{"id":118227,"date":"2024-07-06T19:45:22","date_gmt":"2024-07-06T14:15:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/?post_type=current-affairs&p=118227"},"modified":"2024-07-09T15:49:13","modified_gmt":"2024-07-09T10:19:13","slug":"news-in-shorts-6th-july-2024","status":"publish","type":"current-affairs","link":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/current-affairs\/news-in-shorts-6th-july-2024","title":{"rendered":"News In Shorts: 6th July 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Aphelion\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Aphelion\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/td>\n

Context: <\/b>On <\/span>July 5, Earth reaches its farthest from the sun for the entire year<\/b>, a moment astronomers call<\/span> Aphelion.<\/b>Aphelion<\/b><\/p>\n
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  • About: Aphelion is the point in Earth’s orbit where it is farthest from the Sun.<\/b> The Earth\u00a0 receives less radiation from the sun, as heat, than at any other time of the year.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Occurrence: <\/b>Aphelion occurs <\/span>every year in July.<\/b><\/li>\n
  • The sun is at its smallest in the sky.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Aphelion and Earth’s Elliptical Orbit<\/b><\/p>\n

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    • Johannes Kepler: <\/b>It was 17th-century German mathematician <\/span>Johannes Kepler<\/b> who revealed that <\/span>all planets orbit in an ellipse<\/b> in his <\/span>first law of planetary motion.<\/b><\/li>\n
    • Elliptical Orbit of the Earth: <\/b>Earth’s orbit around the Sun is not a perfect circle; <\/span>it is elliptical (oval-shaped).<\/b><\/li>\n
    • Aphelion and Perihelion: This elliptical shape means that there are points in the orbit where Earth is closer to the Sun (perihelion) and points where it is farther from the Sun (aphelion).<\/b><\/li>\n
    • At aphelion, <\/span>Earth is about 152.1 million km (94.5 million miles) from the Sun.<\/b><\/li>\n
    • In early January, <\/span>Earth reaches perihelion, the point where it is closest to the Sun, at about 147.1 million km (91.4 million miles).<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Gravitational Influences:<\/b><\/p>\n

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      • The <\/span>elliptical nature of planetary orbits <\/b>is <\/span>due to gravitational forces.<\/b><\/li>\n
      • Planets exert gravitational influences on each other, causing their orbits to be elongated rather than circular.<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Jupiter, the most massive planet in the solar system, has the greatest influence on the orbits of other planets.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Measuring Eccentricity:<\/b><\/p>\n

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        • The degree to which an orbit deviates from a perfect circle is called its eccentricity.<\/b><\/li>\n
        • Higher eccentricity <\/b>indicates a <\/span>more elliptical orbit.<\/b><\/li>\n
        • For example, Mars has an eccentricity of 0.094, Pluto has 0.244, and Earth has a low eccentricity of 0.017.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Aphelion and Earth’s Temperatures:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

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          • A common misconception is that Earth’s varying distance from the Sun causes the seasons.<\/span><\/li>\n
          • Earth receives 7% less sunlight at aphelion compared to perihelion, leading to slightly milder summers and winters in the Northern Hemisphere.<\/b><\/li>\n
          • However, <\/span>the effect of Earth’s distance from the Sun is offset by the planet’s axial tilt, which causes the seasons.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Hypothetical Scenarios:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

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            • No Aphelion: If Earth’s orbit were a perfect circle, the lengths of the seasons would be exactly the same.<\/b>\n
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              • Currently, spring and summer are a few days longer than fall and winter in the Northern Hemisphere.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
              • Increased Eccentricity:<\/b> If Earth’s orbit became more eccentric, it would lead to extreme seasons, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere.<\/b>\n
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                • Summers would be unbearably hot, and winters intolerably cold, potentially leading to crop failures and making advanced civilization difficult.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  Conclusion: <\/b>Earth’s current orbital characteristics and distance from the Sun create a stable environment conducive to life.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Mt Etna<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Mt<\/td>\n

Context:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Recently, Mount Etna in <\/span>Sicily (Italy) <\/b>has erupted along with\u00a0 the smaller <\/span>Stromboli volcano.<\/b> This has\u00a0 raised alert levels on the<\/span> Mediterranean island of Sicily.<\/b><\/p>\n

Mt Etna:<\/b><\/p>\n

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  • About: <\/b>Mount Etna is an <\/span>active stratovolcano<\/b> on the <\/span>east coast of Sicily, Italy<\/b>, in the Metropolitan City of <\/span>Catania<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Location:<\/b> It is located above the <\/span>convergent plate margin between the African Plate and the Eurasian Plate. <\/b>It is\u00a0 Europe\u2019s most active volcano and one of the largest in the world.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Recorded Activity<\/b>: Its recorded volcanic activity dates back to 1500 B.C. Since then, it has erupted more than 200 times.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site:<\/b> In June 2013, it was added to the list of <\/span>UNESCO World Heritage Sites<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Volcanoes:<\/b><\/p>\n

