The coastal town of Malibu in California, USA was recently in the news due to wildfire. The so-called Franklin Fire has charred more than 4,000 acres and affected about 22,000 people. Although the cause of the fire is yet to Read More …
Category: UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS
Legendary tabla maestro Zakir Hussain dies at 73
Legendary tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain (1951–2024), a four-time Grammy Award winner and recipient of India’s Padma Vibhushan, passed away in San Francisco, USA, on December 15, 2024, at the age of 73. Career Highlights and Achievements: Indian Honors: India Read More …
Arctic Tundra: Emitting more carbon than it absorbs
According to the ‘Arctic Report Card’ by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA), Arctic tundra, which has stored carbon for thousands of years, has now become a source of planet-warming pollution. Key Findings Features of Tundra
Credit Guarantee Scheme for e-NWR-Based Pledge Financing
The Union Government on December 16 launched the ‘Credit Guarantee Scheme for e-NWR-Based Pledge Financing.’ Under this scheme, farmers will now be able to get a loan through their produce. Key features of scheme This scheme provides a corpus of Read More …
The Crossroads of Peace initiative
The second India-Iran-Armenia trilateral consultation was held in December 2024 in in New Delhi. The three sides discussed a wide range of matters, including connectivity initiatives, engagement in multilateral fora, and regional developments. The last trilateral consultation between the three Read More …
Kerch Strait
According to media reports, two Russian oil tankers were badly damaged in the Black Sea during a heavy storm, causing an oil spill in December 2024. The incident took place in the Kerch Strait, which separates Russia from Crimea – Read More …
UK becomes 12th member of CPTPP
The United Kingdom (UK) became the 12th member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on 15 December 2024. UK’s Entry into the CPTPP Overview of the CPTPP Origins:
Gympie-Gympie-‘World’s most poisonous plant’
The Gympie-Gympie plant (Dendrocnide moroides), often regarded as the world’s most poisonous plant, is notorious for its excruciating sting caused by hair-like needles filled with neurotoxins. About Gympie-Gympie Appearance and Characteristics Toxicity and Effects Precautions and Dangers
Cyclone Chido & Mayotte
Storm Details: Cyclone Chido, a Category 4 storm, caused unprecedented devastation in Mayotte before making landfall in Mozambique’s Pemba region on December 15, 2024. Casualties and Destruction: Authorities fear a death toll reaching hundreds, potentially thousands. The destruction has crippled Read More …
India’s first diabetes biobank set up in Chennai
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in partnership with the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) has established India’s first diabetes biobank in Chennai.
SBI chief to head panel to recommend fresh list of accounts for NARCL
The Department of Financial Services (DFS) has set up a committee under SBI Chairman C.S. Setty to address the hurdles faced by the National Asset Reconstruction Company Limited (NARCL), commonly known as the Bad Bank. About NARCL (Bad Bank): NARCL came Read More …
Jalvahak Scheme
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal unveiled a major policy for cargo promotion – ‘Jalvahak’ – incentivising movement of long haul cargo via National Waterways (NW) on rivers Ganga, Brahmaputra and Barak. Jalvahak scheme incentivises long-haul cargo Read More …
Jesus Christ’s “Crown of Thorns” returned to Notre Dame
An ancient relic that many Christians revere as Jesus Christ’s “Crown of Thorns” returned to Notre Dame, five years after it was saved from the flames of the cathedral’s devastating 2019 fire. The crown — a circular band of branches Read More …
Exercise Desert Knight 2024
India, France, and the UAE conducted a major air combat exercise, “Desert Knight,” in December 2024 over the Arabian Sea. Key Highlights
Switzerland suspends ‘most favoured nation’ status to India
Switzerland has announced the suspension of the Most Favored Nation (MFN) clause in its Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with India, effective January 1, 2025. This decision will increase the withholding tax rate on dividends paid to Indian tax residents Read More …