What is the News ?

The severe cyclonic storm “Hamoon” weakened into a deep depression and is likely to weaken further into a depression in the next six hours, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Wednesday.

Facts About:

• Presently situated over the west-central Bay of Bengal, it is anticipated to intensify shortly and proceed north and northeastward towards the coastal regions of Bangladesh and West Bengal.
• Named by: Iran gave the cyclonic storm its name after it formed.

                   Inland desert lakes and marshlands are referred to as "hamoon" in Persian.

                  They developed as yearly natural reservoirs in regions that border the Helmand basin.

• Projected Landfall: After weakening into a deep depression, it is predicted to make landfall between Khepupara and Chittagong on the coast of Bangladesh.
• Potential Effects: Parts of India are predicted to receive rainfall from the Hamoon, despite its decreased intensity.
• The northeastern states of Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, south Assam, and Meghalaya are expected to experience light to moderate rainfall, with isolated heavy rains (64.5 mm-115.5 mm) according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
• Because of the anticipated effects of the cyclone, the (IMD) has also issued a yellow alert for coastal districts in West Bengal and Odisha.

How are Cyclones Given Their Names?

• Cyclones receive their names through a process managed by regional specialized meteorological centers (RSMCs) and Tropical Cyclone Warning Centers (TCWCs).
• There are a total of six RSMCs and five regional Tropical Cyclone Warning Centers responsible for this naming process.
• The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) serves as an RSMC and is responsible for naming cyclones that form over the north Indian Ocean, encompassing the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.
• Additionally, the IMD is tasked with issuing advisories to 12 other countries in the region regarding cyclone and storm development.

What is the News ?

Recently, India's first liquid nano di-ammonia phosphate (DAP) fertilizer plant was inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Facts About:

• Established in 2023 by Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO).
• Location: Gandhinagar, Gujarat's Kalol.
• It is the nation's first plant-producing liquid nano-ammonia phosphate (DAP).

What is Nano DAP fertilizer?

• Nano DAP is a nanotechnology-based fertilizer that contains di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) in the form of nanoparticles.

This means that the particles of DAP are much smaller than those in conventional DAP fertilizer.

It is more bioavailable to plants than conventional DAP because the smaller particles have a larger surface area, which allows them to be absorbed more easily by plant roots and leaves.

• It can be applied to crops through a variety of methods, including foliar application, soil application, and seed treatment.
• Nano DAP has been shown to increase crop yields by up to 20%. It can also improve crop quality and reduce the need for pesticides.
• It is more efficient than conventional DAP, meaning that less fertilizer is needed to achieve the same results.

               This can save farmers money and reduce the environmental impact of agriculture.

• After urea, DAP is the second most popular fertilizer in the country.

What is the News ?

Dust suppressants will be used in Delhi to mitigate pollution from dust. This, however, is not the first time it has been used in the Capital and parts of NCR.

Facts About:

• Magnesium or calcium salts with moisture-absorbing properties can act as dust suppressants.
• For longer-lasting dust control, water and dust suppressant powder are combined and sprayed on roads.
• Efficacy: In 2019, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) advised using them, citing a study that discovered a 30% decrease in dust concentration, including PM10, PM2.5, and PM1, when dust suppressants were used in conjunction with water.
• Dust suppressants combined with water are significantly more effective at reducing particulate matter emissions than plain water sprinkling, according to a 2019 advisory from the Delhi Public Works Department (PWD).
• Magnesium chloride and bio-additives have been found to be particularly effective as a dust suppressant.
• To reduce dust emissions, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee and the CPCB both released guidelines recommending the use of dust suppressants during construction and in areas with high levels of dust.

What is the News ?

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), has sent notices to 20 IAS coaching institutes across the country for issuing “misleading” advertisements.

Facts About:

CCPA is a regulatory authority set up under Section 10(1) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and came into force on 20th July, 2020.

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs is the nodal ministry.

Composition:

• It will be led by a Chief Commissioner, with only two other commissioners as members, one of whom will deal with goods cases and the other with services cases.
• There will be a Director General in charge of the CCPA's Investigation Wing.
• Additionally, District Collectors will have the authority to look into claims of consumer rights abuses, unfair business practices, and deceptive or false advertising.

The goal is to promote, protect, and enforce the rights of consumers as a group.

• It will be given the authority to: conduct investigations into violations of consumer rights and file complaints/prosecute violators.
• Order the recall of dangerous goods and services, the cessation of unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements, and the imposition of penalties on manufacturers, endorsers, and publishers of misleading advertisements.

What is the News ?

Recently, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), published the "International Migration Outlook 2023."

Facts About:

• In 2021 and 2022, India had the largest migration flows to nations that are members of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
• In terms of citizenship, 0.13 million Indians became citizens of an OECD nation in 2021.
• The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has caused the greatest level of internal displacement and refugee inflows into the OECD, with over 10 million people becoming internally displaced or refugees.
• In terms of workers, migration flows from India (+172 percent), Uzbekistan (+122 percent), and Turkey (+240 percent) increased dramatically, making them the primary countries of origin after Ukraine.

About the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD):

• The OECD is an international group of 38 countries that aims to foster economic development, and cooperation, and combat poverty by promoting economic stability.
• It was founded in 1961, by 18 European nations, the United States, and Canada.

                 Its headquarters are in Paris, France.

• Primary Goal: The primary goal of the OECD is to create policies that promote prosperity, equality, opportunity, and well-being for everyone.
• They produce economic reports, data, and predictions about global economic growth.
• The OECD also works to combat bribery and financial crimes worldwide, maintaining a list of uncooperative tax havens.
• India is not a member of the OECD, but a key economic partner.