CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• The Commonwealth Nations, formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is a political association of 54 member states, most of which were territories of the former British Empire.
• It was established in 1931 with the Statute of Westminster, which granted full sovereignty to dominions within the empire while maintaining the British monarch as the symbolic head of state.
• Commonwealth countries span six continents and have diverse cultures, economies, and political systems.
• The organization promotes cooperation and mutual assistance among its members, focusing on areas such as trade, development, democracy, and human rights.
• The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is held every two years, where leaders discuss shared challenges and opportunities.
• Despite its historical ties to Britain, membership in the Commonwealth is voluntary, and many former colonies have joined other international organizations while maintaining their Commonwealth ties.
• The Commonwealth Secretariat, based in London, serves as the main administrative body, facilitating collaboration and providing support to member states.
• The organization plays a significant role in promoting peace and stability, fostering economic development, and advocating for global issues such as climate change and gender equality.

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• Starlink is a satellite internet constellation project developed by SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk.
• The goal of Starlink is to provide high-speed internet access to underserved and remote areas around the world.
• It aims to achieve this by deploying a large network of small satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), operating at altitudes ranging from 340 to 1,200 kilometers.
• As of early 2024, SpaceX has launched thousands of Starlink satellites into orbit, with plans to launch tens of thousands more in the coming years.
• Starlink satellites communicate with ground stations and user terminals, known as phased-array antennas, to provide internet connectivity.
• The project has the potential to deliver broadband internet with low latency, which is crucial for applications such as online gaming, video conferencing, and remote work.
• While Starlink has received praise for its ambitious goals and technological innovation, it has also faced criticism and concerns regarding its impact on astronomical observations, space debris, and regulatory challenges.
• Despite these challenges, Starlink continues to expand its network and improve its services, with the aim of bridging the digital divide and connecting people worldwide.

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• The Iron Dome is a missile defense system developed by Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, designed to intercept and destroy short-range rockets and artillery shells fired from distances of 4 to 70 kilometers away.
• It became operational in 2011 and has since been a critical component of Israel's defense strategy, particularly in countering rocket threats from Gaza, Lebanon, and other neighboring territories.
• The system relies on radar detection to identify incoming threats, tracking their trajectories and calculating their potential impact points.
• When a threat is detected, the Iron Dome launches interceptor missiles to neutralize the incoming projectiles mid-flight.
• Each interceptor is equipped with advanced guidance systems, allowing it to accurately intercept and destroy incoming threats.
• The Iron Dome has been highly effective in intercepting and destroying a high percentage of incoming rockets and artillery shells, significantly reducing casualties and damage from such attacks.
• It has demonstrated its effectiveness in numerous conflicts, including the 2012 and 2014 conflicts between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, as well as in smaller-scale skirmishes.
• The system's success has led to its widespread recognition as a key innovation in missile defense technology, with several countries expressing interest in acquiring similar systems for their own defense needs.

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• Mount Ruang is an active volcano located on the island of Sangihe in Indonesia.
• It is part of the Sangihe Islands Regency in the province of North Sulawesi.
• The volcano has a symmetrical cone shape and rises to an elevation of 2,335 meters (7,661 feet) above sea level.
• Mount Ruang is one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia, with recorded eruptions dating back to the 17th century.
• Its eruptions are characterized by lava flows, ash plumes, and pyroclastic flows, posing a risk to nearby communities.
• The volcano is monitored by Indonesia's Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM) to assess its activity and provide early warnings to local residents.
• Mount Ruang is situated within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for its high volcanic and seismic activity.
• Despite its volcanic hazards, Mount Ruang also attracts tourists and hikers due to its scenic beauty and challenging trails.
• The surrounding area is rich in biodiversity, with diverse flora and fauna inhabiting the volcanic slopes and surrounding forests.
• Authorities continuously assess the volcanic activity of Mount Ruang to mitigate risks and ensure the safety of nearby communities.

