Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)

• When the Cold War came to an end in 1991, the Warsaw Pact dissolved.
• In 1992, Russia and five of its allies in the Commonwealth of Independent States signed the CSTO, which came into force in 1994.
• CSTO is an Intergovernmental military alliance of former soviet states created in 1992.
• Aim - To strengthen peace, international and regional security and stability.
• It is a Russia-led military alliance to counterpart NATO.
• Members - Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan. (Azerbaijan, Georgia and Uzbekistan quit the alliance)
• Observer status - Afghanistan and Serbia.
• President - The organization uses a rotating presidency system in which the state leading the CSTO changes every year.
• Sessions - held alternately in the member States as necessary, but at least once a year.

Theyyam Festival

• Theyyam is a famous ritual art form that originated in the Northern Kerala which brings to life the great stories of the state of Kerala.
• It is also known as Kaliyattam.
• It praises the beliefs of the ancient tribals who gave a lot of importance to the worship of heroes and the spirits of their ancestors.
• It encompasses dance, mime and music.
• Prominent Theyyams - the Pottan, Gulikan, Bhagavati, Kari Chamundi, and Raktha Chamundi.
• Performer communities – Performers belongs to the communities of Vannan, Malayan, Mavilan, Velan, Munnoottan, Anjunnoottan, Pulayar, Kopalar and others.
• The first part of the theyyam performance is Vellattam or Thottam is performed in a light manner and the performer narrates the origin and characteristics of different Theyyams.
• The Kolakaran along with his assistants participate in it.
• Instruments - Chenda, Veekan Chenda, Ilathalam and Kuzhal.

About AUKUS

The US, the UK and Australia have finalised a multi-billion dollar nuclear submarine deal under AUKUS. Under the pact, US will sell 3 Virginia-class submarines to Australia

• AUKUS - It is a strategic defence alliance of the US, UK, and Australia.
• Aim – Initially to build a class of nuclear-propelled submarines, but also to ensure freedom and openness in the Indo-Pacific region.

LDC5 conference

The 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) concluded recently with adoption of the ‘Doha Political Declaration’ by the world leaders.

• Host – Qatar
• Theme - From Potential to Prosperity
• The Doha Political Declaration focuses on implementing the Doha Programme of Action (DPoA).

Doha Programme of Action for LDC (2022-2031)

• It is a 10-year plan to put the world’s 46 most vulnerable, Least Developed Countries (LDC) back on track to achieving the UN-mandated Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
• The six key focus areas of DPoA are

1. Investing in people, eradicating poverty and building capacity
2. Leveraging the power of science, technology & innovation
3. Supporting structural transformation as a driver of prosperity
4. Enhancing international trade and regional integration
5. Tackling climate change, COVID-19 & building resilience
6. Mobilizing international partnerships for sustainable graduation

La Niña

The National Centres for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), US, has declared that the prolonged La Nina event has finally ended.

• La Nina – La Nina or “Little girl” is the opposite of El Nino.
• La Nina sees cooler than average sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific region.
• Trade winds are stronger than usual, pushing warmer water towards Asia.
• The La Nina weather pattern is one of the three phases of the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
• Triple Dip La Nina - It is a weather phenomenon that La Nina has formed for the third consecutive years in the Pacific.

Effects of La Niña Phenomenon

• Weather - Pacific cold waters close to the Americas push jet streams (narrow bands of strong winds in the upper atmosphere) northwards.
• La Nina leads to drier conditions in Southern U.S.
• La Nina has been associated with heavy floods in Australia.
• In the Indian context, La Nina is associated with good rainfall during the monsoon season.
• Ocean water - On the American west coast, upwelling increases, bringing nutrient-rich water to the surface.