A series of suspected attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeted a ship in the Red Sea.
The attack comes as the rebels continue to threaten ships moving through the Red Sea, a waterway that once saw $1 trillion in goods move through it a year, over the ongoing conflicts in the Mideast stemming from the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.
About Red Sea:
It is a semi-enclosed inlet (or extension) of the Indian Ocean between the continents of Africa and Asia.
It is one of the world’s warmest seas.
It is connected to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean to the south through the Gulf of Aden and the narrow strait of Bab El-Mandeb.
The northern portion of the Red Sea is bifurcated by the Sinai Peninsula into the Gulf of Aqaba and the Gulf of Suez, where it is connected to the Mediterranean Sea via the famous Suez Canal.
It is bordered by:
Yemen and Saudi Arabia to the east
Egypt to the north and west
Sudan, Eritrea and Djibouti to the west
This sea has a surface area of roughly 438,000 km2 and is about 2,250 km in length.
Its maximum width is 355 km, and its deepest point is 3,040 m at the central Suakin Trough, with the estimated average depth being 490 m.
It contains some of the world’s hottest and saltiest seawater.
Some well-known islands include Tiran Island, which is located near the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba, and Shadwan Island, which is located at the entrance of the Gulf of Suez.
With its connection to the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal, it is one of the most heavily traveled waterways in the world, carrying maritime traffic between Europe and Asia.
Houthis rebels:
They are officially known as Ansar Allah (Partisans of God).
They are part of an Iranian-backed Shiite Muslim military and political movement in Yemen.
Its members, who subscribe to the minority Zaidi sect of Shiite Islam, advocate regional autonomy for Zaidis in northern Yemen.
Shiite Muslims are the minority community in the Islamic world, and Zaidis are a minority of Shiites, significantly different in doctrine and beliefs from the Shiites who dominate in Iran, Iraq, and elsewhere.
They are a minority in Yemen, which is predominantly Sunni Muslim, but they are a significant one, numbering in the hundreds of thousands and making up as much as a third of the overall population.
The group emerged in the 1990s and takes its name from the movement's late founder, Hussein al-Houthi.
The Houthi movement began as an effort to maintain tribal autonomy in northern Yemen and protest Western influence in the Middle East.
They have been fighting Yemen’s Sunni-majority government since 2004.
The Houthis took over the Yemeni capital Sanaa in September 2014 and seized control over much of north Yemen by 2016. Currently, Houthis controls approximately one-third of Yemen’s territory.
Today, the Houthis seek a greater role in the Yemeni government and continue to advocate for Zaidi minority interests.
The movement is known for its virulently anti-American and anti-Semitic rhetoric.
Many of its leaders have been designated as terrorists by the United States.
Topic: Multilateral Organizations
2. International Court of Justice
Why in the news?
Bolivia joined South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice that alleges the Israeli Gaza offensive breaches the UN Genocide Convention, the court said. The South American country is the latest of several nations, including Colombia, Libya, Spain and Mexico, that became party to the case against Israel
About International Court of Justice:
It is also known as the World Court.
It is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations (UN).
It was established in June 1945 by the Charter of the UN and began work in April 1946.
The seat of the Court is at the Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands).
Of the six principal organs of the UN, it is the only one not located in New York, United States.
The hearings of the ICJ are always public.
Its official languages include French and English.
The Court may entertain two types of cases:
It can act as a dispute settlement body between two member States in what are called “contentious cases.” Such disputes may concern, in particular, land frontiers, maritime boundaries, territorial sovereignty, the non-use of force, violation of international humanitarian law, non-interference in the internal affairs of States and diplomatic relations.
It can accept requests to issue an advisory opinion on a legal question referred to it by aUN body or specialized agency. These opinions can clarify the ways in which such organizations may lawfully function or strengthen their authority in relation to their member States.
The court's judgments in contentious cases are final and binding on the parties to a case, and without appeal.
Unlike its judgments, advisory opinions are not binding.
