Visiting Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness met PM Modi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. They both held a bilateral meeting, which was followed by delegation-level talks. This is the first ever bilateral visit of a Prime Minister of Jamaica to India.
About Jamaica:
It is an island country in the Caribbean Sea and the West Indies.
It is the third largest island after Cuba and Hispaniola, of the Greater Antilles and the Caribbean.
It lies south of Cuba, west of Hispaniola and south-east of the Cayman Islands (a British Overseas Territory).
It is the third most populous Anglophone country in the Americas (after the United States and Canada), and the fourth most populous country in the Caribbean.
Kingston is the country's capital and largest city.
Caribbean:
It is a subregion of the Americas that includes the Caribbean Sea and its islands.
The region is south-east of the Gulf of Mexico and Northern America, east of Central America, and north of South America.
Topic: North America
2.Mexico
Why in the news?
Almost four months after her landslide election victory, Claudia Sheinbaum will be sworn as Mexican president, taking over as the Latin American nation's first woman leader at a time when it is wracked by criminal violence.
A scientist by training, Ms. Sheinbaum swept to victory in June with a vow to continue the left-wing reform agenda.
The 62-year-old former Mexico City mayor and ruling party heavyweight will take office in the presence of foreign dignitaries including Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and US First Lady Jill Biden.
About Mexico:
It is a country in the southern portion of North America.
It is the world's 13th largest country by area.
It is the 10th most populous country, with a population of almost 130 million.
It has the most Spanish speakers in the world.
It is a constitutional republic comprising 31 states.
Mexico City is its capital and largest city.
It shares land borders with:
United States to the north
Guatemala and Belize to the southeast
It shares maritime borders with:
Pacific Ocean to the west
Caribbean Sea to the southeast
Gulf of Mexico to the east.
Environment and Ecology
Topic: Biodiversity
3. Pygmy hog
Why in the news?
Nine captive-bred pygmy hogs were released in western Assam’s Manas National Park . It was the fifth such exercise by the Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme (PHCP) since 2020.
About Pygmy hog:
It is the world’s smallest and rarest wild pig most threatened by extinction.
It is one of the very few mammals that build its own home, or nest, complete with a ‘roof’.
It is an indicator species as its presence reflects the health of its primary habitat, tall and wet grasslands.
It prefers undisturbed patches of grassland dominated by early succession riverine communities, typically comprising dense tall grass intermixed with a wide variety of herbs, shrubs and young trees.
Its IUCN Red List status is Critically Endangered.
It is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Manas National Park:
It is located in the state of Assam. It is contiguous with the Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan.
It is a national park, UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, a Project Tiger reserve, an elephant reserve and a biosphere reserve.
It contains some of the largest remaining grassland habitats in the sub-Himalayan grassland ecosystems.
It is known for its rare and endangered endemic wildlife such as the Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare, golden langur and pygmy hog.
The Manas River, a major tributary of Brahmaputra River, passes through here.
Topic: Biodiversity
4. Honey Badgers
Why in the news?
A honey badger, also known as the Ratel, has been captured on camera for the first time in the Terai East Forest Division (TEFD) of Uttarakhand. The discovery of the rare species in the region was published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa.
About Honey Badgers:
They are also known as the ratel.
These mammals are widely distributed in Africa, Southwest Asia, and the Indian subcontinent.
They are primarily a carnivorous species and have few natural predators because of their thick skin, strength and ferocious defensive abilities.
They have a fairly long body, but they are distinctly thick-set and broad across the back.
Their skin is remarkably loose, and allows the animal to turn and twist freely within it.
The skin around the neck is 6 mm thick, an adaptation to fighting conspecifics.
The head is small and flat, with a short muzzle.
The eyes are small, and the ears are little more than ridges on the skin, another possible adaptation to avoiding damage while fighting.
They have short and sturdy legs, with five toes on each foot.
The feet are armed with very strong claws, which are short on the hind legs and remarkably long on the forelimbs.
They are partially plantigrade animals whose soles are thickly padded and naked up to the wrists. The tail is short and is covered in long hairs.
They are listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Topic: Biodiversity
5. Tsetse flies
Why in the news?
Tsetse flies are present in 34 African countries, according to a new atlas published by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Tsetse flies (genus Glossina) transmit trypanosomes, which are unicellular parasites that cause sleeping sickness in humans. They are also linked to nagana in African livestock, resulting in annual agricultural losses estimated in the billions of dollars.
About Tsetse flies:
These are unicellular blood-sucking insects.
They are holometabolous insects, females giving birth to full-grown larvae which rapidly pupate in the soil.