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    • About : <\/b>Volcanoes are<\/span> openings, or vents where lava, tephra (small rocks), and steam <\/b>erupt onto the Earth\u2019s surface.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Place of Formation:<\/b> They can be formed on <\/span>land and in the ocean.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n
    • Method of Formation: <\/b>Volcanoes are, in part, a<\/span> result of their own eruptions but also the general formation of our planet, as tectonic plates move.<\/b>\n
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      • Mountain ranges like the Andes in South America and the Rockies in North America, as well as volcanoes, formed through the movement and collision of tectonic plates.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
      • Types of Volcanoes: <\/b>Their type is determined by <\/span>how the lava from an eruption flows and how that flow affects the volcano<\/b>, and, as a result, how it affects its surrounding environment. There are <\/span>four main types of volcanoes:<\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\n
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        • Cinder cones:<\/b> It is a <\/span>steep conical hill of loose pyroclastic fragments, such as volcanic clinkers, volcanic ash, or scoria <\/b>that has been built around a volcanic vent.<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Composite or stratovolcanoes:<\/b> A stratovolcano is shaped like a steep cone and formed by layers of hardened lava and tephra.<\/span>\n
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          • The lava flowing from stratovolcanoes typically cools and solidifies before spreading far, due to high viscosity.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
          • Shield volcanoes:<\/b> Shield volcanoes form from the eruption of low-viscosity lava, which flows far and spreads into thin layers compared to the thicker lava from stratovolcanoes.\u00a0<\/span>\n
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            • Over time, repeated eruptions build broad, gently sloping shields characteristic of these volcanoes.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
            • Lava domes: <\/b>It is a circular, mound-shaped protrusion resulting from the slow extrusion of viscous lava from a volcano.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
            • Manner of volcanoes eruption:\u00a0<\/b>\n
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              • Volcanoes erupt when <\/span>pressure from molten rock (magma) beneath the Earth’s surface forces its way through cracks and vents, spewing out lava, ash, and gasses.<\/b><\/li>\n
              • This explosive release occurs when the pressure becomes too intense for the Earth’s crust to contain.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
              • Ring of Fire: <\/b>Some of the most active volcanoes are located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, which includes N<\/span>ew Zealand, Southeast Asia, Japan and the western coast of the Americas.<\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\n
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                • About 90% of all earthquakes worldwide strike within this region.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                • Prediction of Volcanic Eruptions:
                  \n<\/b>Scientists are capable of predicting some of the volcanic eruptions<\/b> hours, or sometimes several days, in advance.<\/span><\/p>\n
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                  • Seismographic Data:<\/b> Monitoring earthquakes and tremors as potential precursors to volcanic activity.<\/span><\/li>\n
                  • Ground Deformation: <\/b>Observing changes in the ground’s shape due to magma movement.<\/span><\/li>\n
                  • Gas Emissions:<\/b> Measuring volcanic gas emissions as a sign of increasing activity.<\/span><\/li>\n
                  • Gravity and Magnetic Field Changes:<\/b> Tracking alterations in gravity and magnetic fields near volcanoes, indicating potential eruption risks.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Aluminium, Steel utensils now need ISI mark<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n

Context:<\/b> In a move aimed at <\/span>enhancing kitchen safety, quality, and efficiency<\/b>, the Indian government has introduced a <\/span>Quality Control Order (QCO) for all stainless steel and aluminium utensils.<\/b><\/p>\n

Key Requirements of the Quality Control Order (QCO):<\/b><\/p>\n

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  • ISI Mark Requirement:<\/b> All utensils<\/span> made of stainless steel or aluminium must now bear the ISI mark,<\/b> signifying compliance with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) regulations.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Non-Compliance Penalties:<\/b> Failure to adhere to QCO norms will result in <\/span>punishable offences, under guidelines set by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).<\/b><\/li>\n
  • New Standards by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS): <\/b>According to the consumer affairs ministry, the BIS has established updated standards for essential kitchen items to ensure high quality and safety.<\/span>\n
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    • Standards: <\/b>Manufacturers are required to meet stringent BIS standards <\/span>concerning material composition, uniformity, and practical design.<\/b><\/li>\n
    • Testing Protocols: <\/b>Stainless steel utensils must undergo various tests, including <\/span>staining tests, mechanical shock tests, and thermal shock tests, to ensure their quality and durability.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
    • Purpose of the Standards: <\/b>These standards are designed to <\/span>uphold cultural diversity in cooking practices while enhancing product performance and consumer safety.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Advantages of Stainless Steel Utensils:<\/b><\/p>\n

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      • Durability: <\/b>Stainless steel utensils are widely favoured in kitchens globally due to their durability, versatility, and aesthetic appeal.<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Material Composition: <\/b>Stainless steel is renowned for its resistance to rust, durability, and strength, derived from a blend of steel, chromium, and additional metals such as nickel, molybdenum, and manganese.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Global Conclave on Plastic Recycling and Sustainability (GCPRS)<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n

The<\/span> four-day Global Conclave on Plastic Recycling and Sustainability (GCPRS)<\/b> is currently underway at the <\/span>Bharat Mandapam,<\/b> Pragati Maidan in Delhi.<\/span><\/p>\n

About\u00a0 Global Conclave on Plastic Recycling and Sustainability (GCPRS)<\/b><\/p>\n