United Nations High Seas Treaty Latest News

Two years after countries adopted the high seas treaty, delegates recently gathered at the first session of the Preparatory Commission meeting in New York, to develop rules needed to implement the agreement and set the stage for the first Conference of Parties (COP1).

About UN High Seas Treaty

• The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement , or the ‘High Seas Treaty’, is an international treaty under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
• It is the first-ever treaty to protect the world's oceans that lie outside national boundaries.
• It is also known as the ‘Paris Agreement for the Ocean.’
• It is a legally binding treaty to protect marine life in international waters.
• It sets precise mechanisms for the sustainable use of marine biological diversity through international cooperation and coordination. 
• It would also contribute to achieving several SDGs, particularly SDG14 (Life Below Water).
• The treaty will enter into force 120 days after the 60th country formally ratifies the agreement.

UN High Seas Treaty Features

• It contains 75 articles that aim at protecting, caring for, and ensuring the responsible use of the marine environment, maintaining the integrity of ocean ecosystems, and conserving the inherent value of marine biological diversity.
• It aims to place 30% of the seas into protected areas by 2030 (a pledge made by countries at the UN biodiversity conference in 2022).
• It will provide a legal framework for establishing vast marine protected areas (MPAs) to protect against the loss of wildlife and share out the genetic resources of the high seas.
• It also covers environmental assessments to evaluate the potential damage of commercial activities, such as deep-sea mining.
• It will establish a conference of the parties (CoP) that will meet periodically and enable member states to be held to account on issues such as governance and biodiversity.
• The treaty also includes a pledge by signatories to share ocean resources.
• Parties cannot claim or exercise sovereign rights over marine resources derived from the high seas and ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits. 
• It follows an inclusive, integrated, ecosystem-centric approach based on the precautionary principle and promotes using traditional knowledge and the best available scientific knowledge. 
• It helps minimise impacts on the marine environment through area-based management tools and establishes rules for conducting environmental impact assessments. 

What are High Seas?

• The high seas begin at the border of countries’ exclusive economic zones, which extend up to 370 km (200 nautical miles) from coastlines.
• Beyond that point, the seas are under the jurisdiction of no country, and all countries have a right to fish, ship, and do research.
• They make up more than 60% of the world’s oceans by surface area.
• Activities on the high seas are often unregulated and insufficiently monitored, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation.

United Nations High Seas Treaty FAQs

Q1. Is India part of the UN High Seas Treaty?

Ans. Yes, India is a signatory to the United Nations High Seas Treaty.

Q2. What does the UN High Seas Treaty do?

Ans. It is a landmark international agreement aimed at protecting marine life in the high seas.

Q3. Is the UN High Seas Treaty legally binding?

Ans. Yes, the UN High Seas Treaty is a legally binding treaty. 

Source: DTE

Line of Control Latest News

Pakistan violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control in the Kashmir Valley by resorting to unprovoked firing, a defence official said recently and added the army responded appropriately.

About Line of Control

• The LoC is the de facto military boundary between India and Pakistan in the region of Jammu and Kashmir.
• It is not an international boundary but a ceasefire line that was established after the 1947-48 India-Pakistan war over Kashmir.
• Then called the Ceasefire Line (CFL), it was redesignated as the "Line of Control" following the Simla Agreement, which was signed on 3 July 1972, following the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war.
• The LoC stretches about 740 kilometers, from the region of Ladakh in the north down to the Poonch district in the south.
• It is heavily militarized, with frequent skirmishes and exchanges of fire between Indian and Pakistani forces.
• On the Indian side of the LoC comes a part of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. On the Pakistani side comes the part of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK), Gilgit, and Baltistan. 
• The LoC is different from the International Border (IB), which is the officially recognized border between India and Pakistan elsewhere.

Line of Control FAQs

Q1. The Line of Control (LoC) was established after which conflict?

