News In Short-17-06-2025

Arabian Peninsula

Syllabus :GS1/Places, Geography

In News

• New research supports the ‘Green Arabia’ hypothesis, showing that the Arabian Peninsula experienced several humid phases over the last 8 million years.
  • These wet periods, confirmed by mineral cave formations (speleothems), turned the desert into a lush landscape, allowing animals and early humans to migrate between Africa and Eurasia.

Arabia Peninsula

• It is a piece of land in southwestern Asia. It is the original homeland of the Arab people. It is also the birthplace of the religion of Islam. 
• It also includes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Bahrain, and parts of Jordan and Iraq.
• It is bordered by the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf. 
• The Arabian Desert covers almost all of the peninsula.
• The recent findings challenge the belief that Arabia was always barren and suggest it played a key role in human evolution and migration.
  • This research also offers insights into how climate change has shaped, and could again shape, human history.

Source :TH

Cyprus Question

Syllabus: GS2/IR

Context

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with the Cyprus President while renewing India’s support for the unity of Cyprus and “peaceful resolution” of the “Cyprus question”. 

What is the Cyprus Question? 

• Background: Cyprus was a British colony until it gained independence in 1960.
  • Its constitution was designed to balance power between Greek Cypriots (majority) and Turkish Cypriots (minority).
  • Tensions emerged between the two communities over governance.
  • Greek Cypriots favored Enosis (union with Greece), while Turkish Cypriots sought Taksim (partition).
• Coup: A Greek-backed coup attempted to annex Cyprus to Greece.
  • In response, Turkey invaded Cyprus, citing its rights as a guarantor power under the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee.
  • Turkey occupied about 37% of the northern part of the island.
• Since 1974 Cyprus has been divided between Turkiye-backed Northern Cyprus and the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus, and the dispute has been known as the Cyprus question.
• Since 1974, Cyprus remains de facto divided:
  • Republic of Cyprus in the south (internationally recognized, EU member since 2004).
  • Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in the north which is only recognized by Turkey.

Source: TH

India joins Elite group of Rinderpest Virus ‘Cattle Plague’ Containment

Syllabus: GS2/Health

Context

• India has joined the elite global group for Rinderpest Virus ‘Cattle Plague’ Containment, as ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal has been designated as Category A Rinderpest Holding Facility.

About

• It has been recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health – WOAH and the Food and Agriculture Organization– FAO of the United Nations. 
• India formally submitted its application for Rinderpest Holding Facility status in 2019. 
  • A joint inspection of ICAR-NIHSAD was conducted in 2025 by international experts appointed by FAO and WOAH. 
  • Following a comprehensive evaluation, the institute has now been officially approved as a Category A RHF for a one-year term. 
• This recognition places India among a distinguished group of only six facilities worldwide entrusted with the critical responsibility of securely holding rinderpest virus material.
  • The other five facilities are located in the UK, USA, France, Japan, and Ethiopia.

Rinderpest

• Rinderpest, once known as cattle plague, was one of the most destructive livestock diseases in history before its global eradication in 2011. 
• However, Rinderpest Virus-Containing Material (RVCM) still remains in a few laboratories, posing potential risks if released. 
• To preserve global freedom from the disease, FAO and WOAH have implemented strict measures to limit the storage of RVCM to a small number of high-security laboratories worldwide. 

Source: AIR

FATF Condemns Pahalgam Terror Attack

Syllabus: GS2/ International Organisations, GS3/ Internal Security

Context

• The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, saying the attack could not have occurred without financial backing.
  • This is the first time that “state-sponsored terrorism” is being acknowledged by FATF as a funding source.

Financial Action Task Force (FATF) 

• FATF is an intergovernmental organization which leads global action to tackle money laundering, terrorist and proliferation financing.
• History: FATF was established in 1989 by the G7 to examine and develop measures to combat money laundering.
  • In 2001, the FATF expanded its mandate to also combat terrorist financing. 
• Members: FATF currently has 39 members, including two regional organizations (European Commission and Gulf Co-operation Council).
  • India became a member in 2010.
  • FATF suspended membership of the Russian Federation on 24 February 2023. ( Earlier there were 40 members). 
• Secretariat: It is located at the OECD Headquarters in Paris.
• Mandate: FATF has the authority to issue warnings and sanctions against countries that fail to comply with its standards, such as suspension of membership and blacklisting.

FATF ‘Grey list’ and ‘Blacklist’

• Black List: Countries known as Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories (NCCTs) are put on the Blacklist. These countries support terror funding and money laundering activities.
  • Three countries are in the black list at the moment: North Korea, Myanmar, and Iran.
• Grey List: Countries that are considered a safe haven for supporting terror funding and money laundering are put in the FATF Grey list.
  • Countries in the grey list are subject to increased monitoring by the FATF. Currently, there are 25 countries in this list (as of Feb 2025).
  • It carries adverse economic and reputational impacts, which affect the inflow of foreign investment and international aid.
  • Pakistan had been in the grey list for four years, between 2018 and 2022.

