New portable Atomic clock offers very accurate timekeeping at sea.

Working of atomic clock

• It measures time using the vibrations of atoms.
• It contains an element like cesium or calcium and a source of microwave radiation.
• When excited by a microwave, the electron of the element can get excited to a higher, excited state.
• By observing the characteristic of frequency at which the transition takes place,time can be measured accurately.
  • Frequency refers to the number of waves that cross a particular point in time in one unit of time. 

Nitrous oxide emissions grew 40% in last four decades, China, India largest emitters: Study

Nitrous oxide

• Odorless, colorless, non-flammable gas that supports combustion and occurs naturally in the environment
• Causes euphoria, hence nicknamed 'laughing gas'.
• Used for anesthesia and other therapeutic benefits.
• It has a Global-warming potential 273 times that of CO₂ for a 100-year timescale.
• Emission source: Agricultural emissions (fertilizers), vehicular gas emissions, etc.

Due to rapid urbanisation in Assam is affecting Greater Adjutant stork survival.

About Greater Adjutant Stork 

• Habitat: Mostly breed in Brahmaputra Valley of Assam.
• Characteristics
  • They are omnivorous and primarily scavengers of large carrion.
  • The name adjutant comes from their distinctive, military style walking.
  • They are known to be monogamous.
• Both male and female participate in nest building.
• They lack vocal muscles and rely on unique behaviour and tactile form of communication.
• IUCN status: Near Threatened.
• Threats: Habitat loss, disturbance of its breeding and feeding sites, Hunting of adults, etc. 

Recently FIU fined Axis Bank for failing to detect suspicious transactions carried out in the name of counter-terrorist commando force National Security Guard.

About FIU-IND

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Finance
  • FIU-IND reports directly to the Economic Intelligence Council headed by the Finance Minister. 
• Genesis: Set up by the Government of India in 2004
• Mandate: 
  • Central national agency responsible for receiving, processing, analyzing, and disseminating information about suspected financial transactions.
  • Coordinates with national and international intelligence agencies in pursuing global efforts against money laundering and financing of terrorism.

As per a new research, repopulating Sea Cucumbers can help in recovery of coral reefs.

About Sea cucumbers

• Belong to the animal group called echinoderms, which also contains starfish and sea urchins.
• Are known as janitors of tropical seas as they consume decomposing organic matter and convert it into recyclable nutrients and buffers the ocean's acidification.
• It exhibits sexual and asexual reproduction.
• Protected under Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• Threats: illegal harvest, trade and trafficking.

Three craters have been discovered on Mars by Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad.

• They have been discovered in the Tharsis volcanic region on Mars.
• On PRL recommendation, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved naming of these craters.
• They are named as Lal crater, Mursan crater and hilsa crater.

About IAU

• Founded in 1919, it serves as the international authority for assigning designations to celestial bodies and surface features on them.

President has rejected the mercy petition of a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist sentenced to death for the December 2000 Red Fort attack. 

Constitutional provision related to President's power on mercy petition

•  Article 72 empowers the President of India to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, suspend, remit, or commute the sentence of a person convicted of any offense where the sentence is
  • by a court Martial;
  • for an offence against any law relating to a matter to which executive power of Union extends;
  • a sentence of death

Prime Minister announced ex-gratia relief to the families of the deceased in a fire tragedy in Kuwait from PMNRF. 

About PMNRF

• Genesis: Established in 1948 to assist displaced persons from Pakistan.
• Usage: Now, it is utilized to render immediate relief to families of those killed in natural calamities like floods, cyclones, earthquakes, etc.
  • Assistance is also rendered for medical treatment.
• Source of funding: Funded entirely with public contributions and does not get any budgetary support.
  • It accepts voluntary contributions from Individuals, Organizations, Trusts, Companies and Institutions etc.
• Tax benefit to contribution:  All contributions towards PMNRF are exempt from Income Tax.