{"id":136273,"date":"2024-10-08T20:11:50","date_gmt":"2024-10-08T14:41:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/?post_type=current-affairs&p=136273"},"modified":"2024-10-10T08:55:03","modified_gmt":"2024-10-10T03:25:03","slug":"news-in-shorts-08-october-2024","status":"publish","type":"current-affairs","link":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/current-affairs\/news-in-shorts-08-october-2024","title":{"rendered":"News in Shorts: 08 October 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Indian Wild Asses<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

(Equus hemionus khur)<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Indian<\/td>\n

Context: <\/b>The population of wild asses in Gujarat was estimated at <\/span>7,672<\/b> as per the <\/span>10th Wild Ass Population Estimation (WAPE)<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Key Findings:<\/b><\/p>\n

    \n
  • This marks a <\/span>26.14% increase<\/b> from the <\/span>6,082<\/b> recorded in the 2020 estimation.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Surendranagar district<\/b> had the highest number of wild asses at <\/span>2,705<\/b>, followed by <\/span>Kutch (1,993)<\/b>, <\/span>Patan (1,615)<\/b>, <\/span>Banaskantha (710)<\/b>, <\/span>Morbi (642)<\/b>, and <\/span>Ahmedabad (7)<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    About Indian Wild Asses:<\/b><\/p>\n

      \n
    • A subspecies of the <\/span>Asian Wild Ass<\/b>, known scientifically as <\/span>Equus hemionus khur<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Identified by <\/span>distinctive white markings<\/b> on the anterior part of the rump, posterior part of the shoulder, and a <\/span>stripe down the back bordered by white<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Distribution: <\/b>The <\/span>world\u2019s last population<\/b> of Indian Wild Asses is <\/span>restricted to the Rann of Kachchh<\/b> in Gujarat, India.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Habitat: <\/b>Inhabit <\/span>desert and grassland ecosystems<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Conservation Status:<\/b><\/li>\n
    • \n
        \n
      • IUCN<\/b>: Listed as <\/span>Near Threatened<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n
      • CITES<\/b>: Listed under <\/span>Appendix II<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Wildlife Protection Act (1972)<\/b>: Classified under <\/span>Schedule-I<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Worldwide Species: <\/b>There are <\/span>three species<\/b> of wild ass:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

          \n
        • One in Africa: Equus africanus<\/b><\/li>\n
        • Two in Asia<\/b>: <\/span>Equus hemionus<\/b> and <\/span>E. kiangs<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          About Wild Ass Sanctuary:<\/b><\/p>\n

            \n
          • Located in the <\/span>Little Rann of Kutch<\/b>, Gujarat.<\/span><\/li>\n
          • The only place where the <\/span>Indian Wild Ass<\/b>, locally called <\/span>Khacchar<\/b>, is found.<\/span><\/li>\n
          • The sanctuary is home to <\/span>Rabari and Bharwad tribes<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Central Electricity Regulatory Commission<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Central\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n

Context:<\/b> The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), appointed a single-member bench to assess the preparedness of stakeholders in handling sudden surges in power demand.<\/span><\/p>\n

About Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC)<\/b><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Statutory body: <\/b>Established under the Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act, 1998 by the Government of India.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Composition:<\/b> Comprises a <\/span>Chairperson and four other members<\/b>, including the Chairperson of the Central Electricity Authority as an ex-officio member.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Role:<\/b>\n
      \n
    • Promote competition, efficiency, and economy in bulk power markets.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Improve the quality of power supply and encourage investments.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Advise the government on removing institutional barriers to bridge the demand-supply gap, benefiting consumers.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
    • Regulator: <\/b>CERC acts as the regulator for India’s power sector.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Electricity Act 2003<\/b><\/p>\n

        \n
      • A central law governing India’s electricity sector.<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Establishes Electricity Regulatory Commissions at both central (CERC) and state levels (SERCs).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
India-UAE High Level Joint Task Force on Investment<\/b>s<\/b><\/p>\n

\"India-UAE<\/td>\n

Context: <\/b>The 12th Meeting of the India-UAE High Level Joint Task Force on Investments\u00a0 took place in Mumbai recently.<\/span><\/p>\n

