About Goods Trade Barometer: 

• It was formerly known as the World Trade Outlook Indicator.
• It is developed by the World Trade Organization and provides “real-time” information on trends in world trade.
• It is a leading indicator that signals changes in world trade growth two to three months ahead of merchandise trade volume statistics. 
• It combines a variety of trade-related component indices into a single composite index that highlights turning points in world merchandise trade and provides an indication of its likely trajectory in the near future.
• A reading of 100 indicates trade expansion in line with recent trends. Readings greater than 100 suggest above-trend growth while readings below 100 indicate below-trend growth.
• This Barometer is updated on a quarterly basis.
• Current Trend
  • The current value of the WTO Goods Trade Barometer, an early indicator of the trajectory of merchandise trade volume, stands at 103—above both the quarterly trade volume index and the baseline value of 100.
  • This suggests that merchandise trade has been picking up in the third quarter of 2024.

Q1: What is the World Trade Organisation (WTO)?

It was established in 1995 under the Marrakesh Treaty (1994) with the aim of promoting free and fair trade among its member countries. However, in recent years, the organization has come under scrutiny for its perceived failure to address escalating trade tensions between nations. 

Source: WTO goods trade barometer signals upturn in world trade, but uncertainty remains

About Madeira River: 

• It is a major tributary of the Amazon River.
• It is formed by the junction of the Mamoré and Beni rivers at Villa Bella, Bolivia, and flows northward.
• It forms the border between Bolivia and Brazil for approximately 60 miles (100 km).
• The Madeira River is part of the larger Madeira Basin, which encompasses approximately 1,300,000 square kilometers (502,000 square miles) and covers about 19% of the entire Amazon Basin.
• The basin extends across Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru, with roughly 50% of its area in Bolivia, 40% in Brazil, and 10% in Peru. 
• Significance of the river
  • The Madeira River is a significant waterway in South America, playing a crucial role in the hydrology of the Amazon Basin.
  • As the largest tributary of the Amazon River, it is a vital component of the region's ecosystem, spanning Bolivia and Brazil and supporting diverse flora and fauna.

Q1: What is Hydrology?

Hydrology is the science that encompasses the study of water on the Earth’s surface and beneath the surface of the Earth, the occurrence and movement of water, the physical and chemical properties of water, and its relationship with the living and material components of the environment.

Source: A crisis in the making: Amazon, the largest river in the world, is drying

About Galathea Bay: 

• Location: It is located in the Great Nicobar Island of Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India.
• It is being developed as an International Container Transshipment Port (ICTP).
• It is also eligible for central funding and will be developed under the public-private partnership model.
• The proposed facility is envisaged to be developed in four phases with Phase 1 is proposed to be commissioned in the year 2028 with handling capacity of ~ 4 Million TEUs, increasing to 16 Million TEUs in the ultimate stage of development by 2058.
• Once operational, the Galathea Bay project will help capture a large share of transshipped cargo which is handled at ports outside India.

Significance of this project

• The project focuses on three key drivers, which can result in making it a leading container transshipment port, i.e.
  • Strategic location in terms of proximity (40 nautical miles) with the International shipping trade route
  • Availability of natural water depth of over 20m and carrying capacity of transshipment cargo from all the Ports in the proximity including Indian Ports.

Ports in India

• India currently has 12 operational Major Ports controlled by the central government and another 200 non-major ones governed by the states.
• The Major Port Authorities Act, 2021 provides for regulation, operation and planning of Major Ports in India and vests the administration, control and management of such ports upon the Boards of Major Port Authorities. 

Q1: What is a bay?

It is a body of water partially surrounded by land. A bay is usually smaller and less enclosed than a gulf. The mouth of the bay, where it meets the ocean or lake, is typically wider than that of a gulf.

Source: Centre notifies Galathea Bay as a 'Major Port'

About Helium: 

• It is an inert gas and does not react with other substances or combust.
• Its atomic number is 2, making it the second lightest element after hydrogen.
• Helium also has a very low boiling point (-268.9° C), allowing it to remain a gas even in super-cold environments.
• The gas is non-toxic, but cannot be breathed on its own, because it displaces the oxygen humans need for respiration.

How is it used in Rockets?

• Helium is used to pressurize fuel tanks, ensuring fuel flows to the rocket’s engines without interruption; and for cooling systems.
• As fuel and oxidiser are burned in the rocket’s engines, helium fills the resulting empty space in the tanks, maintaining the overall pressure inside.
• Because it is non-reactive, it can safely mingle with the tanks’ residual contents.

Is it prone to leaks?

• Helium’s small atomic size and low molecular weight mean its atoms can escape through small gaps or seals in storage tanks and fuel systems.
• But because there is very little helium in the Earth’s atmosphere, leaks can be easily detected - making the gas important for spotting potential faults in a rocket or spacecraft’s fuel systems.

Q1: What are inert gases?

These are gases which are chemically inactive, so will not undergo chemical reactions with many materials. Inert gases are used for many purposes in a wide range of industries - for example in welding, chemical processing, and as filler gases in light sources.

Source: What is helium and why is it used in rockets?

