{"id":34514,"date":"2024-12-30T21:30:03","date_gmt":"2024-12-30T16:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=34514"},"modified":"2024-12-30T21:30:19","modified_gmt":"2024-12-30T16:00:19","slug":"news-in-short-30-december-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/30-12-2024\/news-in-short-30-december-2024","title":{"rendered":"News In Short 30-12-2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>18th edition of Exercise SURYA KIRAN<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Defence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The 18th edition of Exercise SURYA KIRAN will take place in Saljhandi, Nepal from 31st December 2024 to 13th January 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About SURYA KIRAN&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is an annual joint military exercise conducted alternately between India and Nepal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It aims to enhance interoperability in jungle warfare, counter-terrorism operations, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) under the United Nations Charter.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It focuses on operational preparedness, aviation aspects, medical training, and environment conservation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It\u00a0 aims to improve combat skills, coordination, and operational capabilities of troops to function effectively in challenging situations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source:PIB<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>SpaDEX<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Space<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>ISRO will launch the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDEX).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About SpaDeX\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>SpaDeX is a new mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) aimed at demonstrating in-space docking and undocking technologies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>It aims <\/strong>to develop and demonstrate the technology needed for rendezvous, docking, and undocking of two small spacecraft (SDX01, which is the Chaser, and SDX02, the Target, nominally) in a low-Earth circular orbit.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Each satellite weighing 220 kg,will be\u00a0 launched together on the PSLV C60 rocket into a<strong> 470-km orbit with a 55\u00b0 inclination.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If successful, SpaDeX will make India the fourth country to achieve in-space docking.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Only the US, Russia, and China have mastered such advancements so far.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The primary goal <\/strong>is to complete the docking manoeuvre, followed by secondary objectives like power transfer between the spacecraft, composite spacecraft control, and payload operations post-undocking.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Importance:\u00a0 <\/strong>The mission is vital for India\u2019s space goals like Chandrayaan-4, Moon sample return, and the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source: TH<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Parker Solar Probe<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Space<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>NASA scientists announced that the Parker Solar Probe survived the closest-ever approach to the Sun.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Parker Solar Probe<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Parker Solar Probe<\/strong> was developed as part of<strong> NASA\u2019s Living With a Star program<\/strong>, which aims to explore the Sun-Earth system and its impact on life and society.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u00a0The program is managed by NASA&#8217;s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The mission is named in honor of <strong>Dr. Eugene N. Parker,<\/strong> who<strong> first proposed the theory of the solar wind in the 1950s<\/strong> and revolutionized solar science.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Parker has four instrument <\/strong>suites to study magnetic fields, plasma, energetic particles, and image the solar wind.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The spacecraft is flying closer to the Sun than any previous probe, coming within about 4 million miles (6.5 million kilometers) of its surface, inside the orbit of Mercury.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Corona Exploration<\/strong>: On Dec. 14, 2021, Parker became the first spacecraft to fly through the Sun\u2019s corona, sampling particles and magnetic fields.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Objectives : <\/strong>Parker Solar Probe aims to revolutionize our understanding of the Sun by studying its atmosphere, the solar wind, and the heating of the corona.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Impact on Earth: <\/strong>Data from the probe will help better understand the Sun&#8217;s impact on Earth, including space weather, which can affect satellites, electronics, and technology on Earth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source: IE<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Extension of Suez Canal<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/ Geography<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Egypt has tested a new <strong>10-kilometre extension <\/strong>to the Suez Canal as it tries to minimise the impact of currents on shipping and increase the key waterway\u2019s capacity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Suez Canal is a <strong>193-km artificial waterway<\/strong> that connects the <strong>Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea,<\/strong> making it the shortest maritime route between Europe and Asia.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It was officially opened to ships in<strong> 1869.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Canal <strong>does not have locks <\/strong>and it is essentially a sea-level waterway.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This characteristic allows for a <strong>smoother, more efficient passage of vessels<\/strong>, thus supporting a high volume of maritime traffic.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is one of the busiest waterways in the world through which <strong>12%<\/strong> of global commerce passes.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The new extension is set to boost the canal\u2019s capacity by six to eight vessels a day.