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Today's Brief 4/02/2025

Writer's picture: Smriti IASxpSmriti IASxp


1 .Angkor Park:

(General Studies-I (250 marks)Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society)

Cambodia has completed the restoration of a more than 1,000-year-old brick temple located on the north side of Phnom Krom Temple in the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park, the APSARA National Authority (ANA) announced on Monday.

Angkor Archaeological Park is one of the most significant cultural and historical sites in the world, located in Siem Reap, Cambodia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of Cambodia's rich history and heritage.


The park spans over 400 square kilometers and contains the magnificent remains of the Khmer Empire, which flourished between the 9th and 15th centuries.


Key Highlights of Angkor Park:


  1. Angkor Wat:

    • The most iconic and largest religious monument in the world.

    • Built in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu, later transformed into a Buddhist temple.

    • Known for its stunning architecture, intricate bas-reliefs, and its alignment with the sun during equinoxes.


  2. Bayon Temple:

    • Located in the center of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmer Empire.

    • Famous for its massive stone faces (over 200) carved into its towers, believed to represent the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara or King Jayavarman VII.


  3. Ta Prohm:

    • Known as the "Tomb Raider Temple" due to its appearance in the movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.

    • Famous for the giant trees and roots growing over the ruins, creating a mystical atmosphere.


  4. Angkor Thom:

    • A walled city that served as the Khmer Empire's last capital.

    • Features the South Gate, adorned with giant faces, and other temples like Baphuon and Phimeanakas.


  5. Preah Khan:

    • A sprawling temple complex built by King Jayavarman VII, dedicated to his father.

    • Known for its intricate carvings and labyrinthine layout.


  6. Banteay Srei:

    • A smaller but exquisitely carved temple dedicated to Shiva.

    • Known as the "Citadel of Women" due to its delicate and detailed carvings.


  7. Tonle Sap Lake:

    • While not part of the park itself, this nearby lake is a vital part of the region's ecosystem and culture.


2 .India Energy Week (IEW) 2025: Building on the success of two editions, inaugurated by the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, the third India Energy Week is poised to solidify its position as a premier platform for the global energy industry.

Taking place from 11–14 February 2025 in New Delhi, India Energy Week operates under the patronage of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, India and is jointly organised by the Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI) and dmg events.


This global gathering will convene energy leaders, policymakers and innovators from around the world to address the sector's most pressing challenges and drive actionable solutions for a

sustainable energy future.


As one of the world's fastest-growing economies and a pivotal player in the global energy transition, India offers a dynamic model for balancing economic growth with sustainability. India Energy Week 2025 will highlight cutting-edge technologies, ambitious decarbonisation initiatives and investment opportunities that align with global energy goals.


With a focus on energy access, security, affordability and sustainability, the event is a catalyst for international collaboration, fostering partnerships that transcend borders. By showcasing innovative solutions and measurable progress, India Energy Week 2025 underscores its role as a global leader in shaping the future of energy for all.


3 .The 67th Annual Grammy Awards

 (GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations)

were held on February 2, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Hosted by Trevor Noah, the ceremony honored outstanding achievements in the music industry. Below is a summary of the major award winners:

General Field:


  • Album of the Year: "Cowboy Carter" – Beyoncé

  • Record of the Year: "Not Like Us" – Kendrick Lamar

  • Song of the Year: "Not Like Us" – Kendrick Lamar

  • Best New Artist: Chappell Roan


Pop:

  • Best Pop Solo Performance: "Espresso" – Sabrina Carpenter

  • Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: "Die With A Smile" – Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars

  • Best Pop Vocal Album: "Short n' Sweet" – Sabrina Carpenter


Dance/Electronic Music:

  • Best Dance/Electronic Album: "Brat" – Charli XCX


Rock:

  • Best Rock Performance: "Now and Then" – The Beatles

  • Best Rock Album: "1974" – The Black Crowes


Alternative:

  • Best Alternative Music Album: "New Blue Sun" – André 3000


R&B:

  • Best R&B Song: "Here We Go (Uh Oh)" – Coco Jones

  • Best Traditional R&B Performance: "Visions" – Norah Jones


Rap:

