Tunisia votes in its third presidential election since the Arab Spring. This year's election will offer a window into popular opinion about the trajectory that Tunisia’s fading democracy has taken since Saied took office.
About Tunisia:
It is the northernmost country in Africa.
It is home to Africa’s northernmost point, Cape Angela.
Its capital and largest city is Tunis, located on its northeastern coast.
It was inhabited by the indigenous Berbers.
It is a member of the United Nations, La Francophonie, the Arab League, the OIC, the African Union, the Non-Aligned Movement, the International Criminal Court, and the Group of 77, among others.
It maintains close economic and political relations with some European countries, particularly with France, and Italy, which geographically lie very close to it.
It also has an association agreement with the European Union, and has also attained the status of a major non-NATO ally of the United States.
It has great environmental diversity due to its north–south extent. Its east–west extent is limited.
It has a coastline of 1,148 km. In maritime terms, the country claims a contiguous zone of 24 nautical miles (44 km.), and a territorial sea of 12 nautical miles (22 km.).
Topic: West Asia
2. Quds Force
Why in the news?
Iran’s Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani, who travelled to Lebanon after the killing last month of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike, has not been heard from since strikes on Beirut late last week.
About Quds Force:
It is one of five branches of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) specializing in unconventional warfare and military intelligence operations.
Responsible for extraterritorial operations, the Quds Force supports non-state actors in many countries, including Hezbollah, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Houthi movement, and Shia militias in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan.
It reports directly to the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei.
In January 2020, Quds Force commander Major General Qasem Soleimani was killed by a US airstrike on his convoy outside Baghdad International Airport.
The Quds force is run from Tehran, and has ties with armed groups in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and the Palestinian territories.
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRCG).
It was set up by the leader of the Islamic Revolution and Iran’s first Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in 1979.
After the 1979 Islamic Revolution dislodged the ruling Shah from power, a theocratic state was established in Iran. For its protection, the IRCG was created to deal with both domestic and external threats.
It has an army, naval, and air force wings, and its total membership numbers are around 125,000. Another branch, the Basij paramilitary force, “claims it can mobilize some six hundred thousand volunteers.
Topic: Central Asia
3. Kazakhstan
Why in the news?
Kazakhstan voted in a referendum on building the country’s first nuclear power station as the world’s top uranium producer looks to boost its power generation capacity.
China, France, Russia, and South Korea are in the running to build the new power station, which is to be located on the shores of Lake Balkhash.
The issue of nuclear power is sensitive in Kazakhstan. Between 1949 and 1989, the USSR carried out around 450 nuclear tests, exposing 1.5 million people to radiation.
About Kazakhstan:
It is a landlocked country mostly in Central Asia, with a part in Eastern Europe.
It is bordered by:
Russia to the north and west
China to the east
Kyrgyzstan to the southeast
Uzbekistan to the south
Turkmenistan and Caspian Sea to the southwest
Its capital is Astana, while the largest city and leading cultural and commercial hub is Almaty.
It is the world's ninth-largest country by land area and the largest landlocked country.
It has a population of 20 million and one of the lowest population densities in the world, at fewer than 6 people per sq. km.
Ethnic Kazakhs constitute a majority, while ethnic Russians form a significant minority.
Officially secular, Kazakhstan is a Muslim-majority country with a sizeable Christian community.
It declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Economically, it dominates Central Asia due to its oil, gas, and mineral resources, boasting the highest Human Development Index in the region.
It has the Caspian Sea’s largest recoverable crude oil reserves.
It has pledged to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030.
Lake Balkhash:
It is a lake in southeastern Kazakhstan.
It is one of the largest lakes in Asia and the 15th largest in the world.
It sits in the Balkhash-Alakol Basin, an endorheic (closed) basin.
The basin drains seven rivers, including the Ili and the Karatal.
The lake currently covers about 16,400 sq. km.