They are arranged taxonomically and ecologically into three groups:
the fusca, or forest group
the morsitans, or savanna group
the palpalis, or riverine group
They are found in local patches of dense vegetation along banks of rivers. Also found in lakes in arid terrain, and also in dense, wet, heavily forested equatorial rainforest
They feed on blood and transmit the Trypanosoma parasites, which are responsible for sleeping sickness in humans and animal trypanosomosis or "Nagana" in cattle.
They are also linked to nagana in African livestock, resulting in annual agricultural losses estimated in the billions of dollars.
Topic: Financial Instruments
6. Biodiversity credits
Why in the news?
A new report by the Pollination Group, an advisory firm based in London, United Kingdom, showed that voluntary biodiversity credit markets are growing quickly. This suggests that more organizations are recognising the financial and ethical importance of supporting biodiversity initiatives.
About Biodiversity credits:
These are a financial instrument designed to generate funding for the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of biodiversity-rich areas.
They operate on a concept similar to Carbon Credits but with a distinct focus on biodiversity preservation rather than offsetting negative impacts.
The core purpose of biodiversity credits is to attract private investments toward initiatives aligned with the goals of conserving and restoring biodiversity, as outlined by international agreements such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
The Biodiversity Credit Alliance was launched at CoP15 of CBD to promote Bio credits.
Its aim is to mobilize support and generate awareness among various stakeholders, including governmental bodies, non-profits, and private enterprises.
Implementation and Initiatives:
Ocean Conservation Commitments (OCCs): Launched in September 2023, OCCs are tied to Niue's Moana Mahu Marine Protected Area, covering 127,000 square kilometers.
OCCs are available for purchase by interested buyers, each representing a commitment to support conservation efforts for 20 years.
Priced at USD 148 per OCC, these commitments have attracted investments from non-governmental organizations like the Blue Nature Alliance, Conservation International, and private donors.
Wallacea Trust: This UK-based organization focused on biodiversity and climate research has made substantial financial commitments, amounting to 5 million biodiversity credits. Their engagement signals a significant interest from research-oriented entities in utilizing biodiversity credits to support conservation efforts.
Despite their potential, the success of biodiversity credits remains uncertain. Challenges encompass regulatory frameworks, pricing structures that ensure fairness for both buyers and sellers, and ensuring that these mechanisms genuinely serve biodiversity conservation rather than corporate interests.
Science
Topic: Technology
7. PARAM Rudra Supercomputers
Why in the news?
PM Modi launches 3 PARAM Rudra supercomputers, says tech upgradation should empower the poor. The High-Performance Computing system is tailored for weather and climate research, and the project represents an investment of ₹850 crore.
About PARAM Rudra Supercomputers:
These are designed to tackle complex computational challenges across various scientific and engineering domains.
Three Param Rudra supercomputers have been developed at Rs 130 crores, indigenously under the National Supercomputing Mission.
They have been deployed at three key locations:
In Pune, the Giant Metre Radio Telescope (GMRT) will leverage the supercomputer to explore Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) and other astronomical phenomena.
In Delhi, Inter University Accelerator Centre (IUAC) will enhance research in fields like material science and atomic physics.
In Kolkata, S N Bose Centre will use supercomputing technology to drive advanced research in areas such as physics, cosmology, and earth sciences.
High-Performance Computing (HPC) system:
It is tailored for weather and climate research.
It is located at two key sites, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune and the National Center for Medium Range Weather Forecast (NCMRWF) in Noida.
The new HPC systems are named 'Arka' and 'Arunika,' reflecting their connection toSun.
These high-resolution models will significantly enhance the accuracy and lead time of predictions related to tropical cyclones, heavy precipitation, thunderstorms, hailstorms, heat waves, droughts, and other critical weather phenomena.
National Supercomputing Mission
It was launched in 2015 to provide the country with supercomputing infrastructure to meet the increasing computational demands of academia, researchers, MSMEs, and startups.
It aims to create a network of advanced computing systems across India.
It is a collaboration between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
It is implemented by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.
Topic: Space missions
8. Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM)
Why in the news?
ISRO targets to launch the Venus mission in March 2028 for a 112-day journey to the planet.
The ₹1,236-crore Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) was recently approved by the Union Cabinet.
The mission will be launched by Launch Vehicle Mark-3 and ISRO said 19 payloads will be onboard VOM.
About Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM):
It is also known as Shukrayaan 1.
It is ISRO's planned first mission to the planet Venus, also known as "Earth's twin".
It involves a spacecraft of 2500 kg orbiting Venus to study what lies beneath the surface of the hottest planet in the solar system as well as the mysteries beneath its sulfuric acid clouds.
It will be carried out by a GSLV Mk II rocket, with the scientific payloads of a high-resolution synthetic aperture radar and a ground-penetrating radar.
