Curiosity Corner

🟢 Scheduled for 19 October–1 November 2026. 🟢 Focus: joint sub-conventional operations in island and coastal environments under Chapter VII of the UN framework. 🟢 Approximately 120 personnel from each country are participating. 🟢 Indian contingent: Garhwal Rifles; Australian contingent: 13th Brigade. 🟢 The previous edition was held in Perth, Australia, in 2025. 📍 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty — 17 October 🟢 2026–2028 campaign theme: “United for Peace and Human Rights.” 🟢 2026 focus: “Safe Homes for All,” highlighting adequate and secure housing as a foundation for dignity and social inclusion. 🟢 Observed annually on 17 October; established by the UN General Assembly in 1992 through Resolution 47/196. 🟢 Its historical roots trace to a gathering of over 100,000 people in Paris on 17 October 1987, initiated by Joseph Wresinski. 🟢 The campaign highlights housing inadequacy, energy access, extreme poverty and multidimensional poverty. 📍 World Menopause Day — 18 October 🟢 Organised by the International Menopause Society (IMS). 🟢 2026 theme: “Chronic Pain at Midlife – From Recognition to Evidence-Based Care.” 🟢 Focuses on chronic pain, joint aches and persistent physical discomfort during and after the menopause transition. 🟢 Promotes evidence-based, individualised care and greater recognition of women’s midlife health concerns. 📍 World Osteoporosis Day — 20 October 🟢 Led globally by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF). 🟢 2026 theme: “Build, Protect, Strengthen Your Bones for Life.” 🟢 Osteoporosis is often called a silent disease because bone loss may remain unnoticed until a fracture occurs. 🟢 Key prevention measures: weight-bearing exercise, adequate calcium and vitamin D, healthy lifestyle, risk assessment and timely bone-density testing. 🟢 Early diagnosis and treatment are important for people at increased fracture #CurrentAffairs

🔆 ONE-LINERS | 20 OCTOBER 2026 🔆 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 📍 World Health Summit 2026 🟢 Held on 11–13 October 2026 in Berlin, Germany, and online. 🟢 Theme: “From Crisis to Resilience – Innovating for Health.” 🟢 Participation: 4,000+ on-site participants, 50,000+ online attendees, 400+ speakers and 76+ sessions. 🟢 Key issues: pandemic preparedness, global health governance, women’s and children’s health, conflict-related health challenges and environmental determinants of health. 🟢 The Lancet Commission highlighted potential catastrophic threats from malicious AI use and nuclear conflict. 🟢 Announced initiatives included a planned €250 million Bangladesh–European Investment Bank programme for women’s health and district hospitals, and a USD 100 million commitment by the Gates Foundation and Wellcome Leap for the Uzima Stillbirth Prevention Program. 🟢 2027 regional meeting: Scheduled for 7–9 May in Hong Kong under the theme “Health Across Borders.” 📍 Pakistan to Chair IMF–World Bank Boards in 2027 🟢 Pakistan was selected as the incoming Chair of the Boards of Governors of the IMF and World Bank Group for 2027. 🟢 Ahad Khan Cheema, Pakistan’s Minister for Economic Affairs and World Bank Governor, will serve as Chair. 🟢 Announced during the 2026 IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, held from 12–18 October. 🟢 Pakistan will hold the chairmanship for the first time since 1953. 🟢 Current IMF support to Pakistan includes a USD 7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and a USD 1.4 billion Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). 🟢 An additional USD 1.2 billion was expected, subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board. 🔆 ENVIRONMENT 📍 Three New Centipede Species in South India 🟢 Scientists described three new species: Rhysida quadrispinosa, R. coorgensis and R. neyyarensis. 🟢 India’s known Rhysida species increased to 23. 🟢 Research involved the Zoological Survey of India’s Western Ghats Regional Centre, Kozhikode, and Malabar Christian College. 🟢 Centipedes belong to the arthropod class Chilopoda; they are terrestrial predators with one pair of legs per trunk segment. 🟢 Their first pair of appendages forms venom-delivering structures called forcipules. 🟢 R. coorgensis and R. neyyarensis are named after Coorg, Karnataka, and Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, respectively. 📍 Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl 🟢 First verified photographic record in Kozhikode district, Kerala, at Janakikadu Forest along the Kuttiyadi River. 🟢 Scientific name: Bubo nipalensis (also classified as Ketupa nipalensis). 🟢 Also known locally as Kolliyan and Kattumoonga. 🟢 Measures approximately 55–65 cm in length, weighs up to 2.5 kg and may have a wingspan of 1.7 metres. 🟢 A nocturnal predator of snakes, birds and small mammals; known for its distinctive, loud calls. 🟢 IUCN status: Least Concern. 🔆 SECURITY 📍 JWALA-MK1 Micro-Missile 🟢 Developed by Indian private defence technology firm IG Defence as an indigenous short-range surface-to-air micro-missile. 🟢 Designed to physically destroy hostile drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). 🟢 Engagement range: 2–5 km; altitude range: 50–5,000 metres. 🟢 Uses a dual-pulse solid rocket motor, fin-controlled guidance and a pre-fragmented high-explosive warhead. 🟢 Designed for launch within 7 seconds of detection, with a claimed circular error probable of under 2 metres at maximum range. 🟢 Integrated with the AI-enabled GRID Defend ecosystem, linking radar, command networks and electronic warfare systems. 🟢 Designed to operate in GPS-denied and electronically contested environments as a cost-effective counter-drone option. 🔆 MISCELLANEOUS 📍 AUSTRAHIND 2026 🟢 The fifth edition of the India–Australia Joint Military Exercise commenced on 19 October 2026 at the Foreign Training Node, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

