Thames River Latest News

A new study has learned that climate change is increasing the potential for algal blooms in the United Kingdom's River Thames despite a four-decade-long decline in phosphorus loads.

About Thames River

• It is a 346-km river that flows through southern England.
• It is the longest river in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom, right after the River Severn. 
• Course: 
  • Origin: Its source is at Thames Head, near Kemble in the Cotswold Hills, Gloucestershire County.
  • It flows into the North Sea via the Thames Estuary.
  • The Nore is the sandbank that marks the mouth of the Thames Estuary and the confluence point of the Thames and the North Sea. 
• The Thames’ basin covers an area of approximately 16,130 sq.km.
• The river passes numerous popular cities along its way, such as London, Reading, Hendley-on-Thomas, Windsor, and Oxford, where it is also called the Isis River.
  • It provides two-thirds of London’s drinking water.
  • It has been a vital transportation route since ancient times, facilitating trade and commerce between London and other parts of England.
  • There are 16 bridges that cross the River Thames in Greater London alone, most prominently the Golden Jubilee Bridges and the Millennium Bridges for pedestrians.
• Main Tributaries: Lea, Leach, Churn, Coln, Windrush, Kennet, Evenlode, Ock, and Loddon.

Thames River FAQs

Q1. Which country is River Thames in?

Ans. England

Q2. What is the length of the Thames river?

Ans. 346-km

Q3. Which are the tributaries of the Thames river?

Ans. Lea, Leach, Churn, Coln, Windrush, Kennet, Evenlode, Ock, and Loddon.

Source: PHYS

Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited Latest News

In a significant move to promote tribal entrepreneurship and economic inclusion, TRIFED recently signed MoUs with Reliance Retail, HCL Foundation, and Torajamelo Indonesia. 

About Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited

• TRIFED is an organization under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, dedicated to the socio-economic development of tribal communities through the marketing development of tribal products.
• It was established in August 1987 under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 1984, by the Government of India as a national-level cooperative body.
• Mandate: Bringing about the socio-economic development of the tribals of the country by institutionalizing the trade of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) & Surplus Agricultural Produce (SAP) collected/cultivated by them.
• Objectives:
  • To develop the socio-economic welfare of the tribal community.
  • To act as a facilitator and service provider for the tribal community to uplift production.
  • Provide training to enhance artistic skills with modern technology to meet the requirements of the global market.
  • To increase the promotion of tribal art and crafts for a stable livelihood.
  • To identify target groups to monitor and evaluate the process and activities and provide input to the Ministry.
  • The approach involves capacity building of the tribal people through sensitization, formation of Self Help Groups (SHGs), and imparting training to them for undertaking a particular activity, exploring marketing possibilities in national as well as international markets, creating opportunities for marketing tribal products on a sustainable basis, and creating a brand.
• Retail Marketing:
  • TRIFED has been doing the retail marketing of tribal products under the brand name of TRIBES INDIA.
  • TRIFED promotes and creates a sustainable market through retail outlets, exhibitions such as Aadishilp, Aadichitra, OCTAVE; international fairs, and e-marketing.
• TRIFED has also been entrusted by the Govt. of India to implement its proposed Minimum Support Price Scheme for Minor Forest Produce.

Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited FAQs

Q1. Which act is TRIFED under?

Ans. It was established in August 1987 under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 1984.

Q2. What is the main objective of TRIFED?

An.. Socio-economic development of tribal communities through the marketing development of tribal products.

Q3. Where is the headquarter of TRIFED?

Ans. New Delhi, Delhi

Source: PSUW

Dwarf Galaxies Latest News

A team of scientists in the US, led by Indian-origin astrophysicist Raga Deepika Pucha, recently discovered the largest samples of intermediate-mass black holes and dwarf galaxies with active black holes. 

About Dwarf Galaxies

• They are small galaxies that typically contain just a few billion stars, unlike their larger cousins, which can hold hundreds of billions.
• They are the most abundant type of galaxy in the universe but are difficult to detect due to their low luminosity, low mass, and small size.
• They are most commonly found in galaxy clusters, often as companions to larger galaxies.
  • Our Milky Way galaxy is orbited by more than 20 dwarf galaxies.
• They are thought to have been created by gravitational forces in the early stages of the creation of these larger galaxies, or as a result of collisions between galaxies, forming from streams of material and dark matter ejected from the parent galaxies. 
• Because most of them come from galaxy collisions, many dwarf galaxies are grouped into irregular shapes. 
  • However, some dwarf galaxies have spiral arms or look like mini-elliptical galaxies.

Dwarf Galaxies FAQs

Q1. What is the closest dwarf galaxy to Earth?

Ans. The closest dwarf galaxy to Earth is the Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy.

Q2. What galaxy is next to ours?

Ans. The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is the closest major galaxy to the Milky Way.

