Daily Current Affairs 2025  

10/11/2025

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CA-10/11/2025

Why in news?
About United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
 
Key Facts about UNFCCC

• Signed in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro; entered into force in 1994.
• Has 197 Parties (countries), making it nearly universally adopted.
• Main objective: Stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations at a level preventing dangerous human-caused interference with the climate system (Article 2).

Objectives

• Achieve stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations.
• Allow natural adaptation of ecosystems.
• Ensure food production is not threatened.
• Enable sustainable economic development.

Key Facts About COP30

• Location: Belém, Pará, Brazil, the gateway to the Amazon rainforest.
• Dates: 10–21 November 2025.
• Attendance: Around 50,000 participants from over 190 nations, including diplomats, scientists, indigenous leaders, and government officials.
• Presidency: Led by Brazil, with the summit's president André Corrêa do Lago (Vice Minister for Climate, Energy, and Environment).

Main Themes and Objectives

• Accelerate progress on Paris Agreement targets, specifically limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C.
• Emphasize adaptation, finance, and practical implementation, rather than setting new goals.
• Launch and promote initiatives like the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF) for biodiversity and forest protection, with India joining as an observer.
• Demand for increased climate finance, with Brazil seeking new commitments from wealthier nations and financial markets, aiming to leverage funds for forest conservation.
• Stress the principle of "common but differentiated responsibility," keeping accountability central—wealthier, higher-emissions countries are called to greater action.

Notable Developments

• India showcased achievement of its clean energy goal (50% non-fossil power ahead of schedule) and advocated for practical adaptation indicators.
• The EU delegation is highlighting "staying the course" on climate commitments and presenting new targets for deep emissions reductions.
• The United States federal government is absent due to policy changes, though subnational delegations (states, cities) are participating in an unofficial capacity.
• Extreme weather events and temporary breach of the 1.5°C limit in 2025 have heightened urgency among negotiators.

Challenges and Discussions

• Delegates are debating the gap between existing climate pledges and the real-world actions needed to meet global targets.
• Brazil urges a paradigm shift towards actual delivery, calling COP30 "the COP of implementation and adaptation".
• There are ongoing disagreements over responsibility and burden-sharing between developed and developing nations.
• COP30 is widely viewed as a pivotal COP, aiming to foster global solidarity and accelerate delivery on key climate commitments.

Key updates on Jal Jeevan Mission:

• Over 15.7 crore rural households now have tap water connections, marking one of the fastest rural infrastructure expansions in India.
• The mission has saved an estimated 5.5 crore hours daily previously spent on water collection, mostly by women, improving socio-economic participation.
• The Centre has undertaken stringent checks and actions against irregularities, including penalizing over 596 officials, 822 contractors, and 152 inspection agencies for financial and quality issues.
• State and district administrations have been involved heavily in governance, with digital asset IDs and panchayat-level dashboards enhancing transparency and maintenance.
• The mission's outlay was ?2.08 lakh crore, with continued focus on improving infrastructure quality and effective operations.
• The government is focusing on sustaining service delivery through active monitoring, audits, and peer learning among districts.

Angola as a country
Geography

• Location: Angola lies on the western Atlantic Coast of Southern Africa, bordering Namibia, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The exclave of Cabinda is separated from the rest of the country by the DRC.
• Topography: The country consists of a narrow coastal plain that rises abruptly to a vast interior plateau. Mount Moco is the highest point, at 8,596 feet.
• Climate: The climate varies, with a semi-arid region in the south and along the coast and a hot, rainy season (November to April) and cool, dry season (May to October) in the north. 

Economy

• Natural resources: Angola's economy is heavily reliant on its vast natural resources, primarily crude petroleum and diamonds.
• Other industries: In addition to oil and gas, significant industries include diamond mining, agriculture, fishing, construction, and telecommunications.
• Post-civil war growth: Since the end of the civil war in 2002, Angola's economy was among the world's fastest-growing for a time, though growth is highly uneven and corruption is widespread.

 
Key provisions of the Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025:

• Polygamy is prohibited; marrying again while a spouse is alive and marriage not legally dissolved is banned.
• Violators can face up to 7 years rigorous imprisonment.
• The offence is cognizable, with no immediate bail on arrest.
• Special compensation fund for women impacted by polygamous marriages.
• Exemptions for Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Areas under Sixth Schedule.
• Minority Muslim residents in Scheduled Areas before 2005 are also exempt.

Background and rationale:

• The Bill is a social reform initiative aimed at protecting women's rights and promoting lawful, equitable marital relationships.
• It recognizes women in polygamous situations as victims and seeks to mitigate their hardships through compensation.
• The exclusions respect constitutional autonomy and customary practices of tribal and minority communities in Assam.

