NATIONAL:
1. CMV and ToMV Virus
Why in news - Tomato growers in Maharashtra and Karnataka have blamed two different virus attack for the loss of yields.
Key Points –
• Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) - Maharashtra.
• Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) – Karnataka.
• CMV is spread by aphids, which are sap-sucking insects.
• High temperature followed by intermittent rain allow aphids to multiply. It is conducive for the spread of CMV.
• Symptoms - alternating yellowish and dark green foliage, fruit develops necrotic spots (overripening) etc.
ToMV –
• Virgaviridae family.
• Closely related to the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV).
• Affect - tomato, tobacco, peppers, and certain ornamental plants.
CMV –
• First identified in cucumber in 1934.
• Affect (larger host) - Cucumber, melon, eggplant, tomato, carrot, lettuce, celery etc.
Value Addition –
2. Deep Sea Mining
Why in news - International Seabed Authority could open the international seabed for mining.
Key Points –
• Meaning - removing mineral deposits and metals from the ocean’s seabed.
• 3 types –
(a) polymetallic nodules
(b) sulphide deposits
(c) stripping cobalt crusts from rock.
• Nodules, deposits and crusts contain materials, such as nickel, rare earth, cobalt, that are needed for batteries and renewable energy equipment.
• Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS), seabed and its mineral resources are considered the “common heritage of mankind”.
• Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone (4.5 million km2) - between Hawaii and Mexico.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Largest Phosphate Mine
Why in news – Massive deposits of ultra-rich phosphate rock, vanadium and titanium discovered in Norway.
Key Points –
• Discovered by - Norge Mining.
• Amount - 70 billion metric tons of phosphate rock.
• Can meet the rising global demand for at least the next 100 years.
• Phosphate - an essential element used for production in the fertilizer industry for the production of phosphorous.
• Phosphorous uses - solar panels, next-generation lithium batteries for electric cars, semiconductors, and computer chips.
• Phosphorous features - higher energy density, enhanced safety, and longer life span than their lithium-ion counterparts.
Value Addition –
• Biggest phosphate rock deposits (till date) - Morocco (50 billion tonnes) > China (3.2 billion tonnes) > Egypt (2.8 billion tonnes) > Algeria (2.2 billion tonnes).
ECONOMY:
1. Trade in Services for Development Report
Why in news – The report was released by World Trade Organisation (WTO) and World Bank.
Key Points –
• India’s share in global commercial services exports - 4.4% in 2022. (2% in 2005).
• China (3.0% to 5.4%) and India doubled their share of global commercial services exports from 2005 to 2022.
• India hosted around 3.5 million foreign patients (medical tourism) from 2009 to 2019.
Value Addition –
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. Carbon Molecules in Space
Why in news - The CH3+ molecule has been detected in space for the first time by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
Key Points –
• CH3+ molecule is also known as methyl cation.
• Complex organic molecules like amino acids are formed from simpler ones, like CH3+, or methylium.
• CH3+ molecule was found in the light coming from Orion Nebula.
• Everything that makes us and all life on Earth is carbon-based.
• CH3+ is a very simple organic molecule, with just one carbon atom and 3 hydrogen atoms. (building blocks for life in space).
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES:
1. 23rd SCO Summit
Why in news - The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting of heads of states was held virtually on July 4, 2023.
Key Points –
• India hosted the summit for the first time.
• Theme - SCO-SECURE.
• S: Security, E: Economic development, C: Connectivity, U: Unity, R: Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and E: Environmental protection.
• It concluded with the New Delhi Declaration calling for de-radicalization, sustainable lifestyle, production of millets and digital transformation.
• Iran was granted full membership.
About SCO (Hq - Beijing):
• Members - China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan.
• Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) –
(a) Formed on June 7, 2002 in St. Petersburg.
(b) Executive Committee is based in Tashkent.
(c) Aim - to promote cooperation of member states against terrorism, separatism and extremism.
• Cultural and Tourism Capital of SCO for 2022-23 – Varanasi.
BIHAR:
1. Krishna Nandan Singh
Why in news - Dr. Krishna Nandan Singh was made Additional Solicitor General (ASG) of Patna High Court.
Key Points –
• The post of ASG is not constitutional.
• The post of ASG is governed by Law Officers (Conditions of Service) Rules, 1987.
2. Subhash Chandra Bose Residential School
Why in news - Education Department has decided to provide free boys hostels for needy and economically weak children.
Key Points –
• To be opened in 7 districts of Bihar.
• 7 districts - Patna, Muzaffarpur, Jamui, Nawada, Gaya, Banka and Aurangabad.
3. Bharat Bhushan Award
Why in news - Anamika Anu is awarded with the highest award ‘Bharat Bhushan Award’ in the field of Indian poetry.
Key Points –
• Anamik Anu is a famous poet as well as a successful translator.
• Anu’s poetry collection - ‘Enjikari’
• Her new book - ‘Yarekh’.
• ‘Yarekh’ is a compilation of 36 love letters of Hindi writers.
• She was also awarded ‘Mahesh Anjum Yuva Kavita Samman’ for the year 2023.
• She a resident of Muzaffarpur, Bihar. But currently she lives in Kerala.
POINTERS:
• Under whose leadership a 13-member boxing team will represent India in the Asian Games 2023 - Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina Borgohain.
• Which country has allowed the use of MDMA and magic mushrooms for the medical treatment of of certain mental health conditions – Australia.
• In which city will the 132nd Durand Cup tournament be organized – Kolkata
• 3-day International Conference on Green Hydrogen (ICGH-2023) was organized by which ministry - Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
• Which country inaugurated "Arkadag", a $5 billion 'smart city' – Turkmenistan.
• Who has been awarded the 'Best Foreign Player' in France's Ligue 1 for the 2022-23 season - Lionel Messi.
• Which city has been selected as a host city for the FIFA Club World Cup 2023 – Jeddah.
• Who has won the Lausanne Diamond League 2023 title in Switzerland, finishing first with a throw of 87.66m - Neeraj Chopra.
• Who has virtually inaugurated Alluri Sitarama Raju Smriti Vanam developed at Bhimavaram - President Droupadi Murmu.
• The G-20 Research and Innovation Initiative Gathering (RIIG) Summit and Research Ministers' Meeting held in which city – Mumbai.