🔆What is the ATACMS, Which the US has Sent to Ukraine?
📍Why in News?
✅ The US has confirmed providing long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to Ukraine to aid its war effort against Russia, soon after the US Congress passed a Bill that apportioned $61 billion worth of funding for Ukraine.
📍What is ATACMS?
✅The ATACMS is one of the most potent missile systems built by US-based arms manufacturer Lockheed Martin.
✅This is a surface-to-surface artillery weapon system. Its biggest strengths are the long-range of attack, ability to fire cluster munitions, and the weapon system’s mobility. The missiles were part of a $300 million military aid package for Ukraine.
📍What is the Range of ATACMS?
✅There is a mid-range version of the ATACMS, called Block 1, and there is a long-range version, Block 1A. ATACMS Block 1 has a range of 165 km and Ukraine was provided these systems last year. ATACMS Block 1A, on the other hand, has a maximum range of 300 km which is capable of striking targets well beyond the range of existing Army cannons, rockets and other missiles.
📍Can Ukraine Target Russian Territories with ATACMS?
✅Despite territories deep inside Russia now being within the range of the ATACMS, Ukraine cannot use it to hit targets in these locations. Ukraine has committed to only use the weapons inside Ukraine, not in Russia. The US administration has made it clear that the weapons cannot be used to hit targets inside Russia.
✅ The Biden administration is concerned that if Ukraine strikes deep into Russian territory, it would anger Moscow and escalate the conflict.
📍Why in News?
✅ The US has confirmed providing long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to Ukraine to aid its war effort against Russia, soon after the US Congress passed a Bill that apportioned $61 billion worth of funding for Ukraine.
📍What is ATACMS?
✅The ATACMS is one of the most potent missile systems built by US-based arms manufacturer Lockheed Martin.
✅This is a surface-to-surface artillery weapon system. Its biggest strengths are the long-range of attack, ability to fire cluster munitions, and the weapon system’s mobility. The missiles were part of a $300 million military aid package for Ukraine.
📍What is the Range of ATACMS?
✅There is a mid-range version of the ATACMS, called Block 1, and there is a long-range version, Block 1A. ATACMS Block 1 has a range of 165 km and Ukraine was provided these systems last year. ATACMS Block 1A, on the other hand, has a maximum range of 300 km which is capable of striking targets well beyond the range of existing Army cannons, rockets and other missiles.
📍Can Ukraine Target Russian Territories with ATACMS?
✅Despite territories deep inside Russia now being within the range of the ATACMS, Ukraine cannot use it to hit targets in these locations. Ukraine has committed to only use the weapons inside Ukraine, not in Russia. The US administration has made it clear that the weapons cannot be used to hit targets inside Russia.
✅ The Biden administration is concerned that if Ukraine strikes deep into Russian territory, it would anger Moscow and escalate the conflict.
🔆Why the First Scientist to Publish the Covid-19 Genome Sequence Protested in China?
Why in News?
The first scientist to publish Covid-19 genome sequencing has been allowed access to his laboratory again, after protesting against its closure.
What is Genome Sequencing?
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), genome sequencing allows scientists to understand the genetic material found in an organism or virus and help track the spread of a virus, its changes and effects on public health.
What did Zhang do?
Zhang’s team worked for hours to find that the virus causing flu-like symptoms in Wuhan was related to severe acute respiratory syndrome or SARS, which first gripped China from 2002 to 2004.
Despite government orders prohibiting local authorities from sharing information on the virus, Zhang shared his findings with Shanghai’s municipal health authority and uploaded the data to the US National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). He also shared this data with Edward Holmes, a virologist at the University of Sydney who posted this data on virological.org.
Almost immediately, the data was seized upon by countries to check whether the viruses they detected domestically were the same. His genome sequencing data was also used by vaccine making companies like Moderna and testing companies to develop test-kits.
What has Happened Since?
After the publication of data, Zhang’s lab was ordered to close for “rectification”. Since then, he and his team have not been allowed to access his lab and facing difficulties. Certain critical posts shared by him on recent events have also been deleted from Chinese social media websites. All this is being seen as part of the larger clampdown from Chinese government on the medical community and activists who have attempted to shed more light on events around Covid-19.
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Why in News?
The first scientist to publish Covid-19 genome sequencing has been allowed access to his laboratory again, after protesting against its closure.
What is Genome Sequencing?
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), genome sequencing allows scientists to understand the genetic material found in an organism or virus and help track the spread of a virus, its changes and effects on public health.
What did Zhang do?
Zhang’s team worked for hours to find that the virus causing flu-like symptoms in Wuhan was related to severe acute respiratory syndrome or SARS, which first gripped China from 2002 to 2004.
