav Awards Scheme, which now includes employees from Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) and Public Sector Banks. The awards, comprising 5 Anubhav Awards and 10 Jury Certificates Anubhav awards 2024 : T.Jacob (UPSC sec), Aditi Das, Rajesh kumar parida India’s Maritime Decarbonization Conference in New Delhi, co-hosted by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and the Asian Development Bank Green Initiatives The Ministry shared two important guidelines: Harit Sagar Green Port Guidelines – These are rules to help ports use green energy and become more eco-friendly. Harit Nauka Green Transition Guidelines – These focus on making shipping more sustainable. Maritime India Vision 2030, focuses on making India’s maritime practices more sustainable in the coming years. Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue 2024 held in New Delhi, focusing on the theme “Resource Geopolitics and Security in the Indo-Pacific.” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to speak at the conference Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD), started by India in 2018, Southern Africa Culls Elephants Amid Severe Drought Crisis Chilean Scientists Develop Reversible Neutering Vaccine for Dogs Bihar Gets Approval for Second Tiger Reserve in Kaimur Bihar already has one tiger reserve, the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) Low-AGE Diets against Diabetes in India AGEs = advanced glycation end products WHO Approves First Mpox Test for Emergency Use WHO approved a new test called the Alinity m MPXV assay for Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox). Mpox is a viral infection. In August 2024, the WHO declared Mpox, as a public health emergency of international concern. WHO recommends PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test to confirm Mpox. Alinity m MPXV test is a real-time PCR test that looks for the virus’s DNA in skin lesions MIDORI Prize 2024 Vera Voronova from Kazakhstan and Ysabel Agustina Calderón Carlos from Peru for their exceptional efforts in promoting conservation and sustainability in their regions. The award ceremony will take place on October 29, 2024, in Cali, Colombia, during the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP 16) of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Butterfly Migration thrives in Tamil Nadu’s Western Ghats Tamil Nadu saw a massive migration of butterflies from the Danainae sub-family, specifically the species called ‘tigers and crows.’ These butterflies moved from the Eastern Ghats toward the Western Ghats. Odisha records Black Panther Sightings Pseumenes siangensis : New Wasp discovered in Arunachal Pradesh PM inaugurated Mumbai Metro Line 3 in Maharashtra Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Mumbai Metro Line 3 is the city’s first fully underground metro line. Telangana launches First NITI Aayog Women Entrepreneurship Chapter Telangana has made history as the first state in India to start a chapter of NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP). This initiative is focused on helping women entrepreneurs by offering them important tools, resources, and connections Negro River hits record low amid Severe Drought Crisis Negro River, a part of the Amazon River system. Negro River is about 2,250 kilometers long and is known for its dark, black-colored waters, which come from organic material in the surrounding rainforest. It has the largest blackwater system in the world. The Rio Negro is the largest tributary of the Amazon on the left-hand side (as it goes towards the sea). It starts in Colombia and ends in the Amazon basin. Scientists Discover Sixth Ocean Hidden in Earth’s Mantle potentially three times larger than all the planet’s surface oceans combined. Researchers from Northwestern University identified it. The water is not liquid but trapped within a blue mineral called ringwoodite. This mineral has the unique ability to absorb water into its crystal structure, effectively storing vast amounts of water in a compact form. National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans Tracker (NBSAP) As the COP16 biodiversity conference approaches, set to take place from October 21 to November 1, 2024, there are growing concerns because only 10% of countries have met their promises to protect biodiversity. This conference is important because it’s the first major meeting since the world agreed on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) in 2022. What is the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)? The GBF was adopted by 196 countries and aims to stop and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. It acts as a guide for countries, showing them how to protect and preserve nature. The goal is to get nations to commit to stronger actions to save biodiversity. Monitoring Progress: NBSAP Tracker To keep track of how countries are doing, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) created the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans Tracker (NBSAP). This tool helps monitor how well countries are developing plans to follow the goals set by the GBF. Status of National Plans On June 2024, only 20 countries have fully updated their National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs), and only 9 countries, along with the European Union, have officially submitted these plans. What is the NBSAP Tracker? The NBSAP Tracker is a tool that keeps track of countries’ plans to promote biodiversity conservation. Survey discovers New Reptile and Amphibian Species in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) Kerala launches India’s First Supercapacitor Manufacturing Facility at Keltron Component Complex Limited (KCCL) in Kallyassery, Kannur WETEX 2024 : Dubai 26th Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) 2024 began at the Dubai World Trade Centre. National Wildlife Week 2024 – Oct 02 to 08 Department of Wildlife Protection in Jammu and Kashmir kicked off celebrations with an inaugural event at the beautiful Dachigam National Park. This year’s theme is "Safeguarding Our Natural Heritage." Sarus Crane Habitat Securement Project in Maharajganj Ayush Medical Value Travel Summit 2024 Ayush Medical Value Travel Summit 2024, themed 'Global Synergy in Ayush: Transforming Health and Wellness through Medical Value Travel’ inaugurated in Mumbai Medical Value Travel Summit 