Using multi-country computable general equilibrium model (IMF-ENV), IMF has examined how AI-driven data center growth affects electricity consumption, electricity prices, and carbon emissions.

About IMF-ENV

• It is a global dynamic Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model developed by the IMF's Research Department.
  • CGE models are large numerical models which combine economic theory with real economic data to derive the impacts of policies and shocks in the economy.
• The model features a database of 160 countries and regions, along with 76 sectors, and can be calibrated to a wide range of country-sector combinations.

Researchers at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology in Guwahati have developed a new optical sensing platform for detecting cholesterol could indicate the probability of diseases.

• Platform can sense cholesterol in trace amounts, even below the preferred range. It can be an efficient tool for routine monitoring of cholesterol levels in the human body.

About Cholesterol types

• It is an essential lipid in humans, produced by the liver. 
• It is necessary for animal tissues, blood, and nerve cells, and it is transported by blood in mammals.
• 2-types
  • LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) Cholesterol: Often referred to as 'bad' cholesterol because it can accumulate in the walls of arteries and contribute to severe diseases
  • HDL (High-density Lipoprotein) Cholesterol: Referred as 'good' cholesterol as it helps remove other forms of cholesterol from the bloodstream.

NASA is developing first-ever space-based quantum sensor for measuring gravity.

• Subtle changes in Gravity are measured using Gravity Gradiometers.
  • Gravity gradiometers track how fast an object in one location falls compared to an object falling just a short distance away. 
  • The difference in acceleration between these two free-falling objects corresponds to differences in gravitational strength.
• Quantum sensors utilize ultra-cold atom interferometry, which is an established technique to perform absolute measurements of local gravity.
  • In atom interferometry, a free-falling cloud of atoms is split, mirrored, and recombined using timed laser pulses to measure the gravity. 

Union Finance Minister stated that India aims to double the share of manufacturing in GDP with the help of sunrise sectors.

About Sunrise Industry

• Sunrise industry is an inherent concept that shows hope of a rapid boom for a developing sector or market in its infancy stage. 
• They are characterized by high growth rates, numerous start-ups, and a wealth of venture capital funding.
• Government has identified 14 sunrise sectors - Semiconductors, Renewable energy components, Medical devices, Hydrogen mission, Batteries, etc., to strengthen manufacturing and introduced the Production-linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to promote them.

100 years ago, Travancore Government gave full effect to the agreement of Vaikom satyagraha. 

About Vaikom satyagraha

• Vaikom Satyagraha took place in Vaikom village, Kottayam district, Kerala in 1924-25.
• Vaikom Satyagraha focused on elimination of untouchability and freedom of movement in public spaces. 
  • Dalits were prohibited from entering the Vaikom temple premises or even using the road that encircled the temple, leading to the Satyagraha. 
• Prominent leaders: K. Kelappan, T. K. Madhavan, K. P. Kesava Menon.
• Mahatma Gandhi supported the movement and visited Vaikom in 1925.
• Satyagraha ultimately succeeded in opening the temple roads to everyone.

Income Tax department has recently notified list of luxury items on which taxpayers will have to pay 1% Tax Collected at Source.

About Tax Collected at Source (TCS)

• It is a tax payable by a seller which he collects from the buyer at the time of sale of goods. 
• Section 206 of the Income Tax Act mentions the list of goods on which the seller should collect tax from buyers.
• Section 52 of the CGST Act, 2017 provides for Tax Collection at Source, by e-Commerce Operator in respect of the taxable supplies
• Seller is categorized as any individual or organization authorized under TCS which includes Central Government, State Government, Local authority, Partnership Firms, etc.

China and Russia are planning to build a nuclear power plant on the Moon to power their joint International Lunar Research Station (ILRS).

• The plan also aims to create the “555 Project”, inviting 50 countries, 500 international scientific research institutions, and 5,000 overseas researchers to join the ILRS.

About ILRS

• Objectives: Lunar geology, lunar-based astronomical observation, space environment observation of the Sun-Earth-Moon system, lunar-based fundamental science experiments, and lunar in-situ resource utilization.
• 17 countries and international organizations, as well as more than 50 international research institutions have joined ILRS.
• ILRS will possess capabilities such as Earth-Moon transportation, energy supply, centralized control, communication, navigation, and ground support capabilities.

For the first time, quantum messages have been successfully transmitted over 254 km in Germany, using existing commercial telecommunication infrastructure.

About the recent development 

• The communication was enabled through optical fiber cables, without the need for cryogenic cooling.
• It used a coherence-based twin-field quantum key distribution, which facilitates the distribution of secure information over long distances.
• This demonstration indicates that advanced quantum communications protocols that exploit the coherence of light can be made to work over existing telecom infrastructure.