Alawite Community
Civilian members of the minority Alawite community are reportedly being targeted in Syria by its new government as a part of “Revenge Attacks”
- Offshoot of Shia Islam, with its roots tracing back to the 9th and 10th centuries in the teachings of Mohammad ibn Nusayr in Iraq.
- Population – Alawites make up about 12% of the Syrian population and are the 2nd-largest religious group in Syria after Sunni Muslims.
- Faith and Practices – Alawites incorporate aspects of Christianity and ancient Iranian practices in their faith.
Exercise Dharma Guardian
6th edition of “Dharma Guardian” concluded successfully
- India-Japan joint military exercise
- Focus – Counter-terrorism operations in urban terrain.
Cassava
A new study shows cassava survival depends on indigenous farming knowledge
- Also known as – ‘Yuca’ or ‘Manioc’
- A root vegetable often known as ‘bread of the tropics’.
- Native to – South America
- National Policy on Biofuels, 2018, allows cassava to be used as a raw material for ethanol production.
North Sea
A fuel tanker carrying fuel for the U.S. military collided with a cargo ship and caught fire in the North Sea
- An enclosed sea in Northwestern Europe.
- Kiel Canal – Artificial waterway connecting North Sea with Baltic Sea.
- Bordering Countries – United Kingdom, Norway, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France.
- Rivers – Rhine, Thames, etc.
- Brent crude is a type of North Sea oil – Used as a global oil price benchmark.
Jalanatheshwarar Temple
Jalanatheswarar temple is in dire need of restoration activities with its outer wall on the northern side of the temple collapsing.
- Situated in – Tamil Nadu.
- Originally constructed by – Pallavas (later expanded by the Cholas and Nayaks).
- Dedicated to Lord Shiva
- Architecture – The temple features a 3-tiered gateway tower and all the shrines are enclosed in concentric rectangular granite walls.
- Has a rich collection of inscriptions, including those from the Pallava king Aparajit