  • Best Rap Performance: "Not Like Us" – Kendrick Lamar

  • Best Rap Album: "Alligator Bites Never Heal" – Doechii


Country:

  • Best Country Album: "Cowboy Carter" – Beyoncé


Latin:

  • Best Latin Pop Album: "Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran" – Shakira


Global Music:

  • Best Global Music Album: "Roots and Routes" – Burna Boy


Additional Notable Awards:

  • Best Music Video: "All Too Well: The Short Film" – Taylor Swift

  • Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games: "Epic Quests" – Austin Wintory

  • Best Music Film: "The Long and Winding Road" – The Beatles



4 . Santorini Earthquakes:

(General Studies-I (250 marks)Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society)

(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

intense seismic activity continues in and around the Greek islands of Santorini, Amorgos, Anafi and Ios, stirring fear in the southern Aegean Sea, with authorities meeting to plan next steps.


According to Greece’s Geodynamic Institute, over 550 tremors have been recorded in the area since Saturday, with the largest hitting 4.9 on the Richter scale, reported public


The intense seismic activity in and around the Greek islands of Santorini, Amorgos, Anafi, and Ios is primarily due to the region's location in a geologically active area.


Here are the key geographical and tectonic reasons behind the earthquakes:

1. Location in the Aegean Sea:

  • The southern Aegean Sea, where these islands are located, is part of the Hellenic Arc, a highly seismically active region.

  • This area is where the African tectonic plate is subducting (sliding beneath) the Aegean microplate, creating significant tectonic stress.


2. Subduction Zone:


  • The Hellenic Subduction Zone is one of the most active tectonic boundaries in Europe.

  • As the African plate moves northward at about 4-5 cm per year, it collides with and sinks beneath the Aegean plate, causing frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.


3. Volcanic Activity:

  • Santorini is part of the South Aegean Volcanic Arc, a chain of volcanic islands formed due to the subduction of the African plate.

  • The island itself is the remnant of a massive volcanic caldera, and the region is still volcanically active, contributing to seismic activity.


4. Fault Lines:

  • The area is crisscrossed by numerous active fault lines, which are fractures in the Earth's crust where tectonic plates move past each other.

  • These faults can slip suddenly, releasing energy in the form of earthquakes.


5. Recent Seismic Activity:

  • The cluster of over 550 tremors recorded in the region indicates a period of heightened tectonic activity.

  • The largest quake, measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale, is a result of the release of accumulated stress along these fault lines.


6. Historical Context:

  • The region has a long history of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, including the catastrophic Minoan eruption around 1600 BCE, which devastated Santorini and may have contributed to the decline of the Minoan civilization on Crete.


7. Impact on the Region:

  • The frequent tremors can cause damage to infrastructure, trigger landslides, and create fear among residents and tourists.

  • Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, as stronger earthquakes or volcanic activity could pose significant risks.


Next Steps:

  • Greek authorities are likely focusing on emergency preparedness, including:

    • Strengthening building codes to withstand earthquakes.

    • Educating the public on earthquake safety.

    • Monitoring volcanic activity in Santorini and surrounding areas.


In summary, the intense seismic activity in the southern Aegean Sea is a direct result of the region's location at the boundary of two tectonic plates, combined with active fault lines and volcanic processes. This makes it one of the most geologically dynamic areas in Europe.



5 .Samudrayaan Mission:

(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)


is aimed to develop a self propelled manned submersible to carry 3 human beings to a water depth of 6000 meters in the ocean with a suite of scientific sensors and tools for deep ocean exploration.


It has an endurance of 12 hours of operational period and 96 hours in case of emergency.


The manned submersible will allow scientific personnel to observe and understand unexplored deep sea areas by direct interventions. Further, it will enhance the capability for deep sea man rated vehicle development.


The projected timeline is five years for the period 2020-2021 to 2025-2026.


National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, an autonomous institute under MoES, has developed 6000m depth rated Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and various other underwater instruments such as Autonomous Coring System (ACS), Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) and Deep Sea Mining System (DSM) for the exploration of deep sea.

The finance minister also allocated Rs 600 crore for the Mission this year


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