Daily Current Affairs 

To The Point Notes

1.Waterspouts 

Definition: A large column of air and mist rotating over a water body.

Characteristics:

• Weaker than tornadoes.
• Lasts for 5-10 minutes.
• Average diameter: 165 feet.
• Wind speeds: 100 km/h.
• Can occur anywhere, but more common in tropical waters.
• Requires high humidity and warm water temperatures.

Types:

• Tornadic waterspouts: Actual tornadoes that form over water or move from land to water.
• Fair-weather waterspouts: Form over water during fair weather. Less dangerous and usually smaller.

Frequency:

• Increasing due to rising ocean temperatures.

Example:

• Recent luxury yacht sinking off the coast of Sicily, Italy, potentially due to a waterspout.

 

2.BPaLM Regimen for Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis

Definition: A new regimen for treating multidrug-resistant or rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB).

Composition: Bedaquiline, pretomanid, linezolid, and moxifloxacin (BPaLM).

Significance:

• More effective than previous regimens.
• Shorter treatment duration (6 months vs. 18-24 months).
• Fewer side effects.
• Prevents transmission.
• Pivotal tool in containing and managing TB.
• Expected to boost India’s National TB Elimination Programme.

India:

• Accounts for 27% of global TB cases.
• Set to roll out training of healthcare professionals in administering BPaLM regimen.
• Stands to benefit significantly from the new regimen.

WHO Recommendation:

• Recommended by WHO in 2022.
• Currently available in nearly 40 countries.

 

 

3.Measures for Promoting the Handloom Sector

Handloom: Process of weaving cloth using a manually operated loom.

Schemes to Promote Handloom Sector:

• National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP):
  • Formulated for 2021-22 to 2025-26.
  • Integrated and holistic development of handlooms and welfare of handloom weavers.
• Raw Material Supply Scheme (RMSS):
  • Formerly known as Yarn Supply Scheme (YSS).
  • Provides quality yarn and blends to eligible handloom weavers at subsidized rates.
• Handloom Weavers’ Comprehensive Welfare Scheme:
  • Provides life, accidental, and disability insurance coverage to handloom weavers/workers.
• Weaver MUDRA Scheme:
  • Provides credit at a concessional interest rate of 6% to handloom weavers.
• Urban Haat:
  • Set up in big towns/metropolitan cities for direct marketing facilities.
• Design & Technology Upgradation (DTU):
  • Upgrades artisan skills through innovative designs, prototyping, revival of endangered crafts, and preservation of heritage.

 

4.Inflation Targeting

Definition: A central bank commits to meeting a publicly announced numerical inflation target within a specific timeframe.

Types:

• Point Targets: A specific numerical target.
• Band Targets: Inflation is targeted within a range.

Purpose:

• Provides a clear medium-term inflation outlook.
• Reduces inflationary shocks and their costs.
• Leads to more stable and lower long-term interest rates.

Important Considerations:

• Focus on numerical targets may reduce policy flexibility.
• Monetary policy actions affect inflation with a lag.
• Reliance on forecasts can be problematic.
• Targets should allow for flexibility and adjustments for volatile components.
• Excessive flexibility can undermine central bank credibility.

Scope in Developing Countries:

• Higher inflation rates and uncertain future inflation predictions make meeting targets challenging.
• Central bank autonomy may be limited by fiscal needs.
• Central banks might be reluctant to raise interest rates due to fiscal concerns.

 

5.Liquid Water on Mars

Findings:

• New analysis of data from NASA’s Mars Insight Lander.
• Reservoir of liquid water found deep in the rocky outer crust of Mars.
• Located at depths of about 10-20 km.
• Suggests water could have seeped from the surface billions of years ago.

Planet Mars:

• Fourth planet from the Sun.
• Cold desert world.
• Half the size of Earth.
• Red due to rusty iron in the ground.
• Dynamic planet with seasons, polar ice caps, canyons, extinct volcanoes, and evidence of past activity.
• Very thin atmosphere made of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and argon.

 

 

6.Purandar Figs

Definition: A GI-tagged fig variety grown in Purandar taluka of Pune district, Maharashtra.

Characteristics:

• High pulp content.
• Rich source of vitamins and minerals.
• Excellent sweet taste.
• Attractive violet color.
• Special qualities attributed to climatic factors, red-black soil, and salt-free well irrigation technique.

GI Tag:

• Received GI tag in 2016.

APEDA Facilitation:

• Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the export of India’s first ready-to-drink fig juice made from Purandar Figs to Poland.

APEDA:

• Established in 1986 under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Headquarters: New Delhi.
• Mandated with export promotion and development of products like fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, and their products.