ANSWER: B

ANSWER: B

ANSWER: D

ANSWER: D

• The Odisha cabinet recently approved the proposal for the inclusion of Kui language in the 8^th schedule of the constitution.
• The inclusion of Kui in the eighth schedule will help in the preservation, promotion and propagation of the language and culture.

ABOUT KUI

• Kui is a South-Eastern Dravidian language that is also known by the names Kandh, Khondi, Khond, and Khondo.
• It is spoken by the Kandhas.
• It is mostly spoken in Odisha, and written in the Odia script.
• The Kui language was also referred to as the Kuinga language during the historical period.
• It is closely related to the Gondi and Kuvi languages.
• The 1991 Indian Census places it at number 29 with 941,988 native speakers.

ANSWER: C

• A shelf cloud was seen recently in Haridwar.

ABOUT SHELF CLOUD

• A “shelf cloud” or “Arcus cloud” generally forms along the leading edge of thunderstorms.
• A shelf cloud is a type of low-lying, horizontal cloud formation characterized by a clearly defined line of solid clouds.
• It is known for its distinctive wedge-shaped formation.
• They usually appear as a broad arc across the sky that can sometimes appear to be rotating horizontally.
• It extends horizontally beneath the main cloud base and typically appears on the leading edge of a storm.
• The formation of shelf clouds occurs when a mass of cold and dense air is forcefully driven by the wind into a warmer air mass.
• This phenomenon takes place during the downdraft of a thunderstorm, where the cold air rapidly descends and disperses, creating a strong gust front.

ANSWER: C

• Scientist have detected Phosphine in deeper parts of Venus’ atmosphere using the James Clark Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) located at the Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawaii.
  • On Earth, microorganisms residing in low-oxygen environments generate phosphine.
• This discovery has sparked intrigue and led to the notion that phosphine could serve as a potential biosignature in other worlds.
  • “Biosignatures” are indirect signs of life on other planets and moons in the solar system and beyond.

ABOUT PHOSPHINE

• Phosphine is a phosphorus atom with three hydrogen atoms attached (PH3) – is highly toxic to people.
• It is a flammable, colorless and toxic gas on Earth that’s often thought of as swamp gas.
• Phosphine is still manufactured as an agricultural fumigant, is used in the semiconductor industry, and is a by-product of meth labs.

ABOUT VENUS

• Venus is the second planet from Sun and is Earth’s closest planetary neighbor (often called Earth’s twin).
• Surface temperatures reach a scorching 880 degrees Fahrenheit, hot enough to melt lead. It is the hottest planet in the solar system.
• Venus rotates on its axis backward i.e from east to west.
• The planet’s atmosphere is primarily made of carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid clouds.

ANSWER: A

• Switzerland, which is known for its foreign-policy neutrality, along with Austria signed a declaration of intent to join the European air defence system Sky Shield.

ABOUT ESSI

• ESSI aims to create a European air and missile defence system through common acquisition of air defence equipment and missiles by European nations to strengthen NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence.
• Initiative was last year spearheaded by Germany after Russia invaded Ukraine.
• 19 countries have joined the Europe-wide defence system which also involves countries including the United Kingdom, the Nordic and Baltic countries, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria.

ANSWER: D

• A pathogen associated with diarrhoea, ‘Entamoeba Moshkovskii’ is circulating in Kolkata, according to a new study.
• First described in 1941 in Moscow, it is commonly found in anoxic sediments (oxygen deficient) to brackish coastal pools.
• E moshkovskii and other related species like E histolytica and Entamoeba dispar are morphologically identical.
• They also cause amoebiasis, which affects approximately 50 million people in tropical regions.
  • Of them, E histolytica infections are prevalent.

ANSWER: C

• India has secured the second position with an impressive haul of 11 medals, including six gold, one silver, and four bronze in the recently concluded biannual event, 2023 World Archery Youth Championships in Limerick, Ireland.
• South Korea emerged as the top-ranked nation.
• Parth Salunkhe, a rising Indian archer created history by becoming the first Indian male archer to win the Youth World Championship in the recurve category.
• A grand total of 518 archers (comprising 277 men and 241 women) from 58 different countries participated in both individual and team events.

ANSWER: B

• National Fish Farmer’s Day is an annually observed on July 10^th to honor and appreciate the vital role played by fish farmers, aquaculture industry professionals, and other stakeholders in developing a sustainable and successful fisheries sector.
• 10th July also marks the observance of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) Foundation Day.
• NFDB was established in 2006 as an autonomous organization under the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAH&D).
• The first Fish Farmers Day was observed in 2001 by the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR)- Central Institute of Fisheries Education (LIFE), a premier institute of Fisheries Education in India based in Mumbai, Maharashtra.