News In Short 14-12-2024

Commissioning of Nirdeshak

Syllabus: GS3/ Defence

Context

• The Indian Navy is set to commission the latest survey ship, Nirdeshak, at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam.

About

• Nirdeshak is the second ship of the Survey Vessel (Large) Project and is built at GRSE Kolkata.
• Purpose: It is designed to conduct hydrographic surveys, aid in navigation, and support maritime operations.
• Design: The 110-meter-long vessel, with a displacement of approximately 3800 tons, is powered by two diesel engines and is equipped with state-of-the-art Hydrographic and Oceanographic Survey Equipment.
  • The ship has an endurance of over 25 days at sea and a top speed exceeding 18 knots.

Source: PIB

EMBO Global Investigator Network

Syllabus: GS3/ Science and Technology

Context

• Dr. Prem Kaushal and Dr. Rajender Motiani, from the regional center for Biotechnology, has been selected for the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) Global Investigator Network.

About

• The EMBO Global Investigator Network supports young group leaders in Chile, India, Singapore and Taiwan. 
  • The group leaders in the early stages of setting up their independent laboratories.
• The new EMBO Global Investigators receive financial support for four years.

Regional Center for Biotechnology (RCB)

• RCB is established by the Department of Biotechnology, with regional and global partnerships synergizing with the programmes of UNESCO as a Category II Centre. 
• It aims to provide world class education, training and conduct innovative research at the interface of multiple disciplines.
• In 2016, RCB was recognised as an Institution of National Importance by the Parliament of India.

Source: PIB

Rights for Fishermen over Marine Resources

Syllabus: GS2/Governance

Context

• All the coastal State/Union Territories have already enacted their Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRAs) / Marine Fishing Regulations to govern fishing activities within 12 nautical miles of territorial waters. 

About

• The coastal States/UTs through these MFRAs have earmarked the zones reserved for fishing only by the traditional fishermen using non-motorized and motorized fishing boats.
• Mechanized fishing vessels are not allowed to fish.
• Areas Reserved by States:
  • Gujarat has reserved the area up to 9 nautical miles from the shore, 
  • Goa has reserved the area up to 2.7 nautical miles; 
  • Karnataka has reserved the area up to 3.23 nautical miles; 
  • Tamil Nadu and Odisha have reserved the areas up to 5 nautical miles;
  • and Andhra Pradesh has reserved the area upto 4.3 nautical miles.

Source: PIB

Rajmarg Saathi

Syllabus: GS3/Road Safety

Context

• National Highways Authority of India has updated specifications for new Route Patrolling Vehicles (RPVs) named ‘Rajmarg Saathi’.

About

• The RPVs conduct inspection of National Highway stretches to monitor and respond to emergency situations. 
• Rajmarg Saathi: 
  • It has the Provision for dashboard camera equipped with ‘AI video analytics’ to capture and identify cracks & potholes. 
  • The data/ video footage shall be collected on weekly basis by NHAI and shall be integrated with NHAI One application for more efficient maintenance of roads.
• Equipped with the advanced communication and safety tools, these vehicles will be useful in minimizing traffic disruptions, improving road safety and enhancing overall road user experience along the National Highways.

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)

• It was constituted by an Act of Parliament in 1988 under the administrative control of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
• NHAI has been set up as a Central Authority to develop, maintain and manage the National Highways. 
• The authority, however, became operational in 1995.

Source: PIB

Durgadi Fort

Syllabus: GS1/History

Context

• A Kalyan civil court ruled in favour of the Maharashtra government, rejecting the Muslim community’s claim to the disputed site at Durgadi Fort.

About

• Durgadi Fort is a historical fort located in the town of Durgadi, near Kalyan in the state of Maharashtra. 
• It is situated on the banks of the Ulhas River. 
• The fort dates back to the 15th century and was originally built by the Adil Shahi Sultanate and later modified by the Marathas.
• Over time, it came under the control of various rulers, including the Mughals and the Marathas. 
• In the 18th century, the fort was an important part of the Maratha defense system in the region.
• The fort is known for its strategic location and its role in defending the region.

Source: IE

First ice-free day in the Arctic: Study

Syllabus: GS1-Geography / GS3-Environment

Context

• The Arctic Ocean may see its first ice-free day — when its waters have less than one million square kilometres of sea ice — by 2030, or sooner than previously expected, according to a new study.

About the study

• The study, ‘The first ice-free day in the Arctic Ocean could occur before 2030’, was published in the journal Nature Communications. 
• Major Predictions: 
  • The first ice-free day in the Arctic would be witnessed within seven to 20 years even if humans drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions in the following years.
  • The ice-free period can last between 11 and 53 days. This means that the Arctic can also witness the first ice-free month.

Significance of Ice in Arctic Ocean

• The ice plays a critical role in regulating ocean and air temperatures, supporting marine habitats, and driving ocean currents that distribute heat and nutrients worldwide. 
• The sea ice reflects sunlight back into space, a process known as the albedo effect.
  • As the ice melts, it exposes darker waters, which absorb more solar radiation, further accelerating warming in the region. 

Arctic Ocean – It is the smallest of the world’s five ocean basins (after the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the Southern Ocean). – It occupies the most northern region of Earth. The landmasses of Eurasia (Europe and Asia), North America, and Greenland surround the ocean.

Source: IE

Competition Commission of India (CCI)

Syllabus: GS2/Governance; Statutory Body

Context

• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) passed an order under the Competition Act, 2002 (Act) against the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) and its affiliate bodies.

About

• The TT Friendly Super League Association has alleged that TTFI and its affiliates are using anti-competitive practices.
• The Commission found that the TTFI and its affiliates violated the Act by restricting table tennis tournaments and preventing players from participating through WhatsApp advisories, public notices, and anti-competitive bye-laws.

Competition Commission of India (CCI)

• It is a statutory body established in 2009 by the Government of India under the Competition Act, 2002.
• The composition of the Commission consists of a Chairperson and not less than two and not more than six other members.
• It operates under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) with the following objectives:
  • Eliminate practices having adverse effect on competition,
  • Promote and sustain competition,
  • Protect the interests of consumers
  • Ensure freedom of trade in the markets of India
  • Establish a robust competitive environment.

Source: PIB

Sportswashing

Syllabus: Miscellaneous

Context

• Saudi Arabia, the sole bidder, has secured the hosting rights for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, but it has also sparked concerns over sportswashing.

What is sportswashing? 

• It is a term used to describe the practice of nations, individuals, groups, or the corporations using sports to improve their reputations that have been damaged by misconduct or controversy.
• It can be accomplished through hosting sporting events, purchasing or sponsoring sporting teams, or participating in a sport.
• Examples of sportswashing includes:
  • The 1936 Berlin Olympics: Hitler used the Olympics to improve Germany’s international image.
  • The 1978 FIFA World Cup: Argentina hosted and won the World Cup while its military junta threw dissidents out of planes. 
  • The 2022 Winter Olympics held in China and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Do you know? – Greenwashing refers to misleading the general public into believing that companies, sovereigns or civic administrators are doing more for the environment than they actually are.  – This may involve making a product or policy seem more environmentally friendly or less damaging than it is in reality.

Source: TH