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🔆 Place in News: Latvia 📍 Context ✅ Prime Minister of Latvia announced resignation over the government’s handling of incidents involving stray drones suspected to have originated from Ukraine. 📍 About Latvia ✅ Capital: Riga ✅ Located in Northeastern Europe. ✅ One of the three Baltic States: ◦ Estonia ◦ Latvia ◦ Lithuania 📍 Political Features ✅ Land Boundaries: ◦ Estonia (North) ◦ Russia (East) ◦ Belarus (Southeast) ◦ Lithuania (South) ✅ Maritime Boundaries: ◦ Baltic Sea ◦ Gulf of Riga 📍 Geographical Features ✅ Highest Point: Gaizinkalns ✅ Major Rivers: ◦ Daugava ◦ Gauja ◦ Venta 📍 Strategic Importance ✅ Latvia is a member of: ◦ NATO ◦ European Union ✅ Its proximity to Russia makes it strategically important in the context of the Russia–Ukraine conflict and European security.

Landmark Supreme Court Cases of India 🇮🇳 • Kesavananda Bharati (1973) — Basic Structure Doctrine • Maneka Gandhi (1978) — Expanded Right to Life • Golaknath (1967) — FRs cannot be amended • Minerva Mills (1980) — Limited Parliament’s power

Equinox solstice day & night Earth - sun

The prime meridian (0 degree longitude)

South America

🔆 Zero Shadow Day (ZSD) – Key Facts 📍 What is Zero Shadow Day? ✅ An astronomical phenomenon observed twice a year between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn ✅ On this day, the Sun is directly overhead, and vertical objects cast no shadow at local noon 📍 Why does it happen? ✅ Caused by Earth’s axial tilt (23.5°) and its revolution around the Sun ✅ Occurs when the latitude of a place equals the Sun’s declination 📍 When does it occur? ✅ Dakshinayana → After 21 June (Summer Solstice) when Sun moves southwards ✅ Uttarayana → After 22 December (Winter Solstice) when Sun moves northwards ✅ Each location between the two tropics experiences it twice a year (exact dates vary by latitude) 📍 Duration ✅ Exact Zero Shadow is instantaneous ✅ Effect visible for about 1–1.5 minutes 📍 Recent Event ✅ Observed by the Cosmology Education and Research Training Center (COSMOS), Mysuru under the Indian Institute of Astrophysics

Types of Islands

India mountain peaks

🔆 Iranian Invasion of India 📍 Background ✅ The Achaemenian rulers of Iran invaded India in the 6th century BCE during the reign of King Darius I. ✅ In 516 BCE, Darius conquered regions of the North-West Frontier Province, Sindh, and Punjab. ✅ These territories remained under Persian control until the invasion of Alexander. 📍 Condition of India at that Time ✅ North-East India: Gradually unified under the rising Magadhan Empire. ✅ North-West India: Politically fragmented with small kingdoms like: ◦ Kambojas ◦ Gandharas ◦ Madras ✅ Lack of a strong central power made the region vulnerable. ✅ Fertile land, rich resources, and easy access through Hindu Kush passes attracted foreign invaders. 📍 The Invasion ✅ Darius I annexed Punjab (west of Indus) and Sindh in 516 BCE. ✅ The conquered region became the 20th Satrapy (province) of the Persian Empire. ✅ Indian soldiers were recruited into the Persian army. ✅ Xerxes, successor of Darius, used Indian troops in wars against Greece. 📍 Impact of Iranian Invasion ✅ Political Impact ◦ Exposed weaknesses of North-West Indian defence ◦ Paved the way for Alexander’s invasion ◦ Introduced the Satrap system, later adopted by Sakas and Kushanas ◦ Highlighted the need for a strong unified empire ✅ Trade & Economic Impact ◦ Increased Indo-Persian trade relations ◦ Indian merchants gained access to the vast Persian markets ◦ Persian goods entered India more smoothly ✅ Cultural Exchange ◦ Intellectual interaction between Indian and Persian scholars ◦ Greater cultural integration and exchange of ideas ✅ Impact on Art & Architecture ◦ Persian influence visible in Mauryan art and architecture ◦ Ashoka adopted the Persian tradition of issuing inscriptions on stone pillars ◦ Indians learnt advanced stone polishing techniques ✅ Kharosthi Script ◦ Aramaic script introduced by Persians evolved into Kharosthi script ◦ Written from right to left ◦ Used in Ashokan inscriptions of North-West India ✅ Influence on Coinage ◦ Persian silver coins inspired Indian minting techniques ◦ Improved refinement and aesthetics of Indian coinage 🔆 Conclusion ✅ The Iranian invasion had limited direct political impact but deeply influenced Indian administration, trade, script, coinage, and art. ✅ It also indirectly opened the route for later foreign invasions, especially that of Alexander the Great.

