Current Affairs search results for tag: international-news

1. 'Brain Rot’ named Oxford Word of the Year 2024

Tags: International News

'Brain Rot’ named Oxford Word of the Year 2024

Why in the news?

• Oxford University Press (OUP) has announced ‘brain rot’ as the Oxford Word of the Year for 2024.

Key points:

• The selection process for the word of the year 2024 involved over 37,000 public votes from a shortlist of six words compiled by Oxford University. 
• The word‘Brain Rot’ highlights the growing concerns around the effects of consuming trivial social media content on mental health.
• Other words in OUP’s shortlist were demure, dynamic pricing, lore, romantasy, and slop. 

About Oxford University Press (OUP) :

• Oxford University Press (OUP) is a department of the University of Oxford that publishes academic and educational resources.
• OUP's mission is to create high-quality resources and make them available to as many people as possible. 
• Oxford University Press Headquarters is situated at Oxford, United Kingdom.

2. China Opens First Atmospheric Monitoring Station in Antarctica

Tags: International News

China Opens First Atmospheric Monitoring Station in Antarctica

Why in the news?

• China has inaugurated its first atmospheric monitoring station in Antarctica, marking a significant expansion of its research presence on the continent. 

Objectives:

• Located in Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica ,the Zhongshan National Atmospheric Background Station aims to provide continuous and long-term observations of atmospheric components, contributing valuable data on climate change and the impact of human activity on the environment.
• This station supportsChina's growing role in Antarctic research, aligning with its broader goals as a 'polar power.'

About Antarctica:

• Antarctica, the southernmost continent and site of the South Pole, is a virtually uninhabited, ice-covered landmass.
•  Most cruises to the continent visit the Antarctic Peninsula, which stretches toward South America. It’sknown for the Lemaire Channel and Paradise Harbor, striking, iceberg-flanked passageways, and Port Lockroy, a former British research station turned museum. 
• The peninsula’s isolated terrain also shelters rich wildlife, including many penguins.
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3. Government of India and ADB sign $98 million loan to promote plant health management in India’s horticulture.

Tags: International News

Government of India and ADB sign $98 million loan to promote plant health management in India’s horticulture.

Why in the news?

• The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $98 million loan to improve horticulture crop farmers’ access to certified disease-free planting materials, which will boost their crops’ yield, quality, and resilience to climate impacts.

Key points:

• “The project supports theGovernment of India’s Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme (CPP) that enhances plant health management.
•  It will help develop regulatory framework and institutional systems to effectively implement the CPP for horticulture in India. 
• It will be implemented bythe Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare through the National Horticulture Board and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
• The project will involve close consultation with private nurseries, researchers, state governments, and growers’ associations to ensure its success and sustainability.
• The plant health management promoted through the project will also help farmers adapt to climate change, as rising temperatures not only cause extreme weather events but also affect pest and disease behaviour.
• This will be achieved through establishing clean plant centres dedicated to maintaining disease-free foundation materials. 
• These centres will feature laboratories equipped with cutting-edge diagnostic testing methods and will be staffed with experts who are trained in clean plant centre operating procedures and diagnostic testing protocols.
• The project will roll out a clean plant certification scheme, accrediting private nurseries, and testing and certifying their planting materials. 
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4. Notre Dame Cathedral reopens on December 7

Tags: International News

Notre Dame Cathedral reopens on December 7

Why in the news?

• Notre Dame Cathedral reopens on December 7, marks a new dawn for the architectural marvel of Parisian culture.
• In 2019, a devastating fire destroyed the cathedral's roof and iconic spire, leaving the world in mourning.

About the Notre Dame Cathedral

• Studded in gothic grandeur, the Notre Dame Cathedral as an enduring symbol of French identity. 
• Largely completed by 1345, this architectural marvel has witnessed centuries of pivotal historical events and remains a cornerstone of Parisian culture.
• From safeguarding sacred relics in the 13th centuryto its transformation into the“Temple of Reason”during the French Revolution, the Cathedral  has played an integral role in shaping
• history.
•  It captured global attention in 2019 when a devastating fire destroyed its roof and iconic spire, leaving the world in mourning.
• After five years of global support, tremendous restoration efforts, and unwavering determination, the cathedral is set to reopen its doors on December 7, 2024, integrating modern safety standards alongside the preservation of historical integrity.
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5. India’s Vision for Traditional Medicine Takes Center Stage at INTRACOM 2024

Tags: International News

India’s Vision for Traditional Medicine Takes Center Stage at INTRACOM 2024

Why in news?

• A high-level delegation led by Secretary, Ministry of Ayush from India showcased India’s groundbreaking contributions to the global advancement of Traditional Medicine (TM) at the 10th International Conference on Traditional and Complementary Medicine (INTRACOM) 2024 held at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Setial Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.

Important points:

• The conferencefocused on the transformative role of digital technologies in modernising healthcare practices in Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM).
• India played a pivotal role in its development, leveraging its rich traditional medicine systems—Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani—which have well-established practices and regulations.
• The 10th INTRACOM 2024 explored the integration of digital health technologies in TM, aligning with India’s pioneering efforts in this domain.
• India’s active role in INTRACOM 2024 underscores its global health and wellbeing leadership. By leveraging digital technologies and fostering international collaboration, the Ministry of Ayush ensures that Traditional Medicine continues to contribute meaningfully to global healthcare challenges.

Significance:

• This will help measure outcomes, cost-effectiveness, safety, and comparisons with mainstream medicine, driving innovation and enhancing healthcare worldwide.
• The conference also provided a platform for deliberations on transliteration, translation, and future maintenance of TM2 entities, along with mapping these with national standards like the NAMASTE Portal.
• The 10th INTRACOM 2024 reinforced India’s vision of modernising TM through digital innovation, positioning it as a global health and wellbeing cornerstone.
• This convergence of efforts will pave the way for integrated global healthcare solutions.

6. Operation Tamarisk The Cold War’s Secret Garbage War

Tags: International News

Operation Tamarisk 

Why in the news?

• Operation Tamarisk The Cold War’s Secret Garbage War was recently in the news.

What is Operation Tamarisk ?

• Operation Tamarisk was a covert intelligence operation that took place during the Cold War, a period marked by fierce rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union.
•  In a bid to gain any advantage, intelligence agents resorted to unconventional means to gather information. 
• One of the most unusual and gritty operations was the collection and analysis of discarded waste left behind by Soviet troops in East Germany. 

Important points:

• Set against the tense backdrop of the Cold War, a period when the United States and the Soviet Union were constantly trying to outsmart each other, intelligence operatives had to get creative. 
• Each side sought any advantage, even if it meant scouring through discarded scraps in search of clues that might tip the balance of power.
• Operation Tamariskinvolved agents from the U.S., U.K., and France, who sifted through garbage left behind by Soviet troops stationed in East Germany.
• Discarded itemsincluded food scraps, letters, military documents, and even used toilet paper. Since Soviet troops often used official documents as a substitute for toilet paper, intelligence agents found sensitive information scattered among trash heaps.
•  In some cases, agents retrieved items from hospital waste bins, where discarded limbs provided clues about the types of shrapnel and injuries Soviet soldiers suffered, particularly from their involvement in the war in Afghanistan. 
• This operation, referred to as“tamarisk” by some operatives, was known for its gritty and unsanitary work but was valued for the intelligence it yielded.

The Strategic Importance of Operation Tamarisk:

• The Cold War was a battle of information, and any edge in intelligence was considered invaluable. 
• Operation Tamarisk targeted the vulnerabilities in Soviet operations where crucial information was often discarded recklessly.
• The operation not only revealed operational secrets but also provided personal insights into Soviet officials, aiding psychological and tactical strategies.

Key Challenges in the Operation:

• While Operation Tamarisk was effective, it came with significant challenges. Intelligence operatives risked detection by hostile forces while rummaging through waste, often in high- security zones. 
• ‘Moreover, analyzing and verifying the authenticity of retrieved documents required immense effort and expertise. 
• Despite these hurdles, the operation played a pivotal role in understanding the Soviet bloc's inner workings.

7. The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 mission.

Tags: International News

The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 mission.

Why in news?

• The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 mission will be launched on ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on December 4.

About Proba-3 mission:

• First in the world, Proba-3 mission will see two satellites in a formation parallel to each other for long durations.
• Proba-3 is a dual probe technological demonstration mission by the European Space Agency devoted to high precision formation flying to achieve scientific coronagraphy .
•  It is part of the series of PROBA satellites that are being used to validate new spacecraft technologies and concepts while also carrying scientific instruments.

Objectives of Proba-3 mission:

• The satellite pair has been designed to study the solar corona, the outer layer of the Sun’s atmosphere. 
• These satellite instruments  such as the one on India’s Aditya L1 mission have a coronagraph to look at the sun and an occulter to block the light from the brighter layers of the sun.

8. Scientists discovered the world’s largest coral discovered in the southwest Pacific Ocean, near solomon islands.

Tags: International News

Solomon Islands

Why in news?

• Scientists discovered theworld’s largest coral discovered in the southwest Pacific Ocean, near solomon islands.

Important points:

• It’s more than 100 feet long, at least 300 years old and visible from space. 
• It’s three times larger than the previous record-breaker in American Samoa, according to Pristine Seas, and longer than a blue whale, the planet’s biggest animal.
• The mega coral was spotted during a scientific expedition launched by the National Geographic Pristine Seas program in October to study ocean health in the Solomon Islands.

Coral reefs:

• Coral reefs are complex ecosystems that are home to a wide variety of marine life and offer many benefits to humans and the environment.
• Coral reefs are often called the "rainforests of the sea" because of their incredible biodiversity. 
• They provide food and shelter for many animals, including fish, mollusks, sea urchins, and sponges. 

About Solomon Islands:

• The Solomon Islands, a nation of hundreds of islands in the South Pacific, has many WWII-era sites. 
• Guadalcanal, a province and one of the archipelago’s largest islands, honors fallen Allied soldiers at its U.S. War Memorial.
• Guadalcanal is also home to the nation’s capital, Honiara,whose bustling Central Market showcases the islands’ produce and traditional handicrafts.
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9. Trump appointed former Democrat Tulsi Gabbard as US intelligence chief.

Tags: International News

Tulsi Gabbard 

Why in news?

• FM Nirmala Sitharaman congratulates Tulsi Gabbard on appointment as U.S. Director of National Intelligence
• Recently Trump appointed former Democrat Tulsi Gabbard as US intelligence chief.
• She will replace Avril Haines who has been the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) since January 21, 2021.

Function of the DNI:.

•  The DNI is the head of the United States Intelligence Community (IC) and is responsible for overseeing the National Intelligence Program (NIP). 
• The DNI is a member of the National Security Council and Homeland Security Council, and reports directly to the President. 
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Who is Tulsi Gabbard?

• Gabbard was elected to Hawaii's House of Representatives at 21 but had to leave after a single term following her National Guard unit's deployment to Iraq. Later, she was elected to Congress where she represented Hawaii. 
• She became the first Hindu member of the House and was sworn into office with her hand on the Bhagavad Gita.
•  She was also thefirst American Samoan elected to Congress.
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10. Pete Hegseth, USA new defence secretary

Tags: International News

Pete Hegseth, USA new  defence secretary

Why in news?

• U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said Tuesday (November 12, 2024) that he is nominating Fox News host and Army veteran Pete Hegseth to serve as his defence secretary.
• Mr. Hegseth deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and unsuccessfully ran for Senate in Minnesota in 2012 before joining Fox News.

Other appointments:

John Ratcliffe :

• Trump picks John Ratcliffe to be  new CIA director.
• John Ratcliffe served as director of national intelligence at the end of Donald Trump’s first term.

Mike Waltz:

• Trump appointed Mike Waltz, China hawk, to be national security adviser.

Susie Wiles:

• US President-elect Donald Trump has announced his campaign manager, Susan Summerall Wiles, will serve as his White House chief of staff .

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy:

• Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
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