Typhoon Yagi triggers landslides, floods in Vietnam. It was Asia’s most powerful storm this year.

About Typhoon 

• It is a rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical or subtropical waters and has closed, low-level circulation.
• Once a tropical cyclone reaches maximum sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or higher, it is then classified as hurricane, typhoon, or tropical cyclone, depending upon where the storm originates in world.
  • In Northwest Pacific, it is typhoon. In South Pacific and Indian Ocean, term tropical cyclone is used.
  • In North Atlantic, central North Pacific, and eastern North Pacific, hurricane is used.

NSC has regained prominence with the dissolution of Standing Committee on Statistics (SCoS) by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

About National Statistical Commission (NSC)

• Genesis: Set up through a resolution in 2005.
  • Setting up of NSC followed the decision of Cabinet to accept the recommendations of Rangarajan Commission, which reviewed the Indian Statistical System in 2001.
• Mandate: To evolve policies, priorities, and standards in statistical matters.
• Ministry: MoSPI.
• Chief Statistician of India is the Secretary of the Commission
• Composition: 4 Members besides a Chairperson, each having specialization and experience in specified statistical fields.

It was spotted during a research survey in Aravallis, Haryana.

About Elongated Tortoise

• Physical Characteristics: Medium-sized having yellowish brown or olive shell and distinct black blotches at the centre.  
• Habitat: Sal deciduous and hilly evergreen forests, distributed across northern India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, China and Malaysia. 
• Threat: Heavily exploited and hunted for food and traditional medicines. 
• Conservation Status: 
  • IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered.
  • WPA, 1972: Schedule I (mentioned as Sal forest tortoise).

Union Home and Cooperation Minister have been unanimously re-elected as the Chairperson of PCOL

About PCOL

• Constitution: In 1976 under Section 4 of the Official Languages Act, 1963.
  • Act envisaged adoption of Hindi for official purposes providing for constitution of committee 10 years after commencement of the Act. 
• Membership: 30 (20 Lok Sabha and 10 Rajya Sabha) elected according to system of proportional representation through single transferable vote. 
• Functions: Review progress made in use of Hindi for the official purposes of the Union and submits recommendations to the President. 

Chief of Defence Staff released the Joint Doctrine for Amphibious Operations. 

• It provides guidance to Commanders for conduct of Amphibious Operations in present complex military environment, empowering them to conduct operations in Indian Ocean Region.

Amphibious Operations

• Refers to an attack launched from sea by naval and landing forces, involving landing on a hostile shore with extensive air participation. 
• It is a crucial component of multi-domain operations serving as best example of cohesion and integration amongst the Forces.

20th edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas-2024 commenced in Rajasthan.

About Yudh Abhyas -2024

• Since 2004, this joint Military Exercise held annually between India- USA.
• It enhances military capability of both sides to undertake counter terrorism operations and defence cooperation through developing interoperability.

The Ministry of Health advisory directed all States and UTs to review their public health preparedness for MPox.

• WHO recently declared a public health emergency for ‘clade 1’ MPox.

About MPox

• It is a zoonotic disease caused by monkeypox virus of genus Orthopoxvirus. (same family of smallpox but not related to chickenpox)
• Virus Types:
  • Clade 1: Historically, caused a higher number of severe illnesses than clade 2. However, recent outbreaks have lower death rates.
    • Responsible for current rise in cases in Central and Eastern Africa.
  • Clade 2: Endemic to West Africa, infections are generally less severe with very low mortality rates.

The 54th meeting of the GST Council was recently convened.

Key Recommendations Made in Meeting

• Formation of Group of Ministers on Life and Health Insurance and to study future of Compensation Cess.
• Reduction in GST rates on cancer drugs - Trastuzumab Deruxtecan, Osimertinib and Durvalumab from 12% to 5%.

About GST Council

• Constitutional body established under Article 279 (A) of Constitution through 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016.
• Constituted by President with Union Finance Minister as Chairperson.
• Objective: Responsible for setting tax rates, making policy decisions related to GST and making recommendations to center and states.