GES is emerging as an alternative to battery energy storage for solar and wind power.

About GES:

• It is a type of mechanical energy storage system that uses gravitational potential energy to store and generate electricity.
  • It involves lifting a heavy mass during excess energy generation and releasing it to produce electricity when demand rises or solar energy is unavailable.
    • Types of weights used are often water, concrete blocks or compressed earth blocks.
• Advantages: High efficiency, large storage capacity, low environmental impact, longevity etc.
• Limitations: High initial cost and space requirement, complexity etc.
• Applications: Renewable energy integration, grid stabilization etc.

ISRO has launched India’s first analog space mission in Leh (Ladakh) to plan lunar mission experiments.

• It has been developed by joint collaboration of ISRO’s Human Spaceflight Center, AAKA space studio, university of Ladakh and IIT Bombay.

About Analog Space Mission:

• Analog space missions are field tests done in locations that have physical similarities to that of the extreme space environments.
• It may include testing of new technologies, robotic equipment, vehicles, study of behavioral effects (isolation and confinement).
• Reasons for choosing Leh (Ladakh)
  • geographical features dry and cold climate, barren land, high-altitude terrain and extreme isolation closely resemble Martian and lunar landscapes.
• Other analog missions: NEEMO (NASA), SIRIUS Program (UAE)

Two million applications have been successfully registered under the PM Vishwakarma scheme.

About PM Vishwakarma scheme:

• Ministry: Ministry of micro, small and medium enterprises.
• Type: Central sector scheme.
• Purpose: Holistic support to the traditional artisans and craftspeople in both rural and urban areas. 
• Objectives:
  • Enabling recognition of artisans and craftspeople as Vishwakarmas and to provide them with required skill upgradation.
  • Provide a platform for brand promotion and market linkages, to help them access new opportunities for growth.   

Recent catastrophic flash floods in Spain are attributed to DANA.

About DANA

• DANA is a phenomenon in which a mass of very cold polar air becomes isolated from polar jet stream and begins to circulate at very high altitudes (5-9 km).
  • It forms independently of polar or subtropical jet streams unlike common storms. 
• When it collides with warmer, more humid air in Mediterranean Sea, it generates strong storms, especially at end of northern summer and beginning of autumn.
  • Unlike a common storm, which moves eastwards, a DANA can remain stranded in same place or even move westwards.

Ganga Utsav 2024 organized recently by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) witnessed participation from several river cities under the River City Alliance. 

River Cities Alliance

• About: It is an organization which includes 145 river cities nationwide and is  open to all river cities of India. 
• Objective: 
  • Promote healthy urban rivers through river-sensitive urban planning, contributing to water-secure cities and fostering inclusive, sustainable urban development. 
  • Provides a platform to the member cities for sustainable management of urban rivers, sharing best practices and supporting innovation.

UAE’s Abu Dhabi National Oil Company is to apply highly autonomous Agentic Artificial Intelligence in the energy industry for the first time. 

About Agentic AI

• It allows systems to operate autonomously and perform tasks on behalf of users.
• It is action-oriented and is capable of independent decision making beyond content creation. 
• It is different from generative AI which primarily focuses on creation, relying on human input and guidance. 
• Applications: business operations, healthcare, cybersecurity etc. 
• Significance: Improved problem-solving, adaptability; scalability can be deployed to different applications

Thadou Convention released a 10-point declaration to protect Thadou tribe's distinct culture in Manipur.

About Thadou Tribe:

• Thadou are indigenous non-naga tribe(Schedule Tribe) of Imphal Valley in Manipur. 
• Language: Thadou language belongs to Tibeto-Burman family of Sino-Tibetan languages.
• Religion: God Pathen is believed by Thadou to have created everything.(Folk religion)
• Dwellings: Thadou settlements are located in forests.
  • Villages are not arranged according to an established urban plan with no marking of perimeter. 
• Since 2023, Thadous have been caught in ethnic conflict between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.

Centre has introduced new royalty rates ahead of first offshore mineral auction for offshore mining.

About Offshore Mining: 

• It is the process of retrieving mineral deposits from the deep seabed, at a depth of more than 200 metres.
• India’s offshore mineral reserves include gold, diamond, copper, nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese, and rare earth elements essential for development.
• Significance: It will cater to increasing demand for terrestrial metals, reduce dependence on mineral imports.
  • It can also help meet world’s pressing need for critical minerals.
• Concerns: Ecosystem disruption, biodiversity loss, May harm fish populations, impacting livelihood of fishing communities.