Ans. 1947-48 India-Pakistan War over Kashmir

Q2. Under which agreement was the Ceasefire Line renamed as the "Line of Control"?

Ans. Simla Agreement

Q3. Approximately how long is the Line of Control (LoC)?

Ans. 740 kilometers

Source: TH

'Phenome India' Project Latest News

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) had initiated a proposal call for 'Translational Research using GenomeIndia data' without disclosing crucial information about the available phenotype data, causing concerns among researchers across India.

Background

• The project successfully collected blood samples and associated phenotype data from over 20,000 individuals belonging to 83 population groups, comprising 30 tribal and 53 non-tribal populations spread across India.
• Preliminary findings based on the genetic data of 9,772 individuals were published in the journal Nature Genetics on April 8, 2025.

Types of Phenotype Data Collected

• The collected phenotype data included anthropometric measurements such as height, weight, hip circumference, waist circumference, and blood pressure.
• From the blood samples, complete blood counts and biochemical data such as glucose levels, lipid profiles, liver function, and kidney function tests were measured.

About 'Phenome India' Project

• The "Phenome India" project, officially named Phenome India-CSIR Health Cohort Knowledgebase (PI-CheCK) is an initiative launched by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on December 7, 2023.
• The main objective of the project is to develop India-specific risk prediction models for cardio-metabolic diseases including diabetes, liver diseases, and cardiac diseases.
• It is India’s first-ever pan-India longitudinal health monitoring study focused specifically on cardio-metabolic health.
• Participants include around 10,000 individuals—primarily CSIR employees, pensioners, and their spouses—from across 17 states and 24 cities.
• Collected data includes clinical questionnaires, lifestyle and dietary habits, anthropometric measurements, imaging and scanning data, and extensive biochemical and molecular data.
• This study is crucial for understanding how ethnic diversity and lifestyle patterns unique to India influence the risk and incidence of cardio-metabolic disorders.
• Through this project, CSIR is promoting a Predictive, Personalised, Participatory, and Preventive (P4) healthcare model suited to Indian genetic and phenotypic profiles.

'Phenome India' Project FAQs

Q1: What is the GenomeIndia Project?
Ans: The GenomeIndia Project is a national initiative to sequence the whole genomes of 10,000 Indian citizens to create a reference genome for the Indian population.

Q2: Which institutions are leading the GenomeIndia Project?
Ans: The project is coordinated by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, along with 20 other institutions across India.

Q3: Under which ministry is the GenomeIndia Project initiated?
Ans: The project is supported by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.

Source: TH

Iran Latest News

Recently, a massive explosion occurred at Shahid Rajaee Port near the southern Iranian city of Bandar Abbas, resulting in 18 deaths and 800 injuries.

About Iran

• Iran, with its capital at Tehran, is a prominent country located in West Asia.
• Iran shares land boundaries with Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan to the north, Afghanistan and Pakistan to the east, Iraq to the west, and Turkey to the northwest.
• Iran has maritime borders with Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
• It is bordered by major water bodies, namely the Caspian Sea to the north, and the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to the south.

Geographical Features of Iran

• Iran's terrain is predominantly marked by the Iranian Plateau, characterised by vast deserts like the Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut.
• The country is home to important mountain ranges such as the Zagros Mountains in the west and the Alborz Mountains in the north.
• Mount Damavand, located in the Alborz Mountain Range, is the highest peak in Iran and also the highest volcano in the Middle East.
• Iran's climate varies from arid and semi-arid conditions to subtropical regions, especially along the Caspian coast.
• Major rivers in Iran include the Karun, Dez, Karkheh, and Diyala rivers, essential for irrigation and agriculture.
• Iran's natural resources are abundant and include oil and natural gas, along with coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, and sulphur.

Strategic Importance of Shahid Rajaee Port

• Location: The port is located near the Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly 20% of global oil trade passes, making it a critical chokepoint in global energy security.
• Economic role: It is Iran’s largest and most technologically advanced container port, handling a significant share of the country’s import-export trade.

