1) Motor Vehicle Act (MVA), 2019: Supreme Court directed the Union to consider amending the MVA, 2019 to enhance the compensation granted to victims of hit-and-run accidents.
- About MVA,2019
- Amended the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 to provide for road safety.
- It provides Compensation of ₹2 lakh and ₹50,000 in case of death and injury, respectively.
- Established Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, to provide compulsory insurance coverage to all road users.
- It provided protection to the Good Samaritan.
- Good samaritan is a person who renders emergency assistance to a victim at the scene of an accident.
2) Soil-based microbial fuel cell (MFC): Researchers have developed an advanced Soil-based microbial fuel cell (MFC).
- In it, they improved design so that it can efficiently work in dry conditions.
- It generates bioelectricity with the help of microbes (such as bacteria) instead of chemicals.
- It consists of an anode, a cathode and electrolyte.
- Microbes naturally give out electrons to nearby conductors. These electrons from anode to cathode create an electric circuit.
- Applications: It can be used to fuel underground sensors used in green infrastructure and precision agriculture
3) Global Hydrogen Trading Mechanism (GHTM): Indian Gas Exchange or IGX (India’s only gas exchange) and Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) signed a MoU to establish a GHTM in collaboration with IFSC-GIFT City in Gandhinagar (Gujarat).
- They will develop a global hydrogen price index, a benchmark for price discovery and market information on India’s growing green hydrogen market.
- Benefits: Enhance transparency, boost investor confidence, and facilitate the growth of the green hydrogen market on a global scale.
4) Disease X: World Economic Forum is set to begin session on novel ‘Disease X’.
- It is a theoretical term and “X” refers to “unexpected”.
- WHO introduced Disease X in 2018 to represent an unknown pathogen that could cause a serious international epidemic.
- WHO has placed Disease X alongside other highpriority diseases such as Ebola and Zika virus in its awareness campaigns.
Places in News:
1) Greenland (Capital: Nuuk):
- According to a research, Climate change has caused Greenland’s ice sheet to lose 20% more ice than previously thought.
- Political boundaries:
- It is a part of the Denmark; however, the island’s home-rule government is responsible for most domestic affairs.
- Two-thirds of the island lies within the Arctic Circle, in the North Atlantic Ocean.
- Neighbours: Canada and Iceland (separated by Denmark Strait).
- Geographical features:
- It is the world’s largest island,
- It is noted for its vast tundra Biome.
- Major physical feature is its massive ice sheet, which is second only to Antarctica’s in size.
- Highest Peak: Gunnbjorn Mountain
