News in Shorts: 18 July 2024

Seine River in Paris

• Paris mayor will swim in Seine River to prove cleanliness ahead of Olympics

Seine River:

• About: It is France’s second-longest river after the Loire. 
• Course of the River: As it nears Paris, the Seine is joined on the right bank by one of its largest tributaries, the Marne.
  • It empties  into the English Channel, the arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates northern France from southern England.
• Features: Most of the river basin consists of permeable rocks, which help reduce the risk of river floods due to their absorptive capacity. 
  • As one of Europe’s great historic rivers, its drainage network handles the majority of French inland waterway traffic.

Tizu Zunki River

• The government has announced plans to boost Nagaland’s economy by using the Tizu and Zungki rivers (National Waterways 101).

Tizu Zunki River:

• Origins: The Tizu River serves as a crucial drainage system in eastern Nagaland. Beginning in the central part of Nagaland, it flows northeast through Kiphire and Phek districts before joining the Chindwin River in Myanmar. 
• Course: The Chindwin River then merges with Myanmar’s largest river, the Irrawaddy. 
  • The Irrawaddy River flows southward and eventually empties into the Andaman Sea via the Irrawaddy Delta, passing through river ports such as Mandalay along the way.
• River system in Nagaland: Nagaland has four main rivers: Doyang, Dhansiri, Dhiku, and Tizu. 
  • The first three flow westward through the Assam plains to join the Brahmaputra River, while the Tizu River system flows east and southeast, eventually emptying into the Irrawaddy in Myanmar.
• Tributaries: Includes  Zungki, Lanye, and Likimro rivers.  Zungki River is the principal tributary of the Tizu River within Nagaland.

National Company Law Tribunal

• NCLT admits BCCI’s plea seeking insolvency proceedings against Byju’s

National Company Law Tribunal:

• About: It is a quasi-judicial body established to resolve civil corporate disputes arising under the Companies Act, 2013. This authority was established on June 1, 2016, under the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013.
• Origins: It was established following the recommendation of the Balakrishna Eradi Committee on laws concerning insolvency and the winding up of companies.
• Composition:It consists of a President and such number of other Judicial and Technical Members as may be prescribed. 
  • The President of the Tribunal shall be appointed by the Central Government after consultation with the Chief Justice of India.
• Powers of NCLT: It is not bound by the rules of the Code of Civil Procedure but follows principles of natural justice, within the provisions of this Act and any relevant Central Government rules.
  • It can enforce its orders similarly to a court. It reviews its own orders.
  • It regulates its own procedures. 
  • It acts as the adjudicating authority for the insolvency resolution process of companies and limited liability partnerships under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.

Colombia: Places in News

• Colombia, the epicentre of the global cocaine industry, is experiencing substantial transformations influenced by local and international factors.

Colombia:

• Location: Colombia, officially known as the Republic of Colombia, is situated in South America.
• Geographical Position: Colombia is situated in the Northern and Western hemispheres of the Earth.
• Bordered by:
• • Brazil to the southeast.
  • Panama to the northwest.
  • Venezuela to the east.
  • The Pacific Ocean to the west.
  • The Caribbean Sea to the north.
  • Peru and Ecuador to the south.
• Ring of Fire: Colombia is part of the Ring of Fire.
• Landscape: Colombia features diverse terrain including desert, highlands, grasslands, and the Amazon rainforest. 
  • Approximately 25% of its land lies within the Andes Mountains.
• Official Language: Spanish serves as the official language.
• Unique Feature: Colombia is the sole South American country with coastlines touching both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA)

• The Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA), is set to obtain diplomatic status, pending India’s signing of a headquarters agreement.

Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA):

• About: The Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) was inaugurated during the 2023 G20 summit in New Delhi.
  • The Alliance aims to guarantee the availability, affordability, and sustainable production of biofuels.
• Aim: To promote international cooperation and enhance the adoption of sustainable biofuels. 
• Member Nations: Founded by India, the United States, and Brazil, the alliance comprises nine countries: India, the US, Brazil, Argentina, Bangladesh, Italy, Mauritius, South Africa, and the UAE.
• Organizational Members: The alliance includes participation from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, World Economic Forum, International Energy Agency, International Energy Forum, International Renewable Energy Agency, and International Civil Aviation Organization.
• Functions: Advancing biofuel technology b) Advocating for sustainable biofuel use to mitigate concerns about indirect land use change (ILUC)
  • Establishing rigorous standards and certifications. 
  • The alliance will function as a hub of knowledge to foster international collaboration and ensure the reliable and cost-effective availability of biofuels.

15-minute neighbourhoods

• The potential of 15-minute neighbourhoods to address Bengaluru’s urban challenges, including congestion, water crises, and erratic weather.

15-minute neighbourhoods:

• About: The 15-minute neighbourhood concept in urban planning ensures that essential services and amenities—like groceries, schools, healthcare, and recreational facilities—are within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from residents’ homes.
• Aim: This model seeks to decrease dependence on cars, enhance environmental sustainability, and improve community well-being by encouraging walkability and local accessibility.

Hydrogen Fuel Cells

• The MV Sea Change, the world’s inaugural commercial passenger ferry fueled entirely by zero-emission hydrogen fuel cells, was launched in San Francisco.

Hydrogen Fuel Cells (HFC):

• About: It generates electricity through an electrochemical reaction that combines oxygen and hydrogen.
• Benefits: Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles emit no tailpipe pollutants, including particulates, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide.

Methods of producing hydrogen fuel include:

• Steam Methane Reforming (SMR): Hydrogen is generated by reacting natural gas with high-temperature steam.
  • This method is predominant, but it emits carbon dioxide due to its reliance on fossil fuels.
• Electrolysis: Water is split into hydrogen and oxygen using an electrical current, producing pure hydrogen. 
  • When coupled with renewable electricity, this method produces ‘green’ hydrogen sustainably.
• Thermochemical Processes: High-temperature heat is used to extract hydrogen from water and hydrocarbons through multiple chemical reactions, often leveraging heat from nuclear plants or solar concentrators.

Chandipura Virus (CHPV)

• Recently, the Gujarat government has reported six deaths of children suspected to be due to Chandipura virus (CHPV) infection, with a total of 12 suspected cases identified.

Chandipura Virus (CHPV):

• About: CHPV is classified under the Rhabdoviridae family, which also includes viruses responsible for rabies.
• Vectors: The virus is transmitted by various species of sandflies (Phlebotomine sandflies, such as Phlebotomus papatasi), as well as mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti).
• Transmission: The virus resides in the salivary glands of insects and is transmitted through their bites to humans and other vertebrates.
• Impact: The infection can progress to affect the central nervous system, leading to encephalitis (inflammation of brain tissue).
• Contributing Factors to Outbreaks:
  • Geographic and Seasonal Factors: Outbreaks typically occur in rural, tribal, and peripheral areas where sandflies are prevalent. These outbreaks coincide with the monsoon season.
  • Environmental Factors: Sandflies are attracted to kutcha houses painted with cow dung, which can contribute to outbreaks.