About NIDHI Programme: 

• The National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing innovations (NIDHI) program was launched in 2016.
• It is an umbrella programme conceived and developed by the Innovation & Entrepreneurship division, Department of Science & Technology.
• Aim: To nurture start-ups through scouting, supporting and scaling innovations.
• Key stakeholders: Various departments and ministries of the central government, state governments, academic and R & D institutions, mentors, financial institutions, angel investors, venture capitalists and private sectors.
• Funding: It is funded by the National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB).
• Key Components of the Program
  • The NIDHI- PRAYAS (Promoting and Accelerating Young and Aspiring Innovators and Startups) program at Proof-of-Concept level provides mentoring and financial support to innovator for converting their ideas into prototypes.
  • NIDHI Entrepreneurs-In-Residence (EIR) Program provides fellowships to the students opting for entrepreneurship.
  • The NIDHI Seed Support Program provisions availability of early-stage seed support funding to startups and the NIDHI Accelerator program speeds up the investment readiness of the startups.
  • The NIDHI program has been helpful in creating state-of-the art infrastructure for incubating startups in technology sectors through Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) and Centres of Excellence (CoE).
  • NIDHI Accelerator: An accelerator is typically a 3-6 months fast track structured program helping ideas get accelerated to the next orbit.

What are i-Technology Business Incubators (i-TBIs)?

• i-TBIs (Inclusive TBI) is a three years duration initiative Supported by DST for educational institutions who are likely to foster innovation and entrepreneurship culture among the students, faculties, entrepreneurs, and nearby communities.

Q1: What is Startup India Initiative?

It is a flagship initiative of the Government of India intended to catalyse start-up culture with the objective of supporting entrepreneurs, building a robust startup ecosystem and transforming India into a country of job creators instead of job seekers.

Source: Women-led StartUps to place India in global arena, says Jitendra Singh

About Sahariya Tribe:

• The Sahariya tribe is a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) spread across the states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh.
• Sahariya, also known as Seher, Sair, Sawar, Saor, Sahara, etc.
• Traditionally, they trace back their beginnings to the days of the Ramayana and even beyond.
• They are among the most disadvantaged and vulnerable population groups in the country.
• Residing in communities with non-Sahariya members, the Sahariyas mostly live in a separate area in the village, which is called ‘Seharana’. It is generally a cluster of houses.
  • The houses are made of some stone boulders, and the roofing is also made of stone slabs - locally called Patore. In some villages, mud structures are also constructed. 
  • In villages, ties to the caste system are very strong,andpeople belonging to the same caste live in close proximity. 
• Religion: They practice Hinduism as their religion.
• Language: They speak a dialect influenced by Hindi and Brij Bhasha.
• They are known for their dance, the Saharia Swang, which is performed during the month of Holi.
  • The dance is performed to the beats of the dhol, nagari, and matki.
  • It features a male dressed in female attire who dances around the male performers.
• Economy:
  • Members of the Sahariya tribe are mostly dependent on forest products, agriculture, and daily wage labor to sustain their lives.
  • They are particularly skilled in making catechu from khair trees.

Q1: Who are Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)?

PVTGs are a more vulnerable group among tribal groups in India. These groups have primitive traits, geographical isolation, low literacy, zero to negative population growth rate and backwardness. Moreover, they are largely dependent on hunting for food and a pre-agriculture level of technology. Currently, there are 2.8 million PVTGs belonging to 75 tribes across 22,544 villages in 220 districts across 18 states and Union Territories in India. According to the 2011 Census, Odisha has the largest population of PVTGs at 866,000. It is followed by Madhya Pradesh at 609,000 and Andhra Pradesh (including Telangana) at 539,000.

Source: Rajasthan: Over 100 malnourished children among Sahariya tribe found in Baran district

Why in News?

• The agreement was the first international legally binding treaty on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems.
• The CoE originally adopted this International AI treaty in May 2023.
• Prepared against the backdrop of fast evolving AI technology and growing concerns about their misuse, such as deep fakes, the treaty sets out a legal framework to govern the entire lifecycle of AI systems and address the risks they may pose while promoting responsible innovation.
• It is open for even non-European members.
• It governs the use of AI systems for the public and private sectors with different models of complying with its principles and obligations when regulating the private sector. 

About Council of Europe (CoE):

• It is an international organization of European countries that seeks to protect democracy and human rights and to promote European unity by fostering cooperation on legal, cultural, and social issues.
• It is Europe’s oldest and largest intergovernmental organisation.
• Founded in 1949, it includes 47 member states, 27 of which are members of the European Union (EU).
• It is headquartered in Strasbourg, France.
• Its working languages are English and French.
• CoE should not be confused with the European Council, which is a policy-making body of the EU.
• The CoE addresses issues of common concern to its members, including human rights, crime prevention, drug abuse, environmental protection, bioethical issues, and migration. 
• To manage these affairs, the council has devised more than 160 international agreements, treaties, and conventions that have replaced literally tens of thousands of bilateral treaties between various European states. 
• Among the most important of its agreements are the European Convention on Human Rights (1950), the European Cultural Convention (1954), the European Social Charter (1961), the European Convention on the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment and Punishment (1987), the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (1995), and the Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine (1997).
• It is composed of four principal bodies: the Committee of Ministers (decision-making body), the Parliamentary Assembly, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe, and the Secretariat. 