Like the Aral Sea, it is shrinking due to diversion and extraction of water from its feeders.
Geography
Topic: Lakes
4. Lake Uru Uru
Why in the news?
Volunteers take part in a campaign to clean the banks of Lake Uru Uru in Bolivia’s Oruro. The lake is contaminated with mineral sediments and garbage, and since 2021, annual clean-ups have helped reclaim some 47 acres that had been covered with trash.
About Lake Uru Uru:
It is a lake in the Oruro Department in Bolivia.
It is fed by the Desaguadero River and the Jach'a Jawira.
It is situated at an elevation of 3,686 m, its surface area is 214 sq. km.
It is formed by the flow of the Desaguadero River at its mouth into Lake Poopó, over the extensive sedimentation known as "Santo Tomás".
The river connects Lake Titicaca and Lake Poopó.
There is contamination from run-off from nearby mines as the town Oruro is an industrial mining center. The lake is polluted by heavy metals such as cadmium, zinc, and arsenic.
Desaguadero River:
It is a river shared between Bolivia and Peru.
It drains Lake Titicaca from the southern part of the river basin, flowing south and draining approximately five percent of the lake's flood waters into Lake Uru Uru and Lake Poopó.
Its source in the north is very near the Peruvian border.
It supports indigenous communities such as the Uru Muratu community.
Topic: Antarctica
5. Antarctic Peninsula
Why in the news?
A new study published in Nature Geoscience, reveals that the Antarctic Peninsula is dramatically greening.
The vegetation cover of this 70-km-long mountain chain has shown a 10-fold increase since 1986. It increased from less than one sq. km. in 1986 to almost twelve sq. km. in 2021, with an accelerated rate of change from 2016-2021, the study warned.
About Antarctic Peninsula:
It is part of the larger peninsula of West Antarctica, protruding from a line between Cape Adams (Weddell Sea) and a point on the mainland south of the Eklund Islands.
Beneath the ice sheet that covers it, the Antarctic Peninsula consists of a string of bedrock islands separated by deep channels whose bottoms lie at depths below sea level.
They are joined by a grounded ice sheet. Tierra del Fuego, the southernmost tip of South America, is about 1,000 km. away across the Drake Passage.
The marine ecosystem around the western continental shelf of the Antarctic Peninsula has been subjected to rapid climate change.
Over the past 50 years, the warm, moist maritime climate of the northern WAP has shifted south. This climatic change increasingly displaces the once dominant cold, dry continental Antarctic climate.
This regional warming has caused multi-level responses in the marine ecosystem such as increased heat transport, decreased sea ice extent and duration, local declines in ice-dependent Adélie penguins, increase in ice-tolerant gentoo and chinstrap penguins, alterations in phytoplankton and zooplankton community composition as well as changes in krill recruitment, abundance and availability to predators.
Environment and Ecology
Topic: Biodiversity
6. Wild Buffalo
Why in the news?
Two wild buffalo calves, born in Barnawapara wildlife sanctuary in Chhattisgarh in September.
The two calves were born to a wild buffalo couple, trans-located from Manas National Sanctuary in Assam to Barnawapara wildlife sanctuary four years ago, raising hope of conservation of the animal species.
About Wild Buffalo:
It is mainly found in the alluvial grasslands, marshes, swamps and river valleys.
It is generally found in areas that have plenty of water holes and resources
The estimated population of the wild buffaloes in the Northeast is around 3,000-4,000, the largest in the country and accounting for 92% of the world population.
It is listed under Schedule 1 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
It is classified as endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary:
It is located in Raipur district in Chhattisgarh.
The rivers Balmedhi, Jonk and Mahanadi run along the sanctuary.
River Balmedhi forms the western boundary and Jonk River forms the northeastern boundary of the Sanctuary.
Flora:
The sanctuary contains major vegetation of Teak, Sal and Mixed forest.
Fauna:
Cheetal, Sambhar, Nilgai and Wild Boar, Sloth Bear, Wild Dog, are commonly seen.
Topic: Conservation
7. Eco-Sensitive Zones
Why in the news?
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has declared Arunachal Pradesh's Namdapha National Park & Tiger Reserve and Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary & Tiger Reserve as Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ).
The Namdapha National Park & Tiger Reserve is in Changlang district, while the Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary & Tiger Reserve falls in Lohit district.
About Eco-Sensitive Zones:
As per the National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016), issued by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, land within 10 km of the boundaries of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries is to be notified as eco-fragile zones or Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ).
While the 10-km rule is implemented as a general principle, the extent of its application can vary. Areas beyond 10-km can also be notified by the Union government as ESZs, if they hold larger ecologically important “sensitive corridors”.
According to the guidelines issued by the Environment Ministry in 2011, Eco-Sensitive Zones are created as “shock absorbers” for the protected areas, to minimize the negative impact on the “fragile ecosystems” by certain human activities taking place nearby.
These areas are meant to act as a transition zone from areas requiring higher protection to those requiring lesser protection.
They are not meant to hamper the daily activities of people living in the vicinity, but are meant to guard the protected areas and refine the environment around them.
Activities prohibited in Eco-Sensitive Zones include commercial mining, saw mills, commercial use of wood, etc., apart from regulated activities like felling of trees.
On the other hand, ongoing agricultural or horticultural practices, rainwater harvesting, organic farming, etc. are permitted in Eco-Sensitive Zones.
India has more than 600 Ecologically Sensitive Zones declared across different states.
Namdapha National Park & Tiger Reserve:
It is located in Arunachal Pradesh, surrounded by Myanmar in the Southeast.
It is located at the junction of the Indian Sub-Continent Biogeographic Region and the Indo-China Biogeographic Region. As a result of this, extensive diversity of flora and fauna is observed in this belt.
It is wedged between the Dapha Bum ridge of Mishmi Hills, of North Eastern Himalayas and the Patkai Ranges.
It has a common boundary with Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary and Nampong Forest Division on the south-western side of Arunachal Pradesh.
The park spans a wide altitudinal range from 200 m to 4,571 m at Dapha Bum, the highest point in the park.
It encompasses evergreen Forests, Moist deciduous forests, subtropical forests, temperate and alpine forests.
Flora:
As many as 150 timber species are found here, with species like Pinus Merkusi and Abies Delavavi being exclusive to the park.
Blue Vanda, a rare and endangered orchard, is also found here.
Mishimi Teeta, a medicinal plant used by local tribes to treat different types of diseases, is also found here.
Fauna:
It is the only park in the World to have the four Feline species of big cat namely the Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard, and Clouded Leopard, and numbers of Lesser cats.
It is home to Hoolock Gibbons, highly endangered and only ‘ape’ species found in India.
Other animals found here include elephants, black bear, Indian Bison, pig-tailed macaque, several species of deers, reptiles and a variety of arboreal animals.
Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary & Tiger Reserve:
It is located in the southeastern part of Arunachal Pradesh near the border with Myanmar.
It is named after Kamlang River, which flows through the reserve and joins Brahmaputra.
It is spread between Namdapha National Park on its south and Lang River on its north.
The local inhabitants are Hishmi, Digaru and Mizo.
It encompasses a diverse range of landscapes, including dense tropical forests, grasslands, rivers, and hills.
It enjoys a sub-tropical climate as it falls within the sub-tropical zone.
The lower reaches and foothills of the region are covered with tropical wet evergreen forests, while the alpine vegetation dominates the higher altitudes.
Flora:
Common species of trees include Amari, Gamari, Hillika, Dhuna etc.
Fauna:
All four big cats, including the Snow Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Leopard and Tiger, are the common inhabitants.
Himalayan Palm Civets, Leopard Cat, Slow Lories, Hoolock Gibbon Giant and Flying Squirrels, Hornbills, Deer, Civets, Boar, Capped Langur, Stump Tailed Macaque etc. can be spotted here.
