China Launches World’s First 10G Broadband Network

Context: Huawei and China Unicom have jointly launched China’s first 10G broadband network.

About 10G broadband network

• China’s 10G network has been rolled out in its futuristic megacity, Xiong’an.
  • The rollout employs 50G Passive Optical Network (PON) technology, a cutting-edge advancement over current fibre-optic systems.
• It achieves download speeds up to 9,834 Mbps, upload speeds of 1,008 Mbps, and latency as low as 3 milliseconds.

Benefits

• The 10G broadband network is expected to support a wide range of high-bandwidth applications, including cloud computing, virtual and augmented reality, 8K video streaming, and smart home systems.

50G Passive Optical Network (PON)

• It  is a next-generation fiber-optic technology standard that delivers symmetrical speeds of 50 Gbps for both downstream and upstream traffic.

Asiatic Lion Census

Context: The 16th Asiatic lions Census will be conducted from May 10 to 13th by the Gujarat Forest Department.

About the Census

• Origin: The first ever lion census was conducted by the Nawab of Junagadh in 1936. 
  • Since 1965, the Gujarat Forest Department has been regularly conducting the census every five years after  the Gir forest was declared a sanctuary.
• Area: The census will cover spread across 11 districts of Saurashtra region ie. 
  • Junagadh, Gir-Somnath, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Morbi, Surendranagar, Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Amreli, Porbandar and Botad.
• Estimation Method: The estimation will be done using the Direct Beat Verification method.
  • The exercise area will be divided in regions, zones and sub zones 
• Parameters: Details like time of observation, direction of lion’s movement, gender, age, marks on the body, sign of identification, GPS location, group composition etc. will be recorded
• Real time Data: An e-GujForest application of the department will be used for real time data entry of lion observation that will include GPS location and photograph.

About Asiatic Lions

• The Asiatic lion is a lion population of the subspecies Panthera leo leo.
• IUCN status: Endangered
• Habitat: They are found in forest, savanna, shrubland, grassland, and desert.
  • Their range is limited to the Gir Forest National Park in India
• Current Population: According to the 15th lion estimation, the total population of lions was 674.
  • That includes 260 females, 161 males, 93 sub-adults and 137 cubs.

Stellite Nozzle Divergent for PSLV

Context: ISRO has developed a new material for the nozzle divergent used in the fourth stage of the PSLV launch vehicle. 

New Material Developed

• Stellite (KC20WN), a cobalt-based alloy enriched with Chromium, Nickel, Tungsten, and Iron.
• Developed and tested indigenously at ISRO’s Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri.

What is a Divergent Nozzle?

• It is the widening part at the end of a rocket engine.
• Its main job is to speed up hot gases as they exit the engine to produce thrust.
• It works under very high heat and pressure, often facing temperatures above 1100°C.
• Importance
  • It helps in controlling the speed and direction of the rocket’s thrust.
  • This is essential for keeping the rocket stable and guiding it properly during take-off.

Green Crypto Mining

Context: Bhutan, a Himalayan nation, is exploring ways to mine and use green cryptocurrencies with hydropower to boost its economy and create jobs.

About Green Crypto Mining

• It refers to creating digital currencies using renewable energy sources instead of fossil fuels. 
• It helps reduce carbon emissions and promotes eco-friendly blockchain technology.
• How Green Crypto Mining Works?
  • Uses Renewable Energy: Cryptocurrency is mined using solar, wind, or hydropower.
  • Minimizes Environmental Impact: Reduces reliance on coal and oil-based electricity.
  • Meets ESG Goals: Supports Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives.

Tuvalu

Context: Tuvalu, one of the world’s smallest and most remote nations, has introduced its first-ever ATMs, marking a significant milestone in its financial modernization.

About Tuvalu

• Location: Tuvalu is a small island nation in the Pacific Ocean, situated between Australia and Hawaii.  
  • Its neighbours include Kiribati, to the north, and Fiji, to the south.
• Capital: Funafuti.  
• Climate Change & Rising Sea Levels: It is highly vulnerable to climate change due to its low elevation.  
• Relations with India: India has engaged with Tuvalu through the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC).

