Rare earth metals at the heart of China-U.S. rivalry
Context: At a time of frequent geopolitical friction among the three powers of China, U.S. and Europe – U.S. and Europe want to avoid this scenario by investing in the market for 17 minerals with unique properties that today are largely extracted and refined in China. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Distribution of Key Natural Resources, Mineral […]
World First: El Salvador makes bitcoin legal tender
Context: El Salvador became the first country in the world to adopt bitcoin as legal tender after the country’s Congress, approved President Nayib Bukele’s proposal to embrace the cryptocurrency, a move that delighted the currency’s supporters. Relevance: Prelims, GS-III: Science and Technology (Blockchain technology), GS-I: Geography (Maps) Dimensions of the Article: About El Salvador About […]
Nagorno-Karabakh region and Turkish visit
Context: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he will visit Azerbaijan to celebrate its victory over Armenia in a brief war in 2020, touring a region recaptured in disputed Nagorno-Karabakh. Relevance: Prelims, GS-II: International Relations (Important Foreign Policies and Developments), GS-I Geography (Maps), GS-I: History (World History) Dimensions of the Article: Nagorno-Karabakh conflict About the […]
IMD’s projection of good monsoon
Context: The IMD has said that monsoon rains will likely be 101% of the Long Period Average (LPA) of 88 cm in 2021 and if everything aligns, India could see a third consecutive year of surplus rainfall. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Climatology, Important Geophysical Phenomenon, Indian Geography) Mains Questions: What characteristics can be assigned to the […]
Ripples from Cyclones and tides in Sunderbans
Context: Over just the past three years from 2018-2021, the Sunderbans, which is home to close to five million people, has been battered by four tropical cyclones — Fani (May 2019), Bulbul (November 2019), Amphan (May 2020) and Yaas (May 2021). On each occasion, the region has suffered damage because of gale winds and breached […]
India in touch with Dominica on Choksi’s repatriation
Context: India is in contact with the government of Dominica regarding the possibility of repatriating diamantaire Mehul Choksi who is wanted for defrauding banks in India. However, Dominica announced that Mr. Choksi will be sent back to Antigua as the request for repatriation came from the Antiguan authorities. India has friendly ties with both Antigua […]
Belarus faces backlash sanctions over forced landing
Context: Western powers prepared to pile sanctions on Belarus and cut off its aviation links after it scrambled a warplane to intercept an aircraft and arrest a dissident journalist, an act which one leader denounced as ‘state piracy’. The European Union (EU) imposed sanctions against Belarus, including banning its airlines from using the airspace and […]
NGT forms panel to probe construction in Mekedatu
Context: The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Southern Zone has appointed a joint committee to look into allegations of unauthorised construction activity taking place in Mekedatu, where the Karnataka government had proposed to construct a dam across the Cauvery River. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Intra-State Relations, Functions & responsibilities of the Union and the States, […]
Mount Nyaragongo eruption
Context: An active volcano in Congo, Mount Nyaragongo, erupted again. The Indian Army contingent under the United Nations peace keeping mission (MONUSCO) assisted in protecting civilians and U.N. officials as well as assets during the evacuation. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Physical geography, Volcanoes, Important Geophysical phenomena), GS-III: Disaster Management Dimensions of the Article: Mount Nyiragongo Stratovolcano […]
Cyclone Yaas, Increasing Tropical Cyclones
Context: Cyclone Tauktae that was the first Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm in the Arabian Sea to make landfall in Gujarat in 130 years. In less than a few days after the landfall of Tauktae, there is a possible cyclonic storm in the Bay of Bengal called Yaas. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Physical geography – Climatology, Important […]