• Recently, the International Rhino Foundation (IRF) published the report, State of the Rhino, 2023.
• It documents current population estimates and trends for the five surviving rhino species in Africa and Asia.

Major Findings

• The global population of rhinos is estimated to be a little over 26,000.
• The Great One Horned Rhino (IUCN- Vulnerable) population in India, Bhutan and Nepal is increasing and is estimated to touch 4,014, noted the report.
  • The strict protection and transboundary management have helped to increase the rhino population by 20% in the past decade.
• The population of black rhinos, described as critically endangered, is increasing, the report noted; the population is estimated at 6,195.
  • Black rhinos or Dicerosbicornis are spread across 12 African countries.
• However, populations of white rhinos and Sumatran rhinos are decreasing, estimated to be about 15,942 and 34 to 47.
  • White rhinos or Ceratotheriumsimum are estimated to be around 15,942, making them the most populous species found across 11 countries of Africa.
  • White rhino is near threatened as per IUCN.
  • The Sumatran Rhino is critically endangered.
  • Regarding Sumatran rhinos, the report observed that the species has four isolated populations and 10 subpopulations.
  • But the reclusive species seems to be venturing into deep jungles and sightings and footprints are becoming difficult to trace.
• The population of Javan rhinos (IUCN- critically endangered) is estimated to be stable, at around 76.

THREATS

• Apart from poaching and habitat loss, climate change-induced droughts have been threatening the rhino population in Africa.
• On the other hand, climate disruptions in Asia can lead to the deaths of rhinos.
  • Increased precipitation, longer monsoons and seasonal floods are already resulting in stranding, drowning or separation of calves from their mothers among Greater One-horned Rhinos.
• The impacts are expected to exacerbate with intensified storms, increasing risks of diseases among humans and, potentially, rhinos.
• Also changes in weather conditions and landscape may lead to the expansion of invasive species and overtaking of rhino food plants, causing habitat degradation.

• After traveling for over 4 billion miles (6.2 billion kilometers) to reach Asteroid Bennu and then make the journey home, the OSIRIS-REx probe released its sample return capsule while it was about 63,000 miles (101,000 km) above Earth.
• The capsule contains some 250 grams (8.8 ounces) of rocks and other material from Bennu.
• This material could help answer some of scientists’ most burning questions about the origins of life on Earth and the early days of our solar system.

ABOUT OSIRIS-REX

• OSIRIS-Rex stands for (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security- Regolith Explorer).
• It is NASA’s first mission to collect an asteroid sample.
• Timeline
  • launched in 2016,
  • arrived at Bennu in 2018 and
  • collected samples of the asteroid in
• Manufactured by Lockheed Martin Space systems.

ABOUT BENNU ASTEROID

• It is located about 200 million miles away from the Earth and was formed in first 10 million years of solar system’s creations.
• It has not gone through a lot of composition-altering change through billions of years, which means that below its surface lie chemicals and rocks from the birth of the solar system.
• It was discovered by a team from the NASA-funded Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research team in 1999.
• Bennu is a B-type asteroid, i.e., it contains significant amounts of carbon and various other minerals.

• Mt Semeru volcano in Indonesa’s East Java province erupted recently, spewing hot ashes. Local authorities have warned people to stay away from the area.
• It is the highest mountain on the island of Java.
• It is the part of the Island arcs formed by the subduction of the Indo-Australian plate below Sunda Plate (part of Eurasian Plate).
• Indonesia has the maximum number of active volcanoes in the world.
• It is situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire.

• The 19^th edition of YUDH ABHYAS is set to commence in Alaska, USA.
• It is an annual exercise between the Indian Army and the US Army.
• It is aimed at strengthening military cooperation and readiness.
• The exercise will also involve an exchange of views and best practices in drills on a wide spectrum of military skills, including combat engineering, obstruction clearance, and improvised explosive device warfare.

• World Rivers Day is observed annually on the fourth Sunday in September.
• This year it was observed on September 24^th.
• It aims to increase public awareness about all rivers in the world and their importance.
• The annual global event also promotes the conservation and sustainable management of these vital natural resources.
• The first World Rivers Day was observed in 2005, following the launch that year of the Water for Life Decade by the United Nations.
• The proposal for such a celebration was initiated by renowned Canadian river advocate Mark Angelo.

