March 18, 2024 | Your One-Stop Solution for Daily Preparation
Islands | Explained
An island can be defined as ‘a body of land surrounded by water from all the sides. However, continents are also the mass of land which is surrounded by water. However, there is a difference between the continents and islands with respect to their size. Hence, the islands have a smaller mass of land than the continents. Greenland is the world's largest island, covering an area of 2.166 million sq km.
Highlights of the Day
1. Google DeepMind Unveils SIMA: AI Gaming Agent for Collaborative Tasks
SIMA, or Scalable Instructable Multiworld Agent, is Google DeepMind's new AI gaming agent designed to play video games using natural language instructions. Unlike AI models like GPT, SIMA is an AI agent capable of independent action. It understands and executes commands, learning and adapting through interactions with users. Trained on nine video games in collaboration with eight game studios, SIMA gains skills like navigation and resource management. Google envisions AI agents like SIMA assisting humans in various tasks, leveraging video games as training grounds. This breakthrough showcases AI's potential for intelligent collaboration, marking a significant advancement in AI development[1].
2.T.M. Krishna Awarded Sangita Kalanidhi by Music Academy for 2024
Renowned Carnatic vocalist T.M. Krishna has been awarded the Sangita Kalanidhi by the Music Academy for 2024. The announcement was made by the Academy's president, N. Murali, during Krishna's performance at St. Thyagaraja's memorial. Known for his excellence and social contributions, Krishna expressed gratitude for the prestigious honor. Other awardees include mridangam player Parasala Ravi and vocalist Geetha Raja. Dr. Neena Prasad receives the Nritya Kalanidhi. The awardees will be honored at the 98th Annual Conference and Concerts in December 2024. Additionally, weather forecasts predict thunderstorms in parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha, Gangetic West Bengal, and Jharkhand for Monday[2].
3.HbA1C Test: Crucial for Diabetes Diagnosis and Management
The HbA1C test, also known as glycated haemoglobin, measures the percentage of sugar-coated haemoglobin in red blood cells, indicating average blood glucose levels over two to three months. It's crucial for diagnosing and managing prediabetes and diabetes, endorsed by the American Diabetes Association since 2009. Results below 5.7% are normal, while 6.5% or higher suggests diabetes. However, it may be affected by conditions like kidney failure or certain medications. Despite its reliability, it doesn't replace other tests and may not capture short-term fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Screening individuals over 30 and those at risk is recommended, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research[3].
4. Navy and Air Force's Joint Operation Forces Somali Pirates' Surrender
Indian Navy and Air Force conducted a 40-hour operation resulting in the surrender of 35 Somali pirates who hijacked the Maltese-flagged vessel MV Ruen. An IAF C17 aircraft airdropped Marine Commandos while INS Kolkata disabled the pirate ship's steering system. Despite pirates shooting down a drone and firing at INS Kolkata, the Navy engaged in forceful negotiations, securing the release of the vessel and its crew. The Navy had been surveilling the region and tracked the pirate ship's movement, leading to the interception 2,600 km east of Somalia. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the Navy for ensuring maritime safety[4].
5. EU and Egypt Sign €7.4 Billion Deal to Boost Cooperation and Manage Migration
The European Union and Egypt signed a 7.4-billion-euro financial package to support Egypt, aiming to boost energy sales to Europe, manage migration, and enhance cooperation. The deal includes loans, investments, and bilateral projects. It seeks to strengthen energy flows to reduce reliance on Russian gas. Egypt's strategic importance in a volatile region is emphasized, with cooperation on security and counter-terrorism. The agreement aims to address root causes of irregular migration, focusing on job creation and opportunities for youth. Despite criticism from human rights groups, the EU's approach is seen as vital amid Egypt's economic crisis and regional challenges[5].
Source: The Hindu | Indian Express | PIB |Pressreader
Practice Questions for Prelims
Q1:Consider the following statements regarding National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming:
1. It is launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.
2. It aims at systematically reducing snakebite envenoming risk through sustained availability of anti-snake venom.
3. Prevention of snakebites in livestock is one of the key actions of this plan.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Q2:Consider the following:
1. It is a Nordic country.
2. It experiences volcanic eruptions regularly.
3. It is located on a rift between tectonic plates
The above statements refer to which of the following countries?
(a) Denmark
(b) Finland
(c) Norway
(d) Iceland
Q3:Consider the following statements regarding the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change:
Statement (i): It provides regular assessments of the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and options available for adaptation and mitigation.
Statement (ii): It provides the governments with scientific information which can be used to develop climate policies.
Which one of the following is correct with respect to the above statements?
(a) Both Statement (i) and Statement (ii) are correct and Statement (ii) is the correct explanation for Statement (i)
(b) Both Statement (i) and Statement (ii) are correct but Statement (ii) is not the correct explanation for Statement (i)
(c) Statement (i) is correct but Statement (ii) is incorrect
(d) Statement (i) is incorrect but Statement (ii) is correct
Q4: Consider the following statements regarding Ethanol 100:
1. It is launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
2. It has a high-octane rating which makes it suitable for high-performance engines.
3. It is a blend of ninety percent ethanol.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Q5:Which one of the following regions has a hot semi-arid climate and stretches across the southern latitudes of North Africa between the Atlantic Ocean and the Red Sea?
(a) Ethiopian Highlands
(b) Zaire Basin
(c) Sahel Region
(d) Arabian desert
Today’s Question for Mains Answer Writing
Discuss the formation processes and characteristics of various types of islands, including continental, tidal, barrier, oceanic, coral, and artificial islands. How do these landforms shape ecosystems and human activities?
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