Week 2 Current Affairs Update

8th- 14th September 2017

EVENTS

NATIONAL

ENVIRONMENT
Lakshadweep Island, Parali I vanished
DATE: - 8th September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: To check for soil erosion due to rising sea levels because of
increasing global temperature
TARGET/APPLICATION: A study has revealed that one of Lakshadweeps bio-
diversity rich island Parali I has vanished. Parali I island is a part of Bangaram atoll.
Additionally, four other territories in the sea were also shrinking. A general trend in
erosion has been noticed in almost all islands. Apart from Parali I, net erosion was
higher in Parali II (80%), followed by Thinnakara (14.38%), Parali III (11.42%) and
Bangaram (9.968%). The complete erosion and inundation of Parali I was pointing
to the gravity of issues associated with coastal erosion within the atoll. It is now
widely recognised that islands and coastal areas are going to get eroded and inundated
due to rising sea levels because of increasing global temperature. Indias coasts and
islands which are densely populated are highly vulnerable. It is recommended to
check the feasibility of a bio protection strategy using mangroves, in addition to the
conventional physical protection measures.
Wood is Good Campaign
DATE: - 13th September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: To promote wood as a climate-friendly resource and a substitute
to materials like plastic and steel
TARGET/APPLICATION: The government has launched Wood is Good
Campaign under the Partnership for Land Use Science (Forest Plus), a partnership
between USAID and Indias environment ministry. The campaign is launched as
wood is carbon neutral material unlike others which leave carbon footprint in their
production. The Partnership for Land Use Science (Forest Plus) is a joint programme
by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Ministry
of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF & CC) to strengthen capacity
for REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation)
implementation in India. The programme brings together experts from India and
the United States to develop technologies, tools and methods of forest management
to meet the technical challenges of managing forests for the health of ecosystem,
carbon stocks, biodiversity and livelihood.
Mouse deer reintroduced in Amrabad Reserve
DATE: - 14th September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: To improve biodiversity
TARGET/APPLICATION: In a novel and unique initiative attempted anywhere in
the country, the Telangana State Forest Department has re-introduced the endangered
mouse deer into the forests of Nallamalla in Amrabad Tiger Reserve. It is known as
spotted Chevrotain or Jarini Pandi in Telugu and is one of the endangered species
usually found in deciduous and evergreen forests of the country. It has its own family
called Tragulidae. These animals are nocturnal in habitat and because of their small
size they are called smallest ungulates too. The Amrabad Tiger Reserve was chosen
because these animals were earlier wandering in this area. The deer will gradually be
weaned off externally supplied food.

DEFENCE
Navika Sagar Parikrama
DATE: - 11th September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: - To promote women empowerment in the country and ocean
sailing by the Indian Navy
TARGET/APPLICATION: - Defence Minister, recently flagged off all women
crew of Navika Sagar Parikrama at the INS Mandovi naval training base near Panaji.
The crew of the Sagar Parikrama comprises of six members all women team on
board of the sailing vessel INSV Tarini for approximately 165 days. This is the first
ever Indian circumnavigation of the globe by an all women crew. The expedition
has been aptly titled Navika. In consonance with the National policy to empower
women to attain their full potential, the expedition aims to showcase Nari Shakti on
the world platform. This would also help to discard the societal attitudes and mindset
in women in India by raising visibility of participation by women in challenging
environment. Sailing encourages the use of environment friendly non-conventional
renewable energy resources which affects the life of women. The expedition thereby
aims at harnessing the energy to optimise the livelihood of the women onboard.

