News in Shorts: 02 January 2025

Intensity of cyclones has gone up in past four decades: data

Context: The number of tropical cyclones each year has stayed consistent over the past 40 years, but their intensity has increased, as confirmed by international databases. 

Key points from the analysis 

• Intensity of Cyclones
  • Average maximum wind speed rose from 182 km/h (1981–2010) to 192 km/h (last decade)
  • Climate change is expected to increase the number of Category 4 and 5 cyclones.
  • Rising sea temperatures likely contribute to higher cyclone intensity.
• Recent Cyclone Data 
  • Strongest Cyclone:
    • Hurricane Milton  reached speeds of 278 km/h, battering the US coast.

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Trinidad and Tobago

Context: A rise in criminal activities has prompted the declaration of a state of emergency in Trinidad and Tobago.

About Trinidad and Tobago

• Trinidad and Tobago is a dual-island nation located in the Caribbean
  • Situated northeast of Venezuela and south of Grenada.
• Location: Northern Hemisphere and Western Hemisphere
• Capital: Port of Spain.
• Nickname: Land of the Hummingbird
• Largest city: Chaguanas
• Bordering regions: The islands are bounded by the Caribbean Sea to the north; by the Atlantic Ocean to the south and east and by the Gulf of Paria to the west.
• Shares maritime boundaries with:
  • Barbados: To the northeast.
  • Guyana: To the southeast.

Other Important points to remember 

• Highest point: El Cerro del Aripo
• Major river: Caroni River
  • It flows from the Northern Range to the Gulf of Paria.
• Economy
  • Economic Base: Primarily industrial, driven by significant reserves of oil and gas.
  • Tourism: Unlike most Caribbean nations, tourism plays a smaller role in the economy.
  • Natural Advantage: Located further south, the country experiences fewer hurricanes compared to other Caribbean regions.

T.M. Krishna honoured with ‘Sangita Kalanidhi’

Context: T.M. Krishna was honored with the prestigious Sangita Kalanidhi 2024 title at the 98th Annual Conference and Concerts organized by The Music Academy in Chennai.

About Sangita Kalanidhi Award

• It is considered the highest award in the field of Carnatic music.
• The award comprises a gold medal and a birudu Patra (citation).

Other Awardees

• Sangita Kalaacharya Title: Parassala Ravi and Geetha Raja.
• Musicologist Award 2024: Dr. Margaret Bastin.
• TTK Award: Thiruvaiyyaru Brothers (S. Narasimhan and S. Venkatesan) and violinist H.K. Narasimhamurthy.

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About T.M. Krishna

• He is an acclaimed Indian Carnatic vocalist, writer, activist, author, and Ramon Magsaysay awardee.
• Awards and Recognitions
  • Ramon Magsaysay Award (2016)
  • Sangita Kalanidhi Award (2024):
  • Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration (2017)
  • Swathi Sangeetha Puraskaram (2019): Kerala State Government’s highest honor for musicians.
• Contribution of T.M. Krishna in Literary Works 
  • A Southern Music – The Karnatik Story (2013), MS Understood, Reshaping Art (2018), Sebastian and Sons (2020)

Brazilian Velvet Ant

Context: Scientists found that the dark markings on a species of fluffy ‘Ultra-Black’ Wasp reflected less than 1 percent of light.

About Brazilian Velvet Ant

• Misnomer: Despite being called velvet ants, these insects are actually wasps, not ants.
• Habitat: Brazilian velvet ants are typically found in the tropical savannas and dry shrub deserts of Brazil.
• Distinctive Feature: They are known for their striking black-and-white markings.
• Recent Findings: Female velvet ants possess ultrablack parts that absorb almost all visible light.

Comparison with Regular Black

• Ordinary Black: This is caused by melanin and reflects some light, such as the feathers of a crow.
• Ultrablack: Achieved through microstructures that trap and swallow nearly all light that strikes the surface, making it significantly darker than regular black.

Functions of Ultrablack Color

• Defense Mechanism: The ultrablack coloration absorbs nearly all ultraviolet light, which may provide protection against predators with UV-sensitive vision.
• Camouflage: Although its role in hiding from predators is unclear, velvet ants are well-defended by other features, including painful stings, a hard exoskeleton, and screeching sounds.

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Difference between bee, ant and wasp

• Appearance: Bees are fuzzy with thick bodies, ants are slim and smooth, while wasps are slender with a shiny body.
• Behavior: Bees are social pollinators, ants are scavengers, and wasps are predators or parasitoids.
• Nesting: Bees build wax hives, ants create underground colonies, and wasps construct paper-like nests.
• Diet: Bees feed on nectar and pollen, ants consume diverse foods (sugars, proteins), and wasps eat insects and nectar.
• Sting: Bees die after stinging, ants have weak bites/stings, and wasps can sting multiple times.
• Role in Ecosystem: Bees are vital pollinators, ants help in soil aeration, and wasps control pest populations.