Important Points @ Glance: Part 10
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A three day ‘100
Smart Cities India’ Conference was recently inaugurated by the Minister of
Urban Development Mr. M. Venkaiah Naidu in Berlin, Germany. Leading global
companies, policy makers and experts are attending the conference being
organized to highlight investment opportunities in smart city development set
in motion in India.
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The Prime
Minister has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
for enhancing the age of superannuation of all doctors of the Central Health
Service to 65 years with effect from 31st May 2016. This will enable the
Government to retain experienced doctors for a longer period, and to provide
better services in its public health facilities, particularly to the poorest, who
are entirely dependent on public facilities.
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The Centre has
achieved the fiscal deficit target of 3.9% of GDP in FY16. The Centre’s fiscal
deficit stood at Rs 5.32 lakh crore or 3.9% of GDP in FY16, marginally lower
than the revised estimate (RE) of Rs 5.35 lakh crore. This was the second year
in a row that the government met the fiscal deficit target but it did not have
to significantly cut spending to meet the projections. Fiscal deficit is the
difference between the government’s total spending and receipts, which includes
tax, non-tax revenue as well as capital receipts such as proceeds from
disinvestment.
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Work on a
China-backed nuclear power plant in Karachi will shortly begin. This move is
expected ease power shortages in Pakistan’s port city. The reactor is supplied
by the state-owned China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). Known as K1, this
is one of the 30 nuclear plants that China plans to establish by 2030 along its
planned Silk Road. This will be the second nuclear power project in Pakistan to
use China’s ‘Hualong One’ technology. CNNC is also promoting this technology in
other countries such as Algeria and Sudan.
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Astronomers have
produced the most detailed radio map yet of the atmosphere of Jupiter,
unveiling massive movement of ammonia gas under the colourful bands, spots and
whirling clouds visible to the naked eye. The planet’s thermal radio emissions
are partially absorbed by ammonia gas. Based on the amount of absorption, the
researchers could determine how much ammonia is present and at what depth. By
studying these regions of the planet’s atmosphere, astronomers hope to learn
how global circulation and cloud formation are driven by Jupiter’s powerful
internal heat source. These studies also will shed light on similar processes
occurring on other giant planets in our solar system and on newly discovered
giant exoplanets around distant stars.
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A team of scientists
from Harvard University has created a unique “bionic leaf” that uses solar
energy to split water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen, and hydrogen-eating
bacteria to produce liquid fuels from CO2. Dubbed “bionic leaf 2.0,” the new
system can convert solar energy to biomass with 10 percent efficiency – a
number far higher than the one per cent seen in the fastest growing plants.
While the study shows the system can be used to generate usable fuels, its
potential doesn’t end there. In many ways, the new system fulfills the promise
of his “artificial leaf” which used solar power to split water and make
hydrogen fuel. Scientists used a new cobalt-phosphorous alloy catalyst for this
experiment.
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Desert Eagle II,
which was the second in the series of bilateral exercises between Indian Air
Force (IAF) and United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAE AF) was recently concluded.
This was a ten-day air combat exercise in which the IAF and the UAE Air Force
undertook air exercises from Al-Dhafra Air Base, Abu Dhabi.
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The Asian
Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India have signed an agreement for
$200 million new loan to upgrade 176 Kilometers of State roads in State of
Jharkhand.
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Asia’s first 'Gyps Vulture Reintroduction Programme' was recently launched by Union
Environment Minister Mr. Prakash Javadekar. As part of this programme, the
minister jointly released two Himalayan Griffons into the wild from the Jatayu
Conservation Breeding Centre, Pinjore. The Himalayan Griffon is closely related
to the critically endangered resident Gyps species of vultures but is not
endangered. The Himalayan vulture or Himalayan griffon vulture is an Old World
vulture in the family Accipitridae. It is one of the two largest Old World
vultures and true raptors. Himalayan griffons do not breed in the first three
years, and hence juvenile birds of the species do not remain in breeding
grounds to avoid competition. The species has been listed as Near Threatened by
the IUCN. It is also found in Kazakhstan, China, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Thailand, Myanmer, Singapore and Cambodia.
Important Points @ Glance: Part 2
Important Points @ Glance: Part 3
Important Points @ Glance: Part 4
Important Points @ Glance: Part 5
Important Points @ Glance: Part 6
Important Points @ Glance: Part 7
Important Points @ Glance: Part 8
Important Points @ Glance: Part 9
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