Navika Sagar Parikrama would cover the expedition in five legs with a hault at four
ports (Fremantle, Australia; Littleton, New Zealand; Port Stanley, the Falklands;
and Cape Town, South Africa) for replenishment of ration and repairs as necessary
before returning to Goa in April 2018. The voyage also aims to showcase the Make
in India initiative by sailing onboard the indigenously built INSV Tarini. The crew
would also collate and update Meteorological / Ocean/ Wave data on a daily basis
for subsequent analysis by research and development organisations. The crew would
monitor and report marine pollution on the high seas.
Nag missile launched by DRDO

DATE: - 11th September, 2017

AGENDA/ISSUE: - To support both mechanised infantry and airborne forces of
the Indian Army
TARGET/APPLICATION: - In a boost to Indian Armed Forces, Defence
Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently successfully tested Nag,
the 3rd generation Anti Tank Guided Missile (ATGM). The third-generation Fire
and Forget ATGM Nag is equipped with many advanced technologies including IIR
Seeker with integrated avionics, a capability possessed by few nations in the world.
DRDO has been trying to ramp up country military capability in sync changing
security dynamics in the region. With the two successful flights, and the flight-test
conducted earlier in June in the peak of summer, the complete functionality of Nag
ATGM along with launcher system NAMICA has been established, and marks
the successful completion of development trials of Nag Missile. It is designed to
destroy modern main battle tanks and other heavily armoured targets. The missile
incorporates an advanced passive homing guidance system and possesses high single
shot kill probability.
 INTERNATIONAL

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Pluto mountains named after mountaineers

DATE: - 9th September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: - To promote and safeguard the science of astronomy in all its
aspects through international cooperation
TARGET/APPLICATION: - Two mountain ranges on Pluto have been named after
Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary respectively by the International Astronomical
Union at NASA, which for the first time has officially approved the naming of 14
features on the icy dwarf planet. Tenzing Montes and Hillary Montes are mountain
ranges honouring Tenzing Norgay (1914-1986) (also known as the Indian/Nepali
Sherpa) and Sir Edmund Hillary (1919-2008) (New Zealand mountaineer), who
were the first to reach the summit of Mount Everest and return safely. These were
the first geological features on the planet to be named following the close flyby by
the New Horizons spacecraft in July 2015. NASAs New Horizons team proposed
the names to the IAU following the first reconnaissance of Pluto and its moons by
the New Horizons spacecraft.
The names pay homage to the underworld mythology, pioneering space missions,
historic pioneers who crossed new horizons in exploration, and scientists and
engineers associated with Pluto and the Kuiper Belt. This is the first set of official
names of surface features on Pluto to be approved by the Working Group for
Planetary System Nomenclature of the International Astronomical Union (IAU), the
internationally recognised authority for naming celestial bodies and their surface
features. Among other activities, it acts as the internationally recognized authority
for assigning designations to celestial bodies (stars, planets, asteroids, etc.) and any
surface features on them.

AGRICULTURE

Sahara Forest Project

DATE: - 9th September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: - To turn Jordans sand dunes into farming land to produce food
using sun and sea water
TARGET/APPLICATION: - A new project named Sahara Forest Project has
been launched in Jordan. According to recent United Nations estimations, deserts
are expanding 30 times faster than at any time in history. In Africa, where the worst
effects of climate changes are already visible, millions are on the move in search of
arable land. With the worlds population expected to top 9 billion in 2050, land for
food growth is growing scarce. In the first stage, the project aims to produce up to 130
tonnes of organic vegetables per year from an area the size of four football pitches.
It also produces fresh water. It will use solar panels to provide power and include
outdoor planting space, two saltwater cooled greenhouses, a water desalination unit
and salt ponds for salt production. The project, whose funders include Norway and
the European Union, is to be expanded from three hectares to around 200 hectares
of desert. The Sahara Forest Project demonstrates that innovative application of
technology has the potential to revolutionize our land systems in a way that benefits
the climate, people, and businesses.
Fuel obtained from oxygen in air developed
DATE: - 9th September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: - To produce cleaner and greener industrial processes so as to
reduce energy consumption, eco-friendly bio-products
TARGET/APPLICATION: - Scientists have found a way to produce methanol an
important chemical often used as fuel in vehicles using oxygen in the air. Methanol was
produced using nanoparticles of gold to initiate a chemical reaction between methane,
oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. It can be done in one stage and at temperatures
no higher than 50 degree Celsius (122F). Traditionally, methanol is created by
converting methane into hydrogen and carbon monoxide at high temperatures, then
reassembling them in a different order in a second highly pressurised process.
The current two-stage steam reforming process is very energy intensive, as it
requires a lot of fuel to achieve high temperatures. The discovery promises to be not
only cheaper, but much more environmentally friendly, as it both reduces energy
consumption and conserves dwindling stocks of natural gas. It could become an
alternative to petrol. It is also believed the new system of creating methanol could be
used to create chemicals and plastics. It also opens up the prospect for the first time
of easily converting natural gas into methanol at the site where it is extracted, so that
it can be piped as a liquid in normal atmospheric conditions. At the moment methane
has to be condensed into liquid natural gas and shipped in pressurised containers.

