PHILIPPINES
News – Philippines set to sign agreement for troop deployment with Canada
- Philippines is an archipelago with over 7,600 islands
- Capital: Manila
- Bordering Countries: The Philippines is an island nation and does not share land borders.
- Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP)
- Official Languages: Filipino and English
- Form of Government: Unitary presidential constitutional republic
- Major Cities: Quezon City (largest), Davao City
- It is the world’s second-largest producer of coconuts.
- Mount Apo is its highest peak at 2,954 meters.
MADHAV NATIONAL PARK
News – Madhav National Park in M.P. becomes India’s 58th Tiger Reserve
- Location: Situated in the northern part of Madhya Pradesh
- Area: 355 square kilometers.
- History – Originally a hunting ground for Mughal emperors and the Scindia royal family
- National park status in – 1959
- Tiger Corridor: Part of the Ranthambhore-Kuno-Madhav Tiger Corridor
- Ecosystem –
- Features dry deciduous and thorn forests.
- Home to species like tigers, leopards, nilgai.
WORLD SPICE ORGANISATION
News – Boost value addition in spices to achieve $10-bn export target by 2030: WSO
- Established: 2011
- Headquarters: Kochi, Kerala, India
- Objective: To address issues of food safety and sustainability in the spice industry.
- Key Activities:
- Promotes sustainable practices
- Engages in setting international standards for spices
- India: Known as the “Land of Spices,” it produces turmeric, cardamom, cumin, and more.
- Indonesia: Famous for nutmeg and cloves.
- Vietnam: A leading exporter of black pepper.
DGCA
News – IndiGo aircraft scrapes runway; probe ordered
- DGCA – Directorate General of Civil Aviation
- About – The DGCA is the regulatory body for civil aviation in India.
- Under – Ministry of Civil Aviation.
- Headquarters: New Delhi.
- Functions of DGCA-
- Regulates air transport services within India
- Licenses pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers
- Investigates aviation accidents
- Recent Developments-
- Focus on drone regulations and certifications.
- e-GCA platform for digital governance in aviation.
PONZI SCAM
News – Lookout notice issued against Falcon CMD, CEO in Ponzi scam
- About –
- A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment scam that promises high returns with little risk.
- But pays earlier investors using funds from newer investors rather than actual profits.
- Mechanism:
- It relies on a constant influx of new investors to sustain payouts.
- It collapses when new investments dry up.
- Notable Ponzi Scams in India:
- Saradha Scam (2013): in West Bengal.
- Rose Valley Scam: Involved over ₹15,000 crore.
SEMICONDUCTOR
News – As imports of semiconductor chips rise, India eyes local production
- About – Semiconductors are materials with electrical conductivity between conductors (like metals) and insulators (like glass)
- Commonly made from – silicon or germanium
- Used in – electronic devices like transistors, diodes, and integrated circuits.
- Essential for emerging technologies – like AI, IoT, and 5G.
- Global Semiconductor Leading Countries –
- Taiwan>South Korea>USA.
- Indian Development – India’s Semiconductor Mission launched in 2021
MCQs
1. Capital of Philippines is?
A. Beijing
B. Kiev
C. Manila
D. Seoul
2. Madhav National Park is located in?
A. Assam
B. Madhya Pradesh
C. Tamil Nadu
D. Gujarat
3. World Spice Organization Headquarter is at?
A. Switzerland
B. Japan
C. Sri Lanka
D. India
4. Which Country is known as “The Land of Spices” ?
A. Nigeria
B. India
C. Mongolia
D. China
5. Who is the Largest Producer of Semiconductors in the world?
A. Taiwan
B. Nigeria
C. India
D. China