πTaiwan Strait:
β The Taiwan Strait, or Formosa Strait is a 180 km-wide strait between mainland China and the island of Taiwan.
β It runs between the coast of Fujian (Fukien) Province, China, and the island of Taiwan.
β The strait is part of the South China Sea and connects to the East China Sea to the north.
β The straitβs seafloor is mostly a continental shelf extending out from the Asian continent, with Taiwan on the outer edge.
β It is relatively shallow. It has an average depth of about 490 feet, and a minimum depth of 82 feet.
πIslands:
β The biggest islands along the Taiwan side include Penghu (or Pescadores), Xiamen, and Pingtan.
β The Xiamen and Pingtan Islands are administered by the Peopleβs Republic of China, while the other three islands: Penghu (or Pescadores), Kinmen and Matsu are under the administration of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
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β The Taiwan Strait, or Formosa Strait is a 180 km-wide strait between mainland China and the island of Taiwan.
β It runs between the coast of Fujian (Fukien) Province, China, and the island of Taiwan.
β The strait is part of the South China Sea and connects to the East China Sea to the north.
β The straitβs seafloor is mostly a continental shelf extending out from the Asian continent, with Taiwan on the outer edge.
β It is relatively shallow. It has an average depth of about 490 feet, and a minimum depth of 82 feet.
πIslands:
β The biggest islands along the Taiwan side include Penghu (or Pescadores), Xiamen, and Pingtan.
β The Xiamen and Pingtan Islands are administered by the Peopleβs Republic of China, while the other three islands: Penghu (or Pescadores), Kinmen and Matsu are under the administration of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
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πUPSC mindmap charts
Quick prelims Revision notes
β Mnemonics
β UPSC Flow Charts
β Mains Diagrams
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
Quick prelims Revision notes
β Mnemonics
β UPSC Flow Charts
β Mains Diagrams
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
π Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge
β It was adopted at the Diplomatic Conference held under the aegis of the World Intellectual Property Organization at its headquarters in Geneva.
πKey points
β It mandates that, where a patent application involves genetic resources, the applicant must disclose the country of origin or source.
β If traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources is involved, the applicant must disclose the Indigenous Peoples or local community that provided it.
β Genetic resources, found in entities such as medicinal plants and agricultural crops, are often utilized in patented inventions, although they themselves cannot be patented.
β Once ratified by 15 contracting parties, the Treaty will establish an international legal framework requiring patent applicants to disclose the origin of genetic resources and the associated traditional knowledge used in their inventions.
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β It was adopted at the Diplomatic Conference held under the aegis of the World Intellectual Property Organization at its headquarters in Geneva.
πKey points
β It mandates that, where a patent application involves genetic resources, the applicant must disclose the country of origin or source.
β If traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources is involved, the applicant must disclose the Indigenous Peoples or local community that provided it.
β Genetic resources, found in entities such as medicinal plants and agricultural crops, are often utilized in patented inventions, although they themselves cannot be patented.
β Once ratified by 15 contracting parties, the Treaty will establish an international legal framework requiring patent applicants to disclose the origin of genetic resources and the associated traditional knowledge used in their inventions.
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πWhat is ZiG?
β Recently, to address its long-standing economic instability, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has launched a new gold-backed currency called the ZiG.
β The Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) is a new gold-backed currency launched by Zimbabwe.
β The ZiG, now the sixth currency used by Zimbabwe, has been in circulation since April 5, 2024.
πKey features of ZiG
β The ZiG stands out as a new currency backed by gold reserves, ensuring its value is supported by the physical gold held by the government.
β ZiG notes and coins will be available and issued in denominations: 1ZiG, 2ZiG, 5ZiG, 10ZiG, 20Zig, 50ZiG, 100ZiG and 200ZiG, with the gold backing aims to provide stability and prevent currency devaluation.
πReasons for launching a new currency
β Zimbabwe has grappled with high inflation, with rates surpassing 500% in recent years.
β Consequently, the Zimbabwean dollar, introduced in 1980, lost its value due to Following this, the country relied on various currencies, primarily the US dollar, leading to limited control over its economy.
β The collapse of the Zimbabwean dollar in 2009, with hyperinflation peaking at 5 billion per cent, marked one of the most severe currency crashes in history.
β Banks in Zimbabwe have been converting the previous national currency, the Zimbabwe dollar, into ZiGs, aiming to promote simplicity, certainty, and predictability in monetary and financial matters.
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β Recently, to address its long-standing economic instability, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has launched a new gold-backed currency called the ZiG.
β The Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) is a new gold-backed currency launched by Zimbabwe.
β The ZiG, now the sixth currency used by Zimbabwe, has been in circulation since April 5, 2024.
πKey features of ZiG
β The ZiG stands out as a new currency backed by gold reserves, ensuring its value is supported by the physical gold held by the government.
