Also in News

• 1MYAC (One Million Youth Actions Challenge) is promoted by the  UN Climate Change Learning Partnership (UN CC:Learn). 

• About 1MYAC 
  • Aims to encourage youth aged 10 to 30 years old to take concrete actions for a more sustainable future. 
  • It works to promote four Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
    • It includes SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation), SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production), SDG 13 (climate action) and SDG 15 (life on land).

• UN CC:Learn is a collaborative initiative of 36 multilateral organizations working together to help countries build the knowledge and skills they need to take action on climate change.

• Geologists predict potential emergence of a new ocean at the Afar Triangle (also known as the Afar Depression), located in the Horn of Africa.

• About Afar Triangle
  • It represents the northernmost portion of the Great Rift Valley.
  • It is on one of the most geologically active regions on earth, where Nubian, Somali and Arabian Plates converge.
  • It will be inundated by Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden when new ocean basin will be formed. This could lead to the birth of a distinct continent in East Africa.
  • It encompasses sections of Eritrea, Djibouti, and Ethiopia.
  • Awash River is the main river that flows through the Afar Triangle.

• First flight of Made in India indigenous LCA Tejas Mark 1A fighter aircraft has been completed in Bengaluru.

• About LCA Tejas Mark 1A
  • Developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, it is an advanced variant of LCA Mk-1, which has already been inducted by Indian Airforce.
  • Features advanced mission computer, high performance Digital Flight Control Computer (DFCC Mk1A), Smart Multi-Function Displays (SMFD), Advanced Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar, Advanced Self-protection Jammer, Electronic Warfare Suit etc.

• Kerala Kalamandalam has lifted gender restrictions for boys to learn Mohiniyattam.

• About Mohiniyattam
  • It is the classical solo dance form of Kerala.
  • References of Mohiniyattam can be found in texts Vyavaharamala written in 1709 by Mazhamagalam Narayanan Namputiri and in Ghoshayatra, written later by poet Kunjan Nambiar.
  • Major themes: Love and devotion to God usually Lord Vishnu or his incarnation Lord Krishna as lead character.
  • Characteristics
    • 40 different basic movements called adavukal.
    • Graceful, swaying body movements with no abrupt jerks or sudden leaps.
    • Lays emphasis on acting.

• ICJ orders Israel to address famine in Gaza and ensure unhindered supply of food.

• About ICJ
  • Principal judicial organ of UN, established in 1945 by UN Charter.
  • HQ: Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands).
  • Composition: 15 judges, who are elected for nine years by United Nations General Assembly and Security Council. 
  • Official languages: English and French.
  • Role: Settle legal disputes as per International law and to provide advisory opinions.
    • Judgment is binding on parties to a case and without appeal (subject to interpretation or revision).

• Procurement of goods and services through GeM has crossed Rs 4 lakh crore.

• About GeM
  • It is Public Procurement Portal for goods and services for all Central Government and State Government Ministries, Departments, Public Sector Units etc.
  • Launched in 2016 by Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

• Advantages of GeM
  • Listing of products for individual, prescribed categories of Goods/ Services of common use.
  • Ease of procurement through an open and transparent procurement platform.
  • Promotes Innovation and Social Inclusion. 
  • Online grievance redressal mechanism for quick resolution.

• International Energy Agency (IEA) released Clean Energy Transitions Programme (CETP) Annual report 2023. 

• About  Clean Energy Transitions Programme (CETP)
  • It was launched in 2017 by IEA. 
  • It is leading the global fight against climate change by accelerating clean energy transitions.
    • Under CETP, IEA provides technical assistance, insights etc. for energy transition. 
  • Its objectives are aligned with 2015 Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. 

• Sangeet Natak Akademi is reviving an ancient theatre performance of Tholu Bommalata puppetry which is on the brink of extinction.  

• About Tholu Bommalata
  • Also known as the dance of leather dolls.  
  • It is mainly performed in the Godavari region of Andhra Pradesh.
  • Made from goatskin, they are projected on a small screen, like colour photographic transparencies. 
  • Major screen characters: Animals, birds, gods, and demons
  • Major themes:- Ramayana and Mahabharata

North Korea (Capital: P’yŏngyang)

• Russia has vetoed a United Nations Expert Panel that has been monitoring sanctions against North Korea.

• Political features
  • Known as Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, it is an East Asian country occupying Northern part of Korean Peninsula.
  • Bordered by China and Russia to north and Republic of Korea (South Korea) to south.
  • Water bodies: East Sea (Sea of Japan) and Yellow Sea in west.

• Geographical features
  • Highest Peak: Mount Paektu.
  • Major Rivers: Yulu (Yalu), Tumen, Taedang, and Imjin.