Despite government orders prohibiting local authorities from sharing information on the virus, Zhang shared his findings with Shanghai’s municipal health authority and uploaded the data to the US National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). He also shared this data with Edward Holmes, a virologist at the University of Sydney who posted this data on virological.org.
Almost immediately, the data was seized upon by countries to check whether the viruses they detected domestically were the same. His genome sequencing data was also used by vaccine making companies like Moderna and testing companies to develop test-kits.
What has Happened Since?
After the publication of data, Zhang’s lab was ordered to close for “rectification”. Since then, he and his team have not been allowed to access his lab and facing difficulties. Certain critical posts shared by him on recent events have also been deleted from Chinese social media websites. All this is being seen as part of the larger clampdown from Chinese government on the medical community and activists who have attempted to shed more light on events around Covid-19.
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🔆India - Nepal border issue
The Prachanda cabinet’s decision to put a map showing areas in India as part of its territory on a new currency note has drawn a strong reaction from New Delhi, and is seen as provocative by many in Nepal.
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The Prachanda cabinet’s decision to put a map showing areas in India as part of its territory on a new currency note has drawn a strong reaction from New Delhi, and is seen as provocative by many in Nepal.
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🔆What is the ATACMS, Which the US has Sent to Ukraine?
📍Why in News?
✅ The US has confirmed providing long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to Ukraine to aid its war effort against Russia, soon after the US Congress passed a Bill that apportioned $61 billion worth of funding for Ukraine.
📍What is ATACMS?
✅The ATACMS is one of the most potent missile systems built by US-based arms manufacturer Lockheed Martin.
✅This is a surface-to-surface artillery weapon system. Its biggest strengths are the long-range of attack, ability to fire cluster munitions, and the weapon system’s mobility. The missiles were part of a $300 million military aid package for Ukraine.
📍What is the Range of ATACMS?
✅There is a mid-range version of the ATACMS, called Block 1, and there is a long-range version, Block 1A. ATACMS Block 1 has a range of 165 km and Ukraine was provided these systems last year. ATACMS Block 1A, on the other hand, has a maximum range of 300 km which is capable of striking targets well beyond the range of existing Army cannons, rockets and other missiles.
📍Can Ukraine Target Russian Territories with ATACMS?
✅Despite territories deep inside Russia now being within the range of the ATACMS, Ukraine cannot use it to hit targets in these locations. Ukraine has committed to only use the weapons inside Ukraine, not in Russia. The US administration has made it clear that the weapons cannot be used to hit targets inside Russia.
✅ The Biden administration is concerned that if Ukraine strikes deep into Russian territory, it would anger Moscow and escalate the conflict.
📍Why in News?
✅ The US has confirmed providing long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to Ukraine to aid its war effort against Russia, soon after the US Congress passed a Bill that apportioned $61 billion worth of funding for Ukraine.
📍What is ATACMS?
✅The ATACMS is one of the most potent missile systems built by US-based arms manufacturer Lockheed Martin.
✅This is a surface-to-surface artillery weapon system. Its biggest strengths are the long-range of attack, ability to fire cluster munitions, and the weapon system’s mobility. The missiles were part of a $300 million military aid package for Ukraine.
📍What is the Range of ATACMS?
✅There is a mid-range version of the ATACMS, called Block 1, and there is a long-range version, Block 1A. ATACMS Block 1 has a range of 165 km and Ukraine was provided these systems last year. ATACMS Block 1A, on the other hand, has a maximum range of 300 km which is capable of striking targets well beyond the range of existing Army cannons, rockets and other missiles.
📍Can Ukraine Target Russian Territories with ATACMS?
✅Despite territories deep inside Russia now being within the range of the ATACMS, Ukraine cannot use it to hit targets in these locations. Ukraine has committed to only use the weapons inside Ukraine, not in Russia. The US administration has made it clear that the weapons cannot be used to hit targets inside Russia.
✅ The Biden administration is concerned that if Ukraine strikes deep into Russian territory, it would anger Moscow and escalate the conflict.
🔆Interpol issued a blue corner notice again prajwal
A Blue Corner Notice is issued to “collect additional information about a person’s identity, location, or activities in relation to a criminal investigation”. This notice is different from a Red Corner Notice that is issued to “seek the location and arrest of persons wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence”.
📍Types of Interpol Notice
Click here
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A Blue Corner Notice is issued to “collect additional information about a person’s identity, location, or activities in relation to a criminal investigation”. This notice is different from a Red Corner Notice that is issued to “seek the location and arrest of persons wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence”.