Osmania University Arts College Building granted Trademark

Context: Hyderabad’s Osmania University (OU) Arts College building has officially become the third building in India to receive trademark registration for its exterior design. 

About Osmania University Arts College Building

• It is a heritage structure known for its striking Indo-Saracenic architectural style, a fusion of Islamic, Hindu, and European design elements.
• Established: 1939, during the reign of the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan

Significance of the Trademark

• Osmania University owns the trademark for the building’s image, giving it sole rights to use it for commercial purposes.
  • This protects the building’s heritage and ensures its unique design isn’t used for profit without permission.
• It is only the third instance in the country where a building has secured such a registration. The first two were:
  • Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Mumbai 
  • Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) building, Mumbai

About Trademarks

• A trademark is a unique symbol, word, or design that identifies and distinguishes a brand or business.
• It offers legal protection against unauthorized use by others.
• In India, trademarks are governed by the Trade Marks Act, 1999
• They are granted by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (CGPDTM) under DPIIT.
• A registered trademark is valid for 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely.

Scarborough Shoal

Context: Recently, China accused a Philippine frigate of illegally entering Scarborough Shoal, claiming sovereignty violations and urging the Philippines to cease further provocations.

About Scarborough Shoal

• Scarborough Shoal is a coral atoll in the eastern South China Sea, around 220 km west of Luzon, Philippines.
• The shoal supports rich marine biodiversity, making it a valuable fishing ground and is strategically positioned near major shipping lanes carrying an estimated $3.4 trillion in annual commerce.
• Territorial Dispute: Both China and the Philippines claim sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal.
• Chinese Claim: China, which calls it Huangyan Island, bases its claim on historical grounds dating back to the Yuan Dynasty.
• Philippines claim: It is  based on proximity and international law, citing the 1982 UNCLOS agreement.
  • According to UNCLOS, the shoal lies within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.
• Control: Since 2012, China has maintained de facto control over the shoal through a constant coast guard presence.

Pope Francis

Context: Pope Francis, also known as the “People’s Pope” died at the age of 88 on April 21 2025.

About Pope Francis

• The Pope was born in 1936, into a family of Italian immigrants in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • He became the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church
• Legacy:
  • He was ordained as a Jesuit priest in 1969 and became the 266th Pope in 2013.
  • He was the first pontiff to take the name Francis in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi
    • The saint is associated with peace, concern for the poor, and respect for the environment
  • Pope Francis was elected the first non-European pope in 1,300 years.
  • Pope Francis appointed as many as 109 Cardinals during his tenure including the first African- American appointee.
    • He also canonised more than 900 new Saints globally including Mother Teresa.
• Encyclicals:  Pope Francis wrote four encyclicals which is the most important form of papal document.
  • Importance Of Catholicism (2013); Urgency For Climate Change (2015); Post-Pandemic World And Faith Over Money And Material (2024)
• Reforms:
  • He was an advocate for Migrant refugees, economic justice, and nonviolence.
  • Francis restructured the Roman Curia (the central administrative body of the Catholic Church) in 2022 to streamline its operations.
  • Inclusive: Key roles in the Church administration were opened to women.
  • Acknowledged and addressed the issue of child sex abuse by Catholic clerics.
  • Vatican allowed Roman Catholic priests to administer blessings to same-sex couples as long as they are not part of regular Church rituals or liturgies.

About Pope

• The Pope is the head of the Roman Catholic Church, also known as the Bishop of Rome and the Supreme Pontiff. 
  • The Pope is considered as the apostolic successor to Saint Peter
• Spiritual Authority: A Pope is believed to have spiritual authority over all Catholics and makes decisions on faith and morality for the global Catholic community
• Jurisdiction: The office of the Pope is called the papacy and the jurisdiction of the episcopal see is called the Holy See
• Home: The Pope resides in the Vatican City (a city-state surrounded by Rome, Italy) the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church.

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