2024 in Mumbai to be followed by events in Bhubaneswar and a grand finale in Delhi, targeting one crore households with 'Desh ka Prakrutik Parikshan - Ghar Ghar tak Ayurved” on the occasion of Ayurveda Day The summit is being organized by the Ministry of Ayush, Ministry of Tourism, Govt of Maharashtra, and key partners. Vaidya Triguna has been involved in creating important institutions that have helped improve Ayurveda education & research Taiwan’s Global Elite Card to attract skilled foreign professionals in response to a growing labor shortage, which is expected to result in a deficit of 350,000 workers by 2028. IIT Madras researchers develop new method for Retinal Treatment FCI launches digital transformation with ANNA DARPAN Initiative ANNA DARPAN is a digital platform that will replace FCI’s old system, the Depot Online System. It uses advanced technology for smoother and more efficient management of food supply chains. EURONAVAL 2024 Biggest naval defence exhibition will be held from November 4th to 7th, 2024, at the Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition. Around 300 exhibitors from over 30 countries will take part. 13 countries will have their own national pavilions (India not included). 104 countries, including India, have been invited to attend the event. Lt. Gen. Asim Malik appointed Pakistan’s ISI Chief AP Singh - Chief of Air Staff (CAS) S Paramesh - New Chief of Indian Coast Guard Ajit Vinayak Gupta appointed India’s Ambassador to Germany Sanjeev Kumar Singla appointed India’s Ambassador to France 8th KAZIND-2024 : India and Kazakhstan : on 30th September 2024 in Auli, Uttarakhand. India launches Cruise Bharat Mission to boost tourism Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal officially inaugurated at Mumbai on the cruise ship ‘Empress’. Aim: to tap into India’s potential as a major cruise destination and increase the number of people who travel by cruise ships. The goal is to double cruise passenger traffic by the year 2029. Three-Phase Plan for Cruise Tourism The Cruise Bharat Mission will be carried out in three phases: Phase 1 (2024-2025) Phase 2 (2025-2027) Phase 3 (2027-2029) Abhyuday Jindal, appointed as President of Indian Chamber of Commerce 4th global coral bleaching event (GCBE4) The 4th global coral bleaching event (GCBE4) began in January 2023. It is the most extensive and rapid coral bleaching event recorded. According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 99.9% of coral reefs in the Atlantic Ocean have experienced heat stress. This event has surpassed previous bleaching events from 2014 to 2017 by over 11%. Comparison with Previous Events The current event has unfolded in less time than GCBE3, which lasted three years and affected 65.7% of coral reefs. GCBE4 has impacted at least 77% of global reef areas in just 20 months. This rapid increase in bleaching is alarming and unprecedented. What are ‘Forever Chemicals’? Present in drinking water worldwide. These chemicals, known as perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), were detected in both tap and bottled water in major cities across the UK and China. Researchers from the University of Birmingham and Hainan University published their findings in ACS ES&T Water. What are PFAS? PFAS are synthetic chemicals that do not break down easily in the environment. They are used in many products, including non-stick cookware, water-repellent clothing, and stain-resistant fabrics These chemicals can enter the body through inhalation, ingestion, or skin absorption. How to Reduce PFAS? There are effective methods to reduce PFAS in drinking water. Boiling water and using carbon filters can remove up to 90% of these chemicals. Smart Insulin Developed for Diabetes Treatment It reacts in real time to blood sugar changes. Research published in the journal “Nature”. Current systems store insulin in the body and release it based on blood sugar levels detected by a sensor. This approach has limitations. It does not provide real-time responses to blood sugar changes. Engineering a New Insulin Team from Denmark, the UK, Czech, and the University of Bristol. They modified the insulin molecule to create an on-and-off switch. This new insulin, named NNC2215, has 2 components: 1. A ring-shaped structure. 2. A glucoside molecule, similar to glucose. When blood sugar is low, the glucoside binds to the ring. This keeps the insulin inactive, preventing further drops in blood sugar. As blood glucose rises, glucose replaces the glucoside. This change activates the insulin, lowering blood sugar to safer levels. Moonlight programme European Space Agency (ESA) has introduced a new programme called the Moonlight Lunar Communications and Navigation Services (LCNS) Moonlight programme aims to create a network of around five satellites that will orbit the Moon. These satellites will help spacecraft land accurately, enable fast communication, and assist with movement on the Moon’s surface. Karnataka launches AI Tool “Shiksha Copilot” for teachers  Hong Kong regains title of World’s Freest Economy according to the Fraser Institute’s Economic Freedom of the World report 1. Hong Kong > 2. Singapore > 3. Switzerland > 4. New Zealand > 5. United States India : 84th FTC implements Click-to-Cancel Rule for subscriptions Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the USA is introducing a rule called the “click-to-cancel” rule, to make it easier for people to cancel subscriptions and memberships. Study highlights Gut-Brain link in Parkinson’s Disease Recent studies suggest a “gut-first hypothesis” for Parkinson’s Disease (PD), which means that problems in the gastrointestinal (GI) system might play a key role in causing and worsening the disease. Meta launches ‘Scam Se Bacho’ safety campaign in India India Rises to 39th Rank in Global Innovation Index 2024 New Carbon Credit Trading Rules Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) launched 2 important guidelines in Hyderabad to help improve India’s Carbon Market The two new guidelines include: Detailed Procedure for Compliance Mechanism: This explains what companies need to do to follow the rules when trading carbon credits. Accreditation Procedure for Accredited Carbon Verification Agencies: This sets standards for agencies that check and approve carbon credits. Carbon Credit Trading Scheme was created under the Energy Conservation Act of 2001