Today's Brief 25/07/2024
- Smriti IASxp
- Jul 25, 2024
- 5 min read
Youtube English: https://youtu.be/0XRUzyt8vyQ?feature=shared
Youtube Hindi: https://youtu.be/jW5tc3YUwPU?feature=shared
Genetically modified (GM) crops are plants used in agriculture that have had their DNA modified using genetic engineering techniques. The primary goals of genetic modification in crops are to introduce a new trait to the plant which does not occur naturally in the species.
Commonly modified traits include resistance to pests, diseases, environmental conditions, reduction of spoilage, resistance to chemical treatments (e.g., resistance to a herbicide), or improving the nutrient profile of the crop.
Benefits: 2.Concerns:
Increased Yield: GM crops can lead to higher agricultural productivity.
Pest and Disease Resistance: Crops can be engineered to be more resistant to pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
Herbicide Tolerance: Some GM crops are designed to tolerate specific herbicides, making weed control easier and more efficient.
Nutritional Enhancement: Crops can be modified to have improved nutritional profiles. For example, Golden Rice is engineered to produce vitamin A.
Environmental Benefits: Reduced need for chemical pesticides and herbicides can lead to a lower environmental impact.
Regulation:
GM crops are subject to rigorous safety assessments before they can be marketed. These assessments are conducted by various regulatory agencies around the world, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in the European Union.
Regulations vary by country, with some nations having more stringent controls and others being more permissive.
Common GM Crops:
Soybeans: Often modified for herbicide resistance.
Corn (Maize): Modified for pest resistance and herbicide tolerance.
Cotton: Modified for pest resistance.
Canola: Modified for herbicide resistance.
Future of GM Crops:
Research continues into developing GM crops that can better withstand climate change, such as drought-resistant varieties.
Efforts are also underway to enhance the nutritional content of staple crops to address malnutrition in developing countries.
Genetically modified crops remain a topic of intense scientific research, regulatory scrutiny, and public debate. The balance between their potential benefits and risks continues to be carefully evaluated as new developments arise in the field of genetic engineering.
GM Mustard: also known as Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11 (DMH-11), is a genetically modified variety of mustard developed in India. It is a herbicide-tolerant crop that has been shown to produce higher yields than traditional mustard varieties
2.Budget 2024: Prioritising politics over economics: The first budget of the third term of the National Democratic Alliance reflected the changed political reality of the government but was far from the economic reality of the country.
The change in political circumstances after the elections meant that the allies crucial for the government’s survival (read Bihar and Andhra Pradesh) found the necessary mention, but it was still short of what they expected.
But a post-election budget was also an opportunity for the government to reset the fiscal paradigm to usher in a process of reforms for the economy still recovering from the slowdown of the first term and the pandemic-induced shocks of the second term.
There is a consensus that despite the recovery, the economy is suffering from deficient demand, contributing to a slowdown in consumption growth, tepid private investment and precarious exports.
In effect, all three sources of demand — private consumption, investment and exports — require a serious push for growth to be
sustainable.https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/budget-nda-bihar-andhra-pradesh-9473878/
3.The Global Passport Index is a ranking of the world's passports based on the number of countries their holders can visit without a prior visa. It's a measure of a passport's power and the ease of travel for its citizens.
Key Points
Henley Passport Index is the most widely recognized and authoritative index in this category.
It ranks passports based on visa-free access to different countries.
The index is updated regularly to reflect changes in travel policies.
A higher rank indicates greater visa-free travel freedom.
India has been ranked 82nd spot on a global passport index, allowing Indians visa-free entry to 58 countries, including popular destinations like Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. According to the latest ranking by the UK-based Henley Passport Index, India’s passport now ranks at an improved 82nd spot.
The ranking is based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
International Air Transport Association.
IATA stands for the International Air Transport Association. It's a global trade association representing, leading, and serving the airline industry. Essentially, it's the primary organization that sets standards for the global airline industry.
Key Roles of IATA
Standardization: IATA develops and implements standards for airline operations, including safety, security, efficiency, and sustainability.
Representation: It represents the interests of airlines before governments and international bodies.
Data and Information: IATA collects and analyzes data on the airline industry, providing valuable insights to members.
Training and Education: It offers training programs for airline personnel.
4.Rashtrapati Bhavan Renames Durbar Hall And Ashok Hall To Ganatantra Mandap And Ashok Mandap
5. Global Hunger: One in eleven people globally and one in five in Africa faced hunger in 2023 due to conflicts, climate change and economic downturns, according to the UN.
The international community is far from its goal of eradicating hunger by 2030, according to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).
Findings reveal that around 733 million people faced hunger in 2023, or one in 11 globally and one in five in Africa.
The report shows that the situation has been reversed by 15 years, with levels of undernourishment comparable to those in 2008–2009.
Food insecurity and malnutrition are worsening due to a combination of factors, including persistent food price inflation, conflict, climate change, and economic downturns, the report says.
It warns that if current trends persist, about 582 million people will be chronically malnourished by 2030, with half of them in Africa.
6.Typhoon Gaemi: A strong typhoon made landfall on China’s southeastern coast on Thursday evening after sweeping across the nearby island of Taiwan, where it caused landslides and flooding in low-lying areas and left three dead.
Typhoon Gaemi had swept up the western Pacific, intensifying seasonal rains earlier in the week in the Philippines, where the death toll climbed to 22
What is Typhoon?
A typhoon is a tropical cyclone that develops in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. It's essentially the same as a hurricane, but the term "typhoon" is used specifically for storms in this region.
Key Characteristics of a Typhoon:
Strong winds: Typhoons are known for their high wind speeds, often exceeding 119 km/h (74 mph).
Heavy rainfall: They bring torrential rain, leading to flooding and landslides.
Storm surge: Rising sea levels caused by the typhoon can inundate coastal areas.
7. Kavach is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system by Indian Railways through the Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO).
It's essentially a safety net for trains, designed to prevent accidents.
How does Kavach work?
Real-time monitoring: Kavach continuously tracks a train's speed and location.
Signal awareness: It alerts the driver of approaching signals and automatically applies brakes if necessary to prevent accidents.
Collision avoidance: The system can prevent collisions by detecting obstacles and initiating emergency braking.
Over-speed prevention: It ensures trains adhere to speed limits, reducing the risk of derailments.
Benefits of Kavach
Enhanced safety: Significantly reduces the risk of train accidents.
Improved efficiency: Optimizes train operations by maintaining schedules.
Technological advancement: Demonstrates India's capabilities in railway technology.
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