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- In a decision that has drawn strong criticism from both the UK and the US, Russia has blocked a draft UN Security Council resolution backed by the UK that called for a ceasefire in Sudan.
- About Sudan:
- Location: Situated in northeastern Africa.
- Borders: South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Egypt, Libya, Chad, and the Central African Republic.
- Geography: The country stretches from the Sahara Desert in the north to the tropical forests of West Africa and the Congo River basin in the south. It also boasts a significant coastline along the Red Sea, providing crucial access to both the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal.
- Capital: Khartoum, located at the confluence of the Blue Nile and White Nile rivers, lies near the center of the country.
- Currency: Sudanese Pounds (SDG).
- Colonial History:
- Early Colonial Rule: Sudan came under Egyptian control in the early 19th century. In 1899, a joint British-Egyptian administration was formed, with Sudan functioning effectively as a British colony.
- Post-Independence: Since gaining independence from the Anglo-Egyptian rule in 1956, Sudan has been dominated by military regimes with a preference for Islamic-oriented governance.
- South Sudan: Sudan was historically one unified state, including South Sudan until its secession in 2011. Before this, Sudan was the largest country in Africa, covering over 8% of the continent's total land area and nearly 2% of the world’s surface area.
- Terrain: The country is largely made up of deserts and dry grasslands, with extensive plateaus and plains covering much of its land.
- India’s GSAT-N2 (GSAT-20) communication satellite was successfully launched into space aboard SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket.
- About GSAT-N2 (GSAT-20):
- Overview: GSAT-N2, also known as GSAT-20, is India’s advanced communication satellite.
- Development: It was developed by New Space India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO under the Department of Space.
- Launch Details: The satellite was launched by SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket into a geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO).
- Purpose: The satellite is designed to deliver high-quality data and internet services to remote areas while also enabling in-flight internet connectivity across the Indian subcontinent.
- Impact: It will provide significant data transmission capabilities, especially for India’s Smart Cities Mission.
- Key Features:
- High-Throughput: The satellite operates in the Ka-band, delivering high-throughput communication.
- Beams: GSAT-N2 features multiple spot beams, supporting a large number of users with small user terminals. It has 32 user beams in total—8 narrow spot beams over the Northeast region and 24 wide spot beams across the rest of India.
- Hub Stations: The satellite’s beams are supported by hub stations throughout mainland India.
- Data Capacity: The Ka-band payload enables a throughput of approximately 48 Gbps.
- Specifications: GSAT-N2 has a lift-off mass of 4,700 kg and is expected to function for 14 years.
- Significance: It is India’s highest throughput satellite and the first to exclusively operate in the Ka-band, a frequency range crucial for high-capacity communications.
- The Chennai-Vladivostok eastern maritime corridor has officially begun operations, with shipments of oil, food, and machinery already being transported, according to the Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.
- About Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC):
- Route Overview: The Chennai-Vladivostok Sea route, also known as the Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC), connects the eastern coast of Russia with South India.
- Efficiency Gains: The EMC reduces cargo transit time between India and Russia's Far East by up to 16 days and cuts the distance by up to 40%, resulting in significant logistical efficiency improvements.
- Current Route: The traditional route from Mumbai to St. Petersburg via the Western Sea Route and the Suez Canal covers 8,675 nautical miles (16,066 km).
- New Route Benefits: In comparison, the Chennai to Vladivostok route via the EMC is much shorter, covering only 5,647 nautical miles (10,458 km), saving 5,608 km in distance. This results in reduced shipping times and costs, enhancing trade between Russia, India, and Asia.
- Route Path: The EMC passes through key maritime regions, including the Sea of Japan, East China Sea, South China Sea, Malacca Straits, Andaman Sea, and the Bay of Bengal.
- Port Options: The corridor offers several alternative port stopovers along the way, including Dalian, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Dhaka, Colombo, and Chennai.
- New Zealand’s parliament was briefly suspended after lawmakers from the Indigenous Māori group staged a protest, performing a “haka” — a traditional ceremonial dance — in opposition to a controversial Bill.
- About the Māori:
- Origins: The Māori are an indigenous tribe that has inhabited New Zealand for centuries. Originally, they settled mainly in the northern parts of the North Island, while the South Island remained sparsely populated.
- Cultural Background: Culturally, the Māori are Polynesians, closely related to the eastern Polynesian peoples. Over the centuries, they have endured significant hardship, particularly at the hands of the British Crown and others who sought to take their land.
- Language: The Māori language is part of the Polynesian group within the Eastern Oceanic branch of the Austronesian language family. While around one-third of Māori still speak their ancestral language, the vast majority are also fluent in English.
- Population: According to the 2013 census, there were 598,605 Māori in New Zealand, making up about 14.9% of the total population.
- Cultural Expressions: The Māori culture is rich with symbols of their connection to the land and their ancestors. Their distinctive costumes and adornments reflect this deep heritage.
- Haka: One of the most famous aspects of Māori culture is the haka, a powerful war dance performed to express strength, unity, and defiance. Known for its intensity, facial expressions, and rhythmic movements, the haka has become an iconic symbol of Māori identity.
- Tattoos (Ta Moko): Another significant element of Māori identity is their tattoos, or "ta moko," a traditional art form that is deeply symbolic. These tattoos, often seen on the face, are unique to each individual and represent their social status, genealogy, accomplishments, and personal story.