European Commission (EC) is expected to put France into Excessive-deficit Procedure (EDP) due to higher budgetary deficit.

About EDP

• It ensures that EU member States adopt appropriate policy responses to correct excessive deficits.
• EC can launch an EDP against an EU country not respecting the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP).
  • SGP is a body of rules governing the coordination of EU countries’ fiscal policies.
• It can be launched if the EU country has breached or is about to breach the deficit threshold or have violated the debt rule.

Noodles containing chilli peppers having capsaicin were banned in Denmark.

About Capsaicin

• It is the main pungent (causing strong flavour and smell) ingredient of chilli peppers (genus Capsicum). 
• It is an example of secondary plant metabolite (substance made during metabolism) produced through cell and tissue cultures and can dissolve in fat.
• It exhibits broad potent biological characteristics at low doses - antioxidant, anti-obesity, pain-alleviation, and anti-inflammation effects.
• However under high doses, it can have side effects like gastrointestinal issues, heartburn, etc. 

A team of scientists developed a Superhydrophobic (water-repellent) catalyst that can reduce the cost of producing biodiesel.

• Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable fuel made from vegetable oils, animal fats, etc.

About Superhydrophobic Catalysts

• They are derived from biomass (cellulose) and are eco-friendly, abundant, reusable, and affordable.
• Can withstand the water by-product obtained during biodiesel production, preventing the poisoning of active sites by water.
• Can provide a sustainable method for biomass waste disposal and expand the utility of biochar as an alternative to graphene and carbon nanotubes.

A study revealed that evolution of the purple pigment named Purpurogallin was probably vital for several adaptations in glacier algae.

• Glacier Algae grow on melting glacier and ice sheet surfaces across the cryosphere (i.e., the frozen water part of the Earth system).
  • Example: Ancylonema alaskanum and Ancylonema nordenskiöldii

Purpurogallin

• These are phenolic pigments. 
• Acts like sunscreen and protects algal cells from damage of ultraviolet (UV) and visible light. 
• Also linked with tolerance of low temperatures and desiccation. 
• Possesses antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory effects.

NMP has monetised Rs 3.85 lakh crore of assets in 3 years. 

About NMP

• NMP is an initiative for the asset monetisation by the Government of India 
  • Asset monetisation is when the government is basically transferring revenue rights to private parties for a specified transaction period in return for upfront money  (a revenue share) and commitment of investments in the assets.
• It was announced in the Union budget 2021-22 as for monetization of assets worth an estimated Rs 6 lakh crore.

Union Cabinet has approved a new central sector scheme (CSS) National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme (NFIES).

About NFIES

• Aims to ease the workload on forensic laboratories in line with requirements of reformed criminal laws that will come into force w.e.f. July 01, 2024.
  • New criminal laws mandate forensic investigation for offences involving punishment of 7 years or more.
•  Provisioned under Union Ministry of Home Affairs from 2024-25 to 2028-29.
• Components
  • Establishment of Campuses of National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU).
  • Establishment of Central Forensic Science Laboratories.
  • Enhancement of existing infrastructure of NFSU-Delhi.

Cabinet approved MSP for Kharif Crops. 

About MSP 

• MSP is the minimum rate at which farmers sell their crops to the government. It is aimed at preventing farmers from distress selling. 
• MSP covers 22 crops: 
  • 14 Kharif Crops: Paddy, jowar, bajra, maize, ragi, arhar, soyabean, sunflower, sesamum, nigerseed, cotton, etc.
  • 6 Rabi Crops: Wheat, barley, gram, masur (lentil), rapeseed/mustard and safflower.
  • 2 Commercial Crops:  Jute and copra
• Announced at the beginning of the sowing season.
• Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) recommends MSP.
  • Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister takes the final decision. 
• Food Corporation of India is the nodal Central procuring agency for wheat and paddy. 

Google DeepMind and Isomorphic Labs have developed a new AI model, AlphaFold-3, that can predict structure of proteins, DNA, RNA, ligands, etc., and how they interact.

About Alphafold-3

• It can computationally predict the structure and interactions of all life’s molecules with unprecedented accuracy and speed.
• Given an input list of molecules (proteins, DNA, etc.), it generates their joint 3D structure, revealing how they all fit together.
• It can model chemical modifications to the molecules which control the healthy functioning of cells, that when disrupted can lead to disease.

Coal India has awarded 23 abandoned mines to private companies on a revenue sharing basis.

• The minimum revenue to be shared is 4% . The contract period is for a maximum of 25 years

About RSM 

• It is a method for Public Private Participation (PPP) projects. 
• Here the private entity shares its revenue with the government 
  • Contrary to this in Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs)  the private entity shares its profit with the government.
  • Government of India brought Hydrocarbon Exploration Licensing Policy (HELP) in 2016 that replaced PSC for RSM for hydrocarbons (like oil and gas, coal-bed methane, shale oil and gas and gas hydrate).

NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolutionm (MAVEN) orbiter captured stellar display of purple-coloured lights on the Mars planet.

• Launched in 2013, MAVEN is the first mission devoted to understanding the Martian upper atmosphere.
• It was envisaged to explore how the sun may have stripped Mars of most of its atmosphere, making it a cold and barren desert from potentially habitable to microbial life.