Key Outcomes of 12th meeting:<\/b><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Digital Payment Collaboration<\/b>:<\/span>\n
      \n
    • National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)<\/b> is collaborating with <\/span>Al Etihad Payments (AEP)<\/b> for creating a <\/span>JAYWAN card scheme<\/b> in UAE, based on India\u2019s RuPay system.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
    • Invest India Office in Dubai<\/b>:<\/span>\n
        \n
      • India will open an <\/span>Invest India office in Dubai<\/b>, the first in the Middle East, to facilitate UAE investments in India.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
      • Food Parks:<\/b> Food parks among areas for greater collaboration and investments between India and UAE.<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA)<\/b> to establish a subsidiary at GIFT City.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        About India-UAE High Level Joint Task Force on Investments:<\/b><\/p>\n

          \n
        • The task force was<\/span> established in 2013<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Objective: <\/b>To enhance <\/span>trade, investment, and economic relations<\/b> between India and UAE<\/span>.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Halari Donkey<\/b><\/p>\n

\"Halari<\/td>\n

Context: <\/b>The <\/span>Halari donkey<\/b>s are considered to be intelligent animals which work closely with human beings.<\/span><\/p>\n

About Halari donkey:<\/b><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Halari donkeys are <\/span>endangered<\/b>, with a population of <\/span>fewer than 500.<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Origin<\/b>: Native to the <\/span>Halar region of Gujarat<\/b>, India, particularly in the <\/span>Jamnagar and Dwarka districts.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n
  • Physical characteristics:<\/b><\/li>\n
  • \n
      \n
    • They are <\/span>white with black muzzles and hooves<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    • They have a <\/span>strong build <\/b>and are <\/span>large in size<\/b><\/li>\n
    • Appearance: Typically white, larger, and more resilient than other donkey breeds.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
    • Social behaviour:<\/b> Form <\/span>close bonds with humans<\/b> and often work closely with their owners.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Milk:<\/b> Its milk is known for its <\/span>sweetness and high lactose content.<\/b>\n
        \n
      • It is used to make <\/span>milk powder and cosmetic products<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
      • The milk powder can fetch <\/span>high value in the international market.<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
      • Conservation:<\/b> The <\/span>National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources and the Sahjeevan Trust<\/b> are involved in the breeding and conservation of Halari donkeys.\u00a0<\/span>\n
          \n
        • IUCN Status: Endangered<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
        • Demand<\/b>: There is demand from other parts of the country to <\/span>set up Halari donkey dairies.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

SECL’s Major Green Initiative: Over 1.46 Lakh Saplings Planted Under “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n

Context: <\/b>In alignment with the Prime Minister ‘s visionary <\/span>“Ek Ped Maa Ke<\/b> Naam” campaign<\/b>, <\/span>South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL<\/b>) has planted a staggering 1,46,675 saplings across its operational areas in <\/span>Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

About “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”:<\/b><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Campaign Name:<\/b> #\u090f\u0915_\u092a\u0947\u0921\u093c_\u092e\u093e\u0902_\u0915\u0947_\u0928\u093e\u092e (#Plant4Mother).<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Launch Date:<\/b> World Environment Day, 5th June 2024.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Objective:<\/b> To promote <\/span>tree plantation<\/b> as a <\/span>tribute to mothers and Mother Earth<\/b>, fostering environmental consciousness and sustainable practices.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Purpose:<\/b> To <\/span>honour mothers<\/b> and contribute to <\/span>environmental conservation<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • The plantation efforts under “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” were further <\/span>strengthened as part of the 2024 “Swachhata Hi Seva” campaign,<\/b> an essential cleanliness initiative.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    About South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL):<\/b><\/p>\n

      \n
    • SECL is a <\/span>public sector undertaking (PSU)<\/b> and <\/span>one of the largest coal producers in India.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n
    • Coal reserves:<\/b> SECL’s coal reserves are spread across<\/span> Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n
    • Mines:<\/b> SECL has <\/span>92 mines<\/b>, including 70 underground, 21 opencast, and 1 mixed.\u00a0<\/span>\n
        \n
      • Kusmunda mine<\/b>, the <\/span>world\u2019s fourth-largest coal mine<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
      • Headquarters:<\/b> Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Subsidiary<\/b>: Subsidiary of<\/span> Coal India Limited<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Administrative control<\/b>: Under the administrative control of the <\/span>Ministry of Coal<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
      • PSU Status: <\/span>“Miniratna”<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Hurricane Milton explodes into a powerful Category 5 storm as it heads for Florida<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Hurricane<\/td>\n

Context: Hurricane Milton<\/b> went from barely hurricane strength to a <\/span>dangerous Category 5 storm<\/b> in less than 24 hours<\/b> as it headed across the <\/span>Gulf of Mexico<\/b> towards Florida.<\/span><\/p>\n

About Rapid intensification (RI):<\/b><\/p>\n