North Sea Latest News

Recently, a cargo ship hit a tanker carrying jet fuel for the American military off eastern England, setting both vessels on fire and sending fuel pouring into the North Sea.

About North Sea

• Location: The North Sea is a shallow northeastern arm of the Atlantic Ocean, covering 220,000 square miles (570,000 square km) between the British Isles and northwestern Europe. 
• Borders and Connections:
  • Bordered by Great Britain (southwest and west), Orkney and Shetland islands (northwest), Norway (northeast), Denmark (east), Germany and the Netherlands (southeast), and Belgium and France (south).
  • Connected to the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Dover and the English Channel.
  • The Skagerrak links the North Sea to the Baltic Sea via the Kattegat and the Danish straits.
• Rivers: Major rivers that drain into the North Sea include the Forth, Elbe, the Weser, the Ems, the Rhine and Meuse, the Scheldt, the Thames, and the Humber.
• Economic Importance:
  • It is one of Europe’s most productive fisheries.
  • Major shipping zone for trade among European countries and between Europe and the Middle East.
  • Contains significant reserves of petroleum and natural gas beneath the seafloor.

North Sea FAQs

Q1.  What is the North Sea famous for?

Ans. The North Sea is famous for its rich fisheries, shipping routes, and significant petroleum and natural gas reserves.

Q2. Why is the North Sea so dang?

Ans. The North Sea is considered dangerous due to its rough weather, strong tides, and unpredictable currents.

Q3. Is the North Sea deep?

Ans. No, the North Sea is relatively shallow, with an average depth of about 95 meters (310 feet).

Q4. Which country has North Sea?

Ans. The North Sea borders the UK, Norway, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France.

Source: TH

La Nina Latest News

Climate change is intensifying, and the cooling effects of La Niña may weaken in a warmer future, climate scientists warn, citing current heat trends across much of the country.

About La Nina

• La Niña is a climate pattern that describes the cooling of surface-ocean waters along the tropical west coast of South America. 
• La Niña is considered to be the counterpart to El Niño, which is characterized by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the equatorial region of the Pacific Ocean.
• Together, La Niña and El Niño are the "cold" (La Niña) and "warm" (El Niño) phases of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). ENSO is series of linked weather- and ocean-related phenomena. 
• La Niña events are indicated by sea-surface temperature decreases of more than 0.5 degrees Celsius (0.9 degrees Fahrenheit) for at least five successive three-month seasons.

La Nina Causes

• La Niña is caused by a build-up of cooler-than-normal waters in the tropical Pacific, the area of the Pacific Ocean between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. 
• Unusually strong, eastward-moving trade winds and ocean currents bring this cold water to the surface, a process known as upwelling. Upwelling can cause a drastic drop in sea-surface temperature.

La Nina Effects

• Impact on Air Pressure and Rainfall: La Niña lowers air pressure over the western Pacific, leading to increased rainfall. Southeast Asia experiences stronger summer monsoons, benefiting agriculture in northwest India and Bangladesh.
• Risk of Flooding in Australia: While La Niña supports agriculture in South Asia, strong events can cause severe flooding in northern Australia due to excessive rainfall and low-pressure systems.
• Global Rainfall Patterns: La Niña brings more rain to southeastern Africa and northern Brazil. In contrast, it increases air pressure over the central and eastern Pacific, causing dry conditions.
• Drier Conditions in Some Regions: Regions like the west coast of tropical South America, the Gulf Coast of the US, and the pampas of South America experience reduced rainfall and dry spells during La Niña.
• Boost to the Fishing Industry: Upwelling caused by La Niña brings cold, nutrient-rich waters to the surface, supporting plankton growth. This benefits fish populations and predators like sea bass.
• Duration and Seasonal Peak: La Niña events usually last between one and three years, whereas El Niño typically lasts less than a year. Both tend to peak during the Northern Hemisphere winter.

La Nina FAQs

Q1. What is the meaning of La Niña?

Ans. La Niña is a climate pattern causing cooler-than-normal sea-surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific, affecting global weather patterns.

