Current Affairs - April 6, 2025 Current Affairs

Aerosols are tiny particles or droplets suspended in the atmosphere, often resulting from industrial pollution, especially from coal combustion. Unlike greenhouse gases that trap heat and contribute to long-term warming, aerosols reflect incoming solar radiation, which leads to a temporary cooling of the Earth's surface. However, they also disrupt the water cycle and can suppress or enhance rainfall. The reduction of aerosols, while beneficial for human health, could lead to a sudden spike in temperatures due to the removal of their cooling effect. This paradox is critical in forming balanced environmental and climate policies, particularly for countries like India.

Denmark's Prime Minister has expressed strong opposition to U.S. suggestions regarding the annexation of Greenland, emphasizing that such actions are unacceptable even when justified on national security grounds. Greenland holds strategic significance for the U.S. due to its location and rich mineral resources, including rare earth minerals. However, Denmark maintains its sovereignty over Greenland, which is an autonomous territory under the Kingdom of Denmark with its own Parliament. The issue highlights the complexities of international relations and territorial interests.

The original Waqf Act was enacted in 1995 to regulate and manage Waqf properties across India. It provided the legal framework for the establishment of Waqf Boards, registration of Waqf properties, and resolution of related disputes. Over time, the need for more transparency, better governance, and inclusive representation led to several amendments. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 builds upon the 1995 Act by refining definitions, regulating property disputes more fairly, integrating technology through a central portal, and promoting gender and community representation. By amending outdated provisions like Section 40, the bill aims to prevent arbitrary claims and ensure equitable management of Waqf assets.

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, commonly known as AFSPA, was enacted in 1958 to address the escalating internal security challenges in the northeastern states of India. The Act grants extraordinary powers to the armed forces in areas declared as “disturbed,” including the authority to use force, arrest without a warrant, and conduct searches. Its purpose was to provide legal backing to military operations where civil administration struggled to maintain order. The act also includes legal immunity provisions, requiring prior Central Government approval before prosecution of armed personnel. Over time, AFSPA has been extended to various conflict-affected regions, often sparking debates over human rights.

The Gorkhas are a martial community that originated from Nepal, specifically from the Gorkha Kingdom in western Nepal. They are known for their bravery, loyalty, and fierce fighting skills, which have led to their recruitment into various armies, including the British, Indian, and Nepalese armies. The Gorkhas have a rich history and culture, and their community includes several ethnicities from the hilly regions of Nepal.

The Fram2 mission is notable for being the first human spaceflight to follow a polar orbit, a path that takes the spacecraft over both the North and South Poles. Unlike equatorial orbits, which move from west to east, polar orbits travel in a north-south direction. This allows the spacecraft to observe nearly the entire surface of Earth as the planet rotates beneath it. Polar orbits are commonly used for Earth observation satellites due to their global coverage. Fram2's use of this trajectory enables unique data collection and scientific research, especially regarding human physiology in space away from the ISS environment.

Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE) was designed as the first instrument to directly measure temperatures near the moon’s south pole. Integrated into the Vikram lander of Chandrayaan-3, it utilized a rotation-based deployment mechanism, which allowed it to penetrate the lunar soil effectively—up to 10 cm. Equipped with multiple temperature sensors, ChaSTE recorded variations in thermal properties at different depths. Unlike past missions like NASA’s InSight or ESA’s Philae, which failed due to deployment issues, ChaSTE’s innovative design ensured accurate in situ measurements. These findings are essential for understanding lunar thermodynamics and planning future missions, especially those aimed at human settlement.

Haryana has taken a significant step in addressing the growing threat of synthetic drug trafficking by forming an Anti-Synthetic Narcotics Task Force under its Narcotics Control Bureau. This specialized unit is tasked with tracking complex drug networks, monitoring the use and movement of precursor chemicals, and dismantling concealed drug labs. Synthetic drugs, unlike natural ones, can be produced in compact, hidden labs without requiring plant-based raw materials, making enforcement more challenging. Haryana’s initiative reflects the urgency of responding to the rapid spread of synthetic narcotics, which are often potent, hard to detect, and increasingly trafficked using encrypted digital channels.

India holds the position of having the 4th largest railway network globally, with a vast expanse of over 65,000 km in route length. This extensive network plays a crucial role in transporting billions of passengers and tons of freight annually, serving as the backbone of India’s economic and social infrastructure. It supports industrial growth, enhances regional connectivity, and contributes significantly to national integration. The Indian Railways also contributes to employment and environmental sustainability while aiming to be a global leader in rail-based logistics and mobility by adopting innovations like KAVACH, automatic signalling, and plans for net-zero emissions by 2030.

Euphaea wayanadensis, a newly identified damselfly species, was discovered in Kerala’s Wayanad region, located in the Western Ghats — a recognized biodiversity hotspot. This discovery brings Kerala’s odonate species count to 191 and adds to the ecological significance of the Western Ghats, now home to 223 known odonate species. The damselfly inhabits fast-flowing rocky streams in evergreen and semi-evergreen forest areas and is distinguished by unique wing and thorax markings. Its narrow distribution and sensitivity to habitat changes highlight the importance of conservation efforts in the region to protect such endemic and ecologically valuable species.