β ZiG notes and coins will be available and issued in denominations: 1ZiG, 2ZiG, 5ZiG, 10ZiG, 20Zig, 50ZiG, 100ZiG and 200ZiG, with the gold backing aims to provide stability and prevent currency devaluation.
πReasons for launching a new currency
β Zimbabwe has grappled with high inflation, with rates surpassing 500% in recent years.
β Consequently, the Zimbabwean dollar, introduced in 1980, lost its value due to Following this, the country relied on various currencies, primarily the US dollar, leading to limited control over its economy.
β The collapse of the Zimbabwean dollar in 2009, with hyperinflation peaking at 5 billion per cent, marked one of the most severe currency crashes in history.
β Banks in Zimbabwe have been converting the previous national currency, the Zimbabwe dollar, into ZiGs, aiming to promote simplicity, certainty, and predictability in monetary and financial matters.
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Taiwan's legislature passes bills curtailing the powers of president
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πWhat is the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)?
β The United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council recently announced a new iteration of defense working groups to be based in Saudi Arabia to βadvance US-GCC cooperation and multilateral (missile) integration against shared air and maritime threatsβ.
β It is a political and economic alliance of six countries in the Arabian Peninsula: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
β The GCC was established in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in May 1981.
β Objective: To promote economic, security, cultural, and social cooperation between the six states and hold a summit every year to discuss cooperation and regional affairs.
β Together, the GCC countries possess almost half of the worldβs oil reserves.
πOrganizational structure:
β The Supreme Council:
π°It is the highest authority of the organization, which meets on an annual basis and consists of GCC heads of state.
π°Decisions of the Supreme Council are adopted by unanimous approval.
π°Its presidency rotates periodically among the member states in alphabetical order.
β The Ministerial Council:
π°It is composed of the foreign ministers of all the Member States or other ministers deputizing for them.
π°It meets every three months to implement the decisions of the Supreme Council and to propose new policy.
β The Secretariat General:
π°It is the administrative arm of the alliance, which monitors policy implementation and arranges meetings.
π°Its headquarters is in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
πIndia and GCC:
β GCC is Indiaβs largest regional-bloc trading partner.
β Trade with the GCC comprised 8% of Indiaβs total trade in FY2022β23.
β The UAE has consistently been Indiaβs principal trading partner within the Gulf and is Indiaβs third-largest trading partner overall.
β According to the latest figures, there are approximately 9 million Indian expats residing in GCC countries, which is approximately 66% of non-resident Indians.
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β The United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council recently announced a new iteration of defense working groups to be based in Saudi Arabia to βadvance US-GCC cooperation and multilateral (missile) integration against shared air and maritime threatsβ.
β It is a political and economic alliance of six countries in the Arabian Peninsula: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
β The GCC was established in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in May 1981.
β Objective: To promote economic, security, cultural, and social cooperation between the six states and hold a summit every year to discuss cooperation and regional affairs.
β Together, the GCC countries possess almost half of the worldβs oil reserves.
πOrganizational structure:
β The Supreme Council:
π°It is the highest authority of the organization, which meets on an annual basis and consists of GCC heads of state.
π°Decisions of the Supreme Council are adopted by unanimous approval.
π°Its presidency rotates periodically among the member states in alphabetical order.
β The Ministerial Council:
π°It is composed of the foreign ministers of all the Member States or other ministers deputizing for them.
π°It meets every three months to implement the decisions of the Supreme Council and to propose new policy.
β The Secretariat General:
π°It is the administrative arm of the alliance, which monitors policy implementation and arranges meetings.
π°Its headquarters is in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
πIndia and GCC:
β GCC is Indiaβs largest regional-bloc trading partner.
β Trade with the GCC comprised 8% of Indiaβs total trade in FY2022β23.
β The UAE has consistently been Indiaβs principal trading partner within the Gulf and is Indiaβs third-largest trading partner overall.
β According to the latest figures, there are approximately 9 million Indian expats residing in GCC countries, which is approximately 66% of non-resident Indians.
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πWhat is the Colombo Process?
β India has become chair of the Colombo Process for the first time since its inception in 2003.
πColombo Process:
β It is a Regional Consultative Process and it provides an important platform for consultations on the management of overseas employment and contractual labour for countries of origin in Asia.
β It serves as a forum for the exchange of best practices on overseas employment.
πMembership:
β It comprises 12 Member States of Asia (countries of origin of migrant workers).
β Members: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.
β India has been a member of the Colombo Process since its inception in 2003.
β The process is non-binding and decision-making is by consensus.
β The process is coordinated through the Permanent Missions of Member States at the United Nations in Geneva.
β The process is governed by Ministerial Consultations wherein recommendations and action plans are discussed and adopted by the Ministers of the participating countries.
