Current Affair 1:

Seismic swarm

 

A seismic swarm has hit the Reykjanes peninsula in southwest Iceland with more than 5,500 small earthquakes.

Located between the Eurasian and the North American tectonic plates, among the largest on the planet, Iceland is a seismic and volcanic hot spot as the two plates move in opposite directions.

What is the difference between aftershocks and swarms?

Aftershocks are a sequence of earthquakes that happen after a larger mainshock on a fault. Aftershocks occur near the fault zone where the mainshock rupture occurred and are part of the "readjustment process” after the main slip on the fault. Aftershocks become less frequent with time, although they can continue for days, weeks, months, or even years for a very large mainshock.

A swarm, on the other hand, is a sequence of mostly small earthquakes with no identifiable mainshock. Swarms are usually short-lived, but they can continue for days, weeks, or sometimes even months. They often recur at the same locations. Most swarms are associated with geothermal activity.

Current Affair 2:

Food trends are driving increased energy use

 

Ultra-processed products such as snacks, drinks, and ready-made meals are dominant in high-income countries, and their consumption is now rapidly increasing in low- and middle-income countries as well.

Currently, a high proportion of the energy requirement for these processed foods is from fossil fuels. Production of ultra-processed food is 2 to 10 times more energy intensive than whole foods, and the uptick in their consumption implies increased fossil fuel use over time.

Another is petrochemical industry:

As demand for fossil fuels for transport, power, and heating declines due to electrification and demand reduction measures, companies are investing significantly in petrochemicals to produce plastics and agrochemicals.

Agrochemicals, including fertilizers and pesticides, and plastics, including for packaging, are key to sustaining some industrial food systems activities, and the fossil fuel industry is banking on their growth to sustain profits.

The IEA estimates that plastics will drive nearly half of oil demand growth by mid-century, outstripping sectors like aviation and shipping.

Current Affair 3:

Delhi HC: No one has an authority to intrude into the lives of consenting adults who have willingly entered into a marriage.

 

In Md Nemat Ali and another vs. The State and Others, the Delhi High Court held that there is nothing left for anybody to interfere in the lives of two consenting adults who have chosen to marry.  It further held that the right to make personal choices is covered under Article 21 and is an important aspect of human liberty.

What was the case?

The petitioners are both major adults and got married in accordance with the Muslim Law, and the marriage is duly registered thereafter. However, the petitioners’ parents started threatening other partner and their families of dire consequences as the marriage was solemnised against their wishes. Hence, this petition was filed.

The court heard the counsel for both sides. It held that the right to marry is an integral part of Article 21 and is a mark of human liberty.

Current Affair 4:

Candolleomyces Albosquamosus: A New Species of Mushroom

 

News:

Recently, the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI) revealed a newly identified species of mushroom, Candolleomyces albosquamosus, found on their campus within the Western Ghats in Kerala.

This delicate mushroom showcases a charming honey-yellow 'cap' with distinctive white woolly scale-like structures.

It thrives on dead logs and bamboo culms within the natural forest habitat.

 

Current Affair 5:

Bhutan becomes first country to sterilise all stray dogs after 14-year-long project

 

News:

Bhutan has declared itself the first country in the world to have completely sterilised and vaccinated its entire stray dog population, following a 14-year dog population control programme.

Not needed anything more in this.

 

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