Q2 How does La Niña affect India?

Ans. La Niña strengthens the Indian monsoon, increasing rainfall in northwest India and Bangladesh, benefiting agriculture but sometimes causing floods.

Q3. What is the difference between La Niña and El Niño?

Ans. La Niña causes cooler Pacific waters and increased rainfall, while El Niño causes warmer waters and disrupts global weather patterns.

Q4. What is worse, El Niño or La Niña?

Ans. El Niño generally causes more severe global weather disruptions, but La Niña can lead to destructive floods in certain regions.

Source: ET

KHANJAR-XII Latest News

The 12th edition of the India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise Khanjar-XII is set to take place in Kyrgyzstan.

About KHANJAR-XII

• It is the 12th edition of the annual India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise.
• It was first initiated in December 2011, in Nahan, India.
• It is an annual event conducted alternatively in both countries.
• The Indian contingent is represented by troops from the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), and the Kyrgyzstan contingent is represented by the Kyrgyz Scorpion Brigade.
• The primary objective of the exercise is to exchange expertise in counterterrorism operations and special forces tactics, particularly in mountainous and high-altitude environments. 
• Training modules will include advanced sniping, close-quarters combat, complex building interventions, and mountain warfare techniques.
• In addition to military drills, the exercise will foster cultural ties through engagements such as celebrating Nowruz, the Kyrgyz New Year festival.

KHANJAR-XII FAQs

Q1. When was the KHANJAR exercise initiated?

Ans. It was first initiated in December 2011, in Nahan, India.

Q2. What is Nowruz?

Ans. Nowruz (also spelled Navroz) is the Persian New Year.

Q3. Which countries border Kyrgyzstan?

Ans. Kyrgyzstan is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the southwest, and China to the east.

Source: ET

Kisan Credit Card Latest News

In a sign of stress in the agriculture sector, scheduled commercial banks, excluding regional rural banks (RRBs), have seen a sharp increase of 42 per cent in bad loans Kisan Credit Card (KCC) accounts.

About Kisan Credit Card

• Introduction: The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme was introduced in 1998 for issue of Kisan Credit Cards to farmers on the basis of their holdings for uniform adoption by the banks so that farmers may use them to readily purchase agriculture inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides etc. and draw cash for their production needs.
  • The scheme was extended in 2004 to cover farmers' investment credit needs for allied and non-farm activities.
  • In Budget 2018-19, the government extended the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) facility to fisheries and animal husbandry farmers for meeting working capital needs.
• Implementation: The Kisan Credit Card Scheme is to be implemented by Commercial Banks, RRBs, Small Finance Banks and Cooperatives.
• Objective: The Kisan Credit Card scheme aims at providing adequate and timely credit support from the banking system under a single window with flexible and simplified procedure to the farmers for their cultivation and other needs as indicated below:
  • To meet the short term credit requirements for cultivation of crops;
  • Post-harvest expenses;
  • Produce marketing loan;
  • Consumption requirements of farmer household;
  • Working capital for maintenance of farm assets and activities allied to agriculture;
  • Investment credit requirement for agriculture and allied activities.
• Eligibility:
  • Farmers - individual/joint borrowers who are owner cultivators;
  • Tenant farmers, oral lessees & share croppers;
  • Self Help Groups (SHGs) or Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) of farmers including tenant farmers, share croppers etc.

Kisan Rin Portal

• The portal helps farmers avail subsidised loans under the Kisan Credit Card (KCC).
• It was developed in collaboration with multiple government departments.
• It offers a comprehensive view of farmer data, loan disbursement specifics, interest subvention claims, and scheme utilisation progress.
• It fosters seamless integration with banks for more focused and efficient agriculture credit.

Kisan Credit Card FAQs

Q1. Who is eligible for Kisan Credit Card UPSC?

Ans. Farmers, including owner cultivators, tenant farmers, and sharecroppers, are eligible for the Kisan Credit Card.

Q2. Which ministry is responsible for Kisan Credit Card?

