Hindu Notes from General Studies-01

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RTGS sounds high alert on cyclone

News

• The Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) has sounded a high alert that the deep depression in the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclone.

Beyond News

• The deep depression located about 910 km from Chennai and 960 km from Sriharikota of Nellore district, is moving with a speed of 11 km per hour towards central coastal Andhra Pradesh.
• The cyclonic storm would be accompanied with strong winds blowing at a speed of 100 to 110 kmph.
• The coastal districts would receive extensive rainfall.
• As the sea condition is likely to remain rough, fishermen in coastal districts were suggested not to venture into the sea until further instructions.
• Necessary arrangements were made at the RTGS to monitor the situation round-the-clock. The specially trained staff has been deployed in Parishkara Vedika, 1100 call centre, to assist the public for the help. So far 48,000 fishermen, farmers, have been sensitized through IVRS (interactive voice response system) calls. The 133 vessels in the sea were returning to the shore. The RTGS was working in coordination with the Fisheries Department, he said.
• Also, the government made all arrangement for pre-procurement of paddy and directed civil supplies department to procure paddy round the clock. Usually procurement centres work up to 5 p.m., but in view of the assumed disaster, the government ordered to open the procurement centres 24 x 7.

Hindu Notes from General Studies-02

Indian peacekeepers in South Sudan lauded for providing medical supplies to prisoners

News

• Indian peacekeepers serving with the UN Mission in South Sudanhave been lauded for providing lifesaving medical supplies to prisoners in the country’s Malakal city.

Beyond News

• Indian peacekeepers deployed with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) donated medical supplies, including antibiotics, fortified malnutrition supplements and bandages to a state prison in Malakal.
• A total of 32 cartons containing an assortment of multi-purpose drugs were handed over to the prison. The contribution was made possible by the proactive cooperation between the peacekeeping mission’s Human Rights office and the hospital run by the Indian battalion, according to information on the UNMISS website.
• Human Rights Officers who regularly visit the jail have noted that conditions have greatly improved, particularly related to health and cleanliness.
• India is currently the largest contributor of peacekeepers to UNMISS with close to 2,400 military and police personnel deployed.

France, India working on Jaitapur nuclear power project

News

• India and France are moving fast towards operationalising the power project at Jaitapur.
• External Affairs Minister said both sides were working in the field of energy and also intensifying international developmental and counter-terrorism cooperation.

Beyond News

• The French Minister said the project, which involved building six EPR reactors, would also help the ‘Make in India’ project of the Government of India as it will include transfer of technology.
• Both sides declared common plans to work in development projects in the African continent.
• The visiting Minister referred to the 10th anniversary of the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai and reiterated that India and France would expand collaboration to prevent terrorism in the world.
• Le Drian’s visit, which coincided with the ongoing debate on the Rafale aircraft deal in India, also emphasised the softer side of bilateral ties with Ms. Swaraj highlighting that a large number of student exchanges with France would be possible by 2020.

‘U.S.-Tibet Bill grossly interferes in China affairs’

News

• China rebuked the U.S. Congress over legislation seeking greater access to Tibet, saying American lawmakers “grossly interfered” in Beijing’s domestic affairs.

Beyond News

• The bill, which passed this week with bipartisan support, demands access to the region for U.S. diplomats, journalists and tourists, threatening to bar Chinese officials responsible for the policy from the U.S. if barriers remain for foreigners in Tibet.
• Foreign visitors are generally required to obtain a special permit, with the region completely closed off to outsiders at certain times of the year.
• Some 40,000 Americans have visited Tibet since 2015, including politicians.
• The bill comes amid frictions between the U.S. and China over trade and the arrest of a Chinese executive in Canada on a U.S. request.

Hindu Notes from General Studies-03

Scientists create bee vaccine to fight off ‘insect apocalypse’

News

• Scientists have developed what they believe is the world’s first vaccine to protect bees against disease, raising hopes for tackling the drastic decline in insect numbers which could cause a global food crisis.

Findings

• Bees are vital for growing the world’s food as they help fertilise three out of four crops around the globe, by transferring pollen from male to female flowers.
• But in recent years bee populations around the world have been dying off from “colony collapse disorder”, a mysterious scourge blamed on mites, pesticides, virus, fungus, or some combination of these factors.
• UN-led research in 2016 found that more than 40% of invertebrate pollinators, particularly bees and butterflies, are facing extinction.
• The study also found that 16.5% of vertebrate pollinators, such as birds and bats, are under threat.
• Scientists warn that the die-off will result in higher food prices and the risk of shortages.
• The vaccine developed, works by giving bees resistance to fight off severe microbial diseases that can be fatal for pollinator communities.
• Researcher’s created a vaccine against American foulbrood, the most globally widespread and destructive bee bacterial disease.
• The treatment is administered to the queen bee via a sugar lump, similar to the way many children are given polio vaccines. The queen then passes the immunity to her offspring, spreading it through the bee community.

NGT seeks report on Meghalaya coal mine mishap, 13 miners still trapped

News

• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought a report from the Meghalaya government on coal mine mishapin the State’s East Jaintia Hills, as the operation to rescue 13 trapped miners was called off for the second successive day.

Beyond News

• Officials said the chances of the survival of the miners in the 370 ft. coal pit, which was filled with water after they drilled into an adjoining abandoned mine, were slim.
• The panel was formed to deal with issues related to the protection of the environment from illegal mining and protection of miners.
• Meghalaya Chief Minister had admitted that illegal coal mining was continuing in the State despite an NGT ban on ‘rat-hole’ mining more than four years ago. His coalition government wants the ban withdrawn as it is “affecting the livelihood of thousands of people”.
• The mine is near Lumthari village, about 130 km from State capital Shillong and less than 50 km from where anti-mining activists Agnes Kharshiing and Amita Sangma were assaulted by a mob a month ago.
• East Jaintia Hills SP Sylvester Nongtynger said they have arrested Grip Suhlet, one of the two owners of the coal mine. The other owner, James Sukhlain of Lumthari village, was absconding along with the supervisor of the mine.

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