Q3. What is the nearest black hole to Earth?

Ans. The nearest known black hole to Earth is Gaia BH1.

Source: TOI

SWAYATT Initiative Latest News

Recently, the Government e Marketplace (GeM) commemorated six years of Startups, Women & Youth Advantage through e Transactions (SWAYATT) initiative at New Delhi 

About SWAYATT Initiative

• It was launched on 19th February, 2019.
• It was conceptualised with a clear objective of invigorating participation of women-led enterprises and youth in public procurement.
• It is rooted in GeM’s foundational pillar of social inclusion, SWAYATT is portal’s commitment to enhance ease of doing business and establish direct market linkages to annual public procurement for startups, women entrepreneurs, Micro & Small Enterprises (MSEs), Self Help Groups (SHGs) and youth, especially those from backward sections of the society.
• Since inception, the initiative is focused at facilitating the training and onboarding of last-mile sellers, developing women entrepreneurship and encouraging participation and small-scale businesses in government procurement.

Key Facts About Government e Marketplace

• It is an Online Market platform that was set up in2016 to facilitate the procurement of goods and services by government ministries, departments, public sector undertakings (PSU) etc.
• It has been envisaged as the National Procurement Portal of India.
• This portal was developed by the Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals (Ministry of Commerce and Industry) with technical support from the National e-governance Division (Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology).
• GeM is a completely paperless, cashless and system-driven e-marketplace that enables procurement of common-use goods and services with minimal human interface.

SWAYATT Initiative FAQs

Q1. What is Swayatt initiative?

Ans. It is a government initiative to promote Start-ups, Women and Youth Advantage Through e Transactions on Government e Marketplace (GeM)

Q2. What is a self-help support group?

Ans. Self-help groups are groups of individuals who come together to address a common issue or condition.

Source: PIB

Qualified Institutional Placement Latest News

Shareholders of the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA) recently approved the company’s proposal to raise up to ₹5,000 crore through Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) of equity shares in one or multiple tranches.

About Qualified Institutional Placement 

• It is a capital-raising mechanism publicly listed companies use to issue equity shares or convertible securities exclusively to Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs). 
  • QIBs include mutual funds, venture capital funds, pension funds, and other institutional investors.
• A QIP is, at its core, a way for listed companies to raise capital without having to submit legal paperwork to market regulators. 
• It is common in India and other Southeast Asian countries.
• It provides a quicker and cost-effective alternative to traditional public offerings (IPOs and FPOs) while ensuring minimal dilution of management control.

Why Was Qualified Institutional Placement Introduced in India?

• Earlier, since raising finance in the domestic market involved a lot of complications, Indian companies used to raise funds from the overseas markets. 
• So to prevent this, SEBI in 2006 introduced the QIP process so as to make the raising of funds easier in the domestic market.
• QIP allows companies to raise funds domestically, reducing dependence on foreign investors through instruments like American Depository Receipts (ADRs), Global Depository Receipts (GDRs), or Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds (FCCBs).

Qualified Institutional Placement FAQs

Q1. What is the difference between QIP and FPO?

Ans. QIP is a private placement of shares or securities to institutional investors, while an FPO (Follow-on Public Offer) involves offering additional shares to the public after the company is already listed.

Q2. What is the purpose of a QIP?

Ans. QIP allows companies to raise funds domestically, reducing dependence on foreign investors.

Q3. What is SEBI?

Ans. SEBI is the regulatory authority for the securities market in India.

Source: TH

Palaeognath Birds Latest News

A new study by scientists from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom has found that Palaeognath Birds like Emus and rheas are not exactly ‘dumb’ as assumed to be. 

About Palaeognath Birds

• These are grouped together on the basis of their distinctive palate morphology, from which they receive their name ("old jaw").
• Most of the birds classified in the Palaeognathae are also flightless, but not all flightless birds are classified in the Palaeognathae.
• These 50 bird species are very different from the other birds on the planet.
• They are the largest and heaviest avian specimens on Earth and may represent some of the first birds to evolve from dinosaurs.
• These birds are classified into two groups:
  • Tinamiformes: These species have a keeled sternum and can fly (weakly), which include the tinamous of South and Central America; and the 
  • Ratitae, or ratite birds: They have flat sterna and reduced wings, and cannot fly at all. Examples: The African ostrich, the rhea of South America the Australian emu and New Guinea cassowary; and the kiwi of New Zealand.

Palaeognath Birds FAQs

Q1. What is a Palaeognathae in zoology?

Ans. Palaeognaths (Palaeognathae) comprise the large, flightless living ratites (emu, ostrich, cassowary and rhea) and their smaller, flying cousins; tinamou.

Q2. What is the difference between ratitae and carinatae birds?

Ans. Ratitae are running birds but they do not help in flying whereas carinate have well developed wings and are flying birds.