It decides disputes in accordance with international law as reflected in international conventions, international custom, general principles of law recognized by civilized nations, judicial decisions, and the writings of the most highly qualified experts on international law.
Composition:
It consists of 15 judges, all from different countries, who are elected to nine-year terms by majority votes in the UN General Assembly and the Security Council.
The judges, one-third of whom are elected every three years, are eligible for reelection.
Once elected, a member of the Court is a delegate neither of the government of his own country nor of any other State.
In addition, the ICJ Statute allows a state party to a case before it which does not have a judge of its nationality on the bench to appoint a person to sit as judge ad hoc in that specific case.
It is assisted by a Registry, its permanent administrative secretariat, which is independent of the United Nations Secretariat.
Bolivia
It is a landlocked country located in western-central South America.
It is named after independence fighter Simon Bolivar.
It is located in the rugged Andes Mountain, with a highland plateau and lowland plains in the Amazon basin.
One-third of the country is within the Andean mountain range.
It borders the countries of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Peru.
The constitutional capital is Sucre, while the seat of government and executive capital is La Paz.
It shares control of Lago Titicaca, the world’s highest lake navigable to large vessels, at 12,500 feet above sea level.
Geography
Topic: Landforms
3. Mount Dhaulagiri
Why in the news?
Five Russian mountaineers lost their lives during an expedition on Mount Dhaulagiri, the world’s seventh highest peak.
The climbers, who were tackling the 8,167-meter (26,788-foot) mountain, were reported missing. Their bodies were later discovered by a rescue helicopter.
About Mount Dhaulagiri:
It is the seventh-highest mountain in the world.
It has an elevation of 8,167 m. above sea level.
It is located in the Dhaulagiri Himal Mountain range of west-central Nepal and is part of the Himalayan Mountain range.
It is also one of the "eight-thousanders" — the fourteen mountains on Earth that are more than 8,000 m. above sea level.
Dhaulagiri means "white mountain" in Sanskrit, and it is known for its snowy peaks and glaciers.
It is the highest mountain located entirely within Nepal.
It extends about 120km from the Kaligandaki River to the Bheri River in the west.
It is also the highest point of the Gandaki River Basin.
It is one of the most challenging mountains to climb due to its difficult terrain and unpredictable weather conditions.
The first successful expedition to Mt. Dhaulagiri was led by the Swiss climber, Max Eiselin, in 1960.
Topic: Rivers
4. Logone river
Why in the news?
The Logone river in Chad's capital has risen to its highest level in 30-40 years, threatening further turmoil to a country that has been battling devastating nationwide floods for weeks.
About Logone river:
It is a major tributary of the Chari River.
Its sources are located in the western Central African Republic, northern Cameroon, and southern Chad.
It has two major tributaries:
Pendé River (Eastern Logone) in the prefecture Ouham-Pendé in the Central African Republic
Mbéré River (Western Logone) in the east of Cameroon.[2]
Settlements on the river include:
Kousseri, Cameroon's northernmost city
N'Djaména, Chad's capital city, which is located at the site where the Logone empties into the Chari River.
The Logone river forms part of the international border between Chad and Cameroon.
Chad:
It is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of North and Central Africa.
It is bordered by:
Libya to the north
Sudan to the east
Central African Republic to the south
Cameroon to the southwest
Nigeria to the southwest (at Lake Chad)
Niger to the west
Its capital and largest city is N'Djamena.
It is the fifth-largest country in Africa and the twentieth largest nation by area in the world.
It comprises several regions including:
Sahara desert in the north
Sahel (arid zone) in the centre
Sudanian Savanna zone in the south
Lake Chad, after which the country is named, is the second-largest wetland in Africa.
Environment and Ecology
Topic: Protected Areas
5. Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve
Why in the news?
Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra is set to offer a ropeway safari, providing visitors with an aerial view of the jungle.
The proposal, presented by French company POMA SAS, aims to boost wildlife tourism while preserving the ecosystem. The project promises minimal disturbance to wildlife and potential job opportunities.
About Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve:
It is located in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra.
It includes Tadoba National Park and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary.
It is the largest and oldest Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra.
The total area of the reserve is 625.4 sq. km.
The origin of the name "Tadoba" lies with the name of the god "Tadoba" or "Taru",worshipped by the tribes that live in the dense forests of the Tadoba and Andhari regions. "Andhari" refers to the Andhari River that meanders through the forest.
The reserve has corridor linkages with Nagzira-Navegaon and Pench Tiger Reserves within the State.
Biogeographically, it falls in the Central Plateau province of the Deccan Peninsula.
It comprises Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous forests.
There are two lakes and one waterway in the reserve, Tadoba Lake, Kolsa Lake, and the Tadoba River.
Bamboo, Teak, Ain, Bija, Dhauda, Haldu, Salai, Semal, and Tendu trees are commonly found here.
The notable faunal species include the tiger, leopard, sloth bear, wild dog, gaur, chital, and sambar.
As many as 280 species of birds are found, apart from reptiles (54 species), amphibians (11 species), and fishes (84 species).
Topic: Biodiversity
6. Red Sand Boa
Why in the news?
Mumbai police arrested four individuals for attempting to sell a rare red sand boa, known as 'Mandul,' valued at Rs30 lakh.
The suspects were caught during a planned operation and admitted their intent to use the snake for traditional medicine and black magic. They face charges under several sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
About Red Sand Boa:
It is commonly called the Indian Sand Boa.
It is a non-venomous species.
It is primarily reddish-brown.
It is a thick-set snake that grows to an average length of 75 cm.
Unlike most snakes, the tail is almost as thick as the body and gives the reptile the appearance of being "double-headed".
The Red Sand Boa is the largest of the sand boa in the world.
It is nocturnal and spends the majority of its time under the ground.
It is found in the whole of India excluding North-east states and North-Bengal. It is also not found in Indian islands.
Status:
IUCN Red List: Near Threatened
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): Appendix II
Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972: Schedule IV
Threats to Red Sand Boa include:
Expansion of human settlements and activities.
Demand upsurge in pet trade, as well as for use in black magic.
Poached for perceived medicinal benefits.
Economy
Topic: Digital payments
7. Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
Why in the news?
To encourage wider adoption of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), the RBI announced an increase in transaction limits on UPI123 and UPI Lite.
Currently, the per-transaction limit in UPI123Pay is capped at ₹5,000. To widen use-cases, the RBI, in consultation with stakeholders, has decided to enhance the per-transaction limit to ₹10,000.
The RBI also decided to enhance the per-transaction limit on UPI Lite from ₹500 to ₹1,000, and the overall wallet limit from ₹2,000 to ₹5,000.
About Unified Payments Interface (UPI):
It is a digital and real-time payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
It was launched on April 11, 2016.
It is designed to enable peer-to-peer inter-bank transfers through a single two-click factor authentication process.
Features:
Unlike traditional methods, UPI simplifies transfers using the recipient's UPI ID, be it a mobile number, QR code, or Virtual Payment Address, eliminating account numbers.
It eliminates the need to enter bank details or other sensitive information each time a customer initiates a transaction.
A consistent UPI transaction PIN across apps enhances cross-operability, enabling 24/7 transactions.
UPI operates as a digital public infrastructure, allowing seamless interactions for all players, including merchants and customers, without transaction costs.
PI uses technologies like the Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) and the Aadhaar-Enabled Payment System (AEPS) to ensure that payments between accounts go smoothly.
It facilitates push (pay) and pull (receive) transactions and even works for over-the-counter or barcode payments, as well as for multiple recurring payments such as utility bills, school fees, and other subscriptions.
It also works with "Peer-to-Peer" requests, which can be scheduled and paid for based on need and convenience.
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI):
It is an umbrella organization for operating retail payments and settlement systems in India.
It is an initiative of the RBI and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) under the provisions of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, to create a robust Payment & Settlement Infrastructure in India.
