1) Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary (EWS): IISC study in EWS has revealed the migration of birds uphill amid rising temperatures.
- Falls within the Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh.
- Conjoins Sessa Orchid Sanctuary to the northeast and Pakhui/ Pakke Tiger Reserve.
- River: Kameng River and its tributaries (Tipi and Sessa) drain the area.
- Flora: Encompasses:
- Coniferous Temperate Forest
- Coniferous Subtropical Forest
- Broadleaf Subtropical Forest
- Tropical Wet Evergreen and Semi-evergreen Forest
- Fauna: Blyth’s Tragopan, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Rusty-bellied Shortwing, Bugun Liocichla (Critically endangered)etc.
2) Politically-Exposed Persons (PEP): RBI has revised the definition of PEPs in its updated KYC (Know Your Customer) master direction for better clarity.
- As per the notification PEPs are individuals who are or have been entrusted with prominent public functions by a foreign country, including:
- heads of states/governments,
- senior politicians,
- senior government or judicial or military officers,
- senior executives of state-owned corporations and
- important political party officials.
- Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommends financial institutions to conduct additional due diligence measures for PEP clients.
- Prevention of Money-laundering (Maintenance of Records) Rules, 2005 also mentions PEP.
3) Competition Commission of India (CCI): CCI is investigating domestic units of global delivery companies, such as Germany’s DHL, US based United Parcel Service and FedEx, for alleged collusion on discounts and tariffs.
- CCI (HQ: New Delhi) was established by Central Government in 2003 as a statutory body under Competition Act, 2002.
- It consists of a Chairperson and 6 Members appointed by Central Government.
- It eliminates practices having adverse effects on competition, promote and sustain competition, protect interests of consumers and ensure freedom of trade in markets of India.
4) Trichoderma: Scientists develop a new granular lime-based trichoderma biopesticide, fertiliser.
- Tricholime integrates Trichoderma, a fungal biocontrol agent, and lime into a single product for easier application by farmers.
- Tricholime serves as both bio-pesticide and bio-fertilizer in crop production.
- Lime helps to control soil acidity.
- Trichoderma is mainly used to control soil-borne diseases as well as some leaf and panicle diseases of various plants.
- It also promotes plant growth, improves nutrient utilization efficiency, enhances plant resistance, and improves agrochemical pollution environment.
Places in News:
1) Mauritius (Capital: Port Louis):
- Cabinet approved MoU between Indian Space Research Organisation and Mauritius Research and Innovation Council on development of Joint Small Satellite.
- Political features
- Island country in Indian Ocean, located east of Madagascar.
- Mauritius claims sovereignty over Chagos Archipelago (including Diego Garcia), although this claim is disputed by Britain.
- Geographical features
- Major Rivers: Grand River South East and Black River.
- Major Lake: Grand Bassin and Trou Kanaka.
- Highest Point: Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire.