About Canary Islands
 
Geography and Location

• The Canary Islands lie about 100 km (62 miles) northwest of Africa, near Morocco, and form the southernmost region of Spain.
• The archipelago has seven main islands: Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro; plus smaller islands like La Graciosa.
• The islands are volcanic in origin, rising from the ocean floor; Tenerife's Mount Teide is the highest peak at 3,718 meters (12,198 feet), the tallest in Spain.
• The geography varies greatly with some western islands being lush and forested due to moist winds, while eastern islands like Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are arid and desert-like.
• The islands' climate is subtropical, with mild temperatures year-round and low rainfall, especially on the eastern islands.

Economy

• The Canary Islands have an economy valued around 54 billion euros, contributing 3.6% to Spain's GDP.
• Tourism is the dominant sector, encompassing trade, transport, hotels, restaurants, and leisure activities, making up nearly 39% of GDP.
• The economy is resilient with steady GDP growth forecasted, driven mainly by tourism and domestic consumption.

Tourism and Attractions

• Lanzarote and La Palma are UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, featuring volcanic landscapes and unique ecological protection.
• The islands offer excellent conditions for astronomical observation due to low light pollution and clear skies.
• Festivals like the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria are major cultural events attracting visitors.

Culture

• The culture is predominantly Spanish with indigenous Guanche influences evident in traditional sports, language elements, and festivities.
• Unique traditions include lucha canaria (a form of wrestling), juego del palo (stick fighting), and the whistled language Silbo Gomero, used historically for communication across ravines.
• Canary Islands Day is celebrated on May 30, commemorating regional autonomy.
• Carnival is the most famous festival, celebrated across all islands with distinctive local traditions.

About Konark Sun Temple
 

• The Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century Hindu temple in Odisha, India, dedicated to the sun god, Surya.
• Built during the reign of King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty around 1250 CE, the temple was designed in the shape of a colossal chariot.

Architectural features

• The temple's design is rich with symbolism. 
• The chariot: The temple is famously shaped like a giant chariot for the sun god, Surya.
• Wheels as sundials: It has 12 pairs of intricately carved stone wheels, representing the 12 months of the Hindu calendar. The spokes of these wheels can be used as sundials to tell the time of day.
• Horses: Seven carved horses pull the chariot, symbolizing the seven days of the week and the sun's movement across the sky.
• Key structures: While the original main sanctum (vimana) is in ruins, the audience hall (jagamohana) and dance hall (natamandira) still stand.
• Black Pagoda: European sailors once referred to it as the "Black Pagoda" because of its dark color, using it as a landmark for navigation in the Bay of Bengal. 

Intricate carvings and sculptures
 

• Divine figures: Sculptures of Hindu deities, including Surya, Vishnu, and Durga, adorn the walls. The three main statues of Surya show him at different times of day—morning, mid-day, and evening.
• Daily and secular life: The carvings depict scenes of royal life, musicians, dancers, warriors, hunting, and everyday activities.
• Erotic art: The temple is also known for its explicit erotic sculptures, which symbolize fertility and spiritual liberation. 

Historical events and current status

• Damaged and restored: The main sanctum collapsed sometime between the 16th and 19th centuries, but conservation efforts, particularly during the British colonial period, stabilized the remaining structure.
• Cause of damage: The reasons for its destruction are debated. Theories include structural weaknesses, natural disasters, and attacks by armies during invasions.
• UNESCO site: Due to its cultural and historical importance, the Konark Sun Temple was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984. 
• Konark Dance Festival: The annual Konark Dance Festival is held in December, featuring classical Indian dance performances. 

About Exercise Malabar
 
Key Details

• Participants: The permanent participants are the navies of India (IN), the United States (USN), Japan (JMSDF), and Australia (RAN).
• Purpose: The primary goal is to enhance cooperation, interoperability, and mutual understanding among the participating navies to address shared maritime challenges. It reflects the nations' shared commitment to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region and a rules-based international order.
• Activities: The exercises involve a wide range of complex activities, including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-air warfare (AAW), surface warfare operations, maritime interdiction, cross-deck helicopter operations, and special forces drills.
• Location: The location of the exercise alternates annually between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. The 2024 edition was hosted by India in the Bay of Bengal off the coast of Visakhapatnam. 

Evolution of the Exercise
 

Year	Development
1992	Initiated as a bilateral naval exercise between India and the United States.
2015	Japan joined as a permanent member, making it a trilateral exercise.
2020	Australia became a full participant, formalizing the quadrilateral (Quad) format.

   
About Sal Tree
Required Climatic Conditions for Sal Tree
 

Condition	Range/Description
Climate Type	Tropical Moist Deciduous and Tropical Dry Deciduous forests
Temperature	Maximum: 36°C to 44°C; Minimum: 11°C to 17°C
Annual Rainfall	1,000 mm to 3,500 mm (tolerates up to 7,300 mm in some cases)
Dry Season	A defined dry season of 4 to 8 months is typical. It cannot grow in locations with more than 7 consecutive dry months (less than 50 mm rainfall per month).
Light	Sal is a light-demanding species and requires full overhead light for optimal growth, though young seedlings need some protection from frost and intense drought.
Altitude	Found from near sea level up to elevations of over 1,500 meters.

Soil Requirements
Key Characteristics

• Botanical Name: Shorea robusta
• Appearance: Sal trees are tall, reaching up to 30-40 meters (about 100-130 feet), with a straight, cylindrical trunk and a rounded crown in older trees. 
• Leaves: The leaves are large (10-25 cm long), leathery, and shiny, with a distinct oval shape and a pointy tip.
• Habitat: It is found in moist deciduous forests, primarily in the lower Himalayan foothills, and across northern and central India (including Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh), as well as in Nepal and Bangladesh. In wetter areas, it is nearly evergreen, but in drier conditions, it sheds most of its leaves in the dry season (February-April). 

Uses and Significance

• Timber: Sal wood is one of the most important sources of hardwood timber in India, second only to teak.
• Medicinal Uses: Various parts of the tree (bark, resin, leaves, and seeds) are used in Ayurvedic and traditional medicine. The resin is used as an astringent and detergent in treatments for diarrhea, dysentery, and skin ailments.
• Economic Products: The leaves are traditionally used by local communities to make eco-friendly disposable plates and bowls (patravali and dona). The seeds yield an edible oil known as Sal butter, used for cooking and lighting lamps, while the resin (Sal dammar) is burned as incense.
• Cultural and Religious Importance: The Sal tree holds immense spiritual value.
  • Buddhism: Queen Maya is believed to have given birth to Gautam Buddha while holding onto a Sal tree branch, and Buddha is said to have passed away (attained Parinibbana) between twin Sal trees.
  • Jainism: It is believed the 24th Tirthankara, Mahavira, achieved enlightenment under a Sal tree.
  • Hinduism and Tribal Culture: In Hindu tradition, the tree is associated with Lord Vishnu. Many tribal communities in India, such as the Munda and Santhal, worship the Sal tree as a goddess (Sarna Burhi) and celebrate festivals, such as Sarhul, that revolve around its flowering. 

How can Sal Trees Control Pollution?

• Interception of Particulate Matter: Sal trees have large leaves and dense canopies that physically intercept airborne particulate matter (PM), such as dust, smoke, and soot. 
• Absorption of Gaseous Pollutants:Sal trees have a high biomass and are effective carbon sinks through tiny pores on their leaves called stomata, sequestering significant amounts of CO2 over their long lifespan. They also absorb other gaseous pollutants like carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ground-level ozone.
• Temperature Reduction: Sal trees provide extensive shade and release water vapor through transpiration, which cools the surrounding air. Lower ambient temperatures indirectly reduce the formation of certain air pollutants, particularly ground-level ozone, which forms more readily in heat.
• Soil and Water Remediation (Phytoremediation): The root systems of Sal trees help to clean and filter rainwater and absorb unwanted chemicals and heavy metals from the surrounding soil and groundwater, preventing these contaminants from entering waterways. 

• Ricin is a highly potent toxin naturally found in the seeds of the castor oil plant, Ricinus communis.
• It is a lectin, a carbohydrate-binding protein, that inhibits protein synthesis in cells, leading to cell death.
• The toxin consists of two chains: the A chain inhibits protein synthesis, while the B chain facilitates cell entry.
• Ricin can be toxic via ingestion, inhalation, or injection; ingestion requires a higher dose for lethality compared to inhalation.
• Estimated lethal dose (LD50) by ingestion in humans is about 1 milligram per kilogram body weight; inhalation doses as low as 5-10 micrograms per kilogram can be fatal.

• Ingestion causes severe gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (possibly bloody), abdominal pain, and hemorrhage, potentially progressing to organ failure and shock.
• Inhalation leads to respiratory symptoms such as cough, fever, chest tightness, pulmonary edema, and respiratory failure.
• Injection can cause local tissue damage, inflammation, and systemic organ failure.
• Onset of symptoms can range from hours to days depending on exposure route and dose.
• It is classified as a Schedule 1 chemical and a potential biological weapon due to its high toxicity and ease of extraction from castor bean waste.

Why in news?
Recently, scientists at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) have collaborated with NASA to estimate the crucial parameters of a coronal mass ejection (CME) by using Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) payload onboard India’s Aditya-L1 mission.

About Visible Emission Line Coronagraph
The Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) is a specialized instrument, and the primary payload on India's first solar mission, Aditya-L1, designed to study the solar corona by blocking the Sun's bright disk. It performs simultaneous imaging, spectroscopy, and spectro-polarimetry in visible and infrared wavelengths, providing continuous, high-resolution observations of the Sun's outermost atmosphere. 

Key Functions and Objectives 
 

• Diagnosing Coronal Parameters: Measuring the temperature, velocity, and density of the coronal plasma.
• Studying Coronal Heating and Solar Wind: Helping to understand the mechanisms responsible for the Sun's atmosphere being millions of degrees hotter than its surface, and the acceleration of the solar wind.
• Analyzing Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs): Investigating the origin, development, and dynamics of CMEs and other large-scale solar transients, which are major drivers of space weather.
• Measuring Coronal Magnetic Fields: Using spectro-polarimetric data (specifically at the 10,747 Å emission line) to map the magnetic field topology of the corona. 

Significance  

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