CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• Coral bleaching is a phenomenon where coral reefs lose their vibrant colors due to the expulsion of symbiotic algae, often caused by environmental stressors.
• Primary cause: Elevated sea temperatures, triggered by climate change and global warming.
• Other factors contributing to coral bleaching: Pollution, overexposure to sunlight, sedimentation, and changes in water chemistry (e.g., ocean acidification).
• Coral reefs support about 25% of marine life, despite covering less than 1% of the ocean floor.
• Data shows that since the 1980s, coral bleaching events have become more frequent and severe.
• According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), over 75% of the world's coral reefs have experienced bleaching since 2014.
• Severe bleaching events can lead to widespread coral death, impacting marine biodiversity and the livelihoods of millions of people dependent on reefs for food, income, and coastal protection.
• Efforts to mitigate coral bleaching include reducing carbon emissions, protecting marine habitats, implementing sustainable fishing practices, and establishing marine protected areas.
• Community involvement, scientific research, and policy interventions are crucial for the long-term survival of coral reefs and the ecosystems they support.

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• Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) are entities that invest in the financial markets of a country outside their own jurisdiction.
• They include hedge funds, mutual funds, pension funds, insurance companies, and other institutional investors.
• FIIs play a significant role in the global economy by providing liquidity, diversification, and expertise to financial markets.
• Their investments can have a substantial impact on the prices of stocks, bonds, currencies, and other financial instruments in the host country.
• FIIs bring foreign capital into domestic markets, which can stimulate economic growth and development.
• However, they also pose risks, such as sudden capital outflows that can destabilize local markets and currencies.
• Many countries have regulations and restrictions governing FII participation to manage these risks and ensure stability in their financial systems.
• Monitoring FII activity is essential for policymakers to understand market dynamics, identify potential vulnerabilities, and implement appropriate measures to safeguard financial stability.

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• NASA's Perseverance Rover is a robotic astrobiology laboratory launched by NASA as part of its Mars 2020 mission.
• It landed on Mars' Jezero Crater on February 18, 2021, after a seven-month journey from Earth.
• Perseverance's primary objective is to search for signs of past microbial life and collect samples of rock and regolith (broken rock and soil) for potential return to Earth.
• The rover is equipped with advanced scientific instruments, including cameras, spectrometers, and a drill for core sampling.
• It also carries the Mars Helicopter Ingenuity, a technology demonstration to test powered flight in the thin Martian atmosphere.
• Perseverance is the most advanced rover sent to Mars to date, with capabilities to explore the Martian surface in unprecedented detail.
• One of its key missions is to pave the way for future human exploration of Mars by testing technologies for producing oxygen from the Martian atmosphere and demonstrating capabilities for future crewed missions.
• Perseverance is also tasked with studying Mars' geology, climate, and atmosphere to better understand the planet's past and present habitability.
• The rover's mission is expected to last at least one Mars year, equivalent to about 687 Earth days, during which it will conduct a wide range of scientific experiments and exploration activities.

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• Vasuki indicus, commonly known as the Indian sand boa, is a non-venomous snake species found in the Indian subcontinent.
• It belongs to the family Boidae, which includes other boas and pythons.
• Indian sand boas are burrowing snakes, spending much of their time underground in sandy or loose soil habitats.
• They are nocturnal, hunting for prey such as rodents, lizards, and small birds during the night.
• Indian sand boas have a unique appearance with a stout body, small eyes, and a blunt snout, adapted for their fossorial lifestyle.
• Their coloration varies from pale yellow to reddish-brown, often with dark markings or patterns along the body.
• Unlike many other snake species, Indian sand boas give birth to live young rather than laying eggs. They are ovoviviparous, with females incubating eggs internally and giving birth to 10-20 offspring at a time.
• Due to habitat loss, illegal trade, and persecution, Indian sand boas face threats to their survival in the wild and are listed as a species of concern in some regions.
• Conservation efforts are underway to protect their natural habitats and raise awareness about the importance of preserving these unique snake species in the Indian ecosystem.

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• Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) empowers a district magistrate, a sub-divisional magistrate, or any other executive magistrate to issue orders in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger.
• The primary objective of Section 144 is to maintain public order and prevent potential disturbances to peace and tranquility.
• Under Section 144, the magistrate can issue orders prohibiting the assembly of four or more people in a specific area.
• Such orders may be issued to prevent riots, protests, processions, or any other activity that could lead to a breach of peace.
• Section 144 can also be invoked to regulate vehicular traffic, control the carrying of weapons, or impose curfew-like restrictions in a particular area.
• Violating the prohibitory orders under Section 144 is a punishable offense, often leading to arrest or fines.
• The magistrate issuing the order must provide reasons for imposing Section 144, and the order is generally temporary, valid for a specific period.
• Section 144 is often invoked during times of civil unrest, natural disasters, political rallies, or other situations where there is a perceived threat to public safety and order.

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• Nagorno-Karabakh is a landlocked region in the South Caucasus, located within Azerbaijan but predominantly populated by ethnic Armenians.
• The region has been a source of conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan since the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s.
• The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh is rooted in historical and ethnic tensions, with both Armenia and Azerbaijan claiming sovereignty over the territory.
• In 1988, the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast, predominantly populated by Armenians, sought to secede from Azerbaijan and join Armenia, sparking violent clashes.
• The conflict escalated into a full-scale war in 1991, resulting in thousands of casualties and displacing hundreds of thousands of people.
• A ceasefire brokered by Russia in 1994 ended the active hostilities, but sporadic clashes and tensions have persisted along the Line of Contact.
• Despite international mediation efforts, including by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chaired by France, Russia, and the United States, a lasting resolution to the conflict remains elusive.
• In September 2020, the conflict reignited with a large-scale military confrontation between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces, resulting in significant casualties and the displacement of thousands of civilians.
• A ceasefire agreement brokered by Russia in November 2020 ended the fighting, with Russian peacekeepers deployed to the region to monitor the truce and facilitate the return of displaced persons.
• The status of Nagorno-Karabakh remains unresolved, with ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful and mutually acceptable solution to the conflict.