SPACE TECHNOLOGY

Ultra-thin craft developed by US

DATE: - 12th September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: - To wrap and destroy space junk
TARGET/APPLICATION: - Scientists developed an ultra thin spacecraft that can
remove space debris, which potentially threaten satellites or astronauts by enveloping
junk in the Earths orbit and dragging it through the atmosphere, causing it to burn
up. The Brane Craft is developed by the US-based Aerospace Corporation, which is
flexible and thinner than human hair.
According to NASA, there are over 50,000 pieces of debris (space junk) travelling
at a speed of 17,500 mph around the Earth and the movements are being constantly
monitored and tracked. In December 2016, Japan sent H-II Transfer Vehicle Kounotori
6 (HTV6) into space to deliver supplies to the ISS. The same cargo ship was also
supposed to clean up space debris. However, the experimental Japanese probe failed
in its mission to clear space junk from the Earths orbit. The rising population of
space debris increases the potential danger to all space vehicles, but especially to the
International Space Station (ISS), space shuttles, satellites and other spacecraft.
The spacecraft is designed to be resilient. Its microprocessor and digital electronics
are fabricated in a way to ensure that if one component gets damaged other will
continue to work. Brane Crafts is powered by ultra-thin solar cells as well as a little
bit of propellant. The project received funding from the NASA Innovative Advanced
Concepts programme, which focuses on space research that is in early stages. After
each Brane envelops a piece of space junk, it will navigate back towards Earth causing
the junk to burn up in the atmosphere.
 PEOPLE

NATIONAL

POLITY
Viveck Goenka
Background: - Viveck Goenka, Chairman and Managing Director of the Express
Group, and N. Ravi, former Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu, were unanimously elected
as Chairman and Vice Chairman of Press Trust of India, the countrys largest news
agency. Mr. Goenka succeeds Riyad Mathew, who is a Senior Assistant Editor and
a member of the Manorama management. Mr. Ravi succeeds Mr. Goenka as Vice
Chairman. The election took place at a meeting of the Board of Directors following
the Companys 69th Annual General Meeting.
Mr. Goenka, an engineer by qualification and publisher by profession, is also a
director of the Indian Newspaper Society (INS). He served as chairman of United
News of India news agency, as a Council Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation
and has been one of the youngest past Presidents of the Indian Newspaper Society.
He is also a wildlife photographer and an avid student of conservation.
 IDEAS

NATIONAL

PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Indias first Hyperloop
DATE: 8 September, 2017
ISSUE/AGENDA: To provide faster and easy mode of public transport
TARGET/APPLICATION: Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT)
signed an agreement with the Andhra Pradesh government to build a connecting
road between Vijayawada and Amaravati. The Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) that HTT, an American research firm, has signed with the Andhra Pradesh
Economic Development Board (APEDB), is a first of its kind in India. The project
will use a Public Private Partnership model with funding primarily from private
investors.
HTT will work with local stakeholders to build the regulatory standards necessary for
safe and efficient operation. During the first phase of the project, HTT will conduct
a six-month feasibility study commencing in October. Working with partners in the
public and private sector, HTT will analyze the surrounding cityscapes to create
the best route between the two cities, while identifying all pertinent stakeholders
in the region.