πThere are five Thematic Area Working Groups (TAWGs):
β Skills and Qualification Recognition (chaired by Sri Lanka);
β Fostering Ethical Recruitment (chaired by Bangladesh);
β Pre-Departure Orientation and Empowerment (chaired by Philippines);
β Remittances (chaired by Pakistan);
β Labour Market Analysis (chaired by Thailand);
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β India has become chair of the Colombo Process for the first time since its inception in 2003.
πColombo Process:
β It is a Regional Consultative Process and it provides an important platform for consultations on the management of overseas employment and contractual labour for countries of origin in Asia.
β It serves as a forum for the exchange of best practices on overseas employment.
πMembership:
β It comprises 12 Member States of Asia (countries of origin of migrant workers).
β Members: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.
β India has been a member of the Colombo Process since its inception in 2003.
β The process is non-binding and decision-making is by consensus.
β The process is coordinated through the Permanent Missions of Member States at the United Nations in Geneva.
β The process is governed by Ministerial Consultations wherein recommendations and action plans are discussed and adopted by the Ministers of the participating countries.
πThere are five Thematic Area Working Groups (TAWGs):
β Skills and Qualification Recognition (chaired by Sri Lanka);
β Fostering Ethical Recruitment (chaired by Bangladesh);
β Pre-Departure Orientation and Empowerment (chaired by Philippines);
β Remittances (chaired by Pakistan);
β Labour Market Analysis (chaired by Thailand);
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πIndia in talks with Sri Lanka to acquire graphite mine block
πGraphite:
β It is an opaque, non-metallic carbon polymorph that is blackish silver in colour and metallic to dull in sheen. Since it resembles metal lead, it is also known colloquially as black lead or plumbago.
β Formation: It is formed by the metamorphosis of sediments containing carbonaceous material.
πProperties:
β It is a naturally occurring form of crystalline carbon and is a stable form of carbon.
β It is extremely soft, cleaves with very light pressure, and has a very low specific gravity.
β In contrast, it is extremely resistant to heat and nearly inert in contact with almost any other material. These extreme properties give it a wide range of uses in metallurgy and manufacturing.
β Applications:It is used in pencils, lubricants, crucibles, foundry facings, polishes, arc lamps, batteries, brushes for electric motors, and cores of nuclear reactors.
β Globally it is mined extensively in China, India, Brazil, North Korea, and Canada.
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πGraphite:
β It is an opaque, non-metallic carbon polymorph that is blackish silver in colour and metallic to dull in sheen. Since it resembles metal lead, it is also known colloquially as black lead or plumbago.
β Formation: It is formed by the metamorphosis of sediments containing carbonaceous material.
πProperties:
β It is a naturally occurring form of crystalline carbon and is a stable form of carbon.
β It is extremely soft, cleaves with very light pressure, and has a very low specific gravity.
β In contrast, it is extremely resistant to heat and nearly inert in contact with almost any other material. These extreme properties give it a wide range of uses in metallurgy and manufacturing.
β Applications:It is used in pencils, lubricants, crucibles, foundry facings, polishes, arc lamps, batteries, brushes for electric motors, and cores of nuclear reactors.
β Globally it is mined extensively in China, India, Brazil, North Korea, and Canada.
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Egypt demands Israel withdrawal from Rafah crossing for aid to flow
πKerem shalom crossing
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πKerem shalom crossing
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πIndia attends Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for
Prosperity (IPEF) Ministerial meeting in Singapore
β It was launched on 23 May 2022 at Tokyo, Japan
comprising of 14 countries β Australia, Brunei, Fiji,
India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand,
Vietnam and USA.
β The IPEF seeks to strengthen economic engagement and cooperation among partner
countries with the goal of advancing growth, economic stability and prosperity in the region.
β The framework is structured around four pillars relating to Trade (Pillar I); Supply Chain Resilience (Pillar
II); Clean Economy (Pillar III); and Fair Economy (Pillar IV). India had joined Pillars II to IV of IPEF while
it has maintained an observer status in Pillar-I.
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Prosperity (IPEF) Ministerial meeting in Singapore
β It was launched on 23 May 2022 at Tokyo, Japan
comprising of 14 countries β Australia, Brunei, Fiji,
India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand,
Vietnam and USA.
β The IPEF seeks to strengthen economic engagement and cooperation among partner
countries with the goal of advancing growth, economic stability and prosperity in the region.
β The framework is structured around four pillars relating to Trade (Pillar I); Supply Chain Resilience (Pillar
II); Clean Economy (Pillar III); and Fair Economy (Pillar IV). India had joined Pillars II to IV of IPEF while
it has maintained an observer status in Pillar-I.
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Forwarded from CSE EXAM ( UPSC prelims mains)