🔆 Latvia Records –32°C | Baltic Nation in News 📍 Why in News ✅ Latvian Environment & Meteorology Centre reported temperatures of –32°C recently 📍 Location & Boundaries ✅ Located in the Baltic region of Northern Europe ✅ One of the three Baltic States — with Estonia (North) & Lithuania (South) ✅ Borders Russia (East) & Belarus (Southeast) ✅ Shares a maritime border with Sweden (West) 📍 Capital & Major City ✅ Riga – Largest city in the Baltics ➡️ Known for Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) architecture ➡️ Medieval Old Town – UNESCO World Heritage Site 📍 Physical Geography ✅ Climate: Temperate ✅ Highest Peak: Gaiziņkalns (311.6 m) ✅ Baltic Coastline: 494 km ➡️ Gulf of Riga (inlet of the Baltic Sea) in northwest 📍 Rivers ✅ Gauja (452 km) – Longest river entirely in Latvia ✅ Daugava (1,005 km total; 352 km in Latvia) – Longest river flowing through Latvia 📍 Political System & History ✅ Parliamentary Republic ➡️ President – Head of State ➡️ Prime Minister – Head of Government ✅ Declared Independence in 1918 ❗ Incorporated into Soviet Union (1940–41 & 1944–1991) ✅ Restored Independence in 1991 after the Singing Revolution & Baltic Way protest 📍 Memberships ✅ European Union (EU) ✅ Eurozone ✅ NATO ✅ Council of Europe ✅ United Nations (UN) ✅ OECD 📍 Culture & Traditions ✅ Rich folklore with 1.2 million+ Dainas (folk songs) ✅ Jāņi (Midsummer’s Eve) – Most important annual celebration 📌 UPSC Relevance ✅ Prelims – Baltic region map-based questions ✅ GS-2 – EU, NATO & regional geopolitics ✅ Useful for climate & geography context

🔆 Place in News: United Kingdom 📍 Why in News? ✅ The United Kingdom has passed a landmark tobacco law banning cigarette sales for the post-2008 generation. 📍 Political Features ▪️ Structure: ✅ Constitutional Monarchy + Parliamentary Democracy ▪️ Composition: ✅ Great Britain: ▪️ England ▪️ Scotland ▪️ Wales ✅ Plus Northern Ireland ▪️ Location: ✅ Situated in north-western Europe, off the mainland continent. 📍 Maritime Boundaries ▪️ English Channel – separates UK from France ▪️ Irish Sea – between Great Britain and Ireland ▪️ North Sea – between UK, Norway and Denmark 📍 Geographical Features ▪️ Climate: ✅ Temperate maritime (mild winters, cool summers, frequent rainfall) ▪️ Major Rivers: ✅ River Severn ✅ River Thames ▪️ Relief: ✅ Scotland and Wales are the most mountainous regions ▪️ Highest Peak: ✅ Ben Nevis

🔆 UMNGOT RIVER (DAWKI RIVER) – IN NEWS 📍 Why in News? ✅ Soil dumping into a feeder rivulet has turned the river’s crystal-clear waters muddy, triggering government intervention in Meghalaya. 🔆 About Umngot River 📍 Basic Facts ✅ Also called Dawki River / Wah Umngot ✅ Cleanest river in India, famous for water so clear that boats look like they’re floating in air 📍 Origin & Course ✅ Origin: Eastern Shillong Peak (1,800 m altitude) ✅ Location: Flows through Dawki, West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya ✅ Acts as a natural divide between Jaintia Hills & Khasi Hills ✅ Flows into Bangladesh, feeding the Piyain River → tributary of Surma 📍 Key Features ✅ Forms part of the India–Bangladesh border ✅ Dawki Suspension Bridge built in 1932 (British era) 📍 Significance ✅ Major hub for tourism (crystal-clear boating) ✅ Supports fishing & local livelihoods ✅ Dawki town is an important trade route between India & Bangladesh

🔆 Caspian Sea ✅ The Caspian Sea has emerged as an important military and commercial logistics corridor between Russia and Iran amid the ongoing West Asian conflict. 📍 About Caspian Sea ✅ World’s largest inland water body (largest lake on Earth) ✅ Located at the junction of Eastern Europe and Western Asia 📍 Bordering Countries ✅ Russia – Northwest ✅ Kazakhstan – Northeast ✅ Turkmenistan – Southeast ✅ Iran – South ✅ Azerbaijan – West 📍 Inflow & Nature ✅ Volga River is the main source of water inflow ◦ Contributes nearly 80% of total inflow ✅ It has no outlet to any ocean ◦ Water loss occurs mainly through evaporation ◦ Hence, it has a brackish (salty) nature 📍 Economic Importance ✅ Rich in oil and natural gas reserves ✅ Important corridor for: ◦ Energy trade ◦ Maritime transport ◦ Regional geopolitics 📍 Environmental Concerns ✅ The Caspian Sea has reportedly shrunk by around 46% (2001–2024) ✅ Major reasons: ◦ High evaporation rates ◦ Dam construction on the Volga River ◦ Climate change impacts

🔆 Places in News: Oman 📍 Why in News ✅ Oman ports Sohar and Salalah are emerging as key lifelines for Indian exporters and GCC countries ✅ They help bypass disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz 🔆 Political Features 📍 Location ✅ Located on the southeastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula 📍 Bordering Countries ✅ Yemen — Southwest ✅ United Arab Emirates — Northwest ✅ Saudi Arabia — West 📍 Maritime Boundaries ✅ Arabian Sea — South & East ✅ Gulf of Oman — North 🔆 Geographical Features 📍 Mountain Ranges ✅ Hajar Mountains ✅ Dhofar Mountains 📍 Highest Peak ✅ Jebel Shams (“Mountain of the Sun”) 📍 Natural Resources ✅ Petroleum & Natural Gas ✅ Copper, Marble, Chromium, Gypsum & Limestone ✅ Rich fish resources 📍 Climate ✅ Hot & dry interior ✅ Hot & humid coastal regions 📍 Landscape ✅ About 82% desert land ✅ Contains Rub’ al Khali — world’s largest continuous sand desert along Saudi border