9th May, 2023 Current Affairs

Sakshi Education

NATIONAL
Lithium Reserve in Rajasthan’s Degana

India recently discovered lithium reserves in Rajasthan’s Degana (Nagaur), marking another step towards achieving the country’s net zero emissions goal. This is the second lithium reserve to be discovered in India, after the 5.9 million tonnes lithium reserves in were found in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir three months prior.
Lithium, known as “white gold,” has become a highly sought-after metal, especially for the electric vehicle (EV) industry, given India’s ambitious targets of achieving 30 per cent electric vehicle sales of total new vehicle sales and increasing non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030.
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) recently confirmed the discovery of lithium reserves in Rajasthan, though the capacity of the reserve has not been disclosed. The reserve is believed to be even larger than the 5.9 million tonnes of lithium reserves discovered in Jammu & Kashmir. The lithium reserves in Rajasthan are located in the same Renvat hill of Degana and its surrounding area, where Tungsten mineral was once supplied to the country.

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INTERNATIONAL
India, US, UAE & Saudi Arabia hold talks to advance shared vision of secure, prosperous Middle East region interconnected with India and world

National Security Advisers (NSAs) of the US, India, and the UAE met with Saudi Prince and Prime Minister Mohammad Bin Salman in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to discuss shared vision of a more secure and prosperous Middle East region interconnected with India and the world.
NSA of India, Ajit Doval, his US counterpart Jake Sullivan and his UAE counterpart Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan attended the meet ahead of the Quad Summit in Australia later this month.
The White House said, the four nations agreed to maintain regular consultations and follow up on the matters discussed.
Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, the leaders discussed means to strengthen relations and ties between their countries in a way that enhances growth and stability in the region.

Israel Foreign Minister Eli Cohen arrives in India on 3-day visit

Foreign Minister of Israel Eli Cohen has arrived in New Delhi on a three-day visit to India. Mr Eli Cohen will hold talks with External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar at Hyderabad House after which he will go to the Teen Murti-Haifa Chowk for wreath-laying.
The visiting dignitary will attend an India-Israel Business Forum being organised by industry chamber CII.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Mr Cohen will depart for Agra in the evening to attend a programme in the city tomorrow. After his engagements in Agra, he will return to Delhi on the same day. He will travel to Mumbai on May 11th to attend a programme. He will return to Israel on May 11.
The Israeli Foreign Minister’s visit is in preparation for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s trip to India later this year. Israeli Economy Minister Nir Barkat had visited India in April with a large business delegation.

REPORTS
ESCAP’s “Race to Net Zero” Report

Bangkok-based U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) recently released a report titled “Race to Net Zero”. This report will serve as a guide and information source for the 79th session of ESCAP, which will focus on accelerating climate action for the first time.
According to this report, most countries in the Asia-Pacific region are “insufficiently prepared” to face extreme weather events and natural disasters, which are increasing in intensity and frequency partly due to climate change. It highlights that the region is responsible for over half of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.
The Asia-Pacific region has experienced a faster rise in temperatures over the past 60 years than the global average. The region suffers the worst consequences of climate change, with six of the top 10 most affected countries located in the Asia-Pacific region.
According to the ESCAP report, natural and biological hazards in the Asia-Pacific region have contributed an estimated annual economic loss of U.S. $780 billion, causing disruption in food systems, damaged economies and undermined societies. The report predicts an increase to $1.1 trillion in a moderate climate change scenario and $1.4 trillion in the worst-case scenario.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
TROPICS Mission

NASA and Rocket Lab successfully launched two CubeSats for storm-tracking into orbit, after an initial launch was called off in April due to weather disruptions in New Zealand. The mission, TROPICS (Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats), had a two-hour launch window.
TROPICS is a mission that consists of four identical CubeSats aimed at observing tropical cyclones. These CubeSats will collect data more frequently than traditional weather tracking satellites. The first two satellites were launched using the Electron orbital launch vehicle developed by Rocket Lab. The second set of satellites will be launched in about two weeks.

Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor

NASA is developing a unique snake-like robot called Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS) to aid space exploration and potentially discover whether life exists beyond Earth. The robot will examine the icy features of Enceladus, one of Saturn’s moons, and search for evidence of water and life-supporting environments.
Enceladus is the sixth-largest moon of Saturn, and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory created the EELS system to explore its internal terrain structures, assess habitability, and search for evidence of life. The robot’s adaptable design allows it to traverse various terrains, including ocean-world-inspired terrain, fluidized media, enclosed labyrinthian environments, and liquids.
The EELS system is a snake-like, self-propelled robot that consists of identical segments containing actuation, propulsion mechanisms, power, and communication electronics. Its first-of-a-kind rotating propulsion units act as tracks, gripping mechanisms, and propeller units underwater, enabling the robot to access a plume vent exit and follow it to its ocean source.
NASA has not yet set a launch date for the EELS project, but if successful, the 16-foot-long robot could lead to deeper exploration of celestial bodies that were once considered unattainable. The EELS system could allow scientists to explore and study these environments in greater detail, potentially leading to new discoveries.

ANDHRAPRADESH

Jaganannaku Chebudam Programme

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is all set to launch a toll-free helpline number, 1902, under the Jaganannaku Chebudam program on May 9. The aim of this initiative is to provide quick and quality solutions to people’s grievances related to welfare schemes and government services.
This program allows people to register their grievances at any time of the day or night. It is also designed to spread awareness about government services and welfare schemes among the people. Once citizens register their grievances, they will be issued a unique Your Service Request (YSR) number. They will then receive regular updates on the status of their grievances through IVRS and SMS-based communications.
One of the most important features of this program is that it will provide a direct connection to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) and Project Monitoring Units. This will ensure that grievances are redressed efficiently and in a timely manner. Moreover, this program will enable citizens to bring their issues directly to the notice of the Chief Minister, ensuring that their concerns are heard and addressed.

Published date : 09 May 2023 05:32PM