BIODIVERSITY

First compendium of animal species

DATE:- 8 September, 2017
ISSUE/AGENDA: - To provide updated information on animal species in Indian
Sundarbans
TARGET/APPLICATION: - Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has published
first of its kind compendium titled Fauna of Sundarban Biosphere Reserve in
Indian Sundarbans. It has consolidated and updated information of faunal diversity
of Sundarbans. Indian segment of Sundarbans is part of UNESCO World Heritage
site. It forms part of Ganga-Brahmaputra delta across 9,630 sq. km, distributed
among 104 islands. It has largest tidal halophytic mangrove forest.
The compendium catalogues entire faunal diversity of Sundarban Biosphere
Reserve covering 9,630 sq. km spread over 19 blocks in North 24 Parganas and
South 24 Parganas districts of West Bengal. According to it, fragile Sundarbans
ecosystem region hosts 2,626 animal species that come under zoological kingdom
of Animalia, and 140 under more primitive Protista. It also includes diverse 25
phyla. The mammal numbers are declining in Sunderbans due to pressure on habitat
from people and natural threats that have shrunk mangrove swamp habitat. Two
Rhinos, Swamp deer, Barking deer and Hog deer and Asiatic Wild Water Buffalo
no more are not found in Sundarbans. The compendium will be helpful in creating
a list of animal species.

SOCIAL

Water ATMs
DATE: 13 September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: Providing affordable, 24x7 safe water access
TARGET/APPLICATION: Safe Water Network, an international NGO has
partnered with Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to launch water
ATMs, providing affordable, 24x7 safe water access in Hyderabad. The first of the
ATMs was inaugurated by Telangana State Home Minister N Narasimha Reddy at
Nalgonda X Roads. A total of 200 ATMs will be set up to reach a targetted 150,000
people. In the first phase 50 water ATMs will be operationalised by next year.
The initiative is supported by USAID under the Urban WaSH (Water, Sanitation
and Hygiene) Alliance Partnership and funded by Honeywell India. These water
ATMs use a seven step treatment process to purify water that adheres to national
norms. They are connected via cloud-based technology for real-time monitoring and
analyses operational parameters, thereby minimising downtime. The Hyderabad
Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) is supplying raw
water for these ATMs. Consumers can collect water that is affordably priced at Rs.
1 per glass, Rs. 2 per litre, Rs. 5 per 10 litres, and Rs. 10 per 20 litres.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Pen-like tool to spot cancer cells

DATE: 10 September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: Identifying cancer cells during cancer diagnosis
TARGET/APPLICATION: One of the biggest worries for patients undergoing
cancer surgery is whether surgeons will miss some of the diseased tissue. That worry
could be over with a new pencil-sized tool designed by scientists and engineers at
the University of Texas at Austin, according to a study published on Wednesday.
The tool, dubbed the MasSpec Pen, allows surgeons removing a tumor to detect
cancerous cells in tissues in seconds, allowing them to know immediately if they
have found and removed all of the cancer.
The study in `Science Translational Medicine revealed that when the pen is
touched to a tissue during surgery, it draws up small molecules to be analysed
by a miniaturised mass spectrometer built inside the stylus. The pen can identify
cancerous cells through distinct molecules called metabolites. That identifies any
residual cancer, with a monitor linked to the pen declaring normal or cancer.
Tests on tissues removed from 253 human cancer patients showed the new tool
was more than 96% accurate, according to the study.
First global map of water in Moons soil
DATE: 9 September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: To find out availability of water on Moon
TARGET/APPLICATION: Scientists from Brown University have created the
first quantitative map of water and its chemical building blocks trapped in the
uppermost portion of the Moons soil. The study, published in Science Advances,
builds on the initial discovery in 2009 of water and a related molecule- hydroxyl,
which consists of one atom each of hydrogen and oxygen-in the lunar soil. The
latest study uses a new calibration of data taken from NASAs Moon Mineralogy
Mapper, which flew aboard Indias Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft, to measure how
much water is present on a global scale.
The water concentration reaches a maximum average of around 500 to 750 parts
per million in the higher latitudes. This is a roadmap to where water exists on the
surface of the Moon. The results show the range of water availability across the
surface.
 ISSUES