Iran FAQs

Q1: What is the significance of Iran for India’s foreign policy?
Ans: Iran is crucial for India's energy security, connectivity projects like the Chabahar Port, and as a gateway to Central Asia under the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).

Q2: What is the Chabahar Port project?
Ans: The Chabahar Port in Iran, developed with Indian assistance, provides India direct access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.

Source: TH

Continental Shelf Latest News

India has increased its claim in the Central Arabian Sea, as part of its ‘extended continental shelf’ by nearly 10,000 sq.km but also modified an earlier claim to avoid a long-standing dispute with Pakistan over the maritime boundary between the two countries.

About Continental Shelf

• It is the edge of a continent that lies under the ocean.
• It is the extension of a coastal State’s land territory under the sea.
• It extends from the coastline of a continent to a drop-off point called the shelf break.
• From the break, the shelf descends toward the deep ocean floorin what is called the continental slope.
• The actual boundary of a continent is not its coastline, but the edge of the continental shelf. 
• Formation: 
  • Over many millions of years, organic and inorganic materials formed continental shelves. 
  • Inorganic material built up as rivers carried sediment—bits of rock, soil, and gravel—to the edges of the continents and into the ocean. 
  • These sediments gradually accumulated in layers at the edges of continents. 
  • Organic material, such as the remains of plants and animals, also accumulated.
• The widths of the continental shelves vary.
• Most continental shelves are broad, gently sloping plains covered by relatively shallow water. 
• The average width of continental shelves is about 65 km (40 miles). 
• Water depth over the continental shelves averages about 60 meters (200 feet). 
• Sunlight penetrates the shallow waters, and many kinds of organisms flourish—from microscopic shrimp to giant seaweed called kelp. 
• Ocean currents and runoff from rivers bring nutrients to organisms that live on continental shelves.
• Plants and algae make continental shelves rich feeding grounds for sea creatures. 
• The shelves make up less than 10 percent of the total area of the oceans.
• In some places, deep canyons and channels cut through the continental shelves. 
• Little light penetrates these submarine canyons, and they are sometimes the least-explored areas of continents. 

What is the Extended Continental Shelf?

• Geopolitically, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), coastal countries have special rights over the continental shelf for exploring and exploiting natural resources up to 200 nautical miles (exclusive economic zone).
• In addition to this, such States can make claims for more area in the ocean provided they can scientifically establish to a UN body, called the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS), that this claimed area extends unbroken from their landmass all the way to the seabed.
• All of this oceanic area is considered part of a country’s extended continental shelf. 
• This gives them rights to commercially mine for valuable minerals, polymetallic nodules, and oil reserves. 

Continental Shelf FAQs

Q1. What is the difference between EEZ and continental shelf?

Ans. The continental shelf includes only the seabed and subsoil, whereas the EEZ also includes the water column.

Q2. Which is the largest continental shelf in the world?

Ans. The world's largest continental shelf extends 1,500 km (about 930 miles) from the coast of Siberia into the Arctic Ocean.

Q3. Which is the longest continental shelf in India?

Ans. The Indian state with the broadest continental shelf is Gujarat.

Source: TH

National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) Latest News

Recently, NICDC was honoured with the Udyog Vikas Award at the Udyog Vikas event organised by Janmabhumi Daily in Kerala.

About National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP)

• NICDP is India's most ambitious infrastructure initiative aimed at developing new industrial cities as "Smart Cities", integrating next-generation technologies across infrastructure sectors.
• National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) is the nodal agency managing the programme.
• NICDP is designed to attract investments from both large anchor industries and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), acting as a catalyst for achieving the Government’s goal of $2 trillion in exports by 2030.
• Newly sanctioned industrial areas under NICDP include: Khurpia (Uttarakhand), Rajpura-Patiala (Punjab), Dighi (Maharashtra), Palakkad (Kerala), Agra and Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), Gaya (Bihar), Zaheerabad (Telangana), Orvakal and Kopparthy (Andhra Pradesh), and Jodhpur-Pali (Rajasthan).
• These projects are closely aligned with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, ensuring integrated, seamless multi-modal connectivity across the country.

