Current affairs 3rd July 2025 by Right IAS
Historical texts say Sinhalese came from North India (~500 BCE). But the new genetic study shows stronger resemblance to South Indians (with high ASI ancestry) than North Indians (with Steppe ancestry)
Topic ⟶ Moon Dust VS Urban Dust
Lunar Dust Study Highlights A new study (in Life Sciences in Space Research) shows moondust is less harmful than Earth’s urban dust but still damaging to lung cells. Scientists used LMS-1 and LHS-1, two lab-made types of lunar dust mimicking dust from the moon’s mare and highland regions. Large moondust particles were only toxic at very high concentrations. Smaller moondust particles were less toxic to bronchial cells than Earth’s PM2.5. However, both moondust and PM2.5 caused death of alveolar cells the deeper, more delicate part of the lungs.
Topic ⟶ India’s Development Cooperation
Rising Development Cooperation with Global South India has been expanding its development cooperation with the Global South over the years. Financial outflows have nearly doubled from $3 billion (2010–11) to $7 billion (2023–24). Key modalities of cooperation include: Capacity building Technology transfer Market access Grants.
Changing Focus on Lines of Credit (LoCs) India uses borrowed capital from global markets to offer LoCs at concessional rates, absorbing interest rate differences. Due to the global liquidity crisis and debt stress among partner countries, LoCs have lost some effectiveness. The Finance Ministry’s stance (in Budget 2025–26) signals a shift away from LoCs as a dominant tool. Emergence of the Global Development Compact (GDC) Articulated by PM Modi during the 3rd Voice of Global South Summit (2024). Advocates a balanced approach using all five modalities. Encourages broader partnerships, including working in third countries.
Global Development Finance in Decline Traditional ODA (Official Development Assistance) is shrinking. ODA fell from $214 billion (2023) to a projected $97 billion (2024) — a 45% drop. Institutions like USAID and the UK’s FCDO are facing crises. Several developing countries are in debt distress, limiting their ability to attract funding. Estimated financing needed for SDGs by 2030 has increased to over $4 trillion (from $2.5 trillion in 2015).