Ans. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is responsible for the Kisan Credit Card scheme.

Q3. What is the Kisan Credit Card?

Ans. The Kisan Credit Card is a government-backed credit card providing farmers with easy access to loans for agricultural needs.

Source: IE

H1N1 Virus Latest News

Delhi is seeing a significant rise in seasonal flu cases, with Influenza B and H1N1 leading to upper respiratory infections characterized by prolonged symptoms and persistent high fevers.

About H1N1 Virus

• Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. 
• Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.
• First case in India: The first confirmed case of H1N1 in India was reported in May 2009. Since then, the virus has caused several outbreaks, with significant case numbers recorded in 2021, 2022, 2023 and now more recently.
• Transmission: Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
• Symptoms: 
  • The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. 
  • Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. 
• Treatment: There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.

H1N1 Virus FAQs

Q1. Q1: Is H1N1 a serious disease?

Ans. Yes, H1N1 can cause serious respiratory illness, especially in young children, elderly people, and those with weak immunity.

Q2. Is H1N1 a pig or bird virus?

Ans. H1N1 originated from pigs but also contains genetic material from bird and human influenza viruses.

Q3. How long does H1N1 last?

Ans. H1N1 symptoms usually last 3 to 7 days, but cough and weakness may persist for up to two weeks.

Q4. Does H1N1 need isolation?

Ans. Yes, isolation is recommended to prevent the spread of H1N1, especially for the first 5 to 7 days of infection.

Source: Mint

Sarus Crane Latest News

A rare sighting of the Sarus Crane (Grus antigone) has been recently reported in the Saikhowa region of Tinsukia, Assam, attracting numerous bird lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.

About Sarus Crane

• It is the tallest flying bird in the world.
• Scientific name: Grus Antigone
• Distribution:
  • They live in Southeast Asia, northern India, and northern Australia.
  • In India, most sarus cranes are widely distributed along the Gangetic plain and in eastern Rajasthan in the northern states of India. Population densities decrease going to the south.
  • This species is not known to be migratory.
• Habitat: They live mainly in wetlands such as canals, marshes, and ponds, sometimes near humans.

Sarus Crane Features

• It is the tallest of flying birds, standing at 152-156 cm tall.
• It can have a wingspan of 2.5 m and can weigh anywhere from 5 to 12 kg.
• It has a predominantly grey plumage with a naked red head and upper neck and pale red legs.
• The very top of the head has a white patch as well as a small white spot behind the eye
• They are regarded as the least social crane species, found mostly in pairs or small groups of three or four. 
• They are monogamous birds and pairs mate for life.
• Nests are constructed on water in natural wetlands or in flooded paddy fields.
• Lifespan: It has been estimated that cranes in general can live 30 to 40 years, though some species of cranes have been recorded to live up to 80 years.
• Sarus Crane Conservation Status: 
  • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
  • CITES: Appendix II
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972: Schedule IV

Sarus Crane FAQs

Q1. What is the IUCN status of Sarus crane?

Ans. Vulnerable

Q2. Where is Sarus crane found in India?

Ans. In India, most sarus cranes are widely distributed along the Gangetic plain and in eastern Rajasthan in the northern states

Q3. Which state has the largest population of Sarus Crane?

Ans. Uttar Pradesh

Source: SA

Global Arms Trade Latest News

India was the second-largest arms importer during the period between 2020 and 2024, though the trade figures decreased by 9.3% between 2015-19 and 2020-24, show the recent data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

