Art & Culture 

Iraqi archaeologists piece together ancient Assyrian treasures ravaged by IS - The Hindu

A decade after jihadists ransacked Iraq’s famed Nimrud site, archaeologists have been painstakingly putting together its ancient treasures, shattered into tens of thousands of tiny fragments.

Nimrud (Ancient Kalhu)

• Location: Near Mosul (Iraq)
• About: Assyrian capital in the 9th-8th centuries BC dating back to the 6th millennium BC.

• Discoveries: Renowned for sculptures including bas-reliefs and statues, marking early discoveries of ancient Mesopotamian art.
• Ashurnasirpal II’s Northwest Palace: Built by King Ashurnasirpal II (883–859 BC).
• Materials: The palace used "Mosul marble" for carving
• Imagery: Reliefs of magical protective figures and large human-headed bulls and lions were placed at palace entrances.
• Post-Assyrian Period: The site was sacked in the 7th century BC and later occupied by smaller settlements.
• Rediscovery: 19th century.
• Cultural Heritage: One of Iraq’s most significant archaeological sites, holding key insights into ancient Assyrian civilization.

Geography 

HOW THE POLAR VORTEX CAUSED A MASSIVE WINTER STORM IN THE US - Indian Express

At least five people have died in the United States after a winter storm hit a large swathe of the country over the weekend, leading to mass school closures, dangerous road conditions and power cuts.

Polar Vortex

• Definition: A large low-pressure area of cold air that rotates around Earth's polar regions.
• Types:
  • Tropospheric Polar Vortex: Located at 0-10 km to 15 km altitude, associated with weather phenomena.
  • Stratospheric Polar Vortex: Found at 15 km to 50 km altitude, stronger in autumn, disappears in summer.

Polar Vortex and Extreme Cold

• Weakening of North Pole’s Polar Vortex: Then, cold Arctic air can move south, affecting regions like the US, Europe, and parts of Asia.
• Effect on Jet Stream: A weakened polar vortex disrupts the jet stream, which normally keeps cold air north. 
• Impact: Areas as far south as Florida can experience Arctic weather due to the southward movement of cold air.

Climate Change and the Polar Vortex

• Impact of Warming Poles: Faster warming at the poles is weakening the polar vortex and jet stream, making them more prone to disruption.
• Effect on Strength: As poles warm more, the polar vortex and jet stream become weaker, making them susceptible to shifting.

Lakshadweep divers bump into wreck of centuries-old warship - The Hindu 

A group of divers exploring marine life near Kalpeni island in the Lakshadweep archipelago stumbled recently  upon the wreck of what, it appeared, had been a warship.

Kalpeni Island

• Location: Village in Lakshadweep archipelago, Arabian Sea; 287 km from Kochi, Kerala.
• Area: 2.79 sq km.
• Geography: Situated southeast of Kavaratti Island, between Androth and Minicoy.
• Atoll: Includes Kalpeni, Tilakkam, Pitti, and uninhabited Cheriyam Island.
• Features: Known for coral reefs, clear waters, white beaches, and a lagoon (2.8 km wide).
• Marine Life: Surrounded by coral reefs, ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving.
• Climate: Similar to Kerala's climate.
• Cultural Heritage: Inhabitants mainly from the Maliku community.

Society 

Britain's child 'grooming' scandal in which Elon Musk has blamed PM Starmer - Indian Express

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer this week responded to criticism that as Director of Public Prosecutions from 2008-13, he had failed to go after gangs that sexually exploited children.

‘Grooming’ of a child

• Meaning: When an adult establishes a relationship of trust with a minor often targeting vulnerable children to initiate an exploitative sexual relationship.
• Mechanism: Offenders typically befriend the child through gifts, attention, and considerate behaviour, & coerce or frighten the child into sexual contact.

Inquiry into Cases

• National Inquiry Report (2022): Published after a seven-year inquiry with 20 recommendations, none of which are fully implemented.
• Recommendations:

• Establish a national child protection authority.
• Implement stricter rules for those working with vulnerable children.
• Make failing to report child sex abuse a crime (announced by government for this year).
• Treat grooming as an aggravating factor in abuse sentencing.
• Improve data collection on child exploitation.
• Government Action: Government working on two of the last recommendations.

World Affairs 

India ready to support Maldives in enhancing its defence preparedness, says Rajnath Singh - The Hindu

India has handed over defence equipment and stores to the Maldives on the request of the Maldivian government, the Defence Ministry said recently as New Delhi also reaffirmed its readiness to support Male in capability enhancement for defence preparedness as per its national priorities.

India-Maldives Defence Cooperation

• Defence Assistance: India handed over defence equipment to the Maldives upon request.
• Bilateral Review: Both ministers reviewed aspects of defence and security cooperation.
• Key Project Discussion: Focus on the Ekatha Harbour project for MNDF Coast Guard, a major Indian grant project.

India and Maldives Relations

• Political Relations:
  • Recognition: India recognized the Maldives in 1965 and established its mission in 1972.
  • Founding members: SAARC, South Asian Economic Union, and signatories to the South Asia Free Trade Agreement.
  • Mutual support: UN, Commonwealth, NAM, and SAARC.
• Strategic Relations:
  • Maldives’ strategic location: Vital for energy supplies to countries like China, Japan, and India.
  • Foreign policy: Central to India’s ‘SAGAR’ and ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’ in the Indian Ocean Region.
• Defence:
  • Technical agreement on ‘White Shipping Information’: Between Indian Navy and Maldives National Defence Force.
  • Joint military exercise: Ekuverin between India and Maldives.
• Trade and Economy:
  • 1981 trade agreement: Facilitates export of essential commodities.
  • India’s exports: Food items and construction material.
  • Balance of Trade: India maintains a positive BoT with the Maldives.
• India’s assistance: Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Maldives Polytechnic, Faculty of Hospitality & Tourism Studies, Gulhifalhu port, Hanimaadhoo airport redevelopment, and Hulhumale hospital and cricket stadium.
• India’s Crucial Help to the Maldives:
  • Operation Cactus (1988): Indian Army intervened to thwart a coup attempt in the Maldives.
  • Operation Neer: India aided after a fire at the Male Water and Sewerage Company.
  • Water Treatment Plant Collapse: India sent transporters with bottled water to assist following the collapse of the island’s only water treatment plant.

Security

Security forces vs Maoists - Indian Express

In one of the biggest blows to security forces since April 2023, suspected Maoists blew up a police vehicle on Monday (January 6) in Bijapur, killing the driver and eight District Reserve Guards (DRG) of the Chhattisgarh police.

Ensuring Safety in Maoist Zones:

• Challenges: Avoiding casualties due to guerilla warfare tactics.

• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs):
  • Minimize vehicular movement; prefer cross-country movement by foot or bike.
  • Avoid predictable routes; do not return by the same road.
  • Maintain secrecy about movement; send trackers and Road Opening Parties (ROP) ahead.
  • Use civilian vehicles for movement to avoid attracting attention.
  • Be vigilant, read signs, and trust instincts regarding Maoist activity.

• Flexibility in SOPs: Commanders are advised to adapt SOPs based on the situation, making situational decisions.
• Intelligence and Technology: A strong local intelligence network, technical intelligence, and UAV surveillance enhance security.
• Limitations: Despite following SOPs, casualties can still occur due to the jungle terrain and unpredictable conditions.

Common Errors Leading to Setbacks

• Chintalnar Massacre (2010): CRPF convoy took the same route back, leading to an ambush by Maoists with IED blasts and ballistic attacks.
• Jhiram Ghati Massacre (2013): Failure to conduct road opening exercise led to Maoist attack on Congress convoy, killing 27, including top leaders.
• Bheji Attack (2017): CRPF Road Opening Party (ROP) ambushed while securing a road, leading to 13 deaths.
• Sukma IED Blast (2018): CRPF convoy in a mine-protected vehicle hit by IED. Commandant ignored orders not to move.
• Dantewada Attack (2023): Convoy repeated the same route and missed signs of Maoist activity.

Maoist Preparations for Attacks

• Local Support: Maoists rely on jan militia (local villagers) for logistical support, intelligence, and quick action.
• IED Placement: Maoists rig roads with IEDs, sometimes burying them before road construction. 
• Foxhole Technique: IEDs are quickly inserted under roads by digging foxholes, with wires sometimes extending up to 100m into jungles.
• Intelligence: Maoists gather intelligence on security forces’ movements.

Environment 

A.P. set to hold 3-day Flamingo Festival - The Hindu

The much-awaited ‘Flamingo Festival 2025’ is all set to be conducted at Sullurpeta in Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh from January 18 to 20.

Flamingo Festival 2025

• Location: Sullurpeta, Andhra Pradesh
• Focus: Birdwatching, eco-tourism, cultural activities
• Objective: Promote biodiversity and local development

Flamingo

• Coloration: Pink/reddish due to carotenoid pigments from algae and invertebrates.
• Habitat: Tropical/subtropical regions in shallow saline/alkaline lakes and mudflats.
• Behavior: Social birds, often in colonies of thousands.
• Migration: Migrate to India in winter to coastal wetlands and estuaries.
• Feeding: Specialized beaks for filter-feeding on small organisms.
• Significance: Help control algae and invertebrate populations.

IUCN Red List Status:

• Greater Flamingo: Least Concern
• Lesser Flamingo: Near Threatened