Gulf Stream

A recent study warns that Melting glaciers threatens Gulf Stream and could led to collapse of it by 2025.

• The Gulf Stream is a strong warm ocean current that brings warm water from the Gulf of Mexico into the Atlantic Ocean.
• It extends all the way up the eastern coast of the United States and Canada.
• Features – It acts as a vital conveyor belt and regulates the climate of the North Atlantic region.
• It is a part of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC).
• It is a part of a general clockwise-rotating system of currents in the North Atlantic.
• Causes – The Gulf Stream is caused by a large system of circular currents and powerful winds, called an oceanic gyre.
• There are 5 oceanic gyres on Earth. The Gulf Stream is part of the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre.
• Recent study – The researchers found that the Gulf Stream could collapse between 2025 and 2095, with a central estimate of 2050, if global carbon emissions remain unchecked.
• This collapse could result in more frequent storms, disruptions in rainfall patterns, and a rise in sea levels along the eastern coast of North America.
• It could lead to more extreme weather events in Western Europe, including colder winters and hotter summers, with devastating effects on agriculture, infrastructure, and public health.

Leith’s soft-shell turtle

Leith’s soft-shell turtle was recently found in Cauvery River between Mekedatu and Hogenakkal in Tamil Nadu.

• Leith’s soft-shell turtle (Nilssonia leithii) is large freshwater turtle species endemic to peninsular India.
• Range – This species can be found in parts of the Thungabhadra, Ghataprabha, Bhavani, Godavari, Krishna, Chalakkudy, Cauvery, and Moyar Rivers.
• Protection – It is listed as Critically endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.
• It is protected under Schedule 1 of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• Physical characteristics – When young, these turtles possess distinct ocelli on their carapace, which tend to fade as they grow.
• Ocelli are simple eyes found in many insects that have evolved as a second visual system.
• A carapace is a hard shell or case that covers the back of some animals, such as crabs, turtles, lobsters, and tortoises.
• Adults exhibit an olive green or greyish hue on their carapace, while their plastron is white or cream-colored.
• Threats – There has been steady decline in the soft-shell turtle sightings in recent years due to poaching, habitat fragmentation, hydropower projects and to some extent, illegal river sand mining.

Largest Economies

According to the data recently released by the AFP, a leading news agency, Japan has lost the tag of the world’s third largest economy, which was replaced by the Germany with India being in the 5th spot.

• Japan's economic journey – In the 1970s and '80s, Japan was predicted to become the world's largest economy.
• However, the bursting of Japan's asset bubble in the early 1990s led to years of economic stagnation and deflation, known as the “lost decade”.
• By 2010, Japan was surpassed as the second-largest economy by China, prompting reflection on Japan's economic trajectory.
• Japan vs Germany – Japan's economy expanded by 1.9 %, government data indicated that its nominal gross domestic product (GDP) in in dollar terms for 2023 stood at USD 4.2 trillion.
• It fell short of Germany's USD 4.5 trillion GDP.
• The shift in rankings mainly resulted from the significant decline in the yen compared to the dollar, rather than Germany's economy, which contracted by 0.3 % in 2023.
• Currently Germany is the world’s third largest economy in terms of nominal GDP and it is followed by Japan and India.
• India - According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), India is expected to surpass Japan in output by 2026 and Germany by 2027.
• Currently it is the 5th largest economy.
• USA and China – USA is the first largest economy and it is followed by China.
• The top 5 largest economies in terms of  terms of Nominal GDP (Gross domestic product) in descending order is:
  1. USA
  2. China
  3. Germany
  4. Japan
  5. India

National Coal Index (NCI)

The National Coal Index was recently released by the Ministry of Coal indicate that there is a significant decline of 4.75 % in December 2023 compared to December 2022.

• The National Coal Index (NCI) is a price index that combines coal prices from all sales channels such as Notified Prices, Auction Prices and Import Prices.
• It serves as a reliable indicator of market dynamics, providing valuable insights of price fluctuations.
• It is released by the Ministry of Coal every month.
• In the auction process, the National Coal Index (NCI) and Representative Prices (RP) would play very important role.
• The concept and design of the Index have been developed by the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata.
• It considers prices of coking and non-coking coal of various grades transacted in the regulated (power and fertilizer) and non-regulated sectors.
• The base year of the index is Financial Year 2017-18.
• The peak of NCI was observed in June 2022 when the index reached 238.83 points, but subsequent months have experienced a decline, indicative of abundant availability of coal in the Indian market.
• The downward trajectory of the NCI signifies a more equitable market, harmonizing supply and demand dynamics.
• With sufficient coal availability, the nation can not only address burgeoning demands but also underpin its long-term energy requisites.

Martial Arts

Post the Galwan violent clash between India and China, the Army has decided to add martial arts to the regular training of troops and in recent times they have added martial arts including Ghtaka and Kalari Payattu.

• Krav Maga – It is an effective, modern, and dynamic self-defence and fighting system.
• It is designed to be practical and intuitive for people of any age, shape, or size.
• It was originally taught to the Israeli Army, and instruction for civilians began in the late 70s.
• Kalaripayattu – It is considered among the oldest and most scientific martial arts in the world.
• It was developed in Kerala and lauded as the pride of Kerala, it is acknowledged and respected across the world.
• The primary aim is the ultimate coordination between mind and body.
• Gatka – It is a style of stick fighting between two or more practitioners, with wooden sticks (called Soti) intended to simulate swords.
• It was one of basic technique of self-defence for Sikh warriors during the martial period of great Sikh Gurus in Punjab.
• It is primarily used as self-defence and practiced by the Gatkabaaz before opting for usage of sword/kirpan.
• Khukuri Dance – It is a Gurkha folk dance that originated in the state of Sikkim.
• It is a small knife which symbolises victory, robustness and power.
• The dance is also performed as a tribute to soldiers for the security they provide.