NATIONAL

POLITICS
Indian reluctant to sign Bali Declaration over Rohingya issue
ISSUE/AGENDA: The declaration not being in line with the sustainable
development goal
India has refused to be a part of Bali Declaration adopted at conclusion of World
Parliamentary Forum on Sustainable Development held in Bali, Indonesia to show
solidarity with Myanmar. It was not adopted because it carried inappropriate
reference to violence in Rakhine State from where 1,25,000 Rohingya have
fled to Bangladesh was not in line with agreed global principles of Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs).
The Declaration calls on all parties to contribute to restoration of stability and
security, exercise maximum self-restraint from using violent means, respect human
rights of all people in Rakhine State regardless of their faith and ethnicity and
facilitate safe access for humanitarian assistance. India objected part of declaration
highlighting deep concern on ongoing violence in Rakhine State of Myanmar. India
reiterated its stance that purpose of convening Parliamentary forum was to arrive
at mutual consensus for implementation of SDGs which required inclusive and
broad-based development processes.

ECONOMY
Filing problems with GSTN
DATE: - 14 September, 2017
ISSUE/AGENDA: - Tax payers facing filing issues with GSTN
Taxpayers once complained of their inability to file returns due to a problem with
the GST Network (GSTN) server, accusing the agency of not being adequately
prepared -an accusation that the company managing the IT backbone rejected.
Charges were being traded on a day when Unique Identification Authority of India
CEO AB Pandey was appointed interim chairman of GSTN. Revenue secretary
Hasmukh Adhia had been holding additional charge of GSTN after the agencys
first chairman Navin Kumars term ended last month. Industry blamed the collap
se of GSTNs hired servers for its problems on Friday , alleging that they could
not handle the large volume of traffic. While acknowledging that a server was
affected for a while, sources said it was fixed quickly and traffic was never heavy.
Sources in the government accused tax consultants and companies of not filing
their returns on time and being unprepared. GST opened the filing window on July
24. But everyone waited until August 31 to file. There are starting problems, which
even Apple and Microsoft faces with new products and fixes them while sales go
on.

INTERNATIONAL

HEALTHCARE
High carbohydrate diet worse than fat
DATE: - 12 September, 2017
ISSUE/AGENDA: - High carbohydrate intake associated with a higher risk of
mortality

High carbohydrate intake is associated with a higher risk of mortality, and high
fat intake with a lower risk, researchers report. An international team of scientists
studied diet and mortality in 135,335 people between 35 and 70 years old in 18
countries, following them for an average of more than seven years. Diet information
depended on self-reports, and the scientists controlled for factors including age,
sex, smoking, physical activity and body mass index. The study was published in
The Lancet.

People who met three-quarters or more of their dai ly energy needs with carbs were
28% more likely to die over that period than those who ate fewer starchy foods
(46% or less of energy needs).But high carbohydrate in take was not associated
with cardiovascular death. Diets high in fat (35% of energy) were linked with a 23%
lower risk of death compared to low-fat diets (11% of energy). That covered a mix
of saturated fats (from meats and milk products), along with monounsaturated and
polyunsaturated fats (from vegetable oils, olive oil, nuts and fish), said Mahshid
Dehghan, a researcher at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, and lead author
of the study. Higher fat diets were also associated with a lower risk of stroke. High
carbohydrate in take is associated with a higher risk of mortality, and high fat
intake with a lower risk, researchers report.

