ANSWER: D

ANSWER: C

ANSWER: C

ANSWER: A

• NASA’s Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) experiment, aboard the Psyche spacecraft, has accomplished a groundbreaking “first light” moment.

• The DSOC experiment, which has the potential to revolutionize spacecraft communication, successfully transmitted data via laser to and from beyond the moon for the first time, marking a significant milestone in deep space communication.
• DSOC system that consists of a flight laser transceiver, a ground laser transmitter, and a ground laser receiver.
• DSOC’s primary goal is to demonstrate data transmission rates 10 to 100 times greater than current state-of-the-art radio frequency systems used by spacecraft.
  • This advancement holds promise for transmitting scientific information, high-definition imagery, and streaming video, significantly contributing to future human missions to Mars.
• The achievement was realized as the near-infrared laser, encoded with test data, traversed nearly 16 million kilometers, a distance approximately 40 times farther than the Earth-Moon separation, to reach the Hale Telescope at Caltech’s Palomar Observatory in San Diego County.

ABOUT PSYCHE MISSION

• NASA had launched a spacecraft called ‘Psyche’ on a six-year mission to study a unique metal-rich asteroid also named ‘Psyche.’
• It orbits the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.
• The primary goal of the Psyche mission is to explore the iron core, a previously unexplored aspect of planet formation.
• Asteroid Psyche is unique as it appears to be the exposed nickel-iron core of an early planet, one of the building blocks of our solar system.
  • For the first time, the mission will examine a celestial body primarily composed of metal rather than rock and ice.
  • Through this it aims to gain insights into the internal structure of terrestrial planets, including Earth.

ANSWER: D

• European Union has allowed use of controversial weedkiller glyphosate for 10 more years.
• However, renewal of the licence is “subject to certain new conditions and restrictions”.
• These include
  • a ban on the use of the chemical to dry crops before harvest, and “the need for certain measures to protect non-target organisms”.
  • Governments can still restrict the use of glyphosate in their own countries if they consider the risks too high, particularly in regard to the need to protect biodiversity.

ABOUT GLYPHOSATE

• Molecular formula- C₃H₈NO₅
• Glyphosate is a phosphonic acid and odourless white powder.
• Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup, the world’s most widely used herbicide.
• It is a non-selective systemic herbicide that is applied directly to plant foliage.
• Issues-
  • Health impacts of glyphosate range from cancer, reproductive and developmental toxicity to neurotoxicity and immunotoxicity.
  • Symptoms include irritation, swelling, burning of the skin, oral and nasal discomfort, unpleasant taste and blurred vision.

IN INDIA

• Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in October, 2022 allowed for only restricted use of glyphosate citing health hazards for humans and animals.
• Only authorised Pest Control Operators are allowed to use it.

ANSWER: C

• The 2^nd Voice of Global South Summit was hosted by India.
• It focused on condemning the Hamas attacks of October 7 and called for restraint, dialogue, and diplomacy to resolve the Israel-Hamas conflict.
• PM of Indi unveiled DAKSHIN (Global South Centre of Excellence) and called for 5 ‘Cs’ for the Global South- Consultation, Cooperation, Communication, Creativity, and Capacity building.

ABOUT VOGSS

• The term ‘global South’ was first used by Carl Oglesky, a leftist American author and political activist in 1969.
• Through his famous 1980 report entitled ‘North-South: A Programme for Survival’, former West German Chancellor Willy Brandt invented the ‘Brandt Line’ that divided the world roughly at the latitude of 30 degrees North, placing North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia in the North and showing the southern part of the hemisphere as the South.
• Voice of Global South Summit is a platform where countries from the Global South, often described as developing or less developed, come together to share perspectives and priorities.
• The summit focuses on sustaining momentum toward a more inclusive, representative, and progressive world order.

ANSWER: B

• The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development 2022 was, jointly awarded to the Indian Medical Association and the Trained Nurses Association of India as representatives of the COVID-19 warriors in the country.

ABOUT THE PRIZE

• The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development was instituted in the memory of the former prime minister by a trust in her name in 1986.
• It consists of a monetary award of Rs 25 lakh along with a citation.
• It is given to individuals or organizations who work towards ensuring international peace and development, ensuring that scientific discoveries are used to further the scope of freedom and better humanity, and creating a new international economic order.

ANSWER: D

• International Men’s Day is observed annually on 19^th
• The theme for International Men’s Day 2023 is “Zero Male Suicide”
• It underscores the need to address mental health issues among men and boys.

ANSWER: A

• Sheynnis Palcios, from Nicaragua, was crowned Miss Universe 2023.
• The 72^nd Miss Universe event was held in San Salvador, EI Slvador.
• The 23-year-old TV host and model, is the first Nicaraguan woman to win the crown.
• Anntonia Porslid of Thailand was first runner-up while Australia’s Moraya Wilson was crowned the second runner-up.