Why in the news? A study of ship movements in the Bering Strait, where vessel traffic has boomed as Arctic sea ice diminishes, highlights a rare case of U.S.-Russia cooperation during strained times. Bering Strait Location: Located on the northernmost … Continue reading →

What is it?: Coal is a combustible rock with high carbon and hydrocarbons, formed over millions of years from plant material. Types of Coal (based on carbon content): Anthracite: Best quality, high carbon (80-95%), rare in India (mainly in Jammu … Continue reading →

Mica Occurrence: Found in metamorphic rocks and some igneous rocks. Properties: Elastic, tough, flexible, transparent, and a good insulator. Uses: Electrical and electronics industries, toothpaste, cosmetics, and as a mild abrasive. Major Reserves: Andhra Pradesh: Largest producer (41% of India’s … Continue reading →

Gold Source: Gold occurs in auriferous rocks and alluvial gold (river sands). Uses: Primarily used for making ornaments and as an international currency due to its universal value. Production: India imports gold due to insufficient domestic production, mainly from Australia, … Continue reading →

Lead Source: Lead does not occur free in nature; it’s primarily extracted from galena (PbS), which is found in veins and masses in crystalline rocks such as schists. Properties: Malleable, soft, heavy, bad conductor of electricity. Uses: Products: Lead oxide … Continue reading →

Why in the news? An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 jolted the Tonga Islands Region. Tonga Location: Tonga is an island country in Polynesia, part of Oceania. Capital: Nukuʻalofa Bordering Countries: Fiji, Wallis, Futuna (France) , Samoa, New Caledonia … Continue reading →

Why in the news? The union cabinet, increased the loan amount of the PM SVANidhi (Prime Minister Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi) scheme and added a provision of UPI-linked RuPay credit cards. PM SVANidhi Scheme Launch: The scheme was announced in … Continue reading →

Why in the news? Bolivia witness election to choose new president. Bolivia Location: Bolivia is a landlocked country located in western-central South America. Capital: Legal Capital: Sucre Official Capital: La Paz Bordering Countries: Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, and Peru. Geography: … Continue reading →

Why in the news? A new study has identified at least two native plants that have joined invasive species to alter the riverine ecosystem of eastern Assam’s Dibru-Saikhowa National Park (DSNP), the only habitat of feral horses in India. Dibru … Continue reading →

Why in the news? Nearly 1,47,445 mule accounts were being operated across India by cyber fraudsters from Southeast Asia until June 30 this year, with Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru featuring among the top ten hotspots. Mule Accounts What is it?: … Continue reading →