World Spice Organisation Latest News

The Chairman of the World Spice Organisation (WSO) recently stated that India holds a meager 0.7% share in the global seasoning market, valued at $14 billion in 2024, compared to China’s 12% and the U.S.A.’s 11%.

About World Spice Organisation

• It is a not-for-profit organisation established in 2011 in Kochi, Kerala, the spice capital of India.
• It is registered under the Travancore Cochin Literary, Scientific, and Charitable Societies Act, 1956.
• Objective: Facilitating the spice industry in dealing with issues of “Food Safety & Sustainability”.
• WSO seeks to achieve its objectives by involving all its stakeholders—the general public, the industry, academia, and the end-users.
• WSO undertakes social responsibility projects beneficial for the industry.
• WSO is involved in initiatives promoting sustainability and biodiversity in collaboration with prominent national and international organizations like Spices Board India, Indian Institute of Spice Research (IISR), Rainforest Alliance, GIZ (Germany), and IDH - The Sustainable Trade Initiative (Netherlands).
• WSO also interacts with global spice associations like the American Spice Trade Association (ASTA), European Spice Association (ESA), International Pepper Community (IPC), etc to resolve issues facing the spice industry.
• WSO takes part in the various national and international standard-setting processespertaining to spices, such as FSSAI, BIS, ISO, and Codex, in order to ensure that the interests of the industry are considered while setting the standards.
• It is the technical partner of the All India Spices Exporters Forum (AISEF).

World Spice Organisation FAQs

Q1. Where is World spice Organization headquarters?

Ans. Kochi, Kerala

Q2. Which ministry is the Spices Board under?

Ans. Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Q3. Is the Spice Board a statutory body?

Ans. Yes, the Spices Board of India is a statutory body established under the Spices Board Act, 1986.

Source: TH

Woolly Mice Latest News 

Scientists have successfully edited mouse DNA with genes from the woolly mammoth, creating the world’s first furry “woolly mice.” This breakthrough provides insights into how ancient species adapted to extreme cold.

About Woolly Mice

• Genetic Modifications: The woolly mice have been genetically engineered by modifying seven genes that code for traits like hair length, thickness, and colour. These modifications include genes such as FGF5 for longer hair and MC1R for a golden coat.
• Purpose: The creation of woolly mice serves as a proof-of-concept for the feasibility of gene editing in de-extinction efforts. It demonstrates the ability to recreate complex genetic combinations that took nature millions of years to develop

How did the Scientists Create Woolly Mice?

• Identifying Mammoth Genes: Scientists first compared mammoth DNA with their closest living relative, the Asian elephant, to identify genetic differences related to hair length, thickness, texture, colour, and body fat.
• Selecting Relevant Traits: They selected 10 mammoth gene variants linked to these traits and matched them with similar known genetic variants in laboratory mice for targeted gene editing.
• Gene Editing in Mice: Using CRISPR technology, scientists made eight precise edits to modify seven genes in the mice, incorporating mammoth-like traits responsible for a woolly coat and cold adaptation.
• Result: The genetically modified mice were born with thicker, longer fur, confirming that the selected mammoth genes influenced hair growth and cold resistance, as predicted by computational analysis.

Woolly Mice FAQs

Q1. What are woolly mice?

Ans. US company Colossal Biosciences has announced the creation of a “woolly mouse” — a laboratory mouse with a series of genetic modifications that lead to a woolly coat.

Q2. Which animal is woolly?

Ans. The woolly mammoth, an ancient elephant species, lived in Europe, Asia, and North America around 300,000 to 10,000 years ago.

Q3. Have scientists created a woolly mammoth?

Ans. Scientists have not created a woolly mammoth but genetically modified mice with mammoth-like traits, such as longer, wavy hair.

Source: IE

SpaceX Starship Latest News 

SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft exploded on Thursday minutes after lifting off from Texas, dooming an attempt to deploy mock satellites in the second consecutive failure this year for Elon Musk’s Mars rocket program.

