World Energy Transitions Outlook 2022

• The global energy transition is still “off-track” and falls short of the 1.5 degrees Celsius pathway.
• To keep 1.5°C alive, deployment levels must grow from some 3,000 gigawatts (GW) at present to over 10,000 GW in 2030, an average of 1,000 GW annually”.
• Public sector intervention is required to channel investments towards countries more equitably.
• Global investment in energy transition technologies reached a new record of $1.3 trillion in 2022, yearly investments must more than quadruple to over $5 trillion to stay on the 1.5 degrees Celsius pathway.
• By 2030, cumulative investments must amount to USD 44 trillion, with transition technologies representing 80 per cent of the total, or $35 trillion, “prioritising efficiency, electrification, grid expansion and flexibility”.
• Current pledges and plans fall well short of IRENA’s 1.5°C pathway and will result in an emissions gap of 16 gigatonnes (Gt) in 2050.

International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

• The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is an intergovernmental organisation that supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future.
• It was officially founded in Bonn, Germany, on 26 January 2009.
• Its head quarter is in Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates.
• Its membership comprises 167 countries and the European Union.
• In 2009, India has become the 77th Founding Member of this organization.
• It is an official United Nations observer.

India initiates anti-dumping probe into import of sodium cyanide from China, EU, Japan, Korea

• An application has been filed by Hindusthan Chemical Company and United Phosphorous Ltd for the probe and the imposition of appropriate anti-dumping duty on imports from these nations.
• The Union commerce ministry’s investigation arm Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) is probing the alleged dumping of the cyanide originating in or exported from China, the European Union, Japan and Korea.

Sodium cyanide

• Sodium cyanide appears as a white crystalline solid, lump solid or powder.
• It contains equal numbers of sodium cations and cyanide anions.
• It is used as an insecticide, a test reagent for the function of chemoreceptors, and in many industrial processes.
• It is also used for the extraction of gold and silver from their respective ores, dyes, pigments, and bulk drugs.

Anti-Dumping Duty

• An anti-dumping duty is a protectionist tariff that a domestic government imposes on foreign imports that it believes are priced below fair market value.
• Dumping is a process wherein a company exports a product at a price that is significantly lower than the price it normally charges in its home (or its domestic) market.
• It is recommended by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) and the Ministry of Finance within three months of its recommendation imposes/levies such duty.

countervailing duty

• Countervailing duties or CVDs are tariffs on imported goods that are imposed to offset subsidies given by the exporting country''s government.
• It is a special measure used to neutralize the negative effects that subsidies for the production of a good in one country have on that same industry in another country, in which the production of that good is not subsidized.
• While the Department of Commerce recommends the CVD, the Department of Revenue in the finance ministry acts upon the recommendation within three months and imposes such duties.

countervailing duty (CVD) v/s Anti-dumping duty (AD)

• AD is imposed to prevent low-priced foreign goods from damaging the local market. On the other hand, CVD will apply to foreign products that have enjoyed government subsidies, which eventually leads to very low prices.
• While the AD duty amount depends on the margin of dumping, the CVD amount will completely depend upon the subsidy value of the foreign goods.

Twitter open-sources recommendation algorithm code

Open source code:

• Open source is a term that originally referred to open source software (OSS).
• Open source software is code that is designed to be publicly accessible—anyone can see, modify, and distribute the code as they see fit.
• Open-source software is developed in a decentralized and collaborative way, relying on peer review and community production.

Source code

• It is the set of instructions and statements written by a programmer using a computer programming language.
• This code is later translated into machine language by a compiler. The translated code is referred to as object code.
• Source code is the source of a computer program.
• It contains declarations, instructions, functions, loops and other statements, which act as instructions for the program on how to function.
• Programs may contain one or more source code text files, which can be stored on a computer’s hard disk, in a database, or printed in books of code snippets.

Closed-source software

• It is software in which the public is not given access to the source code, so they can’t see or modify it in any way.

Skyroot Aerospace test-fires 3D-printed Dhawan II engine for record 200 seconds

Dhawan II engine:

• It is a 3D-printed cryogenic engine developed by the Skyroot Aerospace for its heavier vehicle**, the Vikram II rocket.**
• Features:
  • It uses a 3D-printed torch igniter and bellows actuated cryo-injection valve with a quick response time.
  • It utilises two high-performance rocket propellants, liquid natural gas (LNG) and liquid oxygen (LoX), which require cryogenic temperatures (below -150° Celsius) for storage and operation.
• Advantage: A cryogenic upper stage enhances the payload-carrying capacity of a rocket.
• The cryogenic engine series is named in honour of Dr Satish Dhawan, an Indian rocket scientist.

3D Printing

• 3D printing or additive manufacturing is a process of making three-dimensional solid objects from a digital file.
• The creation of a 3D-printed object is achieved using additive processes.
• In an additive process, an object is created by laying down successive layers of material until the object is created. Each of these layers can be seen as a thinly sliced cross-section of the object.
• 3D printing enables you to produce complex shapes using less material than traditional manufacturing methods.

Goa to release rescued black panther in Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary

Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary:

• It is situated in the Sanguem Taluka in Eastern Goa.
• River Netravali or Neturli originates in this sanctuary which is an important tributary of the Zuari River.
• To the north of the Netravali wildlife sanctuary lie the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary lies to its
• It has two all-season waterfalls, namely Savri and Mainapi.
• Flora: The forest is a predominantly moist deciduous type with patches of semi-evergreen forest in the valleys. The high-altitude areas in the hills have natural grassy patches that provide ideal habitat for the herbivorous population.
• Fauna: Indian gaur, spotted deer, sambar deer, barking deer, wild boar, and black-faced langur. the Great Pied Hornbills, Black Panther, Slender Loris and the Giant Squirrel.