• Dr Swati Nayak, an Indian scientist at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), has been named the 2023 recipient of the prestigious Norman E Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application.
  • Ms Nayak will formally receive the Borlaug Field Award during a ceremony at the 2023 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue October 24-26 in Des Moines, Iowa.
• She is recognized for her innovative approach to engaging smallholder farmers in demand-driven rice seed systems and adoption of climate-resilient and nutritious rice varieties.
• The award is given to exceptional scientists under 40 and someone who works in the field of food and nutrition security, hunger eradication in memory of the Nobel awardee and Green Revolution’s chief architect Dr Norman Borlaug.
• It carries a prize of $10,000 and is endowed by the Rockefeller Foundation

• The Delhi High Court allowed Anil Kapoor’s pleas for protection of his personality rights from misuse by third parties.

ABOUT PERSONALITY RIGHTS

• The name, voice, signature, images or any other feature easily identified by the public are markers of a celebrity’s personality and are referred loosely as “personality rights.”
• These could include a pose, a mannerism or any aspect of their personality.
  • For example, Usain Bolt’s “bolting” or lightning pose is a registered trademark.
• Personality rights or their protection are not expressly mentioned in a statute in India but are traced to fall under the right to privacy and the right to property.
• The idea is that only the owner or creator of these distinct features has the right to derive any commercial benefit from it.
  • Exclusivity is a big factor in attracting commercial dividends for celebrities. So unauthorised use causes a tangible loss of revenue.
• Celebrities can move the Court and seek an injunction when an unauthorised third party uses their personality rights for commercial purposes.

• The scientists of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered a new species of a vibrant orange coloured deep water marine fish from Digha Mohana in West Bengal.
• The new species, commonly known as gurnards or sea-robins, belongs to the family Triglidae.
• Named Pterygotrigla intermedica, it has characters quite similar to species like Pterygotrigla hemisticta.
• It is the fourth species of Pterygotrigla genus reported in India so far.
  • There are a total 178 species of the Triglidae family worldwide.
• Distinct from other gurnard fish in features like snout length, shape of the internuchal space and size of the cleithral spine.
• The scientists found a distinct pectoral-fin with black membranes on the inner surface, white posterior margin and three small white spots basally in fin.
• It had a combination of characters like a long opercular spine and a very short cleithral spine.

• To promote sustainable practices, Department of Fisheries has sanctioned 732 artificial reef units for 10 coastal states with a total investment of Rs 126 crore as a sub-activity under “Integrated Modern Coastal Fishing Villages” of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
• The projects are being implemented with the technical support of Fishery Survey of India (FSI) and ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).
• Thus all projects are expected to be completed by January 2024.

ABOUT ARTIFICIAL REEFS

• Artificial reefs are engineering technology interventions used to rehabilitate and/or improve natural habitats, increase productivity and manage aquatic resources including habitat
• They are made from a variety of natural or synthetic materials, and come in an infinite number of shapes and styles.
• Advantages
  • ARs used for aggregating fish and provide a home for fish to live and grow, reduce wave damage on coasts, helps regeneration of marine ecosystem and act as a carbon sink.
  • Two to three-fold increase in catch rates and efficiency thus saving fuel and energy costs leading to increased income.
  • Provide a firm substrate for marine life such as corals, algae and plankton to attach to and grow
  • provide favorable conditions for sea ranching and serve as spawning and nursery grounds for fish.
  • Enhance recreational fisheries, snorkeling, eco-tourism, creating suitable areas for diving and reducing conflicts.

ABOUT PRADHAN MANTRI MATSYA SAMPADA YOJANA (PMMSY)

• PMMSY was launched in May 2020 with the highest ever investment of Rs. 20,050 crore to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector.
• Implemented in all States and UTs for a period of 5 years from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25.
• Umbrella scheme with Central Sector Scheme and Centrally Sponsored Scheme components—meaning that the Central government bears project cost and States/UTs share the cost of sub-components/activities.
• Motto– “Reform, Perform and Transform” in fisheries sector.

• Esports, which featured as a demonstration sport at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, made its official debut as a medal sport at Hangzhou 2023.

• A total of seven esports medal events –
  • FC Online 4,
  • Dota 2,
  • League of Legends,
  • Street Fighter V: Champion Edition,
  • Arena of Valor Asian Games Version,
  • Dream Three Kingdoms 2 and
  • Peace Elite Asian Games Version (also known as PUBG Mobile) – are scheduled at Hangzhou.
    • India is a part of the first four.

ABOUT ASIAN GAMES

• The event is held once in every four years.
• They are organized by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) since 1982.
• Symbol– Rising sun with interlocking rings.
• It is recognised by International Olympic Committee and is second largest multi-sport event after Olympics.
• India is one of the founder member of Asian Games Federation and also the host of the first Asian Games in 1951.
  • 9^th edition of the Asian Games was also held in New Delhi in