About SpaceX Starship

• Starship is a two-stage fully reusable super heavy-lift launch vehicle under development by American aerospace company SpaceX.
• Starship is the collective name for a two-component system consisting of the Starship spacecraft (which carries the crew and cargo) and the Super Heavy rocket.
  • Super Heavy: It is the first stage, or booster, of the Starship launch system. Powered by 33 Raptor engines using sub-cooled liquid methane (CH4) and liquid oxygen (LOX).
• It is the world’s most powerful launch vehicle ever developed, capable of carrying up to 150 metric tonnes fully reusable and 250 metric tonnes expendable.
• The vehicle comes in several different configurations, offers an integrated payload section and is capable of carrying crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond. 
• It is also capable of point-to-point transport on Earth, enabling travel to anywhere in the world in one hour or less.
• Starship is powered by six engines, three Raptor engines, and three Raptor Vacuum (RVac) engines, which are designed for use in the vacuum of space.
  • Raptor engine:  It is a reusable methane-oxygen staged-combustion engine that powers the Starship system and has twice the thrust of the Falcon 9 Merlin engine.

What is Mechazilla?

• It is the nickname for the large 400-ft rocket-catching structure at SpaceX's Starbase. 
• It features two enormous mechanical arms, often referred to as "chopsticks." These arms are designed to catch the Super Heavy booster in mid-air as it returns to Earth.

SpaceX Starship FAQs

Q1. Why did the SpaceX Starship explode?

Ans. The Starship exploded due to engine shutdowns, causing loss of control and structural failure.

Q2. What is special about SpaceX Starship?

Ans. Starship is special for its reusability, methane fuel, and ability to carry large payloads.

Q3. How long will it take Starship to get to Mars?

Ans. The journey to Mars with Starship is expected to take about six to nine months, depending on launch windows.

Q4. Why did Starship fail?

Ans. Starship failed due to premature engine shutdowns, likely caused by fuel flow issues or overheating.

Source: TG

Ladki Bahin Yojana Latest News 

The Maharashtra government disbursed ₹17,500 crore to 2.38 crore women under the Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana till December 2024, stated the Economic Survey tabled in the State Assembly.

About Ladki Bahin Yojana

• Launch: The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, commonly referred to as the Ladki Bahin Yojana, is a key welfare program introduced by the Maharashtra government in 2024.
• Objective: It aims to provide financial support to economically disadvantaged women aged 21 to 65, promoting their rehabilitation, economic development, and empowerment.
• Eligibility Criteria: To qualify for the Ladki Bahin Yojana, the applicant must be a permanent resident of Maharashtra. 
  • Age Limit: The applicant should be between 21 and 65 years old. 
  • Family Income: The combined annual income of the applicant's family must not exceed ₹2.5 lakh. 
  • Income Tax: No family member should be an income taxpayer.
• Benefits: Under this scheme, eligible women will receive Rs 1,500 per month through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Ladki Bahin Yojana FAQs 

Q1. What is the Ladki Bahin Yojana?

Ans. It is a Maharashtra government welfare scheme providing financial aid to economically weaker women aged 21 to 65 for empowerment.

Q2. Who is eligible for the Ladki Bahin Yojana?

Ans. Women aged 21-65, permanent Maharashtra residents, with a family income below ₹2.5 lakh and no income taxpayer in the family.

Q3. What are the benefits of the Ladki Bahin Yojana?

Ans. Eligible women receive ₹1,500 per month via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to support their financial independence and economic growth.

Source: BS

Central Electricity Authority Latest News

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) recently issued guidelines to promote efficient allocation, sharing, and utilisation of optical fibres that will contribute to better resource management across the power sector.

About Central Electricity Authority

• It is a statutory body established under section 3(1) of the Electricity Supply Act 1948, which was repealed by section 70(1) of the Electricity Act 2003.
• It is an “Attached Office” of the Ministry of Power. 