Source: AIR

India sends Final Batch of Machinery to Suriname

Syllabus: GS2/ International relations

Context

• India has dispatched the second and final batch of machinery for Passion Fruit Processing to Suriname under the SEEDS (Supply of Equipment for Efficient Development of SMES) initiative.

About the Initiative

• The initiative is part of a $1 million SME grant from India to Suriname.
• It aims to support the establishment of a passion fruit packaging and processing unit in Suriname.
• The project is supported by NABARD Consultancy Services (NABCONS).

Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis)

• It is a tropical fruit native to South America, particularly southern Brazil, Paraguay, and northern Argentina.
  • It was introduced to Europe in 1553 by Spanish and Portuguese colonists.
• Nutritional Value: Rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, dietary fiber, and antioxidants.

Source: AIR

India’s Total Trade Deficit narrows to $6.6 Billion

Syllabus :GS3/Economy

In News

• India’s trade deficit narrowed to $6.6 billion in May 2025, a 30% decline compared to 2024, driven by lower oil prices and stronger service exports.

Key Points

• Total exports rose 2.8% to $71.1 billion, with services exports up 9.4% to $32.4 billion. However, merchandise exports fell 2.2% to $38.7 billion, mainly due to falling global oil prices.
• Non-petroleum exports grew 5.1%. Merchandise imports declined 1.7%, though non-petroleum imports rose 10%. 
• Overall, total imports dropped by 1% in May 2025.

Trade deficit 

• It occurs when a country’s imports exceed its exports, resulting in a negative trade balance. 
• It includes both goods and services and serves as a key macroeconomic indicator.
• Persistent trade deficits can lead to currency depreciation, job losses, and increased foreign borrowing.

Causes 

• Trade deficits are caused by imbalances between savings and investment, high demand for imports, currency fluctuations, and global economic growth.
• Strong consumer spending and a strong domestic currency also contribute by boosting imports and reducing exports.

Impacts 

• Trade deficits have both positive and negative effects. 
• They can improve living standards by offering cheaper, diverse goods, but long-term deficits may increase national debt, weaken domestic industries, cause job losses, and reduce currency value. 
• Persistent deficits can harm economic stability and influence government trade and diplomatic policies.

Measures 

• To reduce trade deficits, countries can increase domestic savings, boost export competitiveness, adjust monetary policies, and support local manufacturing.
• Strategic use of trade barriers and investment in innovation also help reduce reliance on imports.

Source :TH

International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)

Syllabus: GS3/Environment

Context

• At its first assembly, the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) endorsed Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav as President of the coalition.

About

• The Assembly, which is apex body of the IBCA, was attended by Ministerial delegation from 9 countries, viz., Bhutan, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Liberia, Suriname, Somalia, Republic of Guinea, Eswatini and India ratifying decisions taken by the IBCA. 
• The ratification of the headquarter agreement signed by IBCA with India enabled the body to establish its headquarters and other offices in the host country.

The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)

• The IBCA was established through the nodal organisation viz. National Tiger Conservation Authority, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change 2024.
• The IBCA became a legal entity after five countries—Nicaragua, Eswatini, India, Somalia, and Liberia—had signed the Framework Agreement to formally become members of the IBCA.
  • It is a coalition of 95 range countries.
• The IBCA primarily aims for conservation of seven big cats namely Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar and Puma.
• Objectives: 
  • Facilitation of collaboration and synergy amongst the concerned stakeholders, 
  • consolidation of successful conservation practices;
  • and expertise to achieve conservation of big cats around the globe.
• The initiative seeks to foster international collaboration for the sustainable future of big cats, as well as underscores India’s leadership and commitment to global wildlife conservation.

Source: PIB

Bonn Climate Change Conference

Syllabus :GS 3/Environment 

In News

• The annual Bonn Climate Change Conference began in Germany, with over 5,000 government delegates and stakeholders in attendance.
  • The conference will address key issues, including the mobilisation of climate finance to combat climate change.

Bonn Climate Change Conference

• It  is a key annual mid-year meeting under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), known as the Sessions of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies (SBs). 
• Alongside the COP, it is one of the main UNFCCC climate summits.
• It brings together members of the Subsidiary Bodies, Indigenous representatives, international organisations, scientists, and civil society to support the implementation and review of climate agreements.

Objectives 

• It focuses on the technical and scientific aspects of climate negotiations and helps set the agenda for the COP held later in the year. 
• Outcomes from Bonn significantly influence COP decisions, as recommendations from the Subsidiary Bodies often shape final actions. 
• It also reviews the implementation of agreements made at the previous COP.

This year’s agenda

• A key topic at the Bonn Conference is the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), aimed at setting a unified global target for climate adaptation, similar to the 1.5°C goal for mitigation. 
• Though introduced in the 2015 Paris Agreement, significant progress was only made at COP28 in Dubai, where a framework for defining adaptation goals was adopted.

Source :IE