Its objective is to examine Venus's surface and atmosphere as well as to analyze the geological composition of Venus.
It will also examine the relationship between solar radiation and surface features on Venus, which could shed light on planetary evolution.
It will provide scientists and the space community with a glimpse into the planet's future, as Earth was also not habitable billions of years ago.
While life on Venus's scorching surface is currently thought to be unlikely, recent discoveries have raised intriguing possibilities.
Scientists have discovered phosphine in Venus' clouds, which could be an indicator of microbial life in the planet's cooler, higher-altitude regions. This discovery has sparked hope and people's curiosity about the possibility of life beyond Earth.
Economy
Topic: Multilateral Organizations
9. Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Why in the news?
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) retained India's growth forecast for the current fiscal at 7% and said that the economy is expected to accelerate in the coming quarters on improved farm output, and higher Government spending.
In its Asian Development Outlook (ADO) update of September, the ADB said exports in the current fiscal will be higher than earlier projected, led by larger services exports. However, merchandise export growth will be relatively muted through the next fiscal.
About Asian Development Bank (ADB):
It is a multilateral development bank established in 1966.
It is the principal international development finance institution for the Asia-Pacific region.
It envisions a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty in the region.
Functions:
It provides assistance to its developing member countries, the private sector, and public-private partnerships through grants, loans, technical assistance, and equity investments to promote social and economic development.
It maximizes the development impact of its assistance by facilitating policy dialogues, providing advisory services, and mobilizing financial resources through cofinancing operations that tap official, commercial, and export credit sources.
Its headquarters are located in Manila, Philippines.
Membership:
Its membership is open to members and associate members of the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East.
It's also open to other regional countries and non-regional developed countries that are members of the U.N. or of any of its specialized agencies.
From 31 members at its establishment in 1966, ADB has grown to encompass 68 members, of which 49ers are from within Asia and the Pacific and 19 outside.
Control:
ADB is run by a board of governors, which represents the member countries of the ADB.
It was modeled closely on the World Bank and has a similar weighted voting system where votes are distributed in proportion to members' capital subscriptions.
As of 2022, ADB's five largest shareholders are Japan and the United States (each with 15.6% of total shares), the People's Republic of China (6.4%), India (6.3%), and Australia (5.8%).
Source of Funding:
It raises capital regularly through the international bond markets.
It also relies on member contributions, retained earnings from lending, and the repayment of loans for the funding of the organization.
Art and Culture
Topic: Temples
10. Somnath Temple
Why in the news?
Authorities in Gir Somnath district carried out a large-scale demolition operation behind the Somnath temple and demolished nine religious structures belonging to a minority community. The aim was to remove illegal structures built on government land in Prabhas Patan town.
About Somnath Temple:
It is located in Prabhas Patan, Veraval, in Gujarat.
Veraval was an ancient trading port.
It is the holy place of the First Aadi Jyotirling Shree Somnath Mahadev and the sacred soil where Lord Shri Krishna took his last journey.
It is a pilgrimage site from ancient times on account of being a Triveni sangam, the confluence of three rivers i.e. Kapila, Hiran and Sarasvati.
Presently the Prime Minister of India is the chairman of Shree Somnath Mandir trust.
Somnath’s first temple is said to have existed 2000 years ago.
Reconstruction:
In 649 AD, King Maitre of Vallabhaneni built a second temple in place of the temple and renovated it.
In 815 AD, Pratishtha King Nag Bhatt II constructed the temple for the third time using a red stone (sandstone).
During 1026-1042 AD, Solanki Raja Bhimdev built the fourth temple of Bhoj and Anhilwad Patan, Parmar King of Malwa.
In 1782, Maratha queen Ahalyabai Holkar built a small temple at the site.
After India’s independence, those ruins were demolished and the present Somnath temple was reconstructed in the Māru-Gurjara style of Hindu temple architecture.
Attack:
In 725 AD, the old ruler of Sindh attacked the temple and destroyed the temple.
In 1026, Mahmud Ghazni lent the precious jewels and property of Somnath temple.
After looting, slaughtering innumerable pilgrims of the temple and burning the temple and destroying it.
Somnath was destroyed when the Delhi Sultanate occupied Gujarat in 1299.
In 1394 it was destroyed again.
In 1706, Mughal ruler Aurangzeb again demolished the temple.
Māru-Gurjara Architecture or Solanki style
It originated from that of the dynasties preceding the Solanki dynasty, mainly the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty.
Although originated as a regional style in Hindu temple architecture, it became popular in Jain temples.
Its features include curvilinear shikhara, free standing Kirti torana, kund (temple tank), heavy carvings on ceilings of mandapa, high plinths and balconies looking out on multiple sides.
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