Current affairs- April 4,2016
Highlights of the 4th NSS
The fourth NSS, the
last in its current format, ended with leaders from more
than 50 countries and four international organisations stating in a joint
communiqué that “more work remains to be done to prevent non-state actors from
obtaining nuclear and other radioactive materials, which could be used for
malicious purposes.”
- The two-day summit was aimed at getting political leaderships directly involved in dealing with the threat of nuclear terrorism.
FCRA tweaked to boost CSR spend
The government has proposed an amendment with retrospective effect that will allow political parties to accept donations from
overseas companies whose ownership of Indian entities is within the foreign
investment limits prescribed for the sector.
- The amendments were proposed by the Finance Minister in the Finance Bill as part of the Union Budget of 2016-17. The amendment is retrospective and will come into effect from 2010, when the FCRA was introduced.
Background:
Until now, the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, or
FCRA, banned political parties from receiving funds from any foreign source.
The original law defines “foreign source” to include any company with foreign
investment of above 50%.
Planet with triple-star system found
A team of researchers working at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center
for Astrophysics has announced the finding of atriple-star system—one that also as has a stable orbit planet in it.
- Known planets with three stars appearing in their sky are rare and this new discovery is just the fourth.
Details:
- The objects under study in the new system are KELT-4Ab, a gas giant planet, similar in size to Jupiter—it takes approximately three days to make its way around the star KELT-A, which serves as its sun.
- The other two stars, named KELT-B and C, are much farther away and orbit one another over the course of approximately 30 years.
- Scientists found that the main star was brighter than the other stars that serve as suns for their planets.
- It takes the pair approximately four thousand years to orbit KELT-A.
- The triple-star system offers a unique opportunity for scientists working to try to understand how it is that gas giants, such as KELT-4Ab, manage to orbit so close to their star.
Background:
Space scientists have known of the existence of the KELT system
for several years, but it was thought that the binary stars were actually just
one star.
Ballast water bringing invasive species to coasts
Scientists fear that the expansion of seaports and minor ports
could pave the way for the arrival of invasive species in coastal areas. It is
because the ballast water carried by ships is providing a vehicle to bring in
exotic species.
Background:
A recent survey by the Department of Aquatic Biology and
Fisheries, University of Kerala, had recorded the presence of as many as 10
invasive species in the biodiversity-rich intertidal habitats of the Kerala
coast.
They include one seaweed, one species of bryozoan, one species of
mollusc and seven species of ascidian. It was assumed that the distribution of
invasive species reported from the Kerala coast was likely to have been
assisted by shipping. The survey argues that the expansion of ports in Kerala
has opened ways for the introduction of alien species in marine and coastal
areas.
The survey also recorded the presence of a sea slug called Winged
Thecacera ( Thecacera Pennigera ) in the southwest coast of India. Originally
reported from the Atlantic coast of Europe, the presence of sea slug is
currently reported from South Africa, West Africa, Pakistan, Japan, Brazil,
eastern Australia and New Zealand.
What is Ballast?
Ballast is a compartment in a ship that provides it stability. It
holds water which moves in and out of it to balance the ship. It remains below
the water level, to counteract the weight above the water level.
Concerns:
- Ballast water is one of the biggest transporters of non-native marine species. Studies done by experts have indicated that over 10,000 marine species are being transported across the world in ballast water carried by ocean-going vessels for stability and safety.
- Ballast water is discharged when the ship enters a new port, releasing alien organisms into the local waters.
- The colossal loads of ballast water carried by ships could transport fish, viruses, bacteria, algae, zooplankton and benthonic invertebrates to harbours at a faster pace.
- Very few of the invasive species establish a beachhead in their newfound homes, but those that do have the potential to wreak havoc on the ecosystem by preying on local species or competing with them for food and habitat space.
- Ballast water is also considered a vehicle for toxic algae causing red tides and harmful algal blooms.
NHRC notice on ‘go-slow’ promise
The National Human Rights Commission has issued notices to the
commerce and health ministries over reports that India has reassured the
US-India Business Council to take a restrained approach in handing out licences
to produce cheaper versions of drugs patented with the American firms.
- Taking cognisance of the issue through media reports, the commission has observed that the step will deny the people of India access to generic medicines at affordable prices.
Facts
Among the larger States, Uttar Pradesh has seen the highest growth in enterprises
and employment generation over the past decade, according
to data from the Sixth Economic Census released by the Ministry
of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
- The Central government is planning to begin consultations with states to frame an Act to prevent the misuse of fresh water, a rapidly diminishing resource in India. Water is a state subject.
- The Bihar government has banned country-made and spiced liquor, which had high consumption in rural areas. It has also banned the sale of ‘toddy’ in the state.