How is the CoE different from the European Union?

• CoE is not a supranational institution like the European Community.
  • It does not have legislative power.
  • Its member states are cooperating on a voluntary basis.
  • The CoE cannot impose any rule on its member states. 
• Unlike the EU, the CoE is not an economic organization.

Q1: What is the European Commission? 

European Commission (EC) is an institution of the European Union (EU) and its constituent entities that makes up the organization’s executive arm. The EC also has legislative functions, such as proposing new laws for the European Parliament, and judicial functions, such as finding legal solutions to business and trade issues between countries within the EU.

Source: US, UK and EU sign Council of Europe’s International AI treaty

About Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant:

• It is situated in Al Dhafra, within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, UAE, on the Arabian Gulf, about 53 km west-southwest of the city of Ruwais.
• It is the first nuclear energy plant in the Arab World.
• Construction of the plant commenced in July 2012. It started operations in 2020 when the first of its four reactors went into service.
• The plant consists of four nuclear reactors, which once fully operational will prevent the release of up to 21 million tonnes of carbon emissions every year.
• It will produce 40 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity annually.
• It is expected to provide up to 25% of the electricity needs of the UAE, nearly the equivalent of New Zealand's annual consumption.
• The station will power companies, including the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), one of the world's biggest oil producers, Emirates Steel, and Emirates Global Aluminium.

Q1: What is Nuclear Energy?

Nuclear energy is a form of energy released from the nucleus, the core of atoms, made up of protons and neutrons. This source of energy can be produced in two ways: fission – when nuclei of atoms split into several parts – or fusion – when nuclei fuse together.

Source: Oil-rich UAE completes Arab world’s first nuclear plant

About Globba tyrnaensis and Globba janakiae:

• These delicate plants, often referred to as "dancing girls”, named for the way their flower structures appear to move in the wind, belong to the genus Globba, a group of ornamental plants in the ginger family (Zingiberaceae).
• Globba species are native to tropical regions such as Southeast Asia, India, and the Eastern Himalayas, and are known for their intricate, colorful flowers.
• The first species, Globba tyrnaensis, was found in the famed Double Decker Living Root Bridge area of Tyrna village, located in the East Khasi Hills district, Meghalaya, at an elevation of 731 meters.
  • A smaller population was also identified near Thangkharang Park in Cherrapunji. 
  • It is distinguished by its short inflorescence, orange flowers, and large anthers. 
  • It also produces bulbils that aid in propagation.
  • It thrives in the moist, shaded forest understory.
  • Its flowers attract bees, contributing to the local ecosystem.
  • The species has been informally classified as endangered, according to International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) guidelines.
• Globba janakiae was also discovered in the Tyrna village area, though it has an even smaller population, with fewer than 10 mature individuals recorded. 
  • It stands out due to its shorter inflorescence and the absence of inflorescence bracts.
  • Its flowers are orange, and the species has distinctive heart-shaped labellum structures with small horn-like appendages.
  • Named in honor of EK Janaki Ammal, a pioneering Indian botanist known for her advocacy of native plants and opposition to deforestation, Globba janakiae has been assessed as critically endangered.

Q1: What is IUCN?

The International Union for Conservation of Nature is a global organization composed of governments, NGOs, scientists, and experts dedicated to conserving nature and promoting sustainability. Its primary role involves assessing the conservation status of species, providing data and analysis on the state of biodiversity worldwide, and offering guidance and frameworks for conservation efforts.

Source: 2 new ginger species discovered in Living Root Bridge area

About INDIAsize Initiative:

• It is an initiative of the Ministry of Textiles which aims to establish standardized measurements designed to better suit Indian body types.
• Need:
  • Presently, international and domestic brands available in India use measurements from the US or the UK for garments, having 'small', 'medium' and 'large' sizes.
  • However, Western body types differ from Indians in terms of height, weight, or specific measurements of body parts.
  • It fails to account for the diversity in Indian body types, leading to frequent fitting issues and consumer dissatisfaction.
• The Ministry of Textiles sanctioned the INDIAsize project to develop standard body sizes for the Indian apparel sector to address the prevailing disparities and inconsistencies in provided fits.
• The project entails gathering anthropometric data pan India from more than 25000 (Twenty-Five Thousand) male and female persons between the age group of 15 years and 65 years using human safe 3D whole body scanning technology.
• The created body size chart will help national and international retailers and manufacturers to produce goods which are best suited for Indian body types and create a balance between demand and supply of well fitted garments.
• Once rolled out, INDIAsize will serve as a benchmark for Indian and international fashion brands selling in the country.

Q1: What is anthropometric data?

Anthropometric data are data on human body size and shape and are the basis upon which all digital human models are constructed. All aspects of the utility of a human model are therefore governed by its anthropometric characteristics. The physical size, the postures that can be adopted, and the tasks that can be performed are all influenced to some degree by anthropometry.

Source: Govt to soon launch INDIAsize initiative, says Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh