🔥 World Soil Day 2023
● Every year, the United Nations celebrates 5th December as World Soil Day.
● The International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) recommended an international day to celebrate soil in 2002.
● The U.N. General Assembly designated December 5 as the first official World Soil Day in 2014.
● WSD is celebrated to commemorate the birthday of the late King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej for his lifelong commitment to raising awareness of the importance of sustainable soil management
● Theme for 2023: Soil and Water, a Source of Life.
● International Union of Soil Sciences— founded in 1924; Parent organization— International Science Council
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● Every year, the United Nations celebrates 5th December as World Soil Day.
● The International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) recommended an international day to celebrate soil in 2002.
● The U.N. General Assembly designated December 5 as the first official World Soil Day in 2014.
● WSD is celebrated to commemorate the birthday of the late King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej for his lifelong commitment to raising awareness of the importance of sustainable soil management
● Theme for 2023: Soil and Water, a Source of Life.
● International Union of Soil Sciences— founded in 1924; Parent organization— International Science Council
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Asola Wildlife Sanctuary
● In news: Delhi High Court expresses concern about holding a walkathon inside the wildlife sanctuary.
● Location: Southern Delhi Ridge of the Aravalli hill range.
● Spread: 32.71 sqkm area on the Delhi-Haryana border, includes Southern Delhi and northern parts of Faridabad and Gurugram districts of Haryana state.
● It is part of the Sariska-Delhi Wildlife Corridor (stretches from the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan to Delhi Ridge)
● Vegetation: Dry deciduous - Tropical thorn forest, xerophytic characteristics plants.
● Fauna: Monitor Lizards, Golden Jackals, Striped-Hyenas, Jungle Cats, Snakes, Indian crested-Porcupines, Civets, Mongoose.
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● In news: Delhi High Court expresses concern about holding a walkathon inside the wildlife sanctuary.
● Location: Southern Delhi Ridge of the Aravalli hill range.
● Spread: 32.71 sqkm area on the Delhi-Haryana border, includes Southern Delhi and northern parts of Faridabad and Gurugram districts of Haryana state.
● It is part of the Sariska-Delhi Wildlife Corridor (stretches from the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan to Delhi Ridge)
● Vegetation: Dry deciduous - Tropical thorn forest, xerophytic characteristics plants.
● Fauna: Monitor Lizards, Golden Jackals, Striped-Hyenas, Jungle Cats, Snakes, Indian crested-Porcupines, Civets, Mongoose.
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#TARGET140+
Details : https://bit.ly/3R9XTuc
🔥 Article 99 of the UN Charter
● United Nations Secretary-General has invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter.
● This move was intended to warn the UN Security Council about the danger caused by Israel's actions in Gaza.
● Article 99 states: “The Secretary-General may bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.”
● It is seen as a discretionary power.
● It allows the Secretary-General to highlight critical issues, and it requires the Security Council's attention when invoked.
● Past examples include the upheaval in the Republic of the Congo in 1960 following the end of Belgium’s colonial rule and a complaint by Tunisia in 1961 against France.
● UN Charter: instrument of international law, and UN Member States are bound by it; came into force on 24th October 1945.
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● United Nations Secretary-General has invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter.
● This move was intended to warn the UN Security Council about the danger caused by Israel's actions in Gaza.
● Article 99 states: “The Secretary-General may bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.”
● It is seen as a discretionary power.
● It allows the Secretary-General to highlight critical issues, and it requires the Security Council's attention when invoked.
● Past examples include the upheaval in the Republic of the Congo in 1960 following the end of Belgium’s colonial rule and a complaint by Tunisia in 1961 against France.
● UN Charter: instrument of international law, and UN Member States are bound by it; came into force on 24th October 1945.
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🔥 Wheeler Island/ Abdul Kalam Island
● In News: The DRDO, will pause missile testing at Wheeler Island off Odisha coast during the mass nesting season of Olive Ridley sea turtles.
● Only place in India having: integrated test range for missile testing facility
● Island: 2 km long, Area of 390 acres.
● Its soil formation island without rocks in the Bay of Bengal.
Olive Ridley sea turtles:
● IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
● Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule 1
● CITES Appendix I
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● In News: The DRDO, will pause missile testing at Wheeler Island off Odisha coast during the mass nesting season of Olive Ridley sea turtles.
● Only place in India having: integrated test range for missile testing facility
● Island: 2 km long, Area of 390 acres.
● Its soil formation island without rocks in the Bay of Bengal.
Olive Ridley sea turtles:
● IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
● Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule 1
● CITES Appendix I
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#TARGET140+
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🔑Powering Past Coal Alliance
-Foundation and Purpose: Established in 2017, the PPCA aims to unite various entities in accelerating the move away from coal power to cleaner energy alternatives.
-Membership: The alliance boasts over 170 members, including countries, regions, cities, businesses, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
-Goals and Commitments: Members of the PPCA commit to phasing out traditional coal power and placing a moratorium on any new coal power stations without operational carbon capture and storage.
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-Foundation and Purpose: Established in 2017, the PPCA aims to unite various entities in accelerating the move away from coal power to cleaner energy alternatives.
-Membership: The alliance boasts over 170 members, including countries, regions, cities, businesses, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
-Goals and Commitments: Members of the PPCA commit to phasing out traditional coal power and placing a moratorium on any new coal power stations without operational carbon capture and storage.
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Details : https://bit.ly/3R9XTuc
-Statutory: Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 establishes National and State Human Rights Commissions.
-Composition: SHRC includes a chairperson (retired Chief Justice of a High Court) and two members (a High Court or District Judge with minimum seven years of experience, and a person knowledgeable in human rights).
-Appointment: Chairperson and members appointed by the Governor, based on recommendations from a committee headed by the Chief Minister, including the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, State Home Minister, and Leader of the Opposition.
-Jurisdiction: SHRC inquires into human rights violations in State List (List-II) and Concurrent List (List-III) subjects, as per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.
-Powers: Functions like a civil court, proceedings are judicial in nature.
-Reporting: Submits annual or special reports to the state government.
-Function Nature: Mainly recommendatory; cannot punish violators or award relief, including monetary. Recommendations not binding, but response required within one month.
-Term: 5 years or until 70 years of age.
-Removal: By President, not Governor.
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🔥 Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2024
● India ranks 7th in this year´s CCPI, up one spot from the previous CCPI and remaining among the highest performers.
● Released by Germanwatch (Non-governmental Organisation based in Bonn, Germany)
● CCPI is an independent monitoring tool for tracking the climate protection performance.
● It assesses countries performance in 4 categories -
1. GHG emissions (40% of the overall score)
2. Renewable energy (20%)
3. Energy use (20%)
4. Climate policy (20%).
● Top 3 places are vacant in CCPI.
● Germanwatch also releases ‘The Global Climate Risk Index’.
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● India ranks 7th in this year´s CCPI, up one spot from the previous CCPI and remaining among the highest performers.
● Released by Germanwatch (Non-governmental Organisation based in Bonn, Germany)
● CCPI is an independent monitoring tool for tracking the climate protection performance.
● It assesses countries performance in 4 categories -
1. GHG emissions (40% of the overall score)
2. Renewable energy (20%)
3. Energy use (20%)
4. Climate policy (20%).
● Top 3 places are vacant in CCPI.
● Germanwatch also releases ‘The Global Climate Risk Index’.
#inNEWS
#TARGET140+
Details : https://bit.ly/3R9XTuc
• "Women for Water, Water for Women", an ambitious initiative by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) under its flagship scheme,
- AMRUT, in partnership with the National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) and Odisha Urban Academy.
- This campaign commenced on 7th November, 2023.
- The “Women for Water, Water for Women” campaign aims to provide a platform for inclusion of women in water governance.
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Details : https://bit.ly/3R9XTuc
- AMRUT, in partnership with the National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) and Odisha Urban Academy.
- This campaign commenced on 7th November, 2023.
- The “Women for Water, Water for Women” campaign aims to provide a platform for inclusion of women in water governance.
#inNEWS
#TARGET140+
Details : https://bit.ly/3R9XTuc
🔥🔥Small Island Developing States (SIDS):
🔺Group of 38 UN Member States and 20 Non-UN Members/Associate Members.
🔺Geographical Distribution: The Caribbean, the Pacific, and the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and South China Sea (AIS).
🔺Recognition: Acknowledged as a special case for their unique environment and development challenges.
🔺Significance: Designation made at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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🔺Group of 38 UN Member States and 20 Non-UN Members/Associate Members.
🔺Geographical Distribution: The Caribbean, the Pacific, and the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and South China Sea (AIS).
🔺Recognition: Acknowledged as a special case for their unique environment and development challenges.
🔺Significance: Designation made at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
#inNEWS
#TARGET140+
Details : https://bit.ly/3R9XTuc
🔥 UNEP’s Champions of the Earth Award:
🔺UNEP's premier environmental annual honor.
🔺 Recognizes individuals, groups, and organizations for transformative contributions to the environment.
🔺 Established in 2005, honoring leaders in government, civil society, and the private sector.
#BeatPollution Initiative:
• Launched by UNEP to combat the pervasive impact of pollution on society.
• Indian Awardees: Indian awardees include: Indian wildlife biologist Dr. Purnima Devi Barman (2022); PM Narendra Modi (2018); Tulsi Tanti (Chairman of the Suzlon Group).
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🔺UNEP's premier environmental annual honor.
🔺 Recognizes individuals, groups, and organizations for transformative contributions to the environment.
🔺 Established in 2005, honoring leaders in government, civil society, and the private sector.
#BeatPollution Initiative:
• Launched by UNEP to combat the pervasive impact of pollution on society.
• Indian Awardees: Indian awardees include: Indian wildlife biologist Dr. Purnima Devi Barman (2022); PM Narendra Modi (2018); Tulsi Tanti (Chairman of the Suzlon Group).
#inNEWS
#TARGET140+
Details : https://bit.ly/3R9XTuc
🔥🔥 Planetary Boundaries:
🔺Planetary boundaries are the thresholds of environmental limits that define a “safe operating space for humanity”.
The nine planetary boundaries are:
🔥Biodiversity loss; Land-use change; Climate change; Nitrogen & phosphorus (geochemical) cycles Freshwater use; Ocean acidification; Chemical pollution; Atmospheric loading; Ozone depletion
✅ Of these 9 planetary boundaries, climate change, biodiversity loss, land-use change, and geochemical cycles have already been exceeded.
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🔺Planetary boundaries are the thresholds of environmental limits that define a “safe operating space for humanity”.
The nine planetary boundaries are:
🔥Biodiversity loss; Land-use change; Climate change; Nitrogen & phosphorus (geochemical) cycles Freshwater use; Ocean acidification; Chemical pollution; Atmospheric loading; Ozone depletion
✅ Of these 9 planetary boundaries, climate change, biodiversity loss, land-use change, and geochemical cycles have already been exceeded.
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#TARGET140+
Details : https://bit.ly/3R9XTuc
🔥🔥 Various Initiatives taken for Genome Sequencing:
# Human Genome Project
🔺 International research effort to determine the DNA sequence of the entire human genome.
🔺 It was coordinated by National Institutes of Health, USA and Department of Energy, USA
# IndiGen programme
🔺 Aims to undertake whole genome sequencing of 1000 Indian individuals representing diverse ethnic groups from India.
Funded by CSIR.
# Genome India Project
🔺Aims to collect 10000 genetic samples from citizens across India to build a reference genome.
🔺 By Department of Biotechnology.
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Details : https://targetupsc.in/courses/detail/252
# Human Genome Project
🔺 International research effort to determine the DNA sequence of the entire human genome.
🔺 It was coordinated by National Institutes of Health, USA and Department of Energy, USA
# IndiGen programme
🔺 Aims to undertake whole genome sequencing of 1000 Indian individuals representing diverse ethnic groups from India.
Funded by CSIR.
# Genome India Project
🔺Aims to collect 10000 genetic samples from citizens across India to build a reference genome.
🔺 By Department of Biotechnology.
#inNEWS
#TARGET140+
Details : https://targetupsc.in/courses/detail/252
🔥🔥Greater One-Horned Rhino:
🔺 The reintroduction of Greater One-Horned Rhino in Manas National Park of Assam has indicated higher life expectancy of them.
🔺 Asia’s largest Rhino species and 4th largest land animal.
🔺 Excellent swimmer, Solitary animal , Has incredible sense of hearing and smell, but eyesight is relatively poor.
🔺Gestation period is about 16 months.
🔺Threats: Hunted for their horn
# IUCN: Vulnerable
CITES : Appendix I
The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 : Schedule I
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#TARGET140+
Details : https://bit.ly/3R9XTuc
🔺 The reintroduction of Greater One-Horned Rhino in Manas National Park of Assam has indicated higher life expectancy of them.
🔺 Asia’s largest Rhino species and 4th largest land animal.
🔺 Excellent swimmer, Solitary animal , Has incredible sense of hearing and smell, but eyesight is relatively poor.
🔺Gestation period is about 16 months.
🔺Threats: Hunted for their horn
# IUCN: Vulnerable
CITES : Appendix I
The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 : Schedule I
#inNEWS
#TARGET140+
Details : https://bit.ly/3R9XTuc
🔥🔥Fish-eating Crocodile or Gharial
● Freshwaters of the northern part of India.
● Primary Habitat: National Chambal Sanctuary, Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, Son River Sanctuary
● The population of Gharials is a good indicator of clean river water.
🔺The gharial reintroduction in the Beas Conservation Reserve is ambitious project of Panjab Gov.
🔺 Gharial were found Beas River till the 1960s but later became extinct.
🔺 Male gharials can grow up to 6.5 m, while females are smaller.
🔺Conservation Status:
● IUCN Status: CR
● Wildlife Protection Act Status: Schedule I
● CITES Appendix I
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Target 140+ Advanced 2024 Batch 5 - https://bit.ly/3TBKGw6
● Freshwaters of the northern part of India.
● Primary Habitat: National Chambal Sanctuary, Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, Son River Sanctuary
● The population of Gharials is a good indicator of clean river water.
🔺The gharial reintroduction in the Beas Conservation Reserve is ambitious project of Panjab Gov.
🔺 Gharial were found Beas River till the 1960s but later became extinct.
🔺 Male gharials can grow up to 6.5 m, while females are smaller.
🔺Conservation Status:
● IUCN Status: CR
● Wildlife Protection Act Status: Schedule I
● CITES Appendix I
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Target 140+ Advanced 2024 Batch 5 - https://bit.ly/3TBKGw6
➕COPRA
🔺 Copra refers to the dried coconut kernels from which coconut oil is expelled.
🔺 The decision is based on recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
🔺 As of now, CACP recommends MSPs of 23 commodities, which comprise 7 cereals, 5 pulses, 7 oilseeds and 4 commercial crops (copra, sugarcane, cotton and raw jute).
🔺 Major coconut growing states in India are Kerala,Tamilnadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
🔺 The oil extracted from copra is rich in lauric acid, making it an important commodity in the preparation of lauryl alcohol, soaps, fatty acids, cosmetics, etc.
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#TARGET140+
https://targetupsc.in/courses/detail/252
🔺 Copra refers to the dried coconut kernels from which coconut oil is expelled.
🔺 The decision is based on recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
🔺 As of now, CACP recommends MSPs of 23 commodities, which comprise 7 cereals, 5 pulses, 7 oilseeds and 4 commercial crops (copra, sugarcane, cotton and raw jute).
🔺 Major coconut growing states in India are Kerala,Tamilnadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
🔺 The oil extracted from copra is rich in lauric acid, making it an important commodity in the preparation of lauryl alcohol, soaps, fatty acids, cosmetics, etc.
#inNEWS
#TARGET140+
https://targetupsc.in/courses/detail/252
➕ Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)
🔺 FIU sent a notice to cryptocurrency exchange Binance for “operating illegally” in India through an offshore entity.
🔺 Financial Intelligence Unit – India (FIU-IND) is an organisation under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.
🔺 It collects financial intelligence about offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
🔺 It was set up in 2004 and reports directly to the Economic Intelligence Council (EIC) headed by the Finance Minister.
🔺 Mandate: Central national agency responsible for receiving, processing, analyzing, and disseminating information related to suspect financial transactions.
#inNEWS
#TARGET140+
https://targetupsc.in/courses/detail/252
🔺 FIU sent a notice to cryptocurrency exchange Binance for “operating illegally” in India through an offshore entity.
🔺 Financial Intelligence Unit – India (FIU-IND) is an organisation under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.
🔺 It collects financial intelligence about offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
🔺 It was set up in 2004 and reports directly to the Economic Intelligence Council (EIC) headed by the Finance Minister.
🔺 Mandate: Central national agency responsible for receiving, processing, analyzing, and disseminating information related to suspect financial transactions.
#inNEWS
#TARGET140+
https://targetupsc.in/courses/detail/252
🔥 Mars solar conjunction
● Every two years, Mars is obscured from the earth’s view for approximately two weeks as it hides behind the sun.
