Facts In News 20-11-2024

African Penguins

Syllabus: GS 3/Species

Context

• The African penguin became the first penguin species in the world to be listed as critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

About: African penguins (Spheniscus demersus)

• It is one of the smallest penguin species, commonly referred to as “jackass” penguins due to their donkey-like braying calls. Males are generally slightly larger than their female counterparts.
  • African penguins are monogamous, meaning they have one partner throughout their life.
• Characteristics: African penguins can be recognized by the pink patches of skin above their eyes, which are used to regulate body temperature. 
• Habitat: They are found only in Namibia and South Africa. Their numbers have been declining since the 1800s and at present there are fewer than 20,000 birds left in the wild.
• Threat: Predators, such as Cape fur seals and kelp gulls, rising ocean temperatures, and lack of prey (small fish like sardines and anchovies).
• Protection: They have been protected under South Africa’s Sea Birds and Seals Protection Act since 1973 (and more recently under the Marine Threatened or Protected Species Regulations since 2017).
  • These laws and regulations ban the capture of penguins or their eggs and any intentional harm done to them.

Do you know? – Penguins are a family of 17 to 19 species of birds that live primarily in the Southern Hemisphere.  – They include the tiny blue penguins of Australia and New Zealand, the majestic emperor penguins of Antarctica, and the Galápagos penguin (the only penguin to be found north of the equator). – Although penguins are birds, they have flippers instead of wings and are unable to fly.

Source: DTE

Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 2023

Syllabus: Miscellaneous

Context

• The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2023 was presented to Daniel Barenboim and Ali Abu Awwad.

About

• Abu Awwad is an eminent Palestinian peace activist who has been working for a peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
• Barenboim, an Argentine-born distinguished classical pianist, is known for his endeavour in using music to foster harmony in West Asia.

Indira Gandhi Peace Prize

• Instituted in 1986, the award is given annually by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust and consists of a monetary award of Rs 25 lakh along with a citation.
• The award is named after Indira Gandhi, the first and only woman Prime Minister of independent India.
• It aims to honor women, men and institutions that have done exemplary work in the service of humanity and the planet Earth.
• Recipients are chosen from a pool of national and international nominees.
  • Last year it was jointly awarded to the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the Trained Nurses Association of India (TNAI) as representatives of the COVID-19 warriors in the country.

Source: TH

Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi

Syllabus: GS1/ Modern Indian History, Personalities in News

Context

• PM Modi has paid tributes to Rani Lakshmibai on her Jayanti.

About

• Early Life: Rani Lakshmibai, born on November 19, 1828, in Varanasi, was named Manikarnika Tambe and lovingly called Manu.
  • She was trained in martial arts, horsemanship, and sword fighting, showcasing an early inclination towards bravery.
• Marriage: was married to Maharaja Gangadhar Rao Newalkar of Jhansi, after which she became known as Rani Lakshmibai. 
• Conflict with the British: The British, under the doctrine of Lapse, ordered the merger of Jhansi into the British Empire and assured the queen of pension. 

Role in the Freedom Struggle

• Rani Lakshmibai was a key figure in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and is considered one of India’s greatest freedom fighters.
• British forces led by Sir Hugh Rose laid siege to Jhansi and Rani Lakshmibai joined forces with Tantia Tope and other freedom fighters.
• Battle of Gwalior: She fought her last battle in Gwalior and was martyred on June 18, 1858.

Source: PIB

Army Tactical Missile System(ATACMS )

Syllabus :GS 3/Defense

In News

Russia’s Ministry of Defense said  that Ukraine used six ATACMS 

About ATACMS

• The ATACMS, developed by Lockheed Martin in the 1980s, is a short-range ballistic missile designed to target high-value enemy positions up to 300 km.
•  Unlike artillery rockets, ATACMS fly much higher and farther, returning to the ground at high speeds due to gravity. Initially created to target Soviet assets, it was one of the few guided weapons at a time when the U.S. used mostly unguided munitions. 
• The Pentagon currently holds two versions: one with a cluster warhead and another with a single explosive charge.

Source :IE

SANYUKT VIMOCHAN 2024′

Syllabus :GS 3/Defense

In News

The Indian Army successfully conducted the Sanyukt Vimochan 2024  in Gujarat. 

About SANYUKT VIMOCHAN 2024

• It is a Multilateral Annual Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise
• It showcased India’s disaster response readiness and involved various Indian armed forces, disaster management agencies, and foreign delegations.
• The exercise began with a Table Top Exercise (TTX), simulating a cyclone scenario in Gujarat’s coastal region. 
• The second day featured a Multi-Agency Capability Demonstration at Porbandar’s Chowpatty Beach, where coordinated logistics, rapid response, and disaster management operations were practiced by the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and other agencies.
  • The demonstration included rescue operations, casualty evacuation, and the rehabilitation of affected citizens.

Importance 

• Aligned with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the event also featured an Industrial Display to showcase indigenous disaster response technology. 
• Foreign delegates from nine countries participated, emphasizing international collaboration in disaster management.
•  The exercise strengthened India’s national preparedness and showcased its leadership in global disaster relief.

Source :PIB

Sebi’s New F&O Rule to Come Into Effect

Syllabus: GS3/ Economy

Context

• The key measures proposed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI),  shall take effect from November 21, 2024.

