Daily Current Affairs – 04-03-2025
Tamil Nadu
First-Ever
“State of the World’s Animal Health Report” Released by WOAH
® The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) released the 1st global report on the State of the World’s Animal Health, offering a comprehensive overview of global animal health trends. ® WOAH, formerly Office International des Epizooties, was established in 1924 and is headquartered in Paris. Key Highlights: ® Shifting Disease Patterns: Around 47% of animal diseases have zoonotic potential. ® Example: Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), once confined to developing regions, has re-emerged in Europe. ® Rising Intensity of Diseases: Increasing outbreaks of African Swine Fever, Avian Influenza, and Foot-and-Mouth Disease. ® These threaten agrifood systems, public health, biodiversity, and global food security. ® Drivers of Spread: Climate change and global trade expansion are key contributors. ® Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): By 2050, AMR may cause massive livestock losses, impacting 2 billion people and resulting in $100 trillion in economic losses. Recommendations: ® Ensure equitable access to vaccines, improve hygiene and biosecurity. ® Invest in national veterinary services, and strengthen global coordination and disease surveillance systems.
New Marine Nematode
Species Discovered in Tamil Nadu
® A new species of free-living marine nematode has been discovered on a sandy beach in Tamil Nadu. ® Named Pheronous jairajpurii Datta & Rizvi, 2025, it belongs to the rare genus Pheronous. ® This discovery is only the third known species in this genus: ® First identified in South Africa (1966) ® Second in China (2015) ® Free-living marine nematodes play a vital role in maintaining ocean health and act as bioindicators of coastal ecosystem conditions. ® The finding highlights the rich but underexplored marine biodiversity of Indian coasts.
Bird-Wing Solar
Eruption Detected
® A massive solar eruption, termed the “bird-wing” event, was recently observed, featuring a plasma structure over one million kilometres long—more than twice the Earth-Moon distance. ® Solar flares are sudden bursts of electromagnetic radiation caused by intense magnetic activity on the Sun’s surface. ® These flares travel at the speed of light, while associated coronal mass ejections (CMEs) move at speeds ranging from 250 km/s to 3000 km/s. ® Solar flares are classified by intensity: from the smallest A-class (near background level) through B, C, M, to the largest X-class flares.
NSC Launches Mixed Green Manure Kits
® The National Seeds Corporation (NSC) has launched two mixed green manure kits to promote sustainable farming practices. ® These kits encourage the mixed cropping of green manure species with complementary traits that enhance soil fertility. ® Some species in the mix suppress weeds through natural compounds or dense growth. ® Green manure crops are grown specifically to be ploughed back into the soil, enriching it with organic matter and nutrients instead of being harvested.
TROPEX-25 exercise
witnessed
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The Director General Infantry has witnessed the Joint Phase of ” Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise-2025 (TROPEX-25) ”.
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The exercise included an amphibious landing by the Indian Army
troops.
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TROPEX is the Indian Navy’s largest biennial maritime exercise , involving the Indian Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard.
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Conducted in the Indian Ocean, it aims to validate operational concepts, and e nhance operational readiness and interoperability in a multi-threat environment.
49th Raising Day
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The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) celebrated its 49th Raising Day on 1st February 2025.
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The ICG has launched the “Automation of Service Healthcare Administration (ASHA)” app.
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On 21 September 2024 , the ICG organised the International Coastal Clean-up Day.
VSHORADS missile
test successful
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DRDO has successfully conducted three successive flight-trials of the ” Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) ” from Chandipur, Odisha .
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These tests were conducted against high-speed targets flying at very low altitude.
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VSHORADS is a Man Portable Air Defence system indigenously designed and developed by Research Centre Imarat , in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and production partners.
India-France
maritime cooperation
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India has collaborated with France to enhance maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
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Both countries will conduct coordinated surveillance to counter threats to maritime security.