Source: ToI Context: Jwaneng Diamond Mine in Botswana, known as the “Prince of Mines,” recorded a historic production of 13.3 million carats in 2023, reinforcing Botswana’s status as a leading diamond producer globally. Recent Developments in Botswana’s Mining Sector: Jwaneng Diamond Mine Expansion: The Cut-9 Project aims to extend the mine’s operational life to 2035, …
Source: TH Context: Syria received its first wheat shipment at Latakia port since the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, signaling efforts to rebuild its food security amidst economic recovery. About Syria: Location: Southwest Asia, eastern Mediterranean coast. Capital: Neighbouring Nations: Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel and Lebanon. Geological Features Mountains: Al-Anṣariyyah Mountains: …
Source: NDTV Context: Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary (GSWS) in Madhya Pradesh will become the second home for African cheetahs after Kuno National Park (KNP). Two South African male cheetahs, Prabhas and Pavak, will be relocated from KNP to GSWS as part of India’s ongoing cheetah reintroduction project. About Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary: Location: Situated in …
Source: TH Context: The Centre’s National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has approved exploratory drilling for oil and gas in the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of Assam’s Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary. About Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary: Location: Situated in Jorhat district, Assam, the sanctuary lies in a secluded region of evergreen forest. Habitat: Altitude: Ranges between 100–120 …
Source: IE Context: Recently, US President-elect Donald Trump proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, sparking debates over the geopolitical and historical significance of such a name change. About Gulf of Mexico: Location: A marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, bordered by the United States, Mexico, and Cuba. Neighbouring Nations: North …
Source: News on Air Context: India has extended humanitarian assistance to Cuba in the wake of Hurricane Rafael, providing essential medicines like antibiotics, painkillers, ORS, and muscle relaxants. About Cuba: Location: Cuba is located at the confluence of the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and Atlantic Ocean. Neighbours: East: Hispaniola (Haiti/Dominican Republic). West: Yucatán Peninsula …
Source: DH Context: Kappad and Chal beaches in Kerala have earned the prestigious Blue Flag certification, signifying adherence to stringent environmental, safety, and cleanliness standards. About the Blue Flag Certification: Origin: Initiated in France (1985) and expanded globally in 2001. Awarded By: Denmark-based Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). Aim: Promotes sustainable practices in marine and …
Source: TH Context: The Flamingo Festival 2025 is set to return to Andhra Pradesh after a four-year hiatus, celebrating the arrival of migratory birds, particularly flamingos, to Pulicat Lake and Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary. About Flamingo Festival: What it is: An annual event celebrating the arrival of migratory birds, focusing on flamingos, to Pulicat Lake and …
Source: TH Context: Burkina Faso, a landlocked nation in West Africa, holds historical significance as a former French colony and has faced challenges of political instability, poverty, and rising insecurity in recent years. About Burkina Faso: Location: Situated in West Africa, Burkina Faso is landlocked. Borders: Mali (northwest), Niger (northeast), Benin (southeast), Togo and Ghana …
Source: TOI Context: The Bombay High Court took suo moto cognizance of an incident involving tourists cornering a tigress and her cubs in Umred-Pauni-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary, exposing lapses in wildlife protection and monitoring protocols. About Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary: Location: Situated in Pauni Tahsil, Bhandara district, and Umred, Kuhi, and Bhivapur Taluka, Nagpur district, Maharashtra. …
Source: TH Context: The proposed establishment of three wildlife sanctuaries in southern Nicobar has sparked concerns over the deprivation of indigenous tribes from their ancestral lands. About Islands and Tribes in News: Islands in News: Meroë Island: Revered by the Nicobarese as Piruii, it holds spiritual significance and is believed to be a legendary abode. …
Source: NIE Context: India has lodged a protest with China over the establishment of two new counties, He’an and Hekang, in the Hotan Prefecture, which encompasses parts of the disputed Aksai Chin region. This area is administered by China but claimed by India as part of Ladakh. About Hotan Prefecture: What it is: Hotan Prefecture …
Source: TOI Context: The 17th-century Mubarak Manzil, or Aurangzeb’s Haveli, a Mughal heritage site in Agra, was largely demolished, allegedly by a builder with official collusion, despite state archaeological protection. About Mubarak Manzil Palace Located in: Agra, near the Yamuna River. Built by: Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb after his victory at the Battle of Samugarh. History: …
Source: TOI Context: A sudden geological event in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan caused water and gas to erupt during tube well drilling, igniting debate about the resurfacing of the Saraswati River. About Saraswati River: Origin and flow: Originates from Kapal Tirith in the Himalayas, near Kailash, flowing southward towards Mansarovar. Passes through Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, with …
Source: DH Context: Trinidad and Tobago declared a state of emergency, following a surge in violence, including gang-related shootings. About Trinidad and Tobago: Capital: Port of Spain Location: Southernmost island nation in the Caribbean, situated 11 km northeast of Venezuela and 130 km south of Grenada. Trinidad and Tobago are located in the Atlantic Ocean. …
Source: TH Context: Kerala’s Alappuzha district administration has launched a mega plastic cleaning drive as part of the Vembanad Lake rejuvenation project. About Vembanad Lake: Location & State: Largest Lake in Kerala and the longest lake in India, spanning Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam districts. Rivers Draining: Receives water from Meenachil, Achankovil, Pampa, and Manimala rivers. …
Source: TH Context: A severe environmental crisis unfolded in the Black Sea following a collision between two oil tankers in the Kerch Strait near Crimea, resulting in a major oil spill. About Crimea Peninsula: Location: Located in Eastern Europe, Crimea is almost entirely surrounded by the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. It connects …
Source: The Print Context: US President has once again expressed interest in buying Greenland, and Greenland has again stated it is not for sale. About Greenland: Location: Greenland is the world’s largest island, situated between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Controlled by: An autonomous territory under the Kingdom of …
Source: BS Context: China has approved the construction of the world’s largest dam, stated to be the planet’s biggest infra project costing $137 billion, on the Brahmaputra River. About Brahmaputra River System: Different Names: Tibet: Yarlung Tsangpo. India: Dihang in Arunachal Pradesh; Brahmaputra in Assam. Bangladesh: Jamuna. Origin: Source: Chemayungdung Glacier, near Mount Kailash, Tibet. …
Source: ANI Context: India has sent a consignment of 1,000 metric tonnes of rice to Lesotho to assist in addressing the food security and nutritional needs of its people. About Lesotho: Capital: Maseru is the capital and largest city of Lesotho. Location: Lesotho is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. Completely surrounded by South Africa, …
