gradeup Daily Current Affairs 21st Aug 2017
Atul RoyRead in Hindi
Updated : August 21st, 2017
Kochi chosen to implement biodiversity programme
Kochi is among the three Indian cities selected for the implementation of a biodiversity conservation project supported by Germany.
Besides Kochi, the cities of Mangaluru and Panaji will receive support for the project, which aims to support the "implementation of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans through the mainstreaming of biodiversity objectives across city regions".
The project's primarily aims to achieve Aichi Target 2.
Aichi Target 2 has proposed to integrate by 2020, the biodiversity values "into national and local development and poverty reduction strategies and planning processes".
The Kochi project will also attempt to achieve Aichi Targets 1 and 17.
Target 1 aims to make people "aware of the values of biodiversity and the steps they can take to conserve and use it sustainably" at least by 2020.
Target 17 suggests that each party to the convention will develop and adopt a policy instrument, and commence to implement an effective, participatory and updated national biodiversity strategy and action plan.
Aichi Target-
In the COP-10 meeting, the parties agreed that previous biodiversity protection targets are not achieved, so they came up with new plans and targets.
This short-term plan is officially known as "Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020".
This short-term plan provides a set of 20 ambitious yet achievable targets, collectively known as the Aichi Targets.
Topic- GS-3- Biodiversity
Source- The Hindu
Two-by-two ministerial dialogue
The decision by India and the US to establish a new two-by-two ministerial dialogue has been welcomed by top American experts who believe that it would enhance strategic coordination between the two nations.
US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to enhance peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region by establishing a new two-by-two ministerial dialogue, which would elevate their strategic consultations.
The new format would include External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley and their American counterparts Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Defence Secretary James Mattis.
Topic-GS-2- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements
Source- Indian Express
IISc: Copper-coated membrane developed to make drinking water safe
A team of researchers led by Prof. Suryasarathi Bose from the Department of Materials Engineering at IISc made the commonly used polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) water-filter membrane to prevent biofouling and kill bacteria.
They first made the inert PVDF membrane functional by blending it with a polymer (styrene maleic anhydride or SMA).
Though copper oxide is an excellent antibacterial agent, it can be toxic if the concentration of copper in the water exceeds 1.3 ppm (WHO standard).
So, the researchers coated copper oxide with a biocompatible polymer (polyphosphoester or PPE) for controlled release of copper ions.
The polymer used for coating copper has anti-fouling property.
This enzyme released from the bacteria cleaves the polymer coating found on copper oxide resulting in controlled release of copper ions from the membrane into water.
These membranes with controlled release of copper ion may turn out to be a potential candidate for water purification applications with enhanced antibacterial and antifouling performances.
Topic- GS-3- Science and Technology
Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS)
Started in the early 1970's, the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) comprises the space segment of the Space Network.
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center manages the development and operations of the TDRS satellites.
The current Tracking and Data Relay Satellite configuration consists of nine in-orbit satellites (four first generation, three second generation and two third generation satellites) distributed to provide near continuous information relay service to missions like:
(a) The Hubble Space Telescope (HST)
(b) The International Space Station (ISS)
Topic- GS-3- Space Technology
Source- NASA
'New state of matter' discovered
Scientists have discovered a potential new state of matter that may help explain phenomena like superconductivity.
Superconductivity is extensively used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), particle accelerators, magnetic fusion devices, and microwave filters.
The high-magnetic-field state of the heavy fermion superconductor CeRhIn5 revealed a state in which the material's electrons aligned in such a way to apparently reduce the symmetry of the original crystal, something that now appears to be universal among unconventional superconductors.
Unconventional superconductivity develops near a phase boundary separating magnetically ordered and magnetically disordered phases of a material.
'SBI, PNB account for 40% of bad loans'
Country's largest lender State Bank of India accounts for over 27% of the total amount owed to public sector banks by wilful defaulters.
Punjab National Bank (PNB) is next on the list.
Together these two banks account for 40% of the total outstanding loans.
Total outstanding loans due to PSU banks by wilful defaulters amounted to ₹92,376 crore, according to the Finance Ministry data.
The total outstanding loans by wilful defaulters rose to ₹92,376 crore at the end of financial year 2016-17, from ₹76,685 crore at the end of last fiscal 2015-16, up 20.4%.
Stressed Asset
It comprises of NPA (Non- performing assets), Restructured loans and Written off assets.
(1) Non-performing assets- When loan interest/instalment remained due more than 90 days
(2) Restructured loans- When loan is restructured by giving extra time, lower the interest rate etc.
(3) Written off assets- When inventory assets lose some or all their value.
Topic- GS-3- Indian Economy and issues relating to planning
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Atul Roy
Community Head, UPSC
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MadhuGAug 21, 2017
LavanyaAug 22, 2017
Great effort sir ji
Zahoor KhawajaAug 22, 2017
Nice man efforts
JayanthAug 23, 2017
Great content sir!! With an enough amount of light thrown on the background too!! Keep up the good work. Thanks.
Dhanasekaran DonAug 23, 2017
Please guide me which one i had to choose prepare for cvil service examination or working in an it company and study
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