- INTERNATIONAL
IRAN FIRES MISSILES AT ISRAEL, WARNS AGAINST RETALIATION
- Iran-Israel Conflict: Missile Attack: Iran fired approximately 180 ballistic missiles at Israel.
- Retaliation: This was in response to Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
- Hezbollah: A Shiite militant group based in Lebanon, supported by Iran.
- Geopolitical Reactions: Israel’s Response: Israel launched ground operations in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah.
- Iran’s Threat: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards threatened further attacks if Israel retaliated.
- International Reactions: The U.S. expressed support for Israel, indicating readiness to assist in defense.
- United Nations Charter: Iran claimed its actions were in accordance with the UN Charter, which allows for self-defense if a member state is attacked.
- Regional Impact: Jordan: Missiles intercepted in Jordanian airspace.
- Tehran Airport: Flights suspended at Tehran International Airport for safety.
- Statements from Organizations: Hamas: Praised Iran’s missile attack as a heroic act of resistance.
2. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
ISRO TARGETS TO LAUNCH VENUS MISSION IN MARCH 2028 FOR 112 DAY JOURNEY TO PLANET
- India’s maiden mission to Venus, the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), is a significant milestone for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
- Mission Overview
- Launch Date: The mission is scheduled for launch on March 29, 2028.
- Journey Duration: The spacecraft will take 112 days to reach Venus, with an expected arrival date of July 19, 2028.
- Budget: The mission has been allocated a budget of ₹1,236 crore.
- Launch Vehicle: The Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3) has been chosen for this mission.
- Scientific Objectives
- The VOM aims to explore various aspects of Venus, including its atmosphere, surface, and interaction with the sun. Here are the key scientific objectives:
- Atmospheric Studies: Examine dust in the Venusian atmosphere.
- Analyze Venusian airglow.
- Surface Mapping: High-resolution topographic mapping of Venus’s surface.
- Solar Interaction: Study the solar X-ray spectrum near Venus.
- Sub-surface Characteristics: Investigate the sub-surface characteristics of Venus.
3. BILATERAL
INDIA DOES NOT SHARE JAPANESE PM’S VIEW OF ASIAN NATO SAYS JAISHANKAR
- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s remarks on India’s foreign policy stance, particularly in relation to the concept of an ‘Asian NATO’ proposed by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, provide a significant insight into India’s strategic thinking and its evolution from non-alignment to multi-alignment.
- India’s Rejection of ‘Asian NATO’:
- Japanese Perspective: Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba suggested the formation of an ‘Asian NATO’ to counter China’s military assertiveness.
- India’s Response: India does not support this view. India has never been a treaty ally of any country and does not envision a strategic architecture similar to NATO.
- Historical Context: Non-Alignment Movement (NAM): Post-independence, India adopted a non-aligned policy, avoiding formal alliances with major power blocs during the Cold War.
- Strategic Autonomy: This policy was rooted in maintaining strategic autonomy and avoiding entanglement in power bloc politics.
- Shift to Multi-Alignment: Global Rebalancing: The shift towards multi-alignment is driven by global rebalancing and the effects of globalization.
- Policy Characteristics: Issue-Based Alliances: Unlike non-alignment, multi-alignment allows India to form issue-based alliances, such as the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) with the U.S., Australia, and Japan.
- Proactive Engagement: India is now more willing to engage proactively and take risks to achieve desired outcomes.
- Examples of Multi-Alignment: Quad: The formation of the Quad is a clear departure from the nonaligned era, reflecting India’s readiness to collaborate on specific strategic issues.
- Red Sea Security: India’s involvement in securing sea lanes in the Red Sea, including sending ships to counter Houthi attacks, exemplifies its capability-driven and proactive approach.
4. GEOGRAPHY
MONSOON ENDS WITH 8% MORE RAINFALL THAN NORMAL IN SEASON : IMD
- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that the southwest monsoon this year was 8% above its long-term average. Additionally, rainfall is expected to continue in October and November with above-normal levels anticipated.
- Factors Influencing Monsoon: La Nina: Typically, La Nina, characterized by a cooling of the Central Equatorial Pacific, influences bountiful rainfall. However, La Nina did not set in as expected by September.
- Low Pressure Systems: The primary reason for the good rainfall was the formation of 14 low-pressure systems from June to September, which brought moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.
- Post-Monsoon Rainfall (October-December):
- Forecast: The IMD forecasts above-normal rainfall for south peninsular India, which includes Tamil Nadu, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, Kerala, and south interior Karnataka.
- Expected Rainfall: At least 12% more than the usual average for the three months combined. The average rainfall from 1971 to 2020 for this period is about 33 centimeters.
- Regional Variations: Northwest India, some parts of northeast India, and southernmost parts of India are likely to receive normal to below-normal rainfall.
5. ENVIRONMENT
8 PRODUCTS USED BY ASSAM TRIBE, INCLUDING TRADITIONAL FOOD ITEMS, GRANTED GI TAG
- The Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai has granted GI tags to eight traditional products from Assam, including unique varieties of rice beer and traditional food items. This recognition helps in preserving the cultural heritage and promoting the unique identity of these products.
- Products Granted GI Tags:
- Rice Beer Variants:
- Bodo Jou Gwran: Alcohol Content: Approximately 16.11%, the highest among Bodo community rice beers.
- Maibra Jou Bidwi (Maibra Jwu Bidwi or Maibra Zwu Bidwi):
- Cultural Significance: Served as a welcome drink by most Bodo tribes.
- Preparation: Fermented half-cooked rice (mairong) with less water and a little ‘amao’ (a potential source of yeast).
- Bodo Jou Gishi: A traditionally fermented rice-based alcoholic beverage.
- Traditional Food Items:
- Bodo Napham: A dish prepared with fermented fish.
- Bodo Ondla: A rice powder curry flavored with garlic, ginger, salt, and alkali.
- Bodo Gwkha (Gwka Gwkhi):
- Cultural Significance: Prepared during the Bwisagu festival.
- Bodo Narzi: A semi-fermented food prepared with jute leaves (Corchorus capsularis), rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins, and essential minerals.
- Traditional Cloth: Bodo Aronai: A small, beautiful cloth, recognized for its cultural significance.
- Cultural and Historical Significance: Bodoland Tradition: The Bodo community has a long-standing tradition of consuming rice beer, believed to have originated from Lord Shiva and taken as a medicine.
- Preservation of Heritage: The GI tags help in preserving the traditional methods of preparation and the cultural heritage associated with these products.
ONE LINER
- Kerala has earned the top spot in the Urban Governance Index (UGI), released by the Praja Foundation
- Tamil Nadu has constituted a state level task force to reduce Maternal Morality Ratio to less than 10 per one lakh live births