ENVIRONMENT
Hurricane Irma
Date: 13 September, 2017
AGENDA/ISSUE: - Threat of large-scale damage in the US due to Hurricane
Irma
Anticipating that Hurricane Irma will devastate part of the United States, U.S.
officials were preparing a massive response to the storm. With Irma set to hit
Florida, parts of Florida was expected to lose electricity for days, if not longer,
and more than 100,000 people may need shelter. Hurricane Irma continues to be a
threat that is going to devastate the United States in either Florida or some of the
southeastern states.
Irma was a Category 5 hurricane, the most dangerous measure by the National
Hurricane Center, before being downgraded to Category 4 early Friday after
pummeling islands in the Caribbean. The United States has experienced only three
Category 5 storms since 1851 and Irma is far larger than the last one to hit the
United States in 1992, Hurricane Andrew, according to Long. The National Weather
Service warned people to evacuate before winds would start to reach unsafe speeds
in Florida.
 Weekly Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of the following islands in Lakshadweep has 5. The mountain range in the planet Pluto has been
recently vanished by the effect of erosion? named after which of the following mountaineers?
(a) Hermann Buhl
(a) Parali II
(b) George Mallory
(b) Parali III (c) Toni Kurz
(c) Parali IV (d) Sir Edmund Hillary
6. Consider the following statements?
(d) Parali I
(I) Methanol is a chemical compound used in
2. What is the main purpose of Navika Sagar vehicles. Therefore, it is generated by a chemical
Parikrama? reaction between methane, oxygen and hydrogen.
(a) To showcase Make in India initiative by (II) Nanoparticles of gold are basically used in
sailing onboard. order to convert methane into hydrogen and carbon
(b) To monitor marine population and pollution. dioxide at high temperatures.
Which of the following is/are correct?
(c) To promote women empowerment, Nari
(a) I only
Shakti on the world platform.
(b) II only
(d) Both (a) and (b) (c) Both I and II
3. Which of the following Fire and Forget missiles (d) None of the above
has been launched by DRDO? 7. Consider the following statements?
(a) Nag missile (I) The Brane Craft is an ultra thin spacecraft
(b) Akash missile which is developed by the US based Aerospace
(c) Nirbhay missile Corporation.
(d) Prithvi II missile (II) The space craft is responsible to clean and
4. The mouse deer, which is a nocturnal animal, destroy space junk without dumping on Earth.
belongs to which of the following IUCN Red List category? (III) The Brane craft is found to be rigid in
movement and thinner than human hair.
(a) Critically Endangered Species Which of the following is/are correct?
(b) Vulnerable Species (a) II and III only
(c) Threatened Species (b) I and II only
(d) Endangered Species (c) All of the above
(d) I and III only
 ANSWER AND EXPLANATION
1. (d) A study has revealed that one of Lakshadweeps
bio-diversity rich islands Parali I has recently vanished
due to the effect of soil erosion resulting in its
inundation. Apart from Parali I, net erosion was higher
in Parali II (80%), followed by Thinnakara (14.38%),
Parali III (11.42%) and Bangaram (9.968%).
2. (c) Navika Sagar Parikrama, mainly aims to
promote women empowerment in the country and
ocean sailing by the Indian Navy. The crew of the
Sagar Parikrama comprises of six members all
women team on board of the sailing vessel INSV Tarini
for approximately 165 days. This is the first ever Indian
circumnavigation of the globe by an all women crew.
The expedition has been aptly titled Navika.
3. (a) Nag missile, has been named as Fire and
Forget missile. It is an Anti Tank Guided Missile
(ATGM). The missile incorporates an advanced passive
homing guidance system and possesses high single shot
kill probability. It is designed to destroy modern main
battle tanks and other heavily armoured targets.
4. (d) It is known as spotted Chevrotain or Jarini
Pandi in Telugu and is one of the endangered species,
usually found in deciduous and evergreen forests of the
country.
5. (d) Two mountain ranges on Pluto have been
named after Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary
respectively by the International Astronomical Union at
NASA, which for the first time has officially approved
the naming of 14 features on the icy dwarf planet.
Tenzing Montes and Hillary Montes are mountain
ranges honouring Tenzing Norgay (1914-1986) (also
known as the Indian/Nepali Sherpa) and Sir Edmund
Hillary (1919-2008) (New Zealand mountaineer), who
were the first to reach the summit of Mount Everest and
return safely.
6. (a) Only 1 is correct. Scientists have produce
methanol, which is an important chemical used as fuels
in vehicles by using oxygen in the air. It is produced
by using nanoparticles of gold to initiate a chemical
reaction between methane, oxygen and hydrogen
peroxide. Nanoparticles of gold are used to initiate
a chemical reaction between methane, oxygen and
hydrogen peroxide.
7. (b) I and II are correct. Scientists from Aerospace
Corporation, US have developed Brane Craft which
is an ultra thin spacecraft and is flexible and thinner
than human hair. The spacecraft is responsible to wrap
and destroy space junk outside the Earths orbit. It is
powered by ultra thin solar cells.