DAILY NEWS ANALYSIS

Electric battery, as a portable sources of electric power are at the foundation of convenience and sustainability.

• Electric cell – A device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy.

• Principle – It uses redox reactions to produce an electric current which is combination of both oxidation (release of electrons) and reduction (consumption of electrons) reaction.
• Working – A voltaic, or galvanic cell consists of 2 half-cells where each half-cell is made of a metal electrode immersed in an electrolyte of that metal.
  • For example, a zinc electrode in zinc sulphate and a copper electrode in copper sulphate.

• The zinc oxidises at the anode, releases 2 electrons into the electrode and Zn2+ ions goes into the electrolyte.
• Copper ions (Cu2+) from the copper sulphate deposit onto the cathode, which now requires 2 electrons thus copper reduces at the cathode.
• So, the wire connecting the electrodes transports 2 electrons from anode to cathode.
• An external circuit connected to the wire can draw the electron flow for various applications.

An electric battery is a combination of electric cells.

International Monetary Fund (IMF) executive board approves 50% quota increase to strengthen resources following the guidance from the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) at the 2023 annual meetings.

• Quotas are the building blocks of the IMF’s financial and governance structure which are denominated in Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), the IMF’s unit of account.
• Reflection – An individual member country’s quota broadly reflects its relative position in the world economy.
• Usage of IMF Quotas

Currently, India has a quota of special drawing rights (SDR) 13,114.4 million which denotes a share of 2.75%, making it the 8^th largest quota-holding country in the IMF. Based on the quota, India has 132,063 votes, which denotes a share of 2.63%.

• Quota revival – The IMF’s board of governors conducts general reviews at least every 5 years.

Any changes in IMF quotas require approval by 85% of the total voting power, and a member’s own quota cannot be changed without its consent.

Significance of quota increase – It would enhance the IMF’s permanent resources and strengthen the quota-based nature of the fund by reducing the reliance on borrowing.

• It would safeguard global financial stability and respond to members’ potential needs in an uncertain and shock-prone world.

• 2^nd Thomas Shoal is a submerged reef in the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea.
• The shoal is located 105 nautical miles west of Palawan, Philippines and lies within Manila’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The shoal is a disputed territory and is claimed by China, the Philippines, Taiwan (ROC) and Vietnam.

• A panchayat in Odisha’s Nuapada district recently introduces Bartan Bank to reduce plastic waste.

The Bartan Bank will act as a repository of steel utensils as alternatives to single use plastics during community functions and social gatherings.

• It is a cyclonic storm that is expected to intensify over the Bay of Bengal.
• The storm is expected to cross the Bangladesh coast and bring heavy rainfall to West Bengal's coastal districts.

The name Midhili was proposed by the Maldives.