45 Indian pilgrims Killed as tanker hits bus in Saudi Arabia
Hasina, aide get death penalty over crackdown on 2024 student protests
ZONAL COUNCILS
Basics
- Statutory bodies under States Reorganizations Act, 1956.
- Aim: Inter-State cooperation, Centre–State coordination, dispute resolution.
Number
- 5 Zonal Councils — Northern, Central, Eastern, Western, Southern.
- NEC is separate (NEC Act, 1971).
Leadership
- Chairman: Union Home Minister.
- Vice-Chairman: Host State’s Chief Minister (rotational).
Functions
- Resolve water, boundary, security, transport, infrastructure issues.
- Promote cooperative federalism & policy coordination.
Why in News
- 32nd Northern Zonal Council meet at Faridabad.
- Issues: SYL canal dispute, Ravi–Beas water, Himachal pending dues, Chandigarh claims.
- Home Minister said strict action on Nov 10 Delhi blast culprits.
Delhi blast culprits will get strictest punishment, Shah says at Zonal Council meet
India needs to connect, build and revive' with Africa
Context
- Last India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-III) held in 2015.
- Since then: 17 new Indian missions in Africa; trade > $100 bn; India backed African Union’s entry into G-20.
Why Africa Matters
- By 2050: 1 in 4 people will be African; Africa → 3rd largest economy.
- India is a top-5 investor with $75 bn cumulative investments.
Current Engagement
- Shift from loans to digital tools, vaccines, connectivity.
- IIT Madras Zanzibar campus, Pan-African e-Network, ITEC, ICCR, e-VBAB.
- India supports African representation in global bodies + UN peacekeeping.
Challenges
- India’s trade lags behind China.
- Indian firms face bureaucratic drag and small scale.
Opportunities
- Partner in green hydrogen, EV mobility, digital infra.
- Support Africa’s AfCFTA (continental free trade area).
- Use UPI & India Stack to complement Africa’s digital rise.
- Growing innovation hubs: Kigali, Nairobi, Lagos.
Human Link
- 40,000 Africans studied in India — strong people-to-people capital.
Way Forward
- Connect finance to outcomes — LoCs must deliver visible projects.
- Build an India–Africa digital corridor — co-develop health, education, payment platforms.
- Revive IAFS — no summit since 2015; institutional mechanism must return.
Festive surge in gold imports drives trade deficit to $21.8 billion
Context
- India’s trade deficit surged 141% to $21.8 billion in October 2025.
- Exports: $72.9 bn (slightly down from $73.4 bn in Oct 2024).
- Imports: Jumped to $94.7 bn (from $82.4 bn in Oct 2024).
Key Reasons for Import Surge
- Sharp increase in gold imports
- Festive-season demand caused a phenomenal spike in gold imports, despite high global prices.
- This was the major driver of the widened deficit.
- Rise in silver imports
- Silver imports also witnessed high growth, adding significantly to the deficit.
Despite their high population, why Rhesus monkeys heed legal protection
1. Species Overview
- Scientific name: Macaca mulatta
- Distribution: Widely found across South Asia & Southeast Asia — India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Myanmar, China.
- Habitat: Forests, scrublands, urban areas; highly adaptable and often found near human settlements.
- IUCN Status: Least Concern, but many local populations show decline.
- In India: One of the most common macaques; culturally significant and often found in temples, roadsides, farmlands.
2. Why in News?
- NBWL recommended restoring Rhesus Macaque to Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
- It was removed in 2022, reducing legal protection.
3. Why Protection is Needed
- High visibility ≠ healthy population — populations may actually be shrinking in many regions.
- Removal from Schedule II made control, monitoring, and scientific management difficult.
Sentinel-6B: new satellite to observe ocean
Sentinel-6B
What is it?
- Ocean-monitoring satellite to measure sea-level rise.
Who launched it?
- Joint mission of NASA, NOAA, and ESA.
Purpose
- Track sea levels, ocean temperature, and improve storm & flood forecasting.
Orbit
- Completes one Earth orbit in ~112 minutes.
Pairing
- Works with its twin Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich (launched 2020).
