NATIONAL:
1. National Framework for Climate Services
Why in news – India to launch its maiden National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS).
Key Points –
• Nodal agency for the formulation and implementation - India Meteorological Department (IMD).
• It aims to bring a seamless working platform for users of climate information and services.
• Key sectors involved — agriculture, energy, disaster management, health, and water.
• The NFCS is based on the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS).
• Recently, NFCS-related national consultation workshop was organised in Pune.
About GFCS –
• It was announced at the 3rd World Climate Conference held in Geneva in 2009.
• It is led by National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) in their respective nations.
• 5 major components - Observations and Monitoring, Research, Modelling and Prediction, Climate Services Information System, User Interface Platform and Capacity Building.
• Priority sectors - Agriculture and food security, energy, health, water and disaster risk reduction.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Operation Al-Aqsa Storm
Why in news – Terrorist group Hamas carried out an unprecedented, multi-front attack on Israel under Operation Al-Aqsa Storm.
Key Points –
• Hamas fired at least 2,500 rockets into Israel infiltrated by air, land, and sea.
• The invasion was launched on Simchat Torah (music festival), when Jews complete the annual cycle of reading the Torah scroll.
• The attack came 50 years and a day after Egyptian and Syrian forces started the Yom Kippur war against Israel in 1973.
• Some observers referred it as “Third Intifada” (shake off) - Palestinians uprising against the Israeli presence in the West Bank and Gaza.
• Zikim, Sderot, Ofakim - Israeli town.
• Mohammed Deif - leader of Hamas’ military wing.
2. Israel’s Iron Dome
Why in news – Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepted rockets launched from the Gaza Strip on October 7.
Key Points –
• It is a short-range, ground-to-air, air defence system.
• It can track and neutralize any rockets, artillery & mortars (C-RAM), aircraft, helicopters and UAVs aimed at Israeli targets.
• Its genesis goes back to the 2006 Israeli-Lebanon war, when the Hezbollah fired thousands of rockets into Israel. It was deployed in 2011.
• Developed by - Rafael Advance Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries.
3. Hamas and Hezbollah
Why in news – On October 7, the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a devastating attack on Israel.
Key Points –
About Hamas (1987) –
• Founder - Sheikh Ahmed Yassin.
• It is a spin-off of the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood in the late 1980s.
• Hamas took over the Gaza Strip after defeating its rival political party, Fatah, in elections in 2006.
• The United States and European Union have designated Hamas a terrorist organization.
• Fatah which rules the West Bank, has renounced violence.
• Oslo I Accords (September 13, 1993) - It was signed between Israeli PM Yitzhak Rabin and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Negotiator Mahmoud Abbas in Washington D.C, USA.
• Oslo II Accord (1995) – It was signed in Taba, Egypt.
About Hezbollah (1975) –
• It is a Shiite Muslim political party and militant group based in Lebanon.
• It functions as a proxy of Iran, its largest benefactor.
• It opposes Israel and Western powers operating in the Middle East.
4. Palestinian-Israeli Conflict Timeline
Why in news – The conflict between Israel and Palestine has spanned over 75 years.
Key Points –
• Arab-Israeli War (1948) - 5 Arab nations invaded Israel immediately after the creation of Israel on May 14, 1948.
• Suez crisis (1956) - Egypt nationalized the Suez Canal waterway and cut off Israel from shipping. Israel invaded the Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip.
• Six-Day War (1967) - Israel gained control of the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula.
• Yom Kippur war (1973) - Egypt and Syria invaded Israel to negotiate better terms for the Arab countries.
• December 1987 – Palestinians started the first intifada against Israel. Muslim Brotherhood members founded Hamas.
• September 2000 – Second intifada began.
5. Afghanistan Earthquake
Why in news – Powerful earthquakes in Afghanistan have killed more than 2,000 people.
Key Points –
• The magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit 40km northwest of the city of Herat.
• Epicenter - Zinda Jan and Ghurian.
• Strong aftershocks were felt in Badghis and Farah provinces.
6. China-Philippines Tussle
Why in news – A fresh controversy broke out recently after China installed a barricade near the South China Sea’s Scarborough Shoal.
Key Points –
• Both China and the Philippines have been embroiled in a tussle over the shoal’s territorial claim since 2012.
