Axis of resistance
Why in News: Recently, a Hamas leader was killed in an airstrike in Tehran. Experts believe that Iran may increase attacks against Israel through its allies, known as the Axis of Resistance.
About Axis of Resistance
The Axis of Resistance is a coalition of Iranian-backed groups.
- Inspiration: The coalition’s name is inspired by former US President George W. Bush’s term ‘axis of evil,’ which referred to Iran, Iraq, and North Korea.
Formation
- Origins: The roots of the Axis of Resistance trace back to the Iranian Revolution of 1979, which brought radical Shia Muslim clerics to power.
- Strategic Goals: Iran’s regime aimed to expand its political and military influence in a predominantly Sunni region, including US-ally Saudi Arabia, by supporting non-state actors.
- Deterrence: Iran supported these groups to deter threats from Israel and the US, viewing Israel’s creation in 1948 as a means for the West to assert influence in the region for strategic interests.
Group Members
- Hezbollah: A Shiite militant organization based in Lebanon.
- Hamas: A Palestinian Sunni militant group operating in Gaza.
- Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ): A Sunni Islamist militant group based in Palestine.
- Houthis: A Zaydi Shia militant group based in Yemen.
Sloth bear
Why in News: Scientists proposed that a thorough examination of sloth bear behavior during interactions with tigers could help people throughout South Asia prevent fatal attacks.
About Sloth Bears
- Species: Sloth bears are one of the eight bear species found worldwide.
- Diet: They are myrmecophagous, meaning they primarily consume insects such as bugs and termites.
- Habitat: They inhabit various dry and moist forests and some tall grasslands, utilizing boulders, scattered shrubs, and trees for shelter.
- Distribution: Sloth bears are predominantly found in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and possibly Bhutan.
- Appearance: They have long, shaggy dark brown or black fur and the longest curved claws of any bear species.
- Behavior: Mostly nocturnal, they forage for food at night and rest in secluded locations during the day.
- Sanctuaries in India: Notable sloth bear sanctuaries include Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary in Karnataka and Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary in Gujarat.
Conservation Status:
- IUCN: Vulnerable
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule 1
- CITES: Appendix I
Vampire Stars
Why in News: Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery of a vampire star in the star cluster M67, situated in the constellation Cancer, which has been rejuvenating by drawing material from a companion star.
About Vampire Stars:
- Definition: Known as blue straggler stars (BSS), these stars are easily identified in star clusters.
Characteristics:
- Appear younger than their neighboring stars, defying simple stellar evolution models.
- Their youthful appearance has puzzled astronomers, with theories suggesting they consume material from companion stars.
- Also known as Symbiotic Binaries because they are usually found in pairs.
- The vampire star begins as the smaller star but becomes the larger one by the end of the material-sucking process.
- After consuming a large amount of material, the sucking star becomes a blue star, or blue straggler.
Research Highlights:
- Study Subject: Scientists examined WOCS 9005, a vampire star in the M67 open cluster in the constellation Cancer.
Findings:
- WOCS 9005’s atmosphere is rich in heavy elements such as barium, yttrium, and lanthanum, typically found in older, massive stars nearing the end of their life cycles.
- This star, expected to have chemistry similar to the Sun, shows a chemical anomaly, suggesting it has been “polluted” by material from a companion star.
- Observations:
- Using AstroSat’s Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT), significant ultraviolet emissions were detected from WOCS 9005.
- The blue straggler star has likely consumed most of the barium-rich material due to its gravitational pull, now presenting itself as a rejuvenated star.
Mozambique
Why in News: Shipments of Tur/Pigeon peas from Mozambique’s Nacala Port, previously halted by an “anti-India” group, have resumed following intervention from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs with the Ministry of External Affairs.
About Mozambique
Location:
- Mozambique is a country in Southern Africa, located in the Southern and Eastern Hemispheres.
- It has a coastline on the Indian Ocean to the east.
- The Mozambique Channel separates it from the island countries and territories of Madagascar, Comoros, and Mayotte.
Bordering Countries:
- Mozambique shares borders with Zimbabwe, Eswatini, South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, and Tanzania.
Rivers:
- Several significant rivers drain Mozambique, with the Zambezi being the largest. Other notable rivers include the Limpopo, Licungo, Lurio, and Rovuma.
Major Lakes:
- Lake Malawi (Nyasa) is a major lake in Mozambique.
Highest Peak:
- Mount Binga is the highest peak in Mozambique.
Capital and Largest City:
- The capital city is Maputo, while the largest city is Matola.
Natural Resources:
- Mozambique’s principal natural resources include natural gas, coal, mineral sand, hydropower, and potentially oil.
Women Entrepreneurship Program
Why in News: The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) recently launched the Women Entrepreneurship Program to empower women entrepreneurs and stimulate economic growth.
About Women Entrepreneurship Program
Purpose:
- Designed to address the distinct challenges women face in starting and growing businesses.
Goals:
- Aims to empower approximately 25 lakh women across India.
- Provides skills, knowledge, and resources necessary for successful business ventures.
Partnership:
- Implemented in collaboration with Britannia Industries Limited.
Support Offered:
- Offers financial grants.
- Features products and services on the Skill India Digital Hub.
- Demonstrates a commitment to creating an inclusive environment for women entrepreneurs.
Educational Resources:
- NSDC, with support from the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), provides free online self-learning entrepreneurship courses via the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH).
- Courses are available in multiple languages and cover topics like entrepreneurial skills, enterprise setup, finance basics, digital skills, and market analysis.
Key Facts about the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)
- Establishment: Founded on July 31, 2008, as a not-for-profit public limited company under section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956.
- Model: Functions as a unique Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE).