News In Short 13-12-2024

La Nina

Syllabus: GS1/Climatology

Context

• The cooling La Nina phenomenon in the equatorial Pacific Ocean may develop in the next three months but it is likely to be weak, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
  • A weak and short-lived La Nina may mean the heightened trend of global average temperatures in 2023 and 2024 may not relent in 2025 as well.

La Nina

• La Nina means Little Girl in Spanish. La Niña is also sometimes called El Viejo, anti-El Niño, or simply “a cold event.”
• La Niña is a weather phenomenon that occurs in the Pacific Ocean. It is the counterpart of El Niño, and both are part of the larger El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle. 
• The trade winds become stronger than usual, pushing more warmer waters towards the Indonesian coast, and making the eastern Pacific Ocean colder than normal.

Impacts

• Increased rainfall: Regions such as Southeast Asia, northern Australia, and parts of South America often experience above-average rainfall during La Niña events.
• Drier conditions in some areas: Conversely, regions like the southwestern United States and parts of Africa experience below-average rainfall, leading to drought conditions.
• Stronger Atlantic hurricanes: La Niña tends to reduce wind shear in the Atlantic, creating conditions that are more conducive to the development of hurricanes.
• Cooler temperatures: Some areas experience cooler temperatures than normal, particularly in the Pacific Northwest of the United States and parts of South America.

Source: DTE

Cess and Surcharge

Syllabus: GS2/Polity/GS3/Economy

Context

• Arvind Panagariya, Chairman, 16th Finance Commission, termed the grievance of States regarding the Centre’s increasing reliance on cesses and surcharges as a complicated issue.

About

• Dr. Panagariya observed that the share of States in the divisible pool has risen from 32% in the 13th Finance Commission to 42% under the 14th. 
• The Centre is entitled to collect cesses and surcharges under a Constitutional provision.

Cess and Surcharge

• Cess and Surcharge are additional taxes that are levied over and above the basic tax liability.
• Cess: It is calculated as a percentage of the base tax (e.g., income tax or GST) and is used for designated causes, like education, health, or sanitation.
  • Cess is typically non-refundable and must be paid on top of the regular tax liability. 
  • Examples include Education Cess and Health Cess.
• Surcharge: 
  • It is imposed on higher-income individuals, companies, or entities to increase government revenue. 
  • Unlike cess, the surcharge does not have a specific earmarked purpose and goes into the general revenue fund. 
  • The rate of surcharge increases as the taxable income rises, and it is applied on top of the base tax amount.

Source: TH

Coastal Hardening

Syllabus: GS3/Environment and Conservation

Context

• A new study published in Nature, has revealed that about 33% of the world’s sandy beaches have hardened.

About

• The Bay of Bengal occupies first position with 84% coastal hardening.
  • It was followed by western and central Europe, which showed the second-largest coastal hardening with 68%, followed by the Mediterranean with 65%.
  • Western North America and east Asia showed 61% and 50% respectively. 
• The study urged acknowledging potential underestimation in the amount of hardened sandy beaches and percentage of sandy beaches facing heavy losses in low and lower middle-income countries.

Costal Hardening

• Coastal hardening refers to ‘rigid’, semi-impermeable structures created by humans that alter the natural landscape, potentially obstructing the shoreline retreat, and landward translation of sandy beaches.
  • These include infrastructure such as seawalls, harbours, roads, highways, buildings, railway revetments or other urban structures.

Impacts: 

• Disruption of natural processes: Hard structures often interfere with the natural movement of sand, leading to increased erosion in other areas.
• Loss of habitats: Hardening destroys or degrades coastal ecosystems, including beaches, dunes, and wetlands that provide important habitats for wildlife.
• Long-term sustainability issues: Coastal hardening result in a “locking in” of coastal conditions, making future adaptation more difficult as sea levels rise.

Source: DTE

Desert Knight Exercise

Syllabus: GS3/ Defence

In News

• India, France, and the UAE have launched “Desert Knight, defence exercise.

About Desert Knight Exercise

• Nations Involved: India, France, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
• Location: Conducted over the Arabian Sea, approximately 350-400 km southwest of Karachi.
• Objective: Strengthen trilateral defence cooperation.
  • Enhance combat skills and interoperability among the air forces of the three nations.

Significance

• Desert Knight aligns with India’s broader Indo-Pacific strategy, which emphasizes cooperation with like-minded nations to ensure a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
• Countering China’s Influence

Source: TOI

Dulcibella Camanchaca

Syllabus: GS3/ Species In News

In News

• Researchers have identified a new predatory amphipod species, Dulcibella camanchaca, in the Atacama Trench.
  • The Atacama Trench stretches along the eastern South Pacific Ocean, plunging to depths exceeding 8,000 m off the coast of northern Chile.

Key Features of Dulcibella Camanchaca

• Taxonomic Classification: Belongs to the Eusiridae family.
  • Represents a newly identified genus.

• Morphological and Genetic Characteristics: Larger than related species, measuring just under 4 cm.
  • Pale coloration aids survival in pitch-black environments.
  • DNA barcoding confirmed its distinct genetic lineage.
• Predatory Behavior: Unlike scavenging amphipods, it actively preys on other amphipods, playing a crucial role in the deep-sea food web.
• Naming: Genus Name: Dulcibella, inspired by characters from the 17th-century Spanish novel Don Quixote.
  • Species Name: Camanchaca, meaning “darkness” in indigenous Andes languages, reflecting its habitat.

Source: ET

Marbled Duck

Syllabus: GS3/ Environment, Conservation, Species In News

In News

• A marbled duck, a rare winter migrant, was recently spotted at Sultanpur National Park, Haryana.
  • This marks the first sighting in Sultanpur since 1990, creating excitement among bird enthusiasts.

About Marbled Duck

• Physical Characteristics: Medium-sized duck with grey-white plumage.
  • Features a large head and light eye patches.
  • The diet consists of fish and aquatic plants.
• Global Conservation Status:Classified as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN.
  • Population decline primarily due to: Habitat destruction, Hunting in breeding and wintering grounds.
• Geographic Range and Habits: Native to Europe, breeding in the summer months.
  • Breeding occurs in three regions: Eastern Mediterranean. Western Mediterranean. Iran.
  • Prefers lowland, shallow freshwater habitats for breeding.

Source: DTE