Discovery of a Trojan asteroid (2019 UO14) for Saturn establishes the presence of celestial bodies alongside all giant planets (Jupiter, Neptune & Uranus).

About Trojan asteroids

• They occupy a stable Lagrange Point (Usually L4 and L5) in a planet’s orbit around the sun.

• Lagrange Point is a position in space where objects stay in a relatively stable position without drifting away. 

• Significance: As they remain gravitationally stable for long period of time, studying them can provide useful insights into the evolution of the solar system.
• Mission Lucy (launched in 2021): The first mission to explore the Jupiter Trojan asteroids.

Ministry of Labour & Employment is set to launch the ‘eShram-One Stop Solution’

About ‘eShram-One Stop Solution’

• Aim: To integrate information on beneficiaries of all social security and welfare schemes for Unorganised Workers (UW) on a single platform. 
• Significance: Making UW aware of schemes meant for them and ensuring easy access to these programs

eShram portal is a centralized database (seeded with Aadhaar) of all UWs including Gig and Platform workers. Since its launch in 2021, over 30 crore UWs are enrolled on it.

Forest fire CO2 emissions increased 60% globally since 2001: A Study.

• The study separated forest and non-forest fires into 12 ecoregion pyromes to analyze CO2 emissions.

About Pyromes

• ‘Pyromes’ are defined as regions where forest fire patterns are affected by similar environmental, human, and climatic factors, thereby revealing the elements pushing recent increases in forest fires.
• The term is a blend of "pyro" (fire) and "biomes," reflecting that fire behaves differently across various ecological zones.
• Significance: help scientists and policymakers assess fire risk, predict the impacts of climate change on fire behavior and design fire management strategies. 

ITU’s World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) 2024 held in New Delhi. 

• WTSA is the governing conference for the standardization work of the ITU, organized every four years.
• It is for the first time that the ITU-WTSA is being hosted in India and the Asia-Pacific.

About ITU

• Genesis: In  1865, the first International Telegraph Convention signed in Paris established International Telegraph Union (the first incarnation of ITU).
• Role:  
  • UN’s specialized agency for digital technology
  • Harnessing innovation and connecting everyone to ensure a better future for all ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
• Members: 193 Member States (including India)
• Headquarters: Geneva (Switzerland)

Memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with IIT-Delhi for the development of diamond-based deep ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors for the first time in India. 

About Photodetectors

• It’s an optoelectronic device that converts light or other electromagnetic radiation into an electrical signal.
• It generates a small current or voltage, which can be measured.

Diamond-based UV Photodetector

• Specifically detects deep UV light due to diamond's high UV photon sensitivity.
• Durable in harsh conditions (resistant to radiation and heat damage).
• Exhibit high efficiency at room and higher temperatures
• Applications: UV imaging, secure communications, biological and military detection, etc.

Switzerland joins European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI).

About ESSI

• Genesis: Founded in 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine
• It is a German led European Iron Dome-style defence system.
• Aim: Bolstering Europe’s defence against air strikes as it will strengthen NATO’s integrated air and missile defence.
• Members: 21 member states, including the UK
• At the heart of this initiative is the Arrow 3, an Israeli-American missile defence system that can intercept long-range ballistic missiles.

Tigress’ death and a missing cub has hit reintroduction plan in Ramgarh Vishdhari reserve

About Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve

• Status: It is the fourth tiger reserve in Rajasthan state and the 52nd tiger reserve in the country.
• Location: Bundi district, Rajasthan (southeastern part of Rajasthan).
  • Represents both Vindhyan and Aaravalli elements.
  • It is in continuation with the buffer area of Ranthambore tiger reserve and Mukundara Hills tiger reserve.
• River: Mez, tributary of the Chambal River, passes through it.
• Major tree species: Dhok, Khair, Amaltas, etc.
• Major Animal species: Tigers, Panthers, Sloth Bears, etc. 

India is on track to eliminate Kala-azar (or Visceral leishmaniasis) as a public health problem. 

• The country has maintained fewer than one case per 10,000 people for two consecutive years, meeting WHO's criteria for elimination certification.

About Kala-azar

• Pathogen: Protozoa parasite from over 20 Leishmania species. 
• Transmission: Bites of infected female phlebotomine sandflies, which feed on blood to produce eggs. 
• Symptoms: Irregular bouts of fever, weight loss, enlargement of the spleen and liver, and anaemia. 
• Prevalence: Most cases occur in Brazil, east Africa and India (four endemic states are Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal). 
  • Kala-azar is the second deadliest parasitic disease after malaria in India. 

New research by South African ecologists disproves claims that African Baobab trees are dying due to climate change, noting they have survived past extreme climate fluctuations.

About African Baobab

• ‘Tree of Life’: Vital to dry African savanna, helping keep soil humid, recycling nutrients, and reducing erosion.
• Trunk: As a succulent, the tree absorbs and stores water from the rainy season in its massive trunk. 
• False cavities: The bark regenerates in the space between these stems, called false cavities.
• Flowers: Large and whitish flowers open at night and fall within 24 hours. 
• Fruit: Contains tartaric acid and Vitamin C, serving as a vital nutrient and food source for many species. 

2nd National Lighthouse Festival with first of its kind ‘Lighthouse Tourism Conclave 2024’ began in Puri, Odisha. 

• It is an initiative of Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways that aims to explore the vast potential of lighthouse tourism. 

About Lighthouse Tourism

• Leveraging India’s maritime heritage: Lighthouses have played a crucial role in guiding ships safely through treacherous waters for centuries.
• Align with Maritime India Vision 2030: Strives to repurpose lighthouses into multifunctional facilities, including maritime museums and cultural centers.
• Current Status: 75 iconic lighthouses across 10 coastal states and union territory have been developed.