📍Types of Interpol Notice
Click here
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@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
✅India and Ghana agreed to work towards the operationalization of India’s Unified Payment Interface (UPI) on Ghana’s Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GHIPSS) within a period of 6 months.
✅Both sides explored the possibility of signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on Digital Transformation Solutions and the local currency settlement system.
Significance
✅Ghana holds significance as a trading partner for India in the African region, with bilateral trade amounting to USD 2.87 billion in 2022-23.
✅India stands as one of the leading investors in Ghana, spanning sectors like pharmaceuticals, construction, manufacturing, trade services, agriculture, and tourism.
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✅Both sides explored the possibility of signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on Digital Transformation Solutions and the local currency settlement system.
Significance
✅Ghana holds significance as a trading partner for India in the African region, with bilateral trade amounting to USD 2.87 billion in 2022-23.
✅India stands as one of the leading investors in Ghana, spanning sectors like pharmaceuticals, construction, manufacturing, trade services, agriculture, and tourism.
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🔆Important crossing point highlight here
✅Erz crossing
✅Rafah crossing
✅Karem- shalom
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✅Erz crossing
✅Rafah crossing
✅Karem- shalom
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🔆What are Non-Market economies? Why Vietnam want US to change its non market economy status?
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📍OECD:
✅The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an intergovernmental economic organization that was established in 1961 (originally to administer American and Canadian aid under the Marshall Plan)
✅The OECD is a forum where 38 governments (India is not a member) of democracies with market-based economies collaborate to:
✅Develop policy standards to promote sustainable economic growth
✅Find solutions to common challenges
✅Develop global standards
Share experiences and identify best practices
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✅The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an intergovernmental economic organization that was established in 1961 (originally to administer American and Canadian aid under the Marshall Plan)
✅The OECD is a forum where 38 governments (India is not a member) of democracies with market-based economies collaborate to:
✅Develop policy standards to promote sustainable economic growth
✅Find solutions to common challenges
✅Develop global standards
Share experiences and identify best practices
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
🔆China's newest aircraft carrier, Fujian, recently completed its maiden sea trial after six years of construction
📍Features
✅The Fujian, officially classified as a Type 003, was launched in 2022.
✅It has a displacement of nearly 80,000 metric tons, making it bigger than China's two active carriers, Shandong and Liaoning.
✅Unlike Shandong and Liaoning which rely on less advanced ski jump-style short take-off, barrier-arrested recovery (STOBAR) systems, Fujian is equipped with a Catapult Assisted Take-Off Barrier Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) system for launching aircraft.
✅Despite its technological advancements, Fujian, is still conventionally powered rather than nuclear propulsion
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📍Features
✅The Fujian, officially classified as a Type 003, was launched in 2022.
✅It has a displacement of nearly 80,000 metric tons, making it bigger than China's two active carriers, Shandong and Liaoning.
✅Unlike Shandong and Liaoning which rely on less advanced ski jump-style short take-off, barrier-arrested recovery (STOBAR) systems, Fujian is equipped with a Catapult Assisted Take-Off Barrier Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) system for launching aircraft.
✅Despite its technological advancements, Fujian, is still conventionally powered rather than nuclear propulsion
#gs2
#ir
#gs3
#science_technology
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_science_and_technology
🔆China's newest aircraft carrier, Fujian, recently completed its maiden sea trial after six years of construction
📍Features
✅The Fujian, officially classified as a Type 003, was launched in 2022.
✅It has a displacement of nearly 80,000 metric tons, making it bigger than China's two active carriers, Shandong and Liaoning.
✅Unlike Shandong and Liaoning which rely on less advanced ski jump-style short take-off, barrier-arrested recovery (STOBAR) systems, Fujian is equipped with a Catapult Assisted Take-Off Barrier Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) system for launching aircraft.
✅Despite its technological advancements, Fujian, is still conventionally powered rather than nuclear propulsion
#gs2
#ir
#gs3
#science_technology
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_science_and_technology
📍Features
✅The Fujian, officially classified as a Type 003, was launched in 2022.
✅It has a displacement of nearly 80,000 metric tons, making it bigger than China's two active carriers, Shandong and Liaoning.
✅Unlike Shandong and Liaoning which rely on less advanced ski jump-style short take-off, barrier-arrested recovery (STOBAR) systems, Fujian is equipped with a Catapult Assisted Take-Off Barrier Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) system for launching aircraft.
✅Despite its technological advancements, Fujian, is still conventionally powered rather than nuclear propulsion
#gs2
#ir
#gs3
#science_technology
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_science_and_technology
Very important factual data about india & middle -East discussed here
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