Central Electricity Authority Functions

• Advise the Central Government on matters relating to the national electricity policy, formulate short-term and perspective plans for the development of the electricity system, and coordinate the activities of the planning agencies for the optimal utilisation of resources to subserve the interests of the national economy and to provide reliable and affordable electricity for all consumers;
• Specify the technical standards for the construction of electrical plants, electric lines, and connectivity to the grid;
• Specify the safety requirements for the construction, operation and maintenance of electrical plants and electric lines;
• Specify the grid standards for operation and maintenance of transmission lines;
• Specify the conditions for the installation of meters for transmission and supply of electricity;
• Promote and assist in the timely completion of schemes and projects for improving and augmenting the electricity system;
• Promote measures for advancing the skill of persons engaged in the electricity industry;
• Advise the Central Government on any matter on which its advice is sought or make recommendations to that Government on any matter if, in the opinion of the Authority, the recommendation would help in improving the generation, transmission, trading, distribution, and utilisation of electricity;
• Collect and record the data concerning the generation, transmission, trading, distribution and utilisation of electricity and carry out studies relating to cost, efficiency, competitiveness, and such like matters;
• Make public from time to time the information secured under this Act and provide for the publication of reports and investigations;
• Promote research in matters affecting the generation, transmission, distribution and trading of electricity;
• Carry out, or cause to be carried out, any investigation for the purposes of generating, transmitting, or distributing electricity;
• Advise any State Government, licensees, or the generating companies on such matters, which shall enable them to operate and maintain the electricity system under their ownership or control in an improved manner and, where necessary, in coordination with any other Government, licensee, or the generating company owning or having control of another electricity system;
• Advise the appropriate Government and the appropriate Commission on all technical matters relating to the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity; and
• Discharge such other functions as may be provided under this Act;

Central Electricity Authority Organisation Structure

• It is headed by a Chairman, who is also ex-officio Secretary to the Government of India, and comprises six full-time Members. 
• They are designated as Member (Thermal), Member (Hydro), Member (Economic and Commercial), Member (Power Systems), Member (Planning) and Member (Grid Operation and Distribution).

Central Electricity Authority FAQs

Q1. Is the Central Electricity Authority a statutory body?

Ans. Yes, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) is a statutory body.

Q2. What is the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC)?

Ans. It is a statutory body established by the Government of India under the provisions of the Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act, 1998.

Q3. What is Electricity?

Ans. Electricity is a form of energy resulting from the movement of charged particles, typically electrons, through a conductor. I

Source: CNBC

World's Oldest Impact Crater Latest News 

Scientists in Australia have discovered the world's oldest known meteorite impact crater in northwestern Australia, estimated to be 3.47 billion years old.

About World's Oldest Impact Crater

• Scientists in Australia have identified what they believe to be the world's oldest known meteorite impact crater, a finding that could reshape understanding of Earth's history and the origins of life.
• The crater, discovered in the remote North Pole dome region in northwestern Australia, is estimated to be 3.47 billion years old—more than a billion years older than any previously known impact site.
• The crater, named the North Pole Crater, was likely formed by a meteorite striking Earth at more than 36,000 kilometres per hour, creating an impact site over 100 kilometres wide. The collision may have sent debris flying across the planet, with molten droplets possibly landing as far away as South Africa.
• This discovery challenges previous assumptions about Earth's ancient history and suggests that such impacts may have contributed to the origins of life by creating environments suitable for microbial activity.

What Is an Impact Crater?

• An impact crater forms when a fast-moving asteroid or meteorite crashes into a planet or moon. 
• The impact is so powerful that it vaporizes the object, creating shockwaves that melt and reshape the ground, leaving a large circular hole with scattered rocks.
• Examples: Barringer Crater, Tycho Crater etc.

World's Oldest Impact Crater FAQs

Q1. Where is the world's oldest meteorite crater located?

Ans. It is located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, specifically in the North Pole Dome area16.

Q2. How old is the crater?

Ans. The crater is approximately 3.5 billion years old, making it the oldest known meteorite impact crater on Earth.

Q3. What role might this crater have played in the origins of life?

Ans. The crater may have created environments conducive to microbial life, such as hot water pools, which could have played a role in the origins of life on Earth

Source: TOI

Brahmastra Missile Latest News

Indian scientists have developed a modern-day ‘Brahmastra’ with an astonishing speed of 12,144 km per hour.