### 🌿 Allographa effusosoredica – New Lichen Species #### 📌 Discovery: * Newly discovered lichen species from the Western Ghats. * Named Allographa effusosoredica. --- ### 🔍 What are Lichens? * Symbiotic association of:   * Algae (Phycobiont) + Fungi (Mycobiont). * Types (based on structure):   1. Foliose   2. Fruticose   3. Crustose --- ### 🧬 About Allographa effusosoredica: * Type: Crustose lichen. * Contains effuse soredia and norstictic acid (rare trait). * Algal partner: *Trentepohlia* species. * Mimics: *Graphis glaucescens*, raising evolutionary questions within Graphidaceae family. --- ### 🌱 Significance: * 1st Indian Allographa species supported by molecular data. * Highlights locally adapted photobionts → regional ecological specificity. * Contributes to India’s lichen diversity:   * 53rd Allographa species in India.   * 22nd from the Western Ghats.

--- ### 🌪 Typhoon Wipha – Key Points * Type: Typhoon (a type of tropical cyclone) * Region Affected: Philippines, China, Vietnam * Origin: Formed in the Philippine Sea * Development: Evolved from a tropical storm to a Category 1 Typhoon * Wind Speed: Approximately 120 km/h * Landfall: * First hit Taishan, Guangdong (China) * Later weakened over Vietnam * Impact: Caused over 200 flight cancellations in Hong Kong * Definition of Typhoon: * A rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms * Forms over warm tropical/subtropical waters * Features a closed low-level circulation ---

### Key Highlights – 2025 Numbeo Safety Index * World’s Safest Country: Andorra – due to low crime rate & strong public safety. * India’s Rank: 66th out of 147 countries * Score: 55.7 * Safer than: * UK (87th, score: 51.7) * USA (89th, score: 50.8) * Bottom 5 Least Safe Countries: * Venezuela (Last, score: 19.3) * Others: Papua New Guinea, Haiti, Afghanistan, South Africa, Syria * Reasons: High crime, violence, weak governance. --- ### About Numbeo Safety Index * Measures: * Public perception of safety (day/night) * Crime rates * Law enforcement efficiency * Social stability * Established: 2009

### About Bal Gangadhar Tilak * Born: Ratnagiri, Maharashtra; Community: Chitpavan Brahmin * Known as Lokmanya Tilak – a leading nationalist, reformer, and part of the Lal-Bal-Pal trio * Called the “Father of Indian Unrest” by the British for his assertive stand on Swaraj --- ### Political Strategy & Mass Mobilization * Promoted assertive nationalism, differing from Congress moderates * Famous quote: “Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it” * Advocated Swadeshi, boycott of British goods, and mass protests * Co-founded All India Home Rule League (1916) with Annie Besant   * Membership grew to 32,000+ by 1917 ### Ideological Beliefs * Revived Ganesh Chaturthi (1893) and Shivaji Jayanti to build unity * Co-founded Deccan Education Society (1884) with Gopal Ganesh Agarkar * Helped establish Fergusson College (1885) in Pune * Supported education in Indian languages to promote nationalism --- ### Journalism & Writings * Co-founded newspapers:   * Kesari (Marathi)   * The Mahratta (English)