About

• SEBI released a set of six measures to strengthen the equity index derivatives. 
• Of those, three measures will come into effect;
  • Increasing the contract size for index futures and index options to Rs 15 lakh from the present contract size between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh,
  • Rationalization of weekly index derivatives products by allowing each exchange to provide a contract for only one of its benchmark index with weekly expiry,
  • Increase in tail risk coverage, or the chance of a loss occurring due to a rare event, on the day of options expiry.
• The other measures include;
  • Upfront collection of option premium from options buyers, 
  • Intraday monitoring of the position limit,
  • Removal of calendar spread treatment on the expiry day.

Futures and Options (F&Os) – F&Os are derivative contracts that derive their value from underlying assets that include stocks, commodities, currencies etc.  – Based on their expectation of future price movement, investors enter into a contract to buy or sell the asset in ‘lots’ (a lot has multiple units of the asset) by paying a small margin amount. Futures Contracts – A futures contract is a standardized agreement between two parties to buy or sell an asset at a specific future date for a predetermined price. – Both buyer and seller are obligated to execute the contract on the specified future date. – Investors pay only a margin (a fraction of the total value) upfront, not the full cost of the underlying asset. – Underlying Assets: Stocks, commodities, currencies, etc. Options Contracts – An options contract gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy (call option) or sell (put option) an asset at a pre-set price before or on the contract’s expiration date. – The buyer of the option has the flexibility to exercise the contract if it benefits them, or let it expire if not. 1. The buyer pays a premium for this right.

Source: IE

Russia’s new nuclear doctrine

Syllabus: GS 2/IR

Context

• Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a revised nuclear doctrine, setting out new conditions under which the country would consider using its arsenal.

About new nuclear doctrine

• The new nuclear deterrent policy comes on the 1,000th day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and follows the US President Joe Biden’s decision to let Ukraine strike targets inside Russia with US-supplied longer-range missiles.

Key Features 

• Nuclear Response to Aerial Attacks: The doctrine states that a massive aerial attack on Russia could trigger a nuclear response, signaling Russia’s readiness to use its nuclear arsenal to deter the West.
• Increased Scope for Nuclear Use: The doctrine now states that an attack by a nonnuclear power, supported by a nuclear power, will be considered a joint attack. It also allows for nuclear retaliation in response to a conventional attack threatening Russia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• Vague Terms: The document uses vague language, including “critical threat to sovereignty” and leaves room for interpretation on when nuclear weapons might be used.
• NATO Reference: The doctrine declares that aggression against Russia by a military bloc or coalition, such as NATO, is seen as aggression by the entire bloc.
• Conditions for Nuclear Use: The updated doctrine specifies conditions for nuclear use, including massive air attacks involving missiles, aircraft, drones, or other flying vehicles.
• Broader Triggers for Nuclear Use: Compared to previous versions, this doctrine significantly broadens the conditions under which nuclear weapons might be used, including a wide range of potential conventional attacks.

Source: TH

Teesta Valley

Syllabus: GS1/Geography

Context

• Two community-based green Himalayan organisations have warned the government of the serious threats posed by the Teesta River to both Sikkim and West Bengal each monsoon season.

About

• With only six months remaining before the 2025 monsoon, there is an urgent need to implement mitigation measures throughout the Teesta Valley.
• The implementation of effective measures in Sikkim and West Bengal now can significantly reduce the impact of future floods.

Teesta Valley

• It is a biologically rich area located in the northeastern region of India, primarily in the state of Sikkim. 
• The valley is named after the Teesta River, which flows through it.
  • The river originates in the Tibetan Plateau and flows southward, passing through the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal before joining the Brahmaputra River in Bangladesh.
• Khecheopalri Lake, often referred to as a sacred lake, is located near the valley and attracts many pilgrims and trekkers.

Source: TH

Delay in Delimitation for Northeastern States

Syllabus: GS2/ Polity and Governance

Context

• The Supreme Court has questioned the delay in delimitation for Northeastern states after the 2020 Presidential order.

What is Delimitation?

• It is the act or process of fixing limits or boundaries of territorial constituencies in a country or a province having a legislative body for electoral purposes.
• Delimitation Commission: The job of delimitation is assigned to the Delimitation Commission or a Boundary Commission.
  • The Delimitation Commission in India is a high-power body whose orders have the force of law.
  • Its orders cannot be called in question before any court.
  • These orders come into force on a date to be specified by the President of India on this behalf.
  • The copies of its orders are laid before the House of the People and the State Legislative Assembly concerned.
• Constitutional Provisions:
  • Article 82: This provides the Parliament with the authority to enact a Delimitation Act after every Census.
  • Article 170: This provides for the  States to get divided into territorial constituencies as per the Delimitation Act after every Census.
• Functions:
  • To determine the number and boundaries of constituencies in a way that the population of all seats, so far as practicable, is the same.
  • Identifying seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes wherever their population is relatively large.
• Composition: The Delimitation Commission is appointed by the President of India includes following members:
  • Retired Supreme Court judge
  • Chief Election Commissioner
  • Respective State Election Commissioners.
• Frequency: In India, such Delimitation Commissions have been constituted 4 times:
  • In 1952 under the Delimitation Commission Act, 1952
  • In 1963 under Delimitation Commission Act, 1962
  • In 1973 under Delimitation Act, 1972
  • In 2002 under Delimitation Act, 2002.

Source: IE