1) Global Economic Prospects Report 2024: World Bank Group released its flagship report ‘Global Economic Prospects’.
- Global trade growth in 2024 is expected to be only half the average in the decade before pandemic.
- Global growth is projected to slow for third year in a row— from 2.6% in 2023 to 2.4% in 2024.
- To tackle climate change and achieve other key global development goals by 2030, developing countries need to increase investments —about $2.4 trillion per year.
2) Rudra and Arka propulsion system: Two payloads developed by Bengaluru-based space startup Bellatrix Aerospace were launched on PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-3 (POEM-3).
- POEM is ISRO’s platform that helps perform in-orbit experiments using final stage of PSLV.
- Rudra is a green propulsion system replacing hazardous hydrazine with a non-toxic, environmentally friendly propellant.
- Arka electric engine utilizes electricity instead of conventional chemical propellants.
- Arka offers superior fuel efficiency and more precise control
3) Peregrine Mission 1 (Peregrine Lunar Lander): NASA launched Peregrine Lunar Lander to explore Moon’s Bay of Stickness.
- Mission is part of Nasa’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative, which partners with commercial entities to deliver payloads to Moon.
- Scientific goals of mission include:
- To analyze lunar exosphere.
- Assess thermal properties and hydrogen content of lunar regolith.
- Study magnetic fields etc.
- Bay of Stickiness (also known as Sinus Viscositatis region), an area on moon, lies adjacent to Gruitheisen Domes near Oceanus Procellarum, or Ocean of Storms.
4) Latitudinal Diversity Gradient (LDG): A recent study examined role of major classes of Mycorrhizal Fungi – arbuscular, mycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal in LDG.
- LDG refers to the pattern of having lots of species at the equator with diversity reducing towards poles.
- Study found that:
- Mycorrhizal fungi form mutually beneficial relationships with majority of plant roots globally.
- Arbuscular fungi, common near equator promote diversity.
- Ectomycorrhizal fungi, common at higher latitudes support single tree species, reducing diversity.
Places in news:
1) Timor Leste (Capital: Dili):
- Indian Prime Minister held a bilateral meeting with the President of Timor-Leste.
- Political features
- Island country of South-East Asia.
- Bounded by Timor Sea (southeast), Wetar Strait (north), Ombai Strait (northwest) and western Timor (part of Indonesian province of East Nusa Tenggara) to southwest.
- Geographical features
- Climate: Dry tropical climate and moderate rainfall.
- Highest Point: Mount Tatamailau