Source: DTH

Kaziranga National Park Latest News

Recently, the external Affairs minister of India and Heads of missions of 61 countries took elephant and jeep safari rides in the Kaziranga National Park.

About Kaziranga National Park

• It is situated in the north-eastern part of India in the state of Assam.
• It is the single largest undisturbed and representative area in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain.
• In 1985, the park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
• Terrain of Kaziranga National Park: It is of sheer forest, tall elephant grass, rugged reeds, marshes, and shallow pools.
• Rivers: The River Diffalu, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, flows through the National Park while another tributary, Moradifalu, flows along its southern boundary.

Flora and Fauna of Kaziranga National Park

• Flora: It is primarily famous for its dense and tall elephant grasses intermixed with small swamplands. It also includes an abundant cover of water lilies, water hyacinths and lotus.
• Fauna: Many endangered and threatened species like Rhino, Tiger, Eastern swamp deer, Elephant, Buffalo, Hoolock gibbon, Capped langur, and Gangetic River dolphin are commonly found in the habitat. It is inhabited by the world's largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses, as well as many mammals.

Kaziranga National Park FAQs

Q1. Which river flows in Kaziranga National Park?

Ans. The Brahmaputra River flows through Kaziranga National Park in Assam, India

Q2. Which river is known as Gold River in Assam?

Ans. The Subansiri “Gold River” is the biggest tributary of the Upper Brahmaputra. 

Source: TH

African-Asian Rural Development Organization Latest News 

Recently, 21st African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO) concluded and reaffirmed that development is strongest when rooted in community, driven by local knowledge, technology and south-south cooperation.

About African-Asian Rural Development Organization

• It is an autonomous inter-governmental Organization comprising country governments of Africa and Asia which was established in 1962.
• The organization was set up with a view to promote coordinated efforts, exchange of experiences and cooperative action for furthering the objectives of development of the rural areas.
• The membership of the Organization is open to all countries of the Afro-Asian region provided that it is a full or associate member of the United Nations or any of its specialised agencies, organisations and foundations concerned with the development of rural communities.
• Member countries: Currently it comprises 32 countries of Africa and Asia as full members and 3 associate members
• It enjoys observer status with international organisations like Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
• Headquarters: New Delhi, India

Functions of African-Asian Rural Development Organization

• To develop understanding among members for better appreciation of each other's problems and to explore opportunities for collaboration of efforts for sustainable agricultural and rural development;
• To collaborate with the appropriate international and regional organizations, including UN agencies, the national bodies, governmental or non-governmental.
• To organize and facilitate the conduct of international, regional and in-country training programmes to strengthen the institutional capacity of Afro-Asian member countries in sustainable agriculture and rural development
• To initiate research and action research studies of specific or common interest and disseminate disaggregated data/statistics and information to member countries;
• To provide technical and financial support to its member countries to undertake pilot projects for experimentation and replication;

African-Asian Rural Development Organization FAQs

Q1. What does AARDO stand for?

Ans. African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO)

Q2. What is the Food and Agriculture Organization?

Ans. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations leading international efforts to defeat hunger

Source: NOA

PUNCH Mission Latest News

NASA is gearing up for a new and first-of-its-kind solar mission called PUNCH mission that will closely observe the solar atmosphere. 

About PUNCH Mission

• The Polarimetry to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere (PUNCH) mission will be launched by SpaceX .
• Time Period: The expected mission life is two years. 

Components of PUNCH Mission

• It will be a constellation of four, suitcase-sized satellites each weighing about 64 kg sent to the Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
• It will have three Wide Field Imagers (WFI) and one Narrow Field Imager onboard. Once every four minutes, each of the four cameras will capture three raw images using different polarising filters.
• In addition, each camera will capture an unpolarised image once every eight minutes.

Objectives of PUNCH Mission

• It is the first time that a solar mission has been specifically designed to make use of the polarisation of light to measure the corona and solar wind, that too, in 3D.
• It will provide scientists with new information which could lead to more accurate predictions about the arrival of space weather events on Earth and impact on humanity’s robotic explorers in space.
• It will measure polarised light using polarising filters, enabling scientists to look into the inner solar system.
• PUNCH’s four-camera setup will operate as a single, virtual instrument to generate large-scale imagery data, making it a unique information-loaded 3D image of the solar corona.

PUNCH Mission FAQs

Q1. What is the PUNCH mission?

Ans. The PUNCH mission (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere) will observe the Sun's corona as it transitions into the solar wind.

Q2. What is the mission statement of PUNCH?

Ans. PUNCH is a NASA Small Explorer mission that will make global, 3D observations of the young solar wind, from the outermost solar atmosphere to the inner heliosphere.

Q3. What is the corona of the Sun?

Ans. The Sun's corona is the outermost part of the Sun's atmosphere.

Source: IE