Gabon |
Why in News: Mutinous soldiers in Gabon asserted control recently, declaring they had taken power just hours after announcing they had confined the nation’s newly re-elected president to his residence.
About Gabon
- Location:The Republic of Gabon is situated at the Equator in West-Central Africa, with a coastline along the Atlantic Ocean.
- Neighboring Nations:It shares borders with Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon to the north, and the Republic of the Congo to the east and south.
- Colonial History:Gabon was formerly a French colony and maintains strong cultural and linguistic ties with France.
- Independence:The country gained independence from France on August 17, 1960.
- Political System:Gabon is a presidential republic, where the president serves as both the head of state and government.
- Capital:The capital city is Libreville.
- Language:French is the official language, while various Bantu languages are also spoken.
- Religion:The majority of the population adheres to Christianity, with a smaller Muslim and traditional religious minority.
- Climate:Gabon experiences an equatorial climate characterized by high temperatures and humidity throughout the year.
- International Affiliations:Gabon is a member of several international organizations, including the United Nations, the African Union, and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Morocco |
Why in News: A strong earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale recently hit central Morocco, approximately 72 kilometers southwest of Marrakesh.
About Morocco
- Location:Morocco is situated in western North Africa, bordered by the Strait of Gibraltar.
- Urban Center: Casablanca serves as Morocco’s largest city and primary port on the Atlantic Ocean.
- Capital:Rabat holds the status of the country’s capital city.
- Borders:Morocco shares borders with Algeria to the east and southeast, Western Sahara to the south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
- Coastal Access:It is the sole African nation with coastlines along both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
- Enclaves:Ceuta and Melilla, two small Spanish territories, are located along Morocco’s northern coastline.
- Languages:Arabic and Amazigh (Tamazight) are the predominant languages spoken.
- Political Structure:The country operates under a constitutional monarchy with a bicameral legislative system.
Kostyantynivka |
Why in News: The recent explosion in Kostyantynivka, condemned by President Zelensky as a deliberate attack on the peaceful city, resulted in the tragic loss of fifteen lives
About Kostyantynivka
- Location:Kostyantynivka is an industrial city located in Donetsk Oblast, eastern Ukraine, situated on the Kryvyi Torets river
- History:The city has a history of industrial production, specializing in iron, zinc, steel, and glass during the Soviet era
- Impact of Russo-Ukrainian War:
- During the Russo-Ukrainian War, Kostyantynivka has been a target of Russian attacks, experiencing shelling, missile strikes, and bombardment
- In 2022, Kostyantynivka was hit by a Russian hypersonic missile, causing a fire in the city, and has continued to face heavy shelling and attacks during the conflict
9 Dashed Line |
Why in News: India has been joined by multiple Southeast Asian nations such as the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Taiwan in opposing China’s recent national map and its delineation of the nine-dash line in the South China Sea.
About 9 Dashed Line
The nine-dash line refers to a historical demarcation line utilized by China to assert its territorial claims in the South China Sea.
- Territorial Claim:China’s assertion extends to approximately 90% of the South China Sea, predominantly relying on the historical U-shaped line with nine dashes originally drawn on a map in the 1940s. This claim encompasses various islands, notably the Paracels and Spratlys.
- UNCLOS Verdict:The Permanent Court of Arbitration, operating under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), has ruled that China’s claim in this area lacks a legal basis.
Timor-Leste |
Why in News: The Prime Minister engaged in bilateral discussions with the leaders of Timor Leste and Mozambique, a day ahead of the commencement of the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit.
About Timor Leste (East Timor):
- Location: Situated in the eastern Lesser Sunda Islands, it marks the southernmost point of the Malay Archipelago.
- Capital: Dili serves as both the capital and the largest city.
Geographical Boundaries: It is surrounded by the Timor Sea to the southeast, the Wetar Strait to the north, the Ombai Strait to the northwest, and western Timor (part of the Indonesian province of East Nusa Tenggara) to the southwest.