The ten main promoter banks of NPCI are Punjab National Bank, State Bank of India, Canara Bank, Union Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, ICICI Bank Limited, Bank of India, HSBC, Citibank, and HDFC Bank Limited.
It has been incorporated as a Not-for-Profit Company with an intention to provide infrastructure to the entire banking system in India for physical as well as electronic payment and settlement systems.
It is focused on bringing innovations to retail payment systems through the use of technology to achieve greater efficiency in operations and widen the reach of payment.
The regulatory board of the NPCI, headquartered in Mumbai, includes nominees from the RBI along with nominees from ten core promoter banks.
Art and Culture
Topic: Temples
8. Mahakal Temple
Why in the news?
Prasad available at Ujjain Mahakal Temple is completely ‘pure’, and the temple's laddu passes 13 FSSAI tests.
The tests were conducted by recognized FSSAI-approved laboratories, ensuring that the prasad prepared at the Mahakaleshwar Temple adheres to the highest standards of hygiene and quality.
About Mahakal Temple:
It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva.
It is located in the ancient city of Ujjain in the state of Madhya Pradesh.
It is situated beside the Rudra Sagar lake.
It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingams of Lord Shiva.
Mahakaleshwar idol is Dakshina Mukhi, facing south, unlike all the other Jyotirlingas.
The temple is spread over five levels.
Architecture:
The temple complex comes with a spacious courtyard that is adorned with finest sculptures that are believed to be influenced by Chalukya, Maratha, and Bhumija styles of structural design.
The foundation and platform are built of stones. Most of the upper structure rests on the strong and well-designed pillars and plasters.
It is complete with impressive lingam sculptures of Mahakaleshwar.
The images of Ganesh, Parvati and Karttikeya are installed in the west, north and east of the sanctum sanctorum.
The temple also houses a tank constructed in the sarvatobhadra style.
Jyotirlinga:
It is a shrine where Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of a Jyotirlingam.
There are currently 12 main Jyotirlingas in India. Each considered a different manifestation of Lord Shiva.
12 Jyotirlingas in India are:
Somnath Jyotirlinga in Gir, Gujarat
Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh
Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh
Baidyanath Jyotirlinga in Deoghar, Jharkhand
Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra
Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga in Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga in Dwarka, Gujarat
Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga in Nasik, Maharashtra
Kedarnath Jyotirlinga in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga in Aurangabad, Maharashtra
Government Schemes
Topic: Nutrition
9. Fortified Rice
Why in the news?
The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of fortified rice distribution under the food security law and other welfare schemes until December 2028, which may cumulatively cost the government over ₹17,000 crore since the fortification programme began in 2022.
About Fortified Rice:
Fortification is the process of adding nutrients to food products that are not naturally present or are present in insufficient amounts.
Fortification of rice can be done by coating the rice grains with a premix of micronutrients, or by producing extruded rice kernels that are enriched with micronutrients and then blended with regular rice.
According to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) norms, 1 kg fortified rice shall contain iron (28 mg-42.5 mg), folic acid (75-125 microgram) and Vitamin B-12 (0.75-1.25 microgram).
Benefits:
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), fortification of rice with micronutrients can be an effective, simple and inexpensive strategy to improve the nutritional status and health outcomes of populations that consume rice regularly. Some of the benefits of iron fortification of rice are:
Improved Cognitive Development: Iron plays a crucial role in brain development and function.
Adequate iron intake during early childhood is essential for optimal cognitive development and learning abilities.
By fortifying rice with iron, particularly in regions where rice is a primary dietary staple, the potential for cognitive impairment due to iron deficiency can be reduced, leading to improved cognitive performance and better educational outcomes.
Enhanced Maternal and Infant Health: Anemia is prevalent among pregnant women and can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
Iron fortification of rice can help improve the iron status of pregnant women, reducing the occurrence of maternal anemia and the associated risks. Additionally, adequate iron intake during pregnancy is essential for fetal development and can contribute to healthy birth outcomes.
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