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• According to report, India’s venture debt (VD) market raised $ 1.2 billion in 2023, a 50 % surge from 2022. 
  • Consumer and fintech emerged as the top sectors for raising funds through venture debt. 

• About Venture Debt: 
  • It is a type of financing often used by early stage startups that do not yet have a proven track record of generating revenue.
  • Unlike traditional debt financing, venture debt is usually provided by specialized lenders willing to take on more risk for potentially higher returns. 

• Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship launched RUVP under Skill India Mission.

• About RUVP
  • Tailored specifically for beneficiaries of PM SVANidhi (Street Vendors AtmaNirbhar Nidhi) scheme.
  • Offers individuals with comprehensive entrepreneurship training (over a period of 22 weeks) combining theoretical knowledge with practical exposure through experiential learning.
  • Focuses on reskilling and upskilling employees to enhance their competitiveness and adaptability.
  • It will be piloted initially in selected districts, with focus on ensuring 40% women participation.
  • Training will be conducted through offline, online and hybrid modes, with certificates awarded upon completion.

• Hyderabad-based International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics announces World’s first Pigeon Pea speed breeding protocol.
  • The protocol will shorten breeding cycle to 2- 4 years (traditionally -13 years) and will strengthen food security in Asia and Africa.

• About Pigeon Pea
  • High nutritional value (iron, calcium, phosphorous etc.).
  • India is largest producer in 2021.
  • Climate requirement
    • Crop of tropical areas mainly cultivated in semi-arid regions of India.
    • Temperature: 26°C to 30°C in rainy season (June to October) and 17°C to 22°C in post rainy season (November to March).

• Coal/Lignite Public Sector Undertakings have adopted Miyawaki plantation method in its suitable areas.

• About Miyawaki method 
  • Based on work of Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, it enhances green cover within a limited area and establishes dense forest in 10 years.
  • It involves cultivating multi-layered forests that exhibit rapid growth and replicate natural biodiversity found in native forests.
  • Such forests lack some qualities of natural forests, like medicinal properties and ability to bring rain.
  • Benefits: Mitigate ecological impact of mining activities; Creating carbon sinks, Providing livelihood opportunities for local communities etc.

• Scientists discover anatomy behind songs of Baleen Whales. They use a larynx, or voice box, anatomically modified to enable underwater vocalization.

• About Baleen Whales
  • There are 14 species of baleen whale including blue, bowhead, right, humpback, minke, sei, Bryde, rorquals and gray whale. 
  • All species of baleen whales are listed under CITES Appendix I, prohibiting commercial international trade.
  • Three of the species occur in India i.e. blue, Bryde and humpback whale.
  • Characteristics: No teeth, Grow to lengths of 30 meters; Expert divers etc.

• Union cabinet approved funds for implementing the Umbrella scheme for safety of women for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26. 

• About Umbrella scheme
  • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs 
  • Objective: Strengthening mechanisms in States/Union Territories for ensuring timely intervention and investigation in case of crime against women and crime prevention in such matters.
  • Key Projects covered:
    • Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) 2.0.
    • Upgradation of Central Forensic Sciences laboratories, including setting up of National Forensic Data Centre.
    • Strengthening of DNA Analysis, Cyber Forensic capacities in State Forensic Science Laboratories, etc. 

• Cabinet Committee on Security has cleared the acquisition of over 200 BrahMos extended-range supersonic cruise missiles for navy.

• About BrahMos missiles
  • Developed under the joint venture agreement between India and Russia.
  • A Supersonic Cruise Missile i.e travels at a speed of around 2-3 Mach.
    • Cruise Missile is propelled by jet engines. 

• Key Features: 
  • Fire and Forget principle of operation.
  • Long flight range (290km) with varieties of flight trajectories. 
  • Low radar signature.
  • Pin point accuracy with high lethal power aided by large kinetic energy on impact. 

• According to World Health Organization, world is near to eradicate GWD.

• About  GWD (Dracunculiasis)
  • It is an infection caused by parasite Dracunculus medinensis.
  • Spread by drinking water containing Guinea worm larvae. Larvae are immature forms of worm.
  • Affects people in rural, deprived, and isolated communities who depend mainly on open stagnant surface water sources like ponds.
    • Also infections in animals, particularly in dogs, have been reported.
  • It is one of the Neglected Tropical Diseases.
  • There is no vaccine and drug to prevent the disease and treat patients.
  • India successfully eradicated GWD in 2000.

Albania (Capital: Tirana) 

• Albania has announced to open an Embassy in India.

• Political Boundaries:
  • Located in Southeastern Europe in the Balkan Peninsula. 
  • It shares land border with Montenegro (North West), Kosovo (North East), North Macedonia (East), and Greece (South and South East).
  • Water Bodies: Adriatic Sea (West) and Ionian seas (South West)

• Geographical Features:
  • Physiography: About three-fourths of its territory consists of mountains and hills; the remainder consists of coastal and alluvial lowlands.