- U.S PRESIDENT VOWS TO TAKE OVER AND DEVELOP GAZA STRIP AFTER RESETTLING PALESTINIANS
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL
- Trump’s Proposal: U.S. to take control of Gaza after relocating Palestinians, promising economic development.
- International Rejection: Countries like China, Germany, Russia, and Saudi Arabia oppose the plan.
- Turkey condemns forced deportