Published on: June 24, 2024
Snippets :24 JUNE 2024
Snippets :24 JUNE 2024
- All health centres and hospitals in Bangladesh have been ordered to stock anti-venom after reports of an increase in people being bitten by snakes, especially by the Russell’s viper.
- Scientists recently discovered the world’s oldest inhabited termite mounds along the Buffels River in Namaqualand, dating back 34,000 years. It is a desert region of southwestern Africa
- New research found that Australia’s enigmatic pink sand- Garnet was born in Antarctic mountains. It is rare in beach sand which is destroyed by prolonged exposure to the waves and currents of the ocean. It is a fairly common mineral, deep red in color. It crystallizes at high temperatures. These are formed in metamorphic (schist, amphibolite, and eclogite) and igneous (some granites and peridotite) rocks
- A new study by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has claimed that China’s tactical ballistic missile, the Fire Dragon 480, possesses the capability to sink a US Ticonderoga-class cruiser patrolling the Red Sea.
- The KSRTC’s Ashwamedha Classic Buses, launched in February, operate on point-to-point routes between Bengaluru, district headquarters, and other towns. These buses generate over ₹10 more per kilometre compared to Karnataka Sarige buses, with revenues ranging from ₹52 to ₹62 per kilometre. The success is attributed to non-stop services, eliminating the need for conductors, and offering passenger convenience. Equipped with advanced features like LED destination boards, pneumatic doors, and high back seats, Ashwamedha buses have gained popularity on routes such as Bengaluru-Mysuru and Bengaluru-Hassan, showing potential for further expansion.
- The 53rd GST Council Meeting in New Delhi addressed several key issues including easing compliance burdens for taxpayers, revising due dates, and GST-related reforms. Significant decisions included changes in GSTR-1 reporting, reducing thresholds for reporting B2C interstate supplies, and extending due dates for GSTR-4 filings. The Council also discussed legal amendments, rate rationalization, and set monetary limits for GST appeals. The establishment of a Group of Ministers (GoM) to analyze GST on fertilizers was noted, and various exemptions were recommended. The GST Council, mandated by Article 279A, was established by the Union Cabinet and serves as a joint forum for the Centre and States
- The Indian government has increased the allocation for Green Ammonia from 5.5 lakh tonnes to 7.5 lakh tonnes per annum under the SIGHT Programme of the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM). Launched on January 4, 2023, the NGHM aims to achieve a production capacity of 5 million tonnes of Green Hydrogen annually by 2030 with a financial outlay of Rs. 19,744 crores. The SIGHT Programme incentivizes Green Hydrogen and Green Ammonia production with SECI as the implementing agency. This increased allocation addresses growing demand from the fertilizer sector and contributes to decarbonization, energy independence, and significant economic benefits.
- The Iberian lynx, previously one of the rarest cat species globally, has moved from ‘endangered’ to ‘vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List due to a population surge. The mature population increased from 62 in 2001 to 648 in 2022, with over 2,000 lynxes now in Spain and Portugal. Conservation efforts, such as habitat restoration and boosting rabbit populations, have been key. Despite success, threats like poaching and habitat destruction persist. Future plans include reintroducing the lynx to central and northern Spain. The lynx’s habitat expanded significantly from 449 sq km in 2005 to 3,320 sq km today.
- ISRO successfully completed its Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Landing Experiment (LEX) programme with the third and final test, RLV LEX-03, at the aeronautical test range in Challakere. The RLV ‘Pushpak’ was released from a helicopter and autonomously landed on a runway, demonstrating its reusability and design validation. The mission showcased ISRO’s capabilities in critical technologies for RLVs, particularly for orbital re-entry missions. The successful landing included advanced guidance algorithms and a complex deceleration process. This achievement boosts confidence for future orbital re-entry missions and the development of an Orbital Reusable Vehicle.
- Kozhikode was officially declared UNESCO’s ‘City of Literature’ on June 23, 2024, becoming the first Indian city to receive this title. The city’s literary heritage dates back to the 14th century, with notable authors like S K Pottekkatt, Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, and M T Vasudevan Nair. Kozhikode hosts around 70 publishing houses, approximately 550 libraries, and major literary festivals, highlighting its strong literary culture. Significant literary figures are commemorated through memorials in the city. Initiatives like SecondPen and academic contributions from NIT-C students were key in achieving this recognition. Kozhikode now joins 55 cities globally honored as UNESCO’s ‘City of Literature’.