• China claims the sea falls under its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Value Addition –
• South China Sea borders – Brunei, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.
• China has constructed ports, military installations, and airstrips—particularly in the Paracel and Spratly Islands.
• China has militarised Woody Island by deploying fighter jets, cruise missiles, and a radar system.
• 9-dash line – It demarcates China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea.
Importance of the South China Sea –
• One of the most strategically critical maritime areas.
• There are 11 billion barrels of oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas deposits.
• Rich fishing grounds. More than half of the world’s fishing vessels operate in this area.
• Crucial trade route – Over 21% of global trade ($3.37 trillion) transited through these waters in 2016.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Odisha Tiger Census
Why in news – Odisha wants to have its own tiger census.
Key Points –
• Odisha questioned the findings of the All-India Tiger Estimation (AITE) 2022.
• As per AITE, Odisha has 20 tigers, down from 45 in 2006.
Value Addition –
• 2 tiger reserves in Odisha - Satkosia Tiger Reserve and Similipal Tiger Reserve.
• Technologies used in Tiger Census –
(a) MSTrIPES (Monitoring System for Tigers: Intensive Protection and Ecological Status) – It uses GPS to geotag photo evidence.
(b) Digital Tiger census technique of double sampling.
(c) DNA analysis, GPS Collars, Pugmarks, camera trap etc.
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. Research Vessel ‘Shi Yan 6’
Why in news – The US has expressed its concern to Sri Lanka about a Chinese research ship ‘Shi Yan 6’ likely to dock in Sri Lanka.
Key Points –
• Last year, India had objected to a Chinese ship “Yuan Wang 5” docking in the Sri Lankan port of Hambantota.
• It can carry out oceanography, marine geology and marine ecology tests.
• India and USA suspect they could be used for snooping.
BIHAR:
1. 19th Asian Games 2022
Why in news – 5 athletes from Bihar are participating in Asian Games 2022.
Key Points –
• They are –
2. Vikramshila Central University
Why in news – The education department asked the district administration to prepare a detailed plan for the Vikramshila Central University.
Key Points –
• Location - Kahalgaon, Bhagalpur.
• The construction of the proposed central university was announced by PM Narendra Modi in 2015.
Value Addition -
• Bihar has 4 central universities –
(a) Nalanda University, Nalanda.
(b) Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur.
(c) Central University of South Bihar (CUSB), Gaya.
(d) Bihar is Mahatma Gandhi Central University (MGCU), Motihari (Bankat), East Champaran.
• Bihar has an off-campus center of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in Kishanganj.
3. Mukhyamantri Udyami Yojana
Why in news – It was launched by the Department of Industries in 2021.
• Benefits –
(a) Interest-free loan – 50% of the total project cost (per unit) with a maximum of Rs 5,00,000 (five lakhs). To be repaid in 7 years (84 equal installments).
(b) Grant/subsidy - 50% of the sanctioned amount (maximum - Rs 5,00,000).
(c) After selection, a provision of Rs 25,000 per unit for the training of the beneficiaries will be given.
(d) Under this scheme, benefits will be given only for the establishment of new industries.
(e) These units will also be given the benefits of Bihar Industrial Investment Promotion Policy 2016.
POINTERS:
• Which state has launched “Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme” for all school children for all school children studying in government schools – Telangana.
• Recently, after how many years has the Indian men's hockey team won the gold medal in the Asian Games - 9 years.
• At which place was the seventh India-EU Cyber Dialogue held recently – Brussels.
• Which Union Ministry has recently organized a two-day 'Technology and Bharatiya Bhasha Summit - Ministry of Education.
• Foundation stone for India's largest pumped storage project was launched at which palce - Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh.
• Scientists have discovered a new fish species called Badis limaakumi in the Milak River in which state – Nagaland.
• Ministry of Home Affairs has declared which organization as an 'Unlawful Association' under Section 3(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) 1967 - Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP).
• Who has inaugurated the 3rd two-day "Anti-Terror Conference" organized by the National Investigation Agency in New Delhi - Amit Shah.
• India and which country has recently signed a 'Social Security Agreement(SSA)' aimed at safeguarding the legal rights of professionals in each other's domains – Argentina.
• Nitin Gadkari took a test ride of the 'Sky Bus' to experience the safety and evacuation demo in which city - Sharjah, UAE.
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