Recently, the Ganges River Dolphin was tagged for the first time in Assam. The Wildlife Institute of India in collaboration with the Assam Forest Department tagged a healthy male dolphin and released it under veterinary care. Given the lack of information on the habitat requirements, movement patterns or home-range of the Ganges River Dolphin, it was decided to carry out satellite tagging of the dolphin…
Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released the World Malaria Report, 2024. In the year 2023, 263 million cases of malaria and 597,000 deaths are estimated worldwide. Of the 83 countries affected by malaria globally in the year 2023, 29 countries were responsible for approximately 95% of global malaria cases and 96% of malaria deaths. Nigeria (25.9%), Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Ethiopia and…
Arctic tundra is emitting more carbon than it absorbs, for first time in many millennia. In recent years, the Arctic tundra’s ability to emit less and absorb more carbon has been impacted, according to the ‘Arctic Report Card’, an annual report on the polar region. The analysis, which incorporated more data and better methods of investigation, confirmed that the ecosystem has now become a source…
The World Meteorological Organization has said that La Nina may occur in the coming three months, but there is only a 55 percent chance of it happening. La Niña, a phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), occurs when the region of the Pacific Ocean between Indonesia and South America is cooler than usual. Its counterpart, El Niño, represents a warming of the same…
Recently, Mount Semeru volcano located in East Java province of Indonesia has erupted. After this, Indonesia’s Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center issued an Orange Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation. This banned flights within a radius of 5 kilometers of the volcano. A 3 km boundary around the volcano has been declared a danger zone. The government has banned residents from engaging in any activity…
Recently Sri Lanka-India Naval Exercise SLINEX 2024 started.It will be organized in Visakhapatnam from 17 to 20 December 2024. This exercise will be conducted in two phases – Port Phase from 17 to 18 December, Sea phase from 19 to 20 December. This joint naval exercise will demonstrate the capabilities of indigenously built naval ships and aircraft in India. Website URL: https://www.sanskritiias.com/current-affairs/sri-lanka-india-naval-exercise-slinex-2024 Country List: India
The International Labour Organization (ILO) published the ‘Social Dialogue Report’ amidst economic and geopolitical instability. This report has been prepared on the basis of a global review of Peak-Level Social Dialogue (PLSD) processes and results and the effectiveness and inclusiveness of National Social Dialogue Institutions (NSDIs). It includes a survey of 71 employers and workers’ organizations from 38 countries, including India. Website URL: https://www.sanskritiias.com/current-affairs/social-dialogue-report Country…
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal launched the ‘Jalvahak’ scheme. It aims to unlock the trade potential of inland waterways as well as reduce logistics costs and decongest road and rail networks. The scheme is considered a major step towards promoting sustainable and cost-effective transportation on National Waterways-1 (Ganga), 2 (Brahmaputra) and 16 (Barak River). Website URL: https://www.sanskritiias.com/current-affairs/jalvahak-scheme-launched Country List: India
Recently, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully carried out a hot test of its CE20 cryogenic engine at sea level. The CE20 cryogenic engine is an engine indigenously developed by ISRO for the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3). The inclusion of the CE-20 engine will increase the payload capacity of LVM3 to 450 kg with additional propellant loading. This engine is capable of generating…
India has set ambitious goals for its space programme over the next two decades. These goals also depend on powerful and reusable rockets like the upcoming Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Apart from NGLV, India should use the private sector to develop other such rockets to achieve strategic autonomy in its access to outer space. From a small…