Science and Technology
Topic: Pollution
8. Black Carbon
Why in the news?
A new study reveals that India’s potent black carbon emissions from kerosene lamps make up 10% of total residential emissions. It also suggests that Eastern India contributed 60% of India’s black carbon emissions from secondary light sources.
About Black Carbon:
It is the dark, sooty material emitted alongside other pollutants when biomass and fossil fuels are not fully combusted.
It comprises a significant portion of particulate matter or PM, which is an air pollutant.
It is a short-lived climate pollutant with a lifetime of only days to weeks after release in the atmosphere.
It is an important contributor to warming because it is very effective at absorbing light and heating its surroundings. It contributes to warming by converting incoming solar radiation to heat.
It also influences cloud formation and impacts regional circulation and rainfall patterns.
When deposited on ice and snow, black carbon and co-emitted particles reduce surface albedo (the ability to reflect sunlight) and heat the surface.
Impacts:
It contributes to global warming and poses severe risks. Studies have found a direct link between exposure to black carbon and a higher risk of heart disease, birth complications, and premature death.
It has a warming impact on climate that is 460-1,500 times stronger than CO2.
Most black carbon emissions in India arise from burning biomass, such as cow dung or straw, in traditional cookstoves.
Economy
Topic: Reports and Indices
9. Business-Ready (B-READY) Index
Why in the news?
The Indian government is aligning state business readiness rankings with the upcoming ease of doing business index of the World Bank.
In its next version of rankings, the 2024 Business Reform Action Plan rankings prepared by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade will include some of the indicators tracked by the World Bank’s B-READY index.
About Business-Ready (B-READY) Index:
It is a successor to the Ease of Doing Business rankings developed by the World Bank, which were discontinued in 2021 due to irregularities.
It is a ground-breaking initiative that aims to focus on quantitatively assessing the business environment across world economies.
It envisages taking into consideration more diverse factors while arriving at the rating.
Global financial institutions and multinational companies will use the B-Ready framework as a benchmark to understand the regulatory and policy environment of a country.
It will be published annually, taking into consideration three main pillars: regulatory framework, public services, and efficiency.
It incorporates digitalization, environmental sustainability, and gender equality into each indicator, ensuring a holistic and forward-thinking approach to business evaluation.
It tracks ten parameters covering a firm’s lifecycle from starting, operating, closing, and reorganizing.
It will expand in three stages, covering 54 economies initially and reaching up to 180 countries by 2026.
World Bank Group:
It is an international financial institution that provides loans and grants to the governments of low and middle-income/developing countries for the purpose of pursuing capital projects.
It was established along with the IMF at the 1944 Bretton Woods Conference.
It is the collective name for the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and International Development Association (IDA), two of five international organizations owned by the WB Group.
Government Schemes
Topic: Governance
10. Co-district Initiative
Why in the news?
The Assam government launched a new concept of “co-district” within a district administration by doing away with the existing system of civil sub-divisions.
The co-district commissioners will have powers and responsibilities similar to those of the district commissioners.
The objective of this first-of-its-kind initiative in the country is to take governance one step closer to people. It is expected to address the administrative challenges being faced by the administration in the districts.
About Co-district Initiative:
Co-districts’ are smaller administrative units below the districts led by an officer of the rank of Assistant District Commissioner.
The objective of this first-of-its-kind initiative in the country is to take governance one step closer to people.
It is expected to address the administrative challenges being faced by the administration in the districts.
The co-district commissioners will have powers and responsibilities similar to those of the district commissioners.
The functions that these offices are tasked with carrying out include land revenue matters, development and welfare work, excise and disaster management work.
These will have administrative control over all departments within the co-district and have magisterial powers such as the issue of permissions for events.
These will conduct routine administrative tasks such as the issue of ration cards, caste certificates, and sale permission of land.
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