{"id":35515,"date":"2025-01-15T18:53:34","date_gmt":"2025-01-15T13:23:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=35515"},"modified":"2025-01-15T18:53:36","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T13:23:36","slug":"news-in-short-15-january-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/15-01-2025\/news-in-short-15-january-2025","title":{"rendered":"News In Short 15-1-2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Kerch Strait<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/Geography<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Two Russian oil tankers have been damaged in the <strong>Kerch Strait causing oil spillage.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Kerch Strait\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Location:<\/strong> It is a strait in <strong>Eastern Europe<\/strong> connecting the <strong>Sea of Azov with the Black Sea.\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is located between the<strong> Kerch Peninsula in Crimea<\/strong> (annexed by Russia in 2014) and the <strong>Taman Peninsula in Russia.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It gets its name from the <strong>Crimean city of Kerch<\/strong>, formerly known as the<strong> Cimmerian Bosporus.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Kerch Strait Bridge:<\/strong> A significant feature of the Kerch Strait is the Kerch Strait Bridge, which connects the <strong>Crimean Peninsula to mainland Russia.\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The bridge, completed in <strong>2018<\/strong>, serves both road and rail traffic.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"47576d\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"507\" height=\"259\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/01\/black-sea.webp\" alt=\"black-sea\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-35516\" style=\"--dominant-color: #47576d; width:417px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/01\/black-sea.webp 507w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/01\/black-sea-300x153.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 507px) 100vw, 507px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Strait:<\/strong> A strait is a <strong>narrow body of water<\/strong> that connects two larger bodies of water, typically separating two land masses.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Straits are important for maritime navigation, as they provide passage for ships between different seas or oceans.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2025\/01\/13\/europe\/russia-emergency-task-force-kerch-strait-oil-spill-intl-hnk\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>CNN<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Trichophyton Indotineae<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Health<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dermatologists from India and 13 other counties, including Germany, have objected to the <strong>region-specific nomenclature<\/strong> given to a novel species of fungus \u2014 Trichophyton (T.) indotineae.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Trichophyton indotineae: <\/strong>It is a <strong>fungal pathogen <\/strong>that causes <strong>widespread and hard-to-treat skin infections.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is <strong>resistant <\/strong>to most anti-fungal medicines.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Origin: <\/strong>It has turned up in over 40 countries and its <strong>origin currently remains unknown.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Nomenclature:<\/strong> Japanese dermatologists, who had spotted the fungus in patients from India and Nepal, proposed in 2020 that this fungus should be considered a <strong>new species and named Trichophyton indotineae.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The naming of the species is in line with a historical tradition of <strong>linking new infectious agents to specific locations.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Examples are the Spanish flu, Delhi boil, Madura foot, West Nile virus, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Concern:<\/strong> It often leads to considerable misinformation, stigma, and racial prejudice.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/health\/doctors-demand-change-in-nomenclature-of-hard-to-treat-fungus-named-after-india\/article69096163.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH&nbsp;<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS 2\/Health&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Autism diagnoses in the United States have risen sharply since 2000, raising public concern about the factors driving its prevalence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>About:<\/strong> It is a neurological and developmental condition affecting communication, behavior, interaction, and learning due to disruptions in brain signaling.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Causes: <\/strong>Likely due to<strong> genetic and environmental <\/strong>factors, including maternal health and birth complications.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Genetic disorders (e.g., Fragile X syndrome) and environmental triggers (e.g., air pollution) may increase risk.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Prevalence\u00a0 : <\/strong>The World Health Organization estimates global prevalence at 1%, up from 0.62% in 2012.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Treatments<\/strong>: No cure; early diagnosis and intervention (before age 3) are key.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Supportive therapies include speech therapy, occupational therapy, social skills training, and individualized education plans.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source :DD News&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Credit-Deposit Ratio<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Banks in India added <strong>more deposits than loans<\/strong> last year, leading to <strong>a softening of the credit-deposit ratio.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>CD ratio or the loan-to-deposit ratio is used to <strong>assess a bank\u2019s liquidity<\/strong> by comparing its<strong> total loans to total deposit for the same period.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Typically, the<strong> ideal loan-to-deposit ratio is 80% to 90%<\/strong>. A loan-to-deposit ratio of 100% means a bank loaned one dollar to customers for every dollar received in deposits it received.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>High CDR:<\/strong> Indicates that the bank is<strong> actively lending,<\/strong> which could lead to higher profitability but also higher risk if loan repayments are not met.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If the ratio is too high, the lender does not have enough liquidity for unanticipated stress or sudden withdrawals of funds.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Low CDR: <\/strong>Suggests that the bank is more conservative, lending less and holding more reserves, which reflect caution or an inability to find suitable lending opportunities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.livemint.com\/industry\/banking\/banks-added-over-2-trillion-more-in-deposits-than-loans-in-2024-11736856377103.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>LM<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Plasticizer Degradation Using Bacterial Enzymes\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>IIT Roorkee has successfully used an enzyme\u2014<strong>esterase enzyme<\/strong>\u2014to break down <strong>diethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP) plasticizer.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Esterase enzyme<\/strong> is produced by <strong>soil bacteria Sulfobacillus acidophilus.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The enzyme breaks down the DEHP plasticizer into two products \u2014 <strong>mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) and 2-ethyl hexanol.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This esterase enzyme, along with other enzymes identified previously can convert<strong> high molecular weight phthalate plasticizers into water and carbon-dioxide.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The esterase enzyme remains <strong>active for about a month<\/strong> and catalyzes the degradation of DEHP plasticizer with<strong> significant efficiency.