### AdFalciVax: Indigenous Malaria Vaccine #### ✅ Context: * ICMR announced the development of AdFalciVax, a novel indigenous malaria vaccine. --- ### About AdFalciVax: * Type: Recombinant multistage vaccine * Target Parasite: *Plasmodium falciparum* (most deadly malaria parasite) * Dual-stage action:   * Pre-erythrocytic (liver) stage   * Transmission (sexual) stage * Goal: Prevent infection and block transmission via mosquitoes --- ### Development Agencies: * ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar * National Institute of Malaria Research * In partnership with DBT-National Institute of Immunology --- ### Vaccine Platform: * Uses Lactococcus lactis (a safe, food-grade bacterium) for antigen expression --- ### Advantages: * Effective in preclinical trials   * Broad immune protection   * Lower risk of immune evasion   * Potential for long-term immunity * Thermal Stability:   * Remains stable at room temperature for 9+ months   * Ideal for storage and transport in remote areas

🎲 Quiz '🅾️ ʀᴇᴀsᴏɴɪɴɢ ǫᴜɪᴢ 🅾️' 🖊 25 questions · ⏱ 45 sec

❇️ प्रमुख देशों की राजधानियाँ और मुद्राएँ ❇️ भारत: राजधानी: नई दिल्ली, मुद्रा: रुपया चीन: राजधानी: बीजिंग, मुद्रा: रेनमिनबी (चीनी युआन) जापान: राजधानी: टोक्यो, मुद्रा: येन दक्षिण कोरिया: राजधानी: सियोल, मुद्रा: वॉन इंडोनेशिया: राजधानी: जकार्ता, मुद्रा: रुपिया पाकिस्तान: राजधानी: इस्लामाबाद, मुद्रा: रुपया बांग्लादेश: राजधानी: ढाका, मुद्रा: टका थाईलैंड: राजधानी: बैंकॉक, मुद्रा: बात वियतनाम: राजधानी: हनोई, मुद्रा: डोंग मलेशिया: राजधानी: कुआलालंपुर, मुद्रा: रिंगित  जर्मनी: राजधानी: बर्लिन, मुद्रा: यूरो फ्रांस: राजधानी: पेरिस, मुद्रा: यूरो इटली: राजधानी: रोम, मुद्रा: यूरो स्पेन: राजधानी: मैड्रिड, मुद्रा: यूरो यूनाइटेड किंगडम (ब्रिटेन): राजधानी: लंदन, मुद्रा: पाउंड स्टर्लिंग रूस: राजधानी: मास्को, मुद्रा: रूबल यूक्रेन: राजधानी: कीव, मुद्रा: रिव्निया स्विट्जरलैंड: राजधानी: बर्न, मुद्रा: स्विस फ्रैंक पोलैंड: राजधानी: वारसॉ, मुद्रा: ज़्लॉटी  संयुक्त राज्य अमेरिका (यूएसए): राजधानी: वाशिंगटन, डी.सी., मुद्रा: डॉलर कनाडा: राजधानी: ओटावा, मुद्रा: कैनेडियन डॉलर मेक्सिको: राजधानी: मेक्सिको सिटी, मुद्रा: पेसो  ब्राजील: राजधानी: ब्रासीलिया, मुद्रा: रियाल अर्जेंटीना: राजधानी: ब्यूनस आयर्स, मुद्रा: अर्जेंटीना पेसो कोलंबिया: राजधानी: बोगोटा, मुद्रा: कोलंबियाई पेसो चिली: राजधानी: सेंटियागो, मुद्रा: चिली पेसो  दक्षिण अफ्रीका: राजधानी: प्रिटोरिया, केप टाउन, और ब्लोमफोंटेन (तीन राजधानियाँ), मुद्रा: रैंड नाइजीरिया: राजधानी: अबुजा, मुद्रा: नायरा मिस्र: राजधानी: काहिरा, मुद्रा: मिस्री पाउंड मोरक्को: राजधानी: रबात, मुद्रा: दिरहम केन्या: राजधानी: नैरोबी, मुद्रा: शिलिंग  ऑस्ट्रेलिया: राजधानी: कैनबरा, मुद्रा: ऑस्ट्रेलियाई डॉलर न्यूजीलैंड: राजधानी: वेलिंगटन, मुद्रा: न्यूजीलैंड डॉलर  ══━━━━✧❂✧━━━━══ ══━━━━✧❂✧━━━━══