● This phenomenon, called Mars solar conjunction, occurs when the Mars is within two degrees of the sun in the sky as it makes a close approach to the star.
● During solar conjunction, Mars becomes unobservable from the earth due to the strong glare of the sun.
● Since the earth and Mars orbit the sun at different speeds, the phenomenon occurs roughly once every 25 months.
● NASA is pausing communication because Sun expels hot, ionised gas from its corona and there is a chance that could corrupt radio signals sent from Earth to Mars.
● This could affect the Robotic missions on Mars — Perseverance and Curiosity.
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#TARGET140+
● Every two years, Mars is obscured from the earth’s view for approximately two weeks as it hides behind the sun.
● This phenomenon, called Mars solar conjunction, occurs when the Mars is within two degrees of the sun in the sky as it makes a close approach to the star.
● During solar conjunction, Mars becomes unobservable from the earth due to the strong glare of the sun.
● Since the earth and Mars orbit the sun at different speeds, the phenomenon occurs roughly once every 25 months.
● NASA is pausing communication because Sun expels hot, ionised gas from its corona and there is a chance that could corrupt radio signals sent from Earth to Mars.
● This could affect the Robotic missions on Mars — Perseverance and Curiosity.
#inNEWS
#TARGET140+
🔥 Amplifi 2.0 Portal
● The Amplifi 2.0 (Assessment and Monitoring Platform for Liveable, Inclusive and Future-ready urban India) portal is launched by The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
● It is making raw data from Indian cities available on a single platform for academics, researchers, and stakeholders to help data-driven policymaking.
● The website provides data on a range of information for several cities, including, for example, the total diesel consumption;
The Urban Outcomes Framework 2022
● It has been developed for the Ministry by the National Institute of Urban Affairs and Ernst and Young.
● Data across 14 sectors is streamlined to increase focus on data collection, and disaggregated data can be analysed by domain experts.
● The 14 sectors are — demography, economy, education, energy, environment, finance, governance, health, housing, mobility, planning, safety and security, solid waste management, and water and sanitation.
#inNEWS
#TARGET140+
Details : https://bit.ly/3S43wKZ
● The Amplifi 2.0 (Assessment and Monitoring Platform for Liveable, Inclusive and Future-ready urban India) portal is launched by The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
● It is making raw data from Indian cities available on a single platform for academics, researchers, and stakeholders to help data-driven policymaking.
● The website provides data on a range of information for several cities, including, for example, the total diesel consumption;
The Urban Outcomes Framework 2022
● It has been developed for the Ministry by the National Institute of Urban Affairs and Ernst and Young.
● Data across 14 sectors is streamlined to increase focus on data collection, and disaggregated data can be analysed by domain experts.
● The 14 sectors are — demography, economy, education, energy, environment, finance, governance, health, housing, mobility, planning, safety and security, solid waste management, and water and sanitation.
#inNEWS
#TARGET140+
Details : https://bit.ly/3S43wKZ
✅eDNA
🔹Defination : refers to genetic material obtained directly from environmental samples (soil, water, air, etc.) without capturing the organisms.
-This DNA can come from skin cells, scales, feathers, feces, or any other biological material shed into the environment.
🔹Applications:
-Biodiversity Monitoring: eDNA is used to assess biodiversity in different habitats, especially aquatic environments.
-Species Detection: It helps in detecting the presence of specific species, including rare, endangered, or invasive species, in an ecosystem.
-Environmental Health Assessment: eDNA analysis can indicate the health and diversity of an ecosystem.
#inNEWS
#TARGET140+
Details : https://bit.ly/3S43wKZ
🔹Defination : refers to genetic material obtained directly from environmental samples (soil, water, air, etc.) without capturing the organisms.
-This DNA can come from skin cells, scales, feathers, feces, or any other biological material shed into the environment.
🔹Applications:
-Biodiversity Monitoring: eDNA is used to assess biodiversity in different habitats, especially aquatic environments.
-Species Detection: It helps in detecting the presence of specific species, including rare, endangered, or invasive species, in an ecosystem.
-Environmental Health Assessment: eDNA analysis can indicate the health and diversity of an ecosystem.
#inNEWS
#TARGET140+
Details : https://bit.ly/3S43wKZ