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"919b8e\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"260\" height=\"194\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Extension-of-Suez-Canal.webp\" alt=\"Extension-of-Suez-Canal\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-34515\" style=\"--dominant-color: #919b8e; width:358px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Importance of Suez Canal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Reduced Transit Time: <\/strong>The Suez Canal reduces the maritime distance between Europe and Asia by approximately <strong>7,000 kilometers<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>World trade: <\/strong>It&#8217;s a major factor in the world&#8217;s economy, with roughly 12% of global trade, 7% of the world&#8217;s oil, and 30% of daily container traffic passing through it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Revenue Generation: <\/strong>The Suez Canal is one of<strong> Egypt\u2019s<\/strong> primary sources of revenue.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Global Supply Chain Impacts: <\/strong>The canal&#8217;s uninterrupted functioning is crucial for the global supply chain.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The blockage<\/strong> of the Suez Canal in<strong> 2021<\/strong> caused a major loss to international trade. The blockage cost an estimated <strong>US$90 million<\/strong> in the first week.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/113766\/OPS\/GKVDOL4TH.1+GOHDPI18O.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>H-1B Visas<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/IR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Amid an online spat between Elon Musk and other right wing supporters in the US over H-1B visas, Donald Trump has said he has always liked the visas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It allows <strong>American employers to hire non-immigrant workers<\/strong> in specialty occupations that require a high level of skills and at least a bachelor\u2019s degree.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Under it <strong>temporary employment of qualified individuals is facilitated,<\/strong> who are not otherwise authorised to work in the United States.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Visas Issued:<\/strong> The US government has capped the total number of new H-1B visas at 65,000 each financial year.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Another 20,000 visas can be given to those who have obtained a Master\u2019s degree or higher from a US institution.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Majority Holders:<\/strong>\u00a0 Indians have been the majority of H-1B visa-holders in the past few years.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In the fiscal year 2023, Indians accounted for 72.3% (2.79 lakh) of the total (3.86 lakh) H-1B approvals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-global\/trump-h-1b-visas-how-programme-did-under-his-last-term-9750378\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>National Maritime Heritage Complex\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Infrastructure<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A review meeting on the upcoming National Maritime Heritage Complex was held recently.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Complex&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Developed by: <\/strong>Ministry of Ports, Shipping &amp; Waterways, launched in 2019.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Nodal Agency:<\/strong> Indian Ports Association as the nodal agency, while Indian Port Rail Corporation Ltd (IPRCL) as executing agency of the project.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Location:<\/strong> It is being developed in Lothal, Gujarat &#8211; home to the world\u2019s first manmade dock, and a major site of Indus Valley Civilization.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Completion:<\/strong> The first phase will be completed by August 2025, and the entire project will be completed by 2028.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Components of NMHC:<\/strong> NMHC museum, Lothal Town and Open Aquatic Gallery, Lighthouse Museum, Bagicha Complex, Coastal State Pavilions and Recreation of Lothal city, Maritime research institute, etc.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Significance:<\/strong> It will not only boost tourism but will also generate employment in large numbers and will also help in reviving the local businesses of the region.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Do you know ?<\/strong><br>&#8211; Lothal, an important city of the Indus Valley Civilisation (2400 BCE), is historically significant for its advanced dockyard, thriving trade, and bead-making industry. Archaeological findings, including seals, tools, and pottery, highlight its rich cultural and economic history, making it a key site of the Harappan civilisation.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/india\/lothal-maritime-heritage-complex-will-be-a-bridge-between-past-present-future-union-minister-sonowal-9750633\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Cameroon Islands<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u00a0In Cameroon, the NGO Papaye International runs a sanctuary for the Orphaned Chimpanzees on three islands in the <strong>Douala-Edea national park<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Cameroon Islands<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Cameroon Islands refer to the chain of volcanic islands associated with the Cameroon Volcanic Line, a unique geological formation stretching from the<strong> Gulf of Guinea<\/strong> into the <strong>mainland of Africa.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The key islands associated<\/strong> with it are Annob\u00f3n (Pagalu), S\u00e3o Tom\u00e9, Pr\u00edncipe etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Douala-Edea National Park\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Location: <\/strong>It is situated along the<strong> Sanaga River<\/strong> and adjacent to the <strong>Atlantic Ocean.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Initially established as a wildlife reserve in <strong>1932,<\/strong> it was upgraded to a national park in <strong>2018<\/strong> to bolster conservation efforts and promote sustainable tourism.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Flora:<\/strong> The mangrove forests include species like <strong>Rhizophora and Avicennia<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fauna:<\/strong> African forest elephants, Chimpanzees and Monkeys, including the endangered drills and red colobus monkeys.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/113766\/OPS\/GKVDOL4TH.1+GOHDPI19G.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 18th edition of Exercise SURYA KIRAN will take place in Saljhandi, Nepal from 31st December 2024 to 13th January 2025.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-34514","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34514","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34514"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34514\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34517,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34514\/revisions\/34517"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34514"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34514"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34514"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}