Emissions of Nitrous Oxide

• According to a study by Global Carbon Project, emission of nitrous oxide rose 40% between 1980 and 2020.
• It is a compound gas of nitrogen and is more potent than carbon dioxide and methane in heating the atmosphere.
• It is 273 time more potent than carbon dioxide in causing global warming.
• High levels of nitrous oxide in atmosphere can deplete the ozone layer and compound effects of climate change.
• Nitrous Oxide is also known as laughing gas.
• The two key sources of emission are:
  • Agricultural Production
  • Livestock Rearing
• The top five emitters by volume are:
  • China (16.7%)
  • India (10.9%)
  • United States (5.7%)
  • Brazil (5.3%)
  • Russia (4.6%)

Disaster Management (DM) Act, 2005

• This act was enacted in the wake of the 1999 Odisha supremacy and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
• It defines disaster as a catastrophe mishap, calamity or grave occurrence arising from natural or man-made causes that results in substantial loss of life, destruction of property, or damage to the environment.
• If such an event takes place, states are allowed to draw money from the two funds that were set up under the DM Act:
• National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF)
  • Entire money is contributed by the Centre
• State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF)
  • States/UTs contribute 25% of the funds and 75% by Central Government.
  • In case of special category states/UTs, the contribution by states is 10% and 90% by Central Government
• States must first use funds available in the SDRF and must seek money from the NDRF only if they are inadequate.
• In the FY 2023-24, only two states drew money from the NDRF – Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim.
• Categories of Disasters Notified under the DM Act: Cyclones, drought, earthquake, fire, flood, tsunami, hail- storm, landslide, avalanche, cloudburst, pest attack, and frost and cold waves.
• Note: Northeastern States, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir are categorised as Special Category States.

United Nations (UN) Declared 2025 as International Year of Quantum and Technology

• The initiative aims to raise public awareness about the significant advancements and potential applications of quantum science.
• Mexico led a resolution to designate 2025 as the year of quantum science in May 2023.
• In November 2023, nearly 60 countries co-sponsored the resolution, which was adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) General Conference.
• Ghana submitted a draft resolution to the UN General Assembly with support from over 70 countries in May 2024.
• Note: Quantum Science and Technology is an interdisciplinary field that combines principles of quantum mechanics with practical applications.

India and United Arab Emirates (UAE) Signed MoU for Local Currency Settlement System (LCSS)

• The system allows transactions between the two nations to be conducted in their respective domestic currencies - Indian Rupees and UAE Dirhams.
• This step reduces dependency on intermediary currencies like the US Dollar, thereby cutting down transaction costs and settlement times.
• The LCSS significantly cut transaction costs and settlement times, fostering a more streamlined and efficient trade environment.
• Facts: The Emirati Dirham is the official currency of the UAE, abbreviated as AED (United Arab Emirates dirham (AED).

Ariarne Titmus Sets World Record in Women’s 200m Freestyle

• Ariarne Titmus set a world record in the women’s 200-meter freestyle at Australia’s Olympic swimming trials.
• She clocked 1 minute, 52.23 seconds, surpassing the previous record of 1:52.85 set by Mollie O’Callaghan.

International Albinism Awareness Day 2024

• International Albinism Awareness Day is annually observed on 13^th June to raise awareness about the disease.
• Albinism is a rare, genetically, inherited condition that causes a lack of pigmentation in the skin, hair and eyes.
• The theme of the day 2024 is 10 years of IAAD: A decade of collective progress.