Trinidad and Tobago |
Why in News: India and Trinidad and Tobago have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on utilizing India Stack, a set of open APIs and digital resources aimed at enabling identity verification, data management, and payment solutions on a broad scale.
About Trinidad and Tobago
- Location:
- Trinidad and Tobago is an island country located in the southeastern Caribbean Sea, northeast of Venezuela and northwest of Guyana.
- The country consists of the two main islands of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as several smaller islands.
- Cultural Diversity: Trinidad and Tobago is known for its diverse cultural heritage, with influences from African, Indian, European, and indigenous Amerindian traditions.
- Independence
- Trinidad and Tobago achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1962 and became a republic in 1976.
- The capital and largest city is Port of Spain, located on the northwestern coast of Trinidad.
Mont Blanc |
Why in News: Recent studies have shown that Mont Blanc, the tallest peak in France, has experienced a decrease in its elevation over the last couple of years.
About Mont Blanc
- Location:
- Mont Blanc is the tallest mountain in Europe, standing at 4,807 meters above sea level.
- Situated in the Alps, it straddles the border between France and Italy, extending into Switzerland.
- Nickname: It is famously known as “the roof of Europe.”
- Origin of Name:The name “Mont Blanc” originates from its perennial snow cover, translating to “the white mountain.”
- Geographical : This majestic peak is situated within the Graian Alps range, spanning the regions of Aosta Valley, Italy, and Savoie and Haute-Savoie, France.
Mount Vesuvius |
Why in News: Recently, researchers utilized artificial intelligence to decode an ancient scroll entombed in the ashes of Mount Vesuvius.
About Mount Vesuvius
- Location:Mount Vesuvius is situated above the Bay of Naples on the Campania plain in southern Italy.
- Activity: It stands as the sole active volcano on mainland Europe.
- Classification: Classified as a complex stratovolcano, its eruptions often involve both explosive events and pyroclastic flows.
- Pyroclastic Flows:These flows comprise a dense mixture of hot lava blocks, pumice, ash, and volcanic gas.
- Geological: Mount Vesuvius forms part of the Campanian volcanic arc, a chain of volcanoes resulting from the convergence of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates.
- Subduction Zone:This volcanic activity arises from a subduction zone along the Italian peninsula, giving rise to other volcanoes like Mount Etna and Stromboli.
- Geological Variation:Vesuvius’ rocks exhibit slight chemical differences from those of other Campanian volcanoes due to a geological feature known as a “slab window,” formed by the detachment of the subducting slab’s lower part from the upper part.
Kosovo-Serbia tensions |
Why in News: Kosovo has received a recommendation to organize fresh elections in its northern region to ease tensions with Serbia, following involvement from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron.
About Kosovo-Serbia tensions
Background on Kosovo-Serbia Conflict:
- Kosovo, a predominantly ethnic Albanian territory, declared independence from Serbia in 2008.
- Serbia rejects Kosovo’s independence, considering it part of its sovereign territory despite lacking formal control.
- Around 100 countries, including the US, recognize Kosovo’s statehood, while others, including Russia and China, back Serbia.
- The unresolved status fuels tensions and hinders Balkan stability post the 1990s conflicts.
Recent Escalation:
- Following Serb boycotts, ethnic Albanian mayors won local elections in northern Kosovo, leading to tensions.
- Ethnic Albanian officials faced resistance from Serbs when attempting to assume office, prompting police intervention.
- Clashes between Serbs and Kosovo peacekeepers escalated tensions further.
Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam |
Why in News: Ethiopia has recently declared the completion of the filling of its Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile River.
About Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam
- Location:
- The GERD, previously known as the Millennium Dam, is situated in the Benishangul-Gumuz region of Ethiopia, near the Sudanese border.
- Positioned on the Blue Nile, a significant tributary of the Nile River.
- Capacity:
- With a capacity of 6.45 Gigawatts, the dam is poised to become the largest hydroelectric power plant in Africa upon completion.
- Dispute:
- Egypt and Sudan are concerned that the massive $4.2bn GERD project will significantly reduce their share of Nile water.
- Both nations have urged Ethiopia to halt the filling process until they can agree on the dam’s operational framework.