About Brahmastra Missile

• This weapon, named the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRAShM), is a hypersonic glide missile.
• It was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). 
• It outperforms similar missiles like China’s DF-17 in terms of range and technology. 

Brahmastra Missile Features

• With a range of 1,500 km, this missile can obliterate an enemy ship or warship within 7 to 8 minutes of being launched. 
• It can be deployed from both land and sea, offering versatility in combat scenarios
• This missile operates at 10 Mach, making it 10 times faster than the speed of sound. This allows it to travel 3.37 km in just one second.
• The incorporation of special heat-resistant materials ensures the missile can withstand extreme temperatures without disintegrating during flight, setting a new benchmark in scramjet and glide technology.

Brahmastra Missile FAQs

Q1. What is the range of the Brahmastra missile? 

Ans. 1,500 km

Q2. Who developed the Brahmastra missile?

Ans. It was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). 

Q3. What is meant by hypersonic?

Ans. The term hypersonic refers to speeds that are five times or more than the speed of sound (Mach 5 or above). 

Source: N18

Amrut Biodiversity Park Latest News 

Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena recently inaugurated the Amrut Biodiversity Park next to the Commonwealth Games Village.

About Amrut Biodiversity Park

• The Amrut Biodiversity Park, built as part of the Delhi Development Authority’s (DDA) Yamuna Floodplain Restoration initiative, is a joint venture between the authority and the CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute in Lucknow. 
• Spanning around 115 hectares, it is located along National Highway 24 and next to the Commonwealth Games Village in Delhi. 
• The park features 14,500 native plants and tree species and 3,20,000 riverine grasses, including blue panic grass and sarkanda. It aims to provide the people with a clean and refreshing environment while increasing the city's green spaces.
• The project is distinct from the rest of the biodiversity parks in its theme – India’s freedom struggle. 
• It features tracks named ‘First War of Independence’, ‘Santhal Rebellion’, ‘Champaran Satyagraha’, ‘Dandi March’ and ‘Azad Hind Fauj’.

Amrut Biodiversity Park FAQs

Q1. What is the significance of the name "Amrut Biodiversity Park"?

Ans. The name "Amrut" symbolizes purification and rejuvenation, reflecting the transformation of the area from a neglected state to a thriving biodiversity park2.

Q2. What are the main features of the park's design?

Ans. The park features thematic tracks, diverse plant species, water bodies, and pathways designed to manage stormwater and reduce flood risks

Source: IE

Tunga River Latest News

The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) recently identified seven sources of pollution in the Tunga river, while the district administration is investigating encroachments along its banks.

About Tunga River

• The Tunga River, also known as the Thunga River, is an important river flowing in the Karnataka state.
• Course: 
  • The river originates in the Western Ghats on a hill called Varaha Parvata. 
  • The birthplace of Tunga is called Gangamoola, which is a cave inside Varaha Parvatha.
  • The river flows for 147 kilometers and then merges with the Bhadra River at Koodli, which is a small town near the city of Shimoga, Karnataka.
  • From this stage the river becomes the Tungabhadra River, which then starts flowing in the east direction and eventually merges with the Krishna River in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
• Tunga River is known for its pure, pristine waters.
• It is also well known for housing a number of religious spots on its bank.
  • Sringeri, a town located in the Chikmagalur district on the banks of the Tunga River has several temples. 
  • The Sarada Temple and the Vidyasankara Temple are the most temples on the bank of the Tunga.
• Gajanur (Tunga) is an s-shaped dam constructed over the river.

Tunga River FAQs

Q1. Where is the birthplace of Tunga River?

Ans. The birthplace of Tunga is called Gangamoola, which is a cave inside Varaha Parvatha in the Western Ghats.

Q2. What is the length of the Tunga River?

Ans. 147 kilometers

Q3. Which dam is across the Tunga River?

Ans. Gajanur (Tunga) is an s-shaped dam constructed over the Tunga River.

Source: DH