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Applications<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Waste Management:<\/strong> Bacteria could be used in waste treatment facilities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bioremediation: <\/strong>To clean up plastic pollution in natural ecosystems, such as oceans or rivers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Industrial Scale Degradation: <\/strong>With further genetic engineering and optimization, bacteria might be employed in industrial-scale bioreactors to efficiently break down plastics.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/iit-roorkee-uses-bacterial-enzymes-to-degrade-plasticizers\/article69085296.ece#:~:text=A%20team%20of%20researchers%20headed,hexyl%20phthalate%20(DEHP)%20plasticizer.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>New Observatory at Remote Purulia District<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS 3\/Science and Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>S N Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBCBS)<\/strong> has established a new observatory atop Panchet Hill in the Purulia district of West Bengal.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Observatory\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is an advanced astronomical observatory featuring a <strong>14-inch telescope for scientific observations <\/strong>and training purposes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is located at 600 meters above ground level and at 86\u00b0 E longitude. It fills a gap in global astronomical observations, as very few observatories exist along this longitude.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Purpose and Significance<\/strong>: It will aid in scientific observations of astronomical objects, train students in telescope handling, record data, and foster national and international collaboration in astronomical research.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is crucial for observing transient astronomical phenomena.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Other Key Observatories in India<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES)<\/strong>: Nainital.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vainu Bappu Observatory:<\/strong> Tamil Nadu.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>IUCAA Observatory<\/strong>: Pune.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source :PIB<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Indian Army Day<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS 3\/Defence&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>77th Army Day <\/strong>is being celebrated in India with a theme of &#8220;<strong>Samarth Bharat, Saksham Sena&#8221;.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Army Day\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is celebrated on January 15 each year to <strong>honor General (later Field Marshal) KM Cariappa,<\/strong> the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>On this day in 1949, <strong>Gen Cariappa took over the command of the Indian Army from General Sir FRR Bucher<\/strong>, the last British Commander-in-Chief, marking the transition to an independent Indian Army.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u00a0Gen Cariappa is also known for leading Indian forces to victory in the India-Pakistan 1947 war.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Indian Army Veterans&#8217; Day<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Celebrated <strong>annually on January 14th.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This day commemorates the <strong>retirement of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa<\/strong>, the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is a day to recognize and appreciate the <strong>contributions and sacrifices of retired Indian Army personnel.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Do you know?<\/strong><br>&#8211; The Indian Army traces its origins to the <strong>East India Company\u2019s army<\/strong>, which later became the British Indian Army and the Princely States Army.\u00a0<br>&#8211; After India\u2019s independence in 1947, these forces <strong>merged into the National Army of India.<\/strong><br>&#8211; The primary role of the Indian Army is to protect the nation from external and internal threats, as well as conduct humanitarian rescue operations during natural disasters.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source :Air<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Bhargavastra Micro Missiles<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Defence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India has successfully tested the Bhargavastra, its first micro-missile system designed to counter swarm drones.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Advanced Targeting:<\/strong> The Bhargavastra system successfully hit designated virtual targets over <strong>2.5 kilometres away,<\/strong> demonstrating high precision and effectiveness.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Enhanced Radar Capabilities: <\/strong>It can detect medium to large UAVs up to <strong>10 kilometres <\/strong>and small drones up to<strong> 6 kilometres away<\/strong>, making it effective against a wide range of aerial threats.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Versatile Deployment:<\/strong> Bhargavastra can be mounted on <strong>mobile platforms,<\/strong> enabling rapid deployment and adaptability to diverse operational terrains, including high-altitude regions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/economictimes.indiatimes.com\/news\/defence\/bhargavastra-micro-missiles-ready-to-fire\/articleshow\/117245312.cms?from=mdr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>ET<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Green Energy Open Access Rules, 2022<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Energy&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The High Court of Karnataka has struck down the Electricity (Promoting Renewable Energy Through Green Energy Open Access) Rules, 2022.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About the ruling<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The High Court of Karnataka ruled that the Central Government lacked the authority under the<strong> Electricity Act, 2003<\/strong> to frame the GEOA Rules, 2022.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Electricity Act, 2003 grants exclusive powers to <strong>State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs)<\/strong> to regulate open access in electricity distribution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Salient Features of GEOA Rules, 2022<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>These rules are notified for promoting generation, purchase and consumption of green energy including the energy from <strong>Waste-to-Energy plants.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Green Open Access <\/strong>is allowed to any consumer and the limit of Open Access Transaction has been reduced from <strong>1 MW to 100 kW<\/strong> for green energy, to enable small consumers also to purchase renewable power through open access.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consumers are entitled to demand supply of Green Power from Discoms.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Discoms would be obligated to procure and supply green power to eligible consumers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Commercial and Industrial consumers are allowed to purchase green power on a voluntary basis.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There shall be a uniform <strong>Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO)<\/strong>, on all obligated entities in the area of a distribution license.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Green Hydrogen\/Green Ammonia<\/strong> has also been included for fulfillment of its RPO.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/karnataka\/karnataka-high-court-strikes-down-green-energy-open-access-rules-2022-saying-centre-lacks-legislative-competence-to-frame-thi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Two Russian oil tankers have been damaged in the Kerch Strait causing oil spillage.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35515","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35515","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35515"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35515\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35517,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35515\/revisions\/35517"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35515"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35515"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35515"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}