1 .Belarus:, a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, borders Russia to the east, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. With a population of 9.1 million and Minsk as its capital, Belarus boasts a rich history and culture, known for its stunning natural landscapes like forests and lakes, as well as UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Mir Castle Complex and Nesvizh Castle.
Capital: Minsk
Official languages: Belarusian, Russian
Currency: Belarusian ruble
Population: 9.1 million (2023)
Gross domestic product: 7,185.74 crores USD (2023)
2 .Belarus’s Lukashenko set to win 7th term, opposition calls election a farce
: His iron-fisted rule since 1994 – Mr. Lukashenko took office two years after the demise of the Soviet Union – earned him the nickname of “Europe’s Last Dictator”, relying on subsidies and political support from close ally Russia.
3 .AI Action Summit: On 10 and 11 February 2025, France will host the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit, gathering at the Grand Palais, Heads of State and Government, leaders of international organizations, CEOs of small and large companies, representatives of academia, non-governmental organizations, artists and members of civil society.
The AI Action Summit is an international gathering focused on the development and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Purpose: To bring together global leaders, including heads of state, industry leaders, academics, and civil society to discuss and address the challenges and opportunities presented by AI.
Key Goals:
Foster international cooperation: Encourage collaboration among nations to develop and implement AI policies and regulations.
Ensure responsible AI development: Promote ethical and trustworthy AI that benefits humanity and the planet.
Address societal impacts: Consider the social, economic, and ethical implications of AI on individuals, communities, and the workforce.
Format:
High-level discussions and debates among world leaders.
Presentations and workshops by experts in AI research, development, and policy.
Opportunities for networking and collaboration among attendees.
The AI Action Summit is a significant event that aims to shape the future of AI by fostering global dialogue and promoting responsible innovation.
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management) is a rare neurological disorder where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nervous system, the network of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. This sudden and unexpected condition can cause varying degrees of weakness or tingling sensations, often starting in the legs and spreading upwards. While the exact cause remains unknown, it's believed to be triggered by an infection.
Treatment typically involves plasma exchange or intravenous immunoglobulin to suppress the immune system, along with physical therapy to aid recovery. Most individuals with GBS recover fully, though it may take months or years.
4.Delhi’s air quality deteriorates to poor category amid rising temperatures: After two days of moderate air quality, Delhi’s air quality has worsened again, falling into the ‘poor’ category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 6 am on Monday was recorded at 242, indicating a significant decline in air quality across the national capital.
While the AQI continues to fluctuate, the weather has also started to show signs of change, as temperatures rise and the cold gradually begins to fade.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a numerical scale that measures the level of air pollution and informs the public about potential health risks. It considers five major air pollutants, including ground-level ozone and particulate matter, and translates their concentrations into a single number. A higher AQI value indicates greater air pollution and increased health concerns, particularly for sensitive groups like children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) considers the following five major air pollutants:
Ground-level ozone: A harmful gas formed by chemical reactions between air pollutants in the presence of sunlight.
Particle pollution: Tiny particles in the air, also known as particulate matter (PM), which can be inhaled deep into the lungs. This includes PM2.5 (particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter) and PM10 (particles smaller than 10 micrometers in diameter).
Carbon monoxide: A colorless, odorless gas that can be poisonous at high levels.
Sulfur dioxide: A gas that can cause respiratory problems.
Nitrogen dioxide: A gas that can contribute to respiratory problems and smog
5.Why Trump Wants Greenland: Donald Trump’s interest in Greenland became public in 2019, and it sparked a mix of surprise and debate. His reasoning, though not officially detailed, seemed to stem from strategic and economic considerations. Here’s why he might have wanted to purchase Greenland:
1. Strategic Location
Greenland is strategically located in the Arctic, which has growing geopolitical importance due to melting ice caps and increased accessibility for shipping and resource extraction.
It could provide the U.S. with a significant military advantage in the Arctic region. The U.S. already has a military base there (Thule Air Base), but owning Greenland would have expanded control over the region.