Palakkad Industrial Smart City (Kerala)

• The Palakkad Industrial Smart City, spanning 1,710 acres across Pudussery Central, Pudussery West, and Kannambra, is set to reshape Kerala’s industrial landscape.
• Strategic location advantages:
  • 21 km from Palakkad city
  • 120 km from Cochin
  • 50 km from Coimbatore
  • Offering seamless interstate connectivity and strong logistical benefits.
• Designed to be South India's key industrial gateway, it ensures multi-modal connectivity via road, rail, and air, making it attractive for high-quality investments, regional employment generation, and innovation.

National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) FAQs

Q1: What is the objective of the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP)?
Ans: The NICDP aims to develop world-class industrial nodes and integrated infrastructure to boost manufacturing, attract investments, and enhance India's competitiveness globally.

Q2: Which government agency is responsible for implementing NICDP?
Ans: The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) is the main agency coordinating the development of industrial corridors under NICDP.

Source: PIB

3D Microscope Latest News

For the first time, the Indian Army's Department of Ophthalmology at Army Hospital (Research and Referral), New Delhi, has successfully performed Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) using a 3D Microscope.

What is a Microscope?

• A microscope is an instrument that magnifies small objects, making them visible to the naked eye by bending (refracting) light rays through curved lenses.
• The most commonly used microscopes are optical microscopes, where visible light is focused through lenses to create an enlarged image.

What is a 3D Microscope?

• A 3D microscope produces images with depth information (X, Y, and Z axes), allowing researchers to visualize and measure the topography, volume, and internal structures of samples.
• Unlike traditional light microscopes, which provide flat, 2D images, 3D microscopes use advanced optical, electron, or computational techniques to capture and reconstruct three-dimensional data.
• This is particularly useful for studying complex biological or environmental samples, such as soil microbes, aquatic organisms, or microplastics.

Features of the 3D Microscope

• The 3D Microscope uses advanced three-dimensional visualisation, assisting in complex eye surgeries such as treatment for squint, cataract, corneal diseases, glaucoma, and retinal conditions.
• It employs special 3D polarisation glasses for surgeons and a 55-inch 4K ultra-HD display.
• Key advantages include:
  • Reduced surgical time and lower complication rates compared to conventional microscopes.
  • Decreased endoilluminator power requirements, thereby reducing photo-toxicity risks.
  • Ease of performing surgeries in complex and rare cases.

3D Microscope FAQs

Q1: What is a 3D Microscope?
Ans: A 3D Microscope is an advanced imaging tool that creates three-dimensional, highly detailed visualizations of microscopic samples, enhancing depth perception.

Q2: Which technologies are used in 3D Microscopy?
Ans: Techniques like confocal microscopy, two-photon microscopy, and light-sheet fluorescence microscopy are commonly used for 3D imaging.

Q3: How does a 3D Microscope differ from a traditional microscope?
Ans: Unlike traditional microscopes that provide flat, two-dimensional images, 3D microscopes generate volumetric images that can be rotated and analysed from different angles.

Source: PIB

Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary Latest News

The Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary, located in Latehar district of Jharkhand, holds the distinction of being India’s first and only wolf sanctuary.

About Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary

• Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary, located in the Latehar district of Jharkhand, is India’s first and only wolf sanctuary, dedicated to the conservation of the Indian grey wolf (Canis lupus pallipes).
• The sanctuary, spread over approximately 63 square kilometers, was declared in 1976 specifically for the protection of the Indian wolf population.
• Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary is an integral part of the Palamau Tiger Reserve.
• The wildlife of the sanctuary includes species such as spotted deer, wild boar, hyena, bear, and notably, the Indian wolf.

