2025 for January 1970

Key Facts about Syria

December 22, 2025

Syria Latest News

Recently, the US military carried out a strike against the Islamic State group in Syria.

About Syria

Location: It is located on the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea in southwestern Asia.
Bordering Countries: It is bordered by Turkey in the north, Lebanon in the west, Iraq in the east, Jordan in the south and Israel in the southwest.
Capital City: Damascus

Geographical Features of Syria

Syria's geography offers two major regions, a western and an eastern part.
- The western region features narrow, fertile coastal plains along the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
- The eastern part of the country is the realm of the Syrian Desert which is a mixture of dry steppe and true desert landscape.
Rivers: Euphrates River flows across Syria before entering Iraq.
Lakes: Lake al-Assad (a man-made reservoir,) created by a dam on the Euphrates River.
Desert: Southern and eastern Syria are part of the northern Syrian Desert.
Highest Point: Mt Hermon (2,814 m)

Source: News On Air

Syria FAQs

Q1: Which is the capital city of Syria?

Ans: Damascus

Q2: Which are the major ethnic groups of Syria?

Ans: Kurds, Arabs and Turkmens

Raccoon Roundworm

December 22, 2025

Raccoon Roundworm Latest News

Recently, Europe is on alert after a new study revealed the raccoon roundworm, Baylisascaris procyonis, has firmly taken hold in wild raccoons across nine countries.

About Raccoon Roundworm

The raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis) is the common large roundworm or ascarid found in the small intestinal tract of raccoons.
It infects raccoons in parts of North America, Europe and Japan, and less commonly in South America.
The parasite is indigenous to North America and emerging in Europe and Asia after the introduction of North American raccoons for the commercial fur trade in the early 20th century.
It can cause severe disease in humans and other animals.
Primary Hosts of Raccoon Roundworm: Racoons (Procyon lotor), Wild and domestic canids

Transmission & Life Cycle of Raccoon Roundworm

Infection occurs through ingestion of infective eggs or infected paratenic hosts.
Eggs passed in racoon faeces are shed in the environment and take 2-4weeks to embryonate and become infective.
Many mammals and birds can become paratenic hosts after consuming the eggs.
Once infective eggs are ingested, the eggs hatch and larvae penetrate the intestinal wall where they can migrate to various tissues (liver, lungs, eyes, and brain), and infect the host.
Treatment and Control: Raccoons can be successfully treated with several anthelmintics to kill the adult worms.

Source: India Today

Raccoon Roundworm FAQs

Q1: What is the scientific name of Raccoon Roundworm?

Ans: Baylis ascaris procyonis

Q2: What is the primary health risk of Raccoon Roundworm infection in humans?

Ans: Neurological damage

Southern Ocean

December 22, 2025

Southern Ocean Latest News

Recently, scientists have found the Southern Ocean mitigates global surface warming by taking up a large portion of the carbon released by human activities.

About Southern Ocean

The Southern Ocean is also known as the Antarctic Ocean, is the fourth-largest ocean by surface area.
The International Hydrographic Organization describes the Southern Ocean as the World Ocean’s southernmost portion.
It is located on the lower end of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Ocean, and includes the tributary seas around the Antarctic region.
It is known for its strong winds, intense storms, dramatic seasonal changes and cold temperatures.
It is dominated by the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) which isthe longest, strongest, deepest-reaching current on earth.
Formation: It was formed around 34 million years ago when Antarctica and South America drifted apart, creating the Drake Passage.
Biodiversity: Powerful currents, cold temperatures and nutrient and oxygen-rich waters make the Southern Ocean one of the most productive marine ecosystems on Earth.

Role of Southern Ocean

It plays an important role in the circulation of water around the globe.
It also plays a key role in regulating the earth’s climate through its currents, seasonal sea ice and by absorbing heat and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Source: TH

Southern Ocean FAQs

Q1: What is a notable feature of the Southern Ocean?

Ans: Strongest winds and currents

Q2: Which ocean is also known as the Antarctic Ocean?

Ans: Southern Ocean

World Anti-Doping Agency

December 22, 2025

World Anti-Doping Agency Latest News

Recently, for the third consecutive year, India has topped the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) global list of offenders.

About World Anti-Doping Agency

It was established in 1999 as an international independent agency to lead a collaborative worldwide movement for doping-free sport.
Role: To develop, harmonize and coordinate anti-doping rules and policies across all sports and countries.
Its activities include scientific and social science research; education; intelligence & investigations; development of anti-doping capacity; and monitoring of compliance with the World Anti-Doping Program.
Headquarter: Montreal, Canada.

Governance Structure of World Anti-Doping Agency

Foundation Board (Board): It consists of 42-member and it is the agency’s highest policy-making body, is jointly composed of representatives of the Olympic Movement (the IOC, National Olympic Committees, International Sports Federations, and athletes) and representatives of governments from all five continents.
Executive Committee (ExCo): It consists of 16-member to which the Board delegates the management and running of the agency, including the performance of all its activities and the administration of its assets.

Source: IE

World Anti-Doping Agency FAQs

Q1: What is the primary objective of WADA?

Ans: To promote, coordinate, and monitor anti-doping efforts in sports

Q2: Where is WADA headquartered?

Ans: Montreal, Canada