About Global Arms Trade

• Ukraine became the largest importer of major arms in the world during the period between 2020 and 2024, clocking a nearly 100-fold rise in imports compared with the figures for 2015–2019. 
  • Ukraine received 8.8% of global arms imports in 2020-24.
• Four countries in Asia and Oceania—India, Pakistan, Japan, and Australia— ranked among the 10 largest arms importers globally in 2020-24.
• India was the second-largest arms importer, though the trade figures decreased by 9.3% between 2015-19 and 2020-24.
  • The largest share of Indian arms imports (36%) came from Russia, a significantly smaller share than in 2015-19 (55%) and 2010-14 (72%).
  • India was the biggest arms export destination for both Russia and France.
• The U.S. further increased its share of global arms exports to 43%,while Russia’s exports fell by 64%, accounting for 7.8% of global arms exports, falling behind France(9.6%), which emerged as the second largest arms exporter in 2020-24. 
• India received by far the largest share of French arms exports (28%)—almost twice the share that went to all European recipients combined (15%).
• Russia delivered major arms to 33 countries in 2020-24, of which two-thirds went to three countries — India (38%), China (17%), and Kazakhstan (11%).
• European arms imports overall grew by 155% between the same periods as the continent rearms itself.
• China dropped out of the list of top 10 arms importers for the first time since 1990-94, showcasing its expanding domestic industrial base.
• Arms imports by Pakistan grew by 61% between 2015-19 and 2020-24. 
  • China became even more dominant as its supplier, accounting for 81% of Pakistan’s arms imports in 2020-24, compared with 74% in 2015–1.
• Global transfer volume: The overall volumeof arms transfers globally remained at roughly the same levelas in 2015-19 and 2010-14 (but was 18% higher than in 2005–2009), as increasing imports in Europe and the Americas were offset by decreases in other regions.

Global Arms Trade FAQs

Q1. Which country is the largest arms exporter?

Ans. United States

Q2. Which country is the largest arms importer?

Ans. Ukraine 

Q3. What is India’s position in global arms imports?

Ans. India was the second-largest arms importer between 2015-19 and 2020-24.

Source: TH

Trade-to-Trade (T2T) Segment Latest News

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is considering a major revamp of short-selling regulations, potentially allowing it for all stocks excluding those in the trade-to-trade (T2T) segment.

About Trade-to-Trade (T2T) Segment

• T2T stocks, or Trade-to-Trade stock means stocks that must be delivered in order to be traded (T+2 settlement). 
• This implies that such equities cannot be traded intraday or, in the case of Buy Today Sell Tomorrow, on a daily basis. 
• This means if you acquire T2T stocks today, you won’t be able to sell them until the settlement takes place. 
  • Your order will be refused if you try to sell these shares the same day or before they are in the Demat account.
• Stocks are put under the T2T segment by the exchanges based on criteria such as their price-earnings ratio, price variations, market capitalisation, etc.
• Stocks that are very volatile or have irregular price movements are monitored by exchanges in cooperation with the market regulator, SEBI. 
• They put stocks in the T2T section to shield regular investors from being caught up in the volatility and to limit unwarranted speculation on such equities.
• On a biweekly basis, exchanges relocate stocks to the T2T section, and they are shifted in and out of the segment depending on quarterly evaluations.
• Also evaluated for transfer to the T2T sector are stocks that are not available for trade in the Futures & Options section.
• How to identify stocks in the T2T segment? Stocks in the T2T segment can be identified by changes in their scrip names:
  • National Stock Exchange (NSE): The addition of the word "BE" to the scrip name. For example, "ADANIPOWER" becomes "ADANIPOWER BE" in the T2T segment and reverts to "ADANIPOWER" after normal trading is allowed.
  • Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE): The addition of the letter "T" to the scrip name. For instance, "ADANIPOWER" changes to "ADANIPOWER T" when moved to the T2T segment.

Trade-to-Trade (T2T) Segment FAQs

Q1. What is intraday trading?

Ans. Intraday trading means buying and selling stocks within the same day to profit from price changes, closing all positions before the market closes.

Q2. What is market capitalisation?

Ans. It represents the total value of a company's outstanding shares in the stock market.

Q3. What is the National Stock Exchange (NSE)?

Ans. The National Stock Exchange (NSE) is a leading stock exchange in India, established in 1992 and headquartered in Mumbai.

Source: TH

Large Phased Array Radar Latest News

China recently deployed a powerful Large Phased Array Radar (LPAR) in Yunnan province, near the China-Myanmar border.

About Large Phased Array Radar

• It was established by China in Yunnan province, near the China-Myanmar border.
• It boasts a surveillance range exceeding 5,000 kilometers, allowing China to monitor extensive areas of the Indian Ocean and deep into Indian territory.
• It possesses the capability to detect and track ballistic missile launches in real time.
• Unlike traditional radars, which rely on mechanical rotation, LPARs use electronically controlled antennas to scan vast areas almost instantly. 
  • This allows them to track multiple targets, including ballistic missiles, with high precision. 
  • Such radars play a critical role in early warning systems and air defence networks.

How does China's Large Phased Array Radar (LPAR) Compare to the World?

• Besides China, only the US and Russia have the LPAR system. 
• The capabilities of China's LPAR are being compared to the US PAVE PAWS (Precision Acquisition Vehicle Entry Phased Array Warning System), a Cold War-era radar designed to detect long-range missile launches. 
• The American system has a detection range of approximately 5,600 km and can track multiple projectiles, including submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

Concerns for India

• The Yunnan-based LPAR can monitor deep into Indian territory and track missile tests conducted from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off India's eastern coast. 
• This site is crucial for testing strategic weapons like the Agni-V intercontinental ballistic missile and the K-4 submarine-launched missile.
• By capturing vital data on missile trajectories, speeds, and distances, China gains a strategic advantage, enabling it to analyse and develop countermeasures.

Large Phased Array Radar FAQs

Q1. What is a phased array radar?

Ans. It is a type of radar system that uses an array of antennas to direct and steer the radar beam electronically, without the need for moving parts.

Q2. What is the range of China’s Large Phased Array Radar (LPAR)?

Ans. It boasts a surveillance range exceeding 5,000 kilometers.

Q3. Which other countries have Large Phased Array Radar systems?

Ans. Besides China, only the US and Russia have the LPAR system. 

Source: IT

Chandrayaan-3 Latest News

New findings based on data from India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission suggest that water ice on the Moon may be present beyond its polar regions.

About Chandrayaan-3

• Chandrayaan-3 is the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) second attempt, after Chandrayaan-2, to achieve a successful landing and rover operation on the Moon's surface.
• Chandrayaan-3 was launched using ISRO's LVM3 rocket, designed to place modules into the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) at a lower cost.
  • LVM3 is a three-stage rocket with two solid strap-on boosters and a core liquid stage.
  • The LVM3 M4 launcher positioned the integrated modules in an elliptical parking orbit of approximately 170 x 36,500 km.
• Objectives: The mission aims to explore the presence of water ice, which could support future lunar habitation and provide fuel for interplanetary missions. Key goals include:
  • Achieving a safe and soft landing on the Moon.
  • Conducting rover-based exploration of the lunar surface.
  • Performing in-situ scientific experiments through the rover.
• Mission Components: Chandrayaan-3 consists of a Lander Module (LM), a Propulsion Module (PM), and a Rover designed to develop and demonstrate interplanetary mission technologies.

Chandrayaan-3 Recent Findings

• New data from Chandrayaan-3 indicates possible water-ice deposits beyond the Moon's polar regions.
• A study by the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, using data from Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE) instrument, supports this finding.
• ChaSTE measured a 60°C temperature difference between the lunar surface and 10 cm below it, revealing that the Moon’s surface layer is highly non-conductive, providing insights into its composition and thermal properties.

Chandrayaan-3 FAQs

Q1. Is Chandrayaan-3 still working?

Ans. Chandrayaan-3's lander and rover completed their mission after one lunar day; the propulsion module remains in Earth orbit.

Q2. When was Chandrayaan-3 landed?

Ans. Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed on the Moon's South Pole on August 23, 2023.

Q3. Is Chandrayaan-3 a success or failure?

Ans. Chandrayaan-3 was a success, achieving a soft landing on the Moon's South Pole and completing its scientific objectives.

Q4. What is the difference between Chandrayaan 2 and Chandrayaan-3?

Ans. Chandrayaan-3 lacks an orbiter, unlike Chandrayaan-2, and focuses on soft landing with improved lander and rover capabilities.

Source: FE