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• The Clouded Tiger Cat, also known as the Clouded Leopard, is a wild cat species native to Southeast Asia.
• It is named for its distinctive cloud-like markings on its fur, which provide effective camouflage in its forest habitat.
• The scientific name of the Clouded Tiger Cat is Neofelis nebulosa.
• It is considered a medium-sized cat, with a body length ranging from about 68 to 94 centimeters (27 to 37 inches) and a tail length of approximately 61 to 84 centimeters (24 to 33 inches).
• Clouded Tiger Cats have a robust build with relatively short legs and large paws, enabling them to move swiftly and silently through the forest canopy.
• They are primarily arboreal, spending much of their time in trees where they hunt, rest, and seek refuge from predators.
• Their diet consists mainly of small mammals, birds, and reptiles, but they are also known to prey on larger animals such as deer and monkeys.
• Despite being elusive and solitary animals, Clouded Tiger Cats are known for their vocalizations, which include growls, hisses, and chuffing sounds.
• The species is classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to habitat loss, poaching, and illegal wildlife trade.
• Conservation efforts are underway to protect Clouded Tiger Cat populations and their forest habitats, including the establishment of protected areas and initiatives to combat poaching and habitat destruction.

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• Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) is an economic indicator that measures the total value of investments in fixed assets within an economy over a specific period.
• Fixed assets include machinery, equipment, buildings, infrastructure, and other physical assets used for production purposes.
• GFCF represents the net increase in a country's physical capital stock during a given period, excluding the depreciation of existing assets.
• It is a key component of gross domestic product (GDP) calculation and is often used as an indicator of economic growth and development.
• GFCF is typically expressed as a percentage of GDP, reflecting the proportion of economic output invested in productive assets.
• High levels of GFCF indicate strong investment activity and potential for future economic growth, as investments in capital goods can boost productivity and expand production capacity.
• Conversely, declining GFCF may signal economic contraction or stagnation, as businesses reduce investment spending amid economic uncertainty or unfavorable business conditions.
• Governments and policymakers often monitor GFCF trends to assess the health of an economy and identify areas for policy intervention, such as incentives to stimulate investment or infrastructure development initiatives.
• GFCF data is collected and reported by national statistical agencies and international organizations, providing valuable insights into investment patterns and trends at both the national and global levels.
• Understanding GFCF dynamics is crucial for policymakers, investors, and businesses alike, as it influences long-term economic prospects and competitiveness.

The Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) is an international network of organizations and individuals dedicated to promoting zero waste solutions and eliminating the use of incinerators and landfills for waste management. Here's a brief overview:

• GAIA was founded in 2000 with the goal of challenging the prevailing model of waste management, which relies heavily on incineration and landfilling, and advocating for more sustainable alternatives.
• The alliance brings together grassroots organizations, community groups, environmental advocates, and waste pickers from around the world to collaborate on campaigns, share knowledge, and advocate for policy change.
• GAIA promotes the concept of zero waste, which aims to minimize waste generation, maximize recycling and composting, and redesign products and packaging to be more sustainable and recyclable.
• The alliance believes that incineration, despite being promoted as a solution to waste management, poses serious environmental and health risks, including air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and toxic ash residue.
• GAIA advocates for the implementation of waste reduction strategies, such as extended producer responsibility (EPR), product redesign, and community-based recycling programs, as more effective and sustainable alternatives to incineration.
• The alliance engages in research, education, and advocacy efforts to raise awareness about the environmental and social impacts of incineration and promote the adoption of zero waste policies and practices at the local, national, and international levels.
• GAIA also works to support and amplify the voices of marginalized communities disproportionately affected by waste incineration and landfilling, including low-income communities and communities of color.
• Through its collective efforts, GAIA aims to build a global movement for sustainable waste management, foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders, and drive systemic change towards a circular economy that prioritizes resource conservation and environmental justice.