TNPSC Current Affairs August 05, 2019

www.tnpsc.academy – TNPSC Current Affairs August 05, 2019 (05/08/2019)

 

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Topic: National Defense and Security, Anti Terrorism

Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air missiles (QRSAM)

DRDO has successfully test-fired indigenously developed Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air missiles (QRSAM) from a test range off the Odisha coast.

About QRSAM:

It has been developed to replace the ‘Akash’ missile defence system, and has 360-degree coverage. It uses solid fuel propellant and has a strike range of 25-30 km with capability of hitting multiple targets.

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Topic: New inventions on Science and Health, Profile of States

Canine distemper virus (CDV)

A recent study published in Threatened Taxa notes that 86% of the tested dogs around Ranthambhore National Park in Rajasthan carried Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) antibodies in their bloodstream.

This means that the dogs are either currently infected or have been infected sometime in their life and have overcome the disease. This finding points out that there is an increased risk of disease transfer from the dogs to tigers and leopards that live in the park.

What is Canine Distemper Virus?

Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) is a viral disease that infects the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and central nervous systems.

Spread:

CDV can be spread through direct contact (licking, breathing air, etc.) or indirect contact (bedding, toys, food bowls, etc.), though it cannot live on surfaces for very long. Inhaling the virus is the primary method of exposure. There is no known cure for CDV.

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Topic: International Diary of Events, Persons in News, Awards and Honours

English Channel

French inventor Franky Zapata crosses the English Channel on his hoverboard.

Key facts:

The English Channel is a part of the Atlantic Ocean. It separates the island of Britain (part of the UK) from northern Franceand joins the North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.

It’s approximately 350 miles long, and at its narrowest in the Strait of Dover. It is located between Celtic Sea and North Sea.

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Topic: Profile of States, Latest Diary of Events

Rice bowl of Karnataka

The Tungabhadra command area, consisting of around 10 lakh acres of land in Koppal, Ballari and Raichur districts, is popularly known as the “rice bowl of Karnataka”. It produces high-quality Sona Masuri rice that is in great demand across the country.

Why in news? Karnataka’s rice bowl stares at crisis as water level in TB dam sinks.

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Topic: Profile of States, General Administration, New Terminologies

Free electricity up to 200 units in Delhi

The Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announced free electricity to those consuming up to 200 units a month with effect from August 1, 2019.

Consumption of electricity between 201-400 units will get a 50% subsidy. For consuming 250 units of electricity, people will have to pay Rs 252, for 300 units- Rs 526 and for 400 units- Rs 1075.

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Topic: India’s Foreign Relations, Persons in News, Places in News

President Ram Nath Kovind’s Visit To Benin, Gambia And Guinea

President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind visited Benin, The Gambia and Guinea from 28 July to 3 August, 2019. It was the first ever visit of the Head of State/Head of Government of India to all 3 countries. The visit was undertaken to further deepen the Indian relations with the African nations.

key features:

President announced fresh Line of Credit (LoC) worth $100 million for developmental projects in Benin. It will help to meet its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

President honoured with ‘The National Order of Merit’:

The President of Guinea, Alpha Condé conferred ‘The National Order of Merit’, its highest award to President Ram Nath Kovind. He was awarded for his contribution to overall relations and development of mutual cooperation between India and Guinea.

$170 million Assistance to Guinea: India extended a new Line of Credit (LoC) of $170 million for Conakry Water Supply Project.

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Topic: Places in News, General Administration, Latest Diary of Events

Water ATM at Nilgiris

Nilgiris district administration has installed Water ATMs at 70 locations popular with tourists. The ban on sale of plastic water bottles and soft drinks along highways running through Nilgiris will come into effect from August 15. Tourists can collect water from ATMs at a nominal price.

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Topic: Disaster and Developments, Environment and Ecology

Greenland lost 11 billion tons of ice

The heat wave that smashed high temperature is recorded in five polar European countries. It is accelerating the melting of the ice sheet and causing massive ice loss in the Arctic.

More than 11 billion tons of ice was lost to the oceans by surface melt on July 31st alone due to high temperature (21°C) from Greenland. This would be enough to permanently increase the world’s sea levels by 0.1 mm.

Greenland, the world’s largest island, is a semi-autonomous Danish territory between the Atlantic and Arctic oceans that has 82% of its surface covered in ice.

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Topic: Profile of States, Latest Diary of Events

Assam’s Maijan Gold Tea – New world record

A rare variety of tea in Assam was auctioned for Rs. 70, 501 a kg at the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (GTAC).

Orthodox Golden Tips, from the Maijan tea estate, smashed the record set by another specialty tea-the Manohari Gold-that was sold for Rs. 50,000 at the same auction.

The specialty tea comes from the Maijan garden in Assam’s Dibrugarh district. The garden is owned by the Assam Company India, the oldest tea company in the world.