Lokpal disposed of 68% corruption complaints against public servants without any action: Parliamentary panel report

• The Lokpal is a statutory body established under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013.
• Mandate: To inquire into allegations of corruption against certain public functionaries and for related matters.
• Organisational Structure:
  • The Lokpal will consist of a chairperson and a maximum of eight members.
  • Chairperson should be either the former Chief Justice of India Or the former Judge of the Supreme Court, or an eminent person who fulfils eligibility criteria as specified.
  • Out of the maximum eight members, half will be judicial members. The judicial member of the Lokpal should be either a former Judge of the Supreme Court or a former Chief Justice of a High Court.
  • Minimum fifty per cent of the Members will be from SC / ST / OBC / Minorities and women.
• How are members appointed?
  • The Chairperson and the Members are appointed by the President of India on the recommendation of a selection committee composed of the Prime Minister as the Chairperson, the Speaker of Lok Sabha, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, the Chief Justice of India or a Judge nominated by him/her, and One eminent jurist.
  • They hold office for a term of five years from the date on which they enter upon the office or until they attain the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.
  • The salary, allowances and other conditions of services of the Chairperson are the same as that of the Chief Justice of India.
  • The salary, allowances and other conditions of services of the Members are the same as that of a Judge of the Supreme Court.
• Jurisdiction:
  • It has jurisdiction to inquire into allegations of corruption against anyone who is or has been Prime Minister, or a Minister in the Union government, or a Member of Parliament, as well as officials of the Union Government under Groups A, B, C and D.
  • It covers chairpersons, members, officers and directors of any board, corporation, society, trust or autonomous body either established by an Act of Parliament or wholly or partly funded by the Union or State government.
  • It also covers any society or trust or body that receives foreign contribution above Rs 10 lakh.
• Exceptions for Prime Minister:
  • Lokpal cannot inquire allegations against the PM relating to international relations, external and internal security, public order, atomic energy and space.
  • Also, complaints against the PM are not to be probed unless the full Lokpal bench considers the initiation of inquiry and at least 2/3rds of the members approve it.
• Powers of Lokpal:
  • It has powers to superintendence over and to give direction to CBI.
  • If it has referred a case to CBI, the investigating officer in such case cannot be transferred without the approval of Lokpal.
  • Powers to authorize CBI for search and seizure operations connected to such cases.
  • The Inquiry Wing of the Lokpal has been vested with the powers of a civil court.
  • Lokpal has powers of confiscation of assets, proceeds, receipts and benefits arisen or procured by means of corruption in special circumstances.
  • Lokpal has the power to recommend the transfer or suspension of public servants connected with the allegation of corruption.
  • Lokpal has the power to give directions to prevent the destruction of records during the preliminary inquiry

US details new $2.6 bn military aid package for Ukraine

High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS):

• It is a light multiple rocket launcher.
• It is manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corporation, a US-based security and aerospace company.
• Features:
  • It is an air-transportable wheeled launcher mounted on 5-ton Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV).
  • It can fire six guided missiles in quick succession.
  • Himars fires GPS-guided missiles which can be more accurately targeted.
  • Range:
    • The missiles supplied to Ukraine have a range of up to 50 miles (80 km).
    • Himars can also fire a single Army Tactical Missile System missile, which has a range of 186 miles (300 km).

Two-drug combination may offer a new way to treat inflammatory bowel diseases, study suggests

Crohn’s Disease:

• It is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• It is a chronic, or long-term condition that causes inflammation in the digestive tract.
• Causes: It is not clear what causes Crohn’s disease. Experts suggest that it may stem from an abnormal reaction of the immune system.
• Although it typically starts in childhood or early adulthood, Crohn’s disease can develop at any age.
• Inflammation caused by Crohn''s disease can involve different areas of the digestive tract in different people, most commonly the small intestine.
• Symptoms: The most common symptoms of Crohn’s disease are diarrhoea, cramping and pain in your abdomen, anaemia, altered appetite, and weight loss.
• Treatment: There''s no known cure for Crohn''s disease, but therapies can greatly reduce its signs and symptoms.

Sikkim Avalanche Highlights: 7 dead, at least 150 trapped at Nathu La; no respite from snow soon

Nathu La Pass:

• Location: It is a mountain pass in the Himalayas in the East Sikkim district.
• Altitude: It is situated at an altitude of 4302 m and is one of the highest motorable roads in the world.
• Nathu means "listening ears", and La means "pass" in Tibetan. It forms a part of an offshoot of the ancient Silk Road.
• Nathu La connects the Indian state of Sikkim with China''s Tibet Autonomous Region.
• It is guarded on both sides by Chinese and Indian soldiers.
• Nathu La is one of the three open trading border posts between India and China; the other two are in Himachal Pradesh (Shipkila) and Uttarakhand (Lipulekh).
• Sealed by India after the 1962 Sino-Indian War, Nathu La was re-opened in 2006 following numerous bilateral trade agreements.

India to step up support for Bhutan''s five-year plan, work for expediting rail link project

Chhukha Hydroelectric Project:

• It is a run-of-the-river reservoir-based project.
• Location: It is located in the Wangchu River/basin in Chukha, Bhutan.
• Installed capacity: 336 MW.
• It was built by the Government of India (GoI) at the cost of Rs**. 246 crores.**
• The GoI fully funded this project with a 60 per cent grant and a 40 per cent loan.
• The project construction commenced in 1979 and subsequently entered into commercial operation in 1986.
• Power Purchase Agreement: The power generated from the project is sold to the Eastern Regional Power Grid of India under a power purchase agreement.