2. Natural Resources
Greenland is rich in natural resources, including rare earth minerals, oil, gas, and other valuable commodities. As global warming makes some of these resources more accessible, owning Greenland could have been seen as an economic opportunity for the U.S.
3. Countering Chinese Influence
China has shown interest in investing in Greenland, including plans to build airports and mine rare earth elements. Trump's administration might have viewed acquiring Greenland as a way to limit China’s influence in the Arctic.
4. Economic and Investment Opportunities
Trump, as a businessman, may have seen Greenland as an investment opportunity. He even joked about turning it into a real estate project, which aligns with his focus on economic growth and development.
5. Historic Precedent
The U.S. has purchased large territories before, like Alaska from Russia in 1867 and Louisiana from France in 1803. This would not have been an entirely unprecedented move.
Denmark and Greenland’s Reaction:
Denmark, which oversees Greenland, made it clear the territory was not for sale. Greenlanders themselves dismissed the idea, emphasizing their autonomy and cultural identity.
The United States has made at least three notable attempts to acquire Greenland prior to Donald Trump's proposal in 2019
1867 - Post-Alaska Purchase
After the U.S. bought Alaska from Russia in 1867, Secretary of State William H. Seward (a key advocate for territorial expansion) considered acquiring Greenland and Iceland.
Seward saw Greenland as strategically valuable, but negotiations never advanced beyond preliminary interest.
2. 1946 - Post-World War II Attempt
The most serious attempt occurred in 1946, when President Harry S. Truman offered $100 million in gold to Denmark to purchase Greenland.
The U.S. viewed Greenland as a strategic military asset during the early Cold War because of its location in the Arctic and its importance for defending North America from potential Soviet attacks.
Denmark rejected the offer, but the U.S. instead signed agreements to establish and expand military bases in Greenland, including the Thule Air Base, which remains operational today.
3. Early Cold War Strategic Interest
Even after the failed 1946 purchase attempt, the U.S. maintained a strong strategic interest in Greenland during the Cold War.
In the 1950s, the U.S. and Denmark agreed on arrangements that allowed the U.S. to use Greenland for military purposes, effectively giving the U.S. significant influence in the region without owning it outright.
GLOF:(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)
A glacial lake outflow refers to the water that drains from a lake formed by the melting of a glacier. These lakes, known as glacial lakes, can be found in regions with current or past glacial activity. The outflow typically occurs when the water level in the lake rises high enough to breach a natural dam, which could be made of ice, moraine (rock and sediment deposited by the glacier), or bedrock.
The outflow can happen gradually or suddenly, depending on the stability of the dam and the volume of water. Sudden outflows, known as glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), can be particularly dangerous. GLOFs occur when the natural dam fails catastrophically, releasing a large volume of water in a short period. This can lead to significant flooding downstream, potentially causing damage to infrastructure, ecosystems, and human settlements.
Glacial lake outflows are an important aspect of the hydrological cycle in glaciated regions and can have significant impacts on local and regional water systems, sediment transport, and landscape evolution.
6.Baltic Sea: (General Studies-I (250 marks)Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society)
is a brackish inland sea in Northern Europe, bordered by countries including Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, and Denmark.
It connects to the North Sea through the Danish Straits and is known for its relatively low salinity due to the high influx of freshwater from numerous rivers. The Baltic Sea plays a crucial role in regional trade, ecology, and geopolitics, serving as an important maritime route for the surrounding nations.
Despite its economic significance, the sea faces environmental challenges such as pollution, eutrophication, and habitat degradation, primarily due to industrial activities and agricultural runoff.
Efforts by the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM) aim to safeguard its biodiversity and improve water quality. The region is also rich in history, with major ports like Stockholm, Helsinki, and Saint Petersburg contributing to cultural and economic exchanges over centuries.
7 .Magnetic Pole Shift:
(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)
Scientists have updated the position of Earth’s magnetic north pole, revealing that it has moved closer to Siberia and continues to drift toward Russia.
