The Panama Canal is a man-made waterway connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans across the Isthmus of Panama. Completed in 1914, it was controlled by the U.S. until 1999. The canal uses a system of locks to manage the elevation difference between the two oceans, facilitating global maritime trade.
The Denali Fault in southern Alaska has been found to have once been a unified geologic feature. Research reveals horizontal tectonic movements caused a 483 km displacement, leading to the convergence of landmasses, and the formation of the Wrangellia Complex, a key part of North America's geological history.
In 2023, India identified 30 critical minerals essential for its economic and national security. These minerals, crucial for high-tech and renewable energy sectors, are predominantly controlled by China. India faces challenges like technological barriers, investment gaps, and policy shortcomings, but is working to secure overseas assets, collaborate internationally, and promote domestic exploration.
Dark Patterns: On National Consumers Day 2024, the Department of Consumer Affairs will launch the 'Jago Grahak Jago App,' 'Jagriti App,' and 'Jagriti Dashboard' to combat dark patterns in digital marketplaces. These tools aim to alert consumers, allow reporting of illegal practices, and monitor e-commerce platforms for transparency and ethical design.
Green deposits are interest-bearing, fixed-term deposits in Indian Rupees, allocated to eco-friendly projects like renewable energy, sustainable water management, and green buildings. Governed by RBI’s framework, they feature annual audits for compliance. Insured under DICGC, they may qualify as Priority Sector Lending if aligned with PSL norms, ensuring sustainable financial practices.
Cephalopods, advanced mollusks like octopuses, squid, and cuttlefish, exhibit remarkable intelligence, complex vision, and diverse behaviors. Known for jet propulsion and carnivorous diets, they use chromatophores for communication and camouflage. Corals, invertebrate cnidarians, form colonies of polyps with stinging tentacles and vibrant colors, contributing to diverse marine ecosystems like coral reefs.
The dodo (Raphus cucullatus), endemic to Mauritius, was a flightless bird with grayish feathers, a large hooked beak, and pronounced sexual dimorphism. Evolving without predators, it became extinct by 1681 due to human activity and introduced species. Recent studies reveal it was a fast, well-adapted forest bird, related to pigeons.
