30th April 2026

Explanation -
It is the driest desert in the world, located in northern Chile.

It is nestled between the Andes Mountains on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west.

Bordered by: It is bordered by Argentina, Peru, and Bolivia

It also hosts 12 volcanoes, mainly located in the western outliers of the Andes.

Rainfall: Average rainfall in this region is about 1 mm per year. Some locations within the desert have never had any rainfall whatsoever.

Temperature: Temperatures are comparatively mild throughout the year. The average temperature in the desert is about 63 degrees F (18 degrees C).

Natural Resources: This region has the largest natural supply of Sodium Nitrate, which can be used for producing fertilisers and explosives, amongst other things.

Chinchorro Mummies: The oldest artificially mummified human remains have been found in the Atacama Desert.

Explanation -
Mammography is a test that uses low-dose X-rays to create images of the breast. These images are called mammograms.

Healthcare providers use mammograms, or mammography, to look for early signs of breast cancer before symptoms develop. This is called a screening mammogram.

Providers also use mammography to look for any abnormalities if one develops a new symptom, such as a lump, pain, nipple discharge or breast skin changes. This is called a diagnostic mammogram.

Although it's called a "diagnostic mammogram," it can't diagnose breast cancer. However, it can show whether the abnormal findings look like breast cancer. But these abnormal signs can also be caused by a breast condition that is benign (not cancer).

Explanation -
The pricing of ATF is based on a combination of international and domestic factors.

International Benchmark Prices: ATF prices are linked to global jet fuel prices, which in turn depend on crude oil prices.

Exchange Rate: Since crude oil is imported, fluctuations in the rupee dollar exchange rate directly affect prices.

Freight and Insurance Costs: Transportation and logistics costs are added to the base price.

OMC Margins: Oil companies include refining and marketing margins.

State Taxes (VAT): States impose VAT ranging from 1% to over 25%, leading to price variation across locations.

Thus, ATF price = Import Parity Price + Refining Margin + Freight + Marketing Margin + State Taxes.

Explanation -
Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) is a refined petroleum product used as fuel in aircraft engines, particularly jet engines. It is derived from crude oil and is similar to kerosene in composition, but with higher quality specifications to ensure safety, efficiency, and performance at high altitudes.

ATF is a critical input cost for airlines, accounting for 30-50% of total operating expenses.

ATF Pricing in India
ATF pricing in India is market-linked but not fully deregulated like petrol and diesel. Prices are revised periodically by oil marketing companies (OMCs).

The price of ATF varies across states due to differences in state-level taxation (VAT), making India one of the costliest markets for aviation fuel.

Explanation -
The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is a permanent, intergovernmental Organisation (of 14 nations), created at the Baghdad Conference on September 10–14, 1960, by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. It is headquartered in Vienna, Austria.

OPEC plus countries include Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Russia, South Sudan and Sudan.