Unlike the geographic North Pole, which remains fixed, the magnetic north pole is determined by Earth’s ever-changing magnetic field.
Over the past few decades, its movement has been erratic—speeding up dramatically before slowing down recently—leaving scientists puzzled about the underlying causes.
Why Does Magnetic North Move?
The geographic North Pole, or “true north,” is a fixed point at the top of the Earth. In contrast, the magnetic north pole is determined by Earth’s magnetic field, which is generated by the movement of molten metals in the planet’s core.
This constant motion causes the magnetic north pole to shift over time.
Since its discovery in 1831 by British explorer Sir James Clark Ross, magnetic north has drifted from Canada toward Russia.
In recent years, its movement has been unusually rapid, accelerating from 9.3 miles (15 kilometers) per year in 1990 to 34.2 miles (55 kilometers) per year before slowing down again around 2015.
CCEA Approves Ethanol Price Revision for 2024-25 under EBP Program:
(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the revision of ethanol procurement prices for public sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) for the Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2024-25.
The period extends from November 1, 2024, to October 31, 2025, under the Government of India’s Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme.
The Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme is an initiative by the Government of India to promote the use of ethanol as a biofuel in petrol.
What is it?
It involves blending ethanol, which is produced from sugarcane molasses or other agricultural sources, with petrol.
The goal is to reduce India's dependence on imported crude oil and promote the use of renewable energy sources.
How does it work?
Oil marketing companies (OMCs) procure ethanol from domestic suppliers at prices fixed by the government.
This ethanol is then blended with petrol at various percentages, with the aim of reaching 20% ethanol blending (E20) by 2025.
Benefits:
Reduced import dependence: Less reliance on foreign crude oil translates to significant savings in foreign exchange.
Environmental benefits: Ethanol is a cleaner-burning fuel compared to petrol, leading to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and improved air quality.
Boost to agriculture sector: The program provides an additional source of income for farmers who can sell their surplus produce for ethanol production.
Challenges:
Ethanol production capacity: Ensuring a consistent and sufficient supply of ethanol to meet the blending targets.
Engine compatibility: Older vehicles may not be compatible with higher ethanol blends, requiring modifications or upgrades.
Public awareness: Educating consumers about the benefits of EBP and addressing any concerns about its impact on vehicle performance.
Overall, the EBP Programme is a significant step towards promoting sustainable transportation and reducing India's reliance on fossil fuels.
8.Polar bear fur
(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)
is oily, or greasy, due to a substance called sebum. This sebum protects the fur from ice and water, and helps polar bears survive in the Arctic.
Why is it Scientifically Unique Explanation?
Sebum: The greasy substance that coats polar bear fur is made up of cholesterol, fatty acids, and diacylglycerols.
Anti-icing: The sebum creates a barrier that prevents ice from sticking to the fur.
Waterproofing: The oily fur also makes polar bears waterproof.
Freezing delay: The sebum helps delay the freezing of water on the fur.
Washing: Washing polar bear fur removes the sebum, making it similar to human hair, which ice sticks to easily.
9.India Adds 4 New Ramsar Sites, Tamil Nadu Leads With 20 Wetlands:
(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)
(General Studies-I (250 marks)Indian Heritage and Culture, History, and Geography of the World and Society)
The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty that provides a framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. By adding these new sites, India is reaffirming its commitment to protecting these valuable ecosystems for future generations.
t's named after the city of Ramsar in Iran, where the treaty was adopted. While it was signed in 1971, it actually came into force a few years later, in 1975
Signed: 1971
Came into force: 1975
What does it do?
The Convention encourages countries to:
Designate wetlands of international importance as "Ramsar sites"
Promote the "wise use" of all wetlands within their territory
Cooperate internationally on transboundary wetlands, shared wetland systems, and shared species
4 new Ramsar sites:
Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu
Therthangal Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu
Khecheopalri Wetland in Sikkim
Udhwa Lake in Jharkhand
Thanks For Visiting!!
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