About the Indian Grey Wolf

• The Indian grey wolf is a subspecies of the grey wolf found across Southwest Asia and the Indian subcontinent.
• It inhabits scrublands, grasslands, and semi-arid agroecosystems and thrives in warmer temperatures.
• Unlike other wolf subspecies, it lives in smaller packs and is less vocal, being primarily nocturnal and hunting from dusk to dawn.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Endangered (Indian population estimated between 2,000–3,000 individuals).
  • CITES: Listed in Appendix I, indicating the highest level of international protection.
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Included under Schedule I, granting maximum legal protection in India.

Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary FAQs

Q1: Where is the Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary located?
Ans: The Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary is located in the Latehar district of Jharkhand, India.

Q2: What type of ecosystem is found in Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary?
Ans: The sanctuary features dry deciduous forests, grasslands, and rocky terrain, providing an ideal habitat for wolves and other wildlife.

Source: DTE

StormBreaker Missile Latest News

US fighter jets appear to be using advanced "StormBreaker" precision glide bombs in combat against the Houthis, part of the intense bombing campaign against the Iran-backed rebels.

About StormBreaker Missile

• The Stormbreaker, designated as the GBU-53/B and also known as the Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB-II), is an American air-launched, precision-guided glide bomb developed by Raytheon.
• It is designed for all-weather precision strikes against both stationary and moving targets.

StormBreaker Missile Features

• The weapon weighs 93 kg, measures 1.76 meters in length, and has a diameter ranging from 15 to 18 cm. 
• It features a multi-mode guidance system that combines millimeter-wave radar, uncooled infrared imaging, and a digital semi-active laser. 
• Its GPS/INS navigation system allows for real-time in-flight target updates, enhancing adaptability to evolving mission requirements.
• It incorporates TacNet Data Link (DL) technology, enabling weapon-to-weapon collaboration. 
• This system facilitates Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) to identify and engage tracked or wheeled vehicles.
• It features a multi-effects warhead that enhances lethality against a range of targets. 
• The weapon, which combines blast, fragmentation, and shaped charge modes, guarantees decisive outcomes with each attack, efficiently eliminating threats on the battlefield.
• It can strike moving targets at a range of 45 miles and stationary targets at a maximum range of 69 miles.

StormBreaker Missile FAQs

Q1. Which company developed the StormBreaker missile?

Ans. Raytheon

Q2. What is the maximum range of StormBreaker against stationary targets?

Ans. 69 miles

Q3. What is another name for the StormBreaker missile?

Ans. Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB-II)

Source: BI

Anaemia Latest News

According to a recent study conducted on women in the UK, being anaemic during pregnancy could be linked to a 47 percent higher chance of the child having a heart condition at birth.

About Anaemia

• Anemia is a problem of not having enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin to carry oxygen to the body's tissues. 
  • Hemoglobin is a protein found in red cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all other organs in the body. 
• Having anemia can cause tiredness, weakness, and shortness of breath.
• There are many forms of anemia. Each has its own cause. 
• Some types of anemia are inherited, but people may also acquire or develop the condition during their lifetimes.
• WHO estimates that 40% of children 6–59 months of age, 37% of pregnant women, and 30% of women 15–49 years of age worldwide are anaemic.
• Anemia can be short-term or long-term. It can range from mild to severe. 
• Severe anemia can be life-threatening. This condition may also be a symptom of serious conditions like cancer.
• A common type of anaemia is iron-deficiency anaemia, which is usually caused by not eating or absorbing enough iron, or by losing blood.
• Treatments for anemia might involve taking supplements or having medical procedures. 
• Eating a healthy diet might prevent some forms of anemia.

Anaemia FAQs

Q1. What is the main reason for anaemia?

Ans. The main reason for anaemia is a lack of healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood.

Q2. Is anemia life threatening?

Ans. Yes, severe or untreated anemia can be life-threatening. 

Q3. What is the main role of hemoglobin in the body?

Ans. Carry oxygen from the lungs to other organs.

Source: BS