News In Short-14-04-2025

Atmospheric Rivers 

Syllabus :GS1/Geography 

In News

• Recently, a large part of the United States experienced heavy rain, strong winds, and severe thunderstorms caused by an atmospheric river

Atmospheric rivers 

• They are narrow, fast-moving bands of moisture and wind—like rivers in the sky—that transport large amounts of water vapor from tropical oceans to land. 
• They typically span 402 to 606 km in width and over 1,600 km in length.
• They often resemble hurricanes in intensity and are most common in mid-latitudes.
  • A famous example is the Pineapple Express, which carries moisture from Hawaii to the U.S. and Canadian West Coasts. 
  • However, the recent storm in the U.S. originated from the Caribbean.

Importance and Threats 

• Most atmospheric rivers are weak and beneficial, supplying vital rain and snow
• They can also cause severe weather such as heavy rain, strong winds, flooding, and mudslides.

Study 

• A NASA study predicts that future atmospheric rivers will be longer, wider, and more intense, increasing the risk of severe flooding.

Source :IE

DRDO Tests Laser Weapon System 

Syllabus :GS3/Defence 

In News

• DRDO successfully tested the Mk-II(A) Laser-Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system in Andhra Pradesh.

The Mk-II(A) Laser-Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system

• The system was developed by DRDO’s Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS), Hyderabad along with other labs, academic institutions and Indian industries.
• It has the ability to engage and destroy drones, enemy sensors, and antennae with speed and precision.
  • With this achievement, India joins a select group of countries, including the US, China, and Russia, possessing such advanced capabilities.
• It offers a cost-effective solution to counter low-cost drone threats, with the cost of operation being equivalent to just a few litres of petrol. 
• It uses a high-intensity laser beam to neutralize targets at the speed of light, minimizing collateral damage and reducing reliance on expensive ammunition.

Importance 

• DRDO emphasized that as drone swarms and unmanned aerial systems become major threats, laser-DEWs are emerging as effective alternatives to traditional missile defence systems, offering ease of use, precision, and low operational costs.

Source :TH

ADB Revises India’s FY26 Growth Forecast to 6.7%

Syllabus: GS3/ Economy

Context

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) in the Asian Development Outlook 2025, revised India’s GDP growth forecast for FY26 to 6.7%, down from its earlier estimate of 7%.

About

• For FY27, the growth forecast has been set at 6.8%.
• The economies of Developing Asia and the Pacific are expected to grow at a rate of 4.9% in 2025, which is a slight decrease from 5% in 2024.
• Reasons:
  • Rising US Tariffs: The imposition of higher tariffs on India’s exports could disrupt trade and investment flows, potentially creating volatility in the domestic financial market.
  • Structural Food Inflation: A mismatch between demand and supply trends contribute to higher food inflation and raise inflationary expectations in the absence of effective policies to improve food supply chain resilience.
• Mitigating Factors: The risks could potentially be mitigated by a trade agreement between India and US, which is being negotiated.
  • India’s exports to the US are only 2% of GDP, limiting direct impact.

Asian Development Bank – ADB is a regional development bank established in 1966 for Social and Economic Development. It has 68 members. – It is a multilateral development bank, which seeks to help its developing member countries to reduce poverty and improve their people’s quality of life through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth and regional integration. – Headquarters: Manila, Philippines.

Source: BS

Exercise Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) 

Syllabus :GS3/Defence 

In News

• The first edition of the large-scale multilateral exercise Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) is being held from 13 to 18 April 2025.

Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME)  exercise

• AIKEYME, which means ‘Unity’ in Sanskrit, is planned for six days from 13 to 18 Apr 25 and will include participation from Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles and South Africa, alongside the co-hosts India and Tanzania.
• It aligns with India’s vision of Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR).

Importance

• It aims to address shared regional maritime challenges by enhancing interoperability and joint operations among participating navies.
• It also reflects the strong and friendly ties between India and African nations.

Source :TH

Alfalfa Hay

Syllabus: GS3/Environment; Science 

Context

• The delay in India’s approval of genetically modified (GM) alfalfa hay imports from the US has emerged as a contentious issue in ongoing Indo-US trade negotiations.
  • Despite clearance from India’s Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), the final nod from the Agriculture Ministry remains pending.

About Alfalfa Hay

• It is often referred to as the ‘Queen of Forages’ and is a highly nutritious and versatile crop widely used in agriculture and livestock farming.
  • It is rich in protein, calcium, and essential vitamins, making it an ideal feed for dairy cattle, horses, and other livestock.
  • Its high fiber content aids in digestion and promotes overall animal health.
• Alfalfa is a perennial legume that thrives in well-drained soils and moderate climates.
  • It fixes nitrogen in the soil, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and improving soil fertility.
• It has a deep root system, which allows it to access nutrients and water from deeper soil layers, making it drought-resistant.

Other Food Safety Issues in Trade Talks With U.S. – Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Alcoholic Beverages: India is considering relaxing food safety norms for RTD low-alcohol beverages, a concern raised by the United States Trade Representative (USTR). 1. Current regulations allow 0.5-8% alcohol content, but discussions are underway to permit 10-15% alcohol in this category. – Whiskey Import Standards: The USTR has sought explicit protection for US whiskey products like Bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey. 1. India’s FSSAI permits these imports, but further clarifications are being discussed.

Source: ET