TNPSC Current Affairs June 23, 2020

www.tnpsc.academy – TNPSC Current Affairs June 23, 2020 (23/06/2020)

 

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Topic: Public Awareness and General Administration, Profile of States

Earthquakes in Mizoram

A medium intensity earthquake of 5.1 magnitude rocked Mizoram, Meghalaya, Manipur and the other northeastern States on 21st June.

Why Mizoram and Tripura are more vulnerable?

As per the seismic hazard map of India, both the states of Mizoram and Tripura lie entirely in Zone V.

Also, in Mizoram, lie the southernmost end of the Purvanchal Himalayan range. Their folded structure is a synclinorium consisting of broad synclines and tight-faulted anticlines.

Therefore, earthquakes in this region are generally shallow, though a few quakes of intermediate depth have occurred. Most deeper earthquakes occur along and across the international border, in Myanmar’s Chin Division. Earthquake activity in Tripura is mainly shallow. The Dauki Fault which follows the international border of India and Bangladesh in Meghalaya passes though northern sections of Tripura.

The other major threat is from the Madhupur Fault in Bangladesh.

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Topic: Geographical Landmarks, Latest Science and Technology

Detection of fluorine in hot Extreme Helium Stars

A study by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) an autonomous institute of Department of Science and Technology has detected the presence of singly ionised fluorine for the first time in the atmospheres of hot Extreme Helium Stars.

This discovery makes a strong case that the main formation of these objects involves a merger of a carbon-oxygen (CO) and a Helium (He) white dwarf.

Significance of the latest findings:

The origin and evolution of these Hydrogen deficient objects have been shrouded in mystery.

Their severe chemical peculiarities challenge the theory of well-accepted stellar evolution as the observed chemical composition of these stars do not match with that predicted for low mass evolved stars.

What is an Extreme Helium Star?

An extreme helium star or EHe is a low-mass supergiant that is almost devoid of hydrogen, the most common chemical element of the universe. There are 21 of them detected so far in our galaxy.

What is a White Dwarf?

A white dwarf is what stars like the Sun become after they have exhausted their nuclear fuel.

Near the end of its nuclear burning stage, this type of star expels most of its outer material, creating a planetary nebula. Only the hot core of the star remains

This core becomes a very hot white dwarf, with a temperature exceeding 100,000 Kelvin.

Unless it is accreting matter from a nearby star (see Cataclysmic Variables), the white dwarf cools down over the next billion years or so.

A typical white dwarf is half as massive as the Sun, yet only slightly bigger than Earth.

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Topic: Terms in News, International Events

The lone wolf threat

The term “lone wolf” is used by US law enforcement agencies and the media to refer to individuals undertaking violent acts of terrorism outside a command structure.

A lone actor, lone-actor terrorist, or lone wolf is someone who prepares and commits violent acts alone, outside of any command structure and without material assistance from any group. They may be influenced or motivated by the ideology and beliefs of an external group and may act in support of such a group.

Why in News now?

Because of the recent knife attack at a park in Reading, a town west of London, which killed three people and injured three others. This incident is yet another reminder of the threat of lone wolf attacks the U.K. is facing. Since November 2019, the country has seen three such major incidents.

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Topic: Latest Historical Events, Profile of States

Pokhran potteries

The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has launched its flagship “Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana” in Rajasthan’s Pokhran, to restore the lost glory of the pottery site.

Under this, KVIC distributed 80 electric potter wheels to 80 potter families in Pokhran which has a rich heritage in terracotta products.

Key facts:

Pokhran is one of the aspirational districts identified by the Niti Ayog. Pokhran served as the test site for India’s first underground nuclear weapon, ballistic missiles.

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Topic: International Events

U.S. Temporarily Suspends ‘Green Cards & Non-Migrant Work Visas’

Following a global economic crisis since the COVID-19 was declared a pandemic back in March 2020, the United States Government has decided to suspend ‘Green Cards and Non-Migrant Work Visas’ till the 31st December 2020 in an effort to protect jobs for the citizens of the United States. The executive order was signed by the United States President Donald Trump on 22nd June 2020.

Key facts:

The suspension of Green Card and Non-migrant work visas will create around 5,25,000 jobs in the United States. Due to COVID-19, as per reports, a record 47 million could lose their jobs in the United States.

Suspended Work Visas :

H-1B

H-4 for some H-1B spouses

H-2B for low skill workers

L-1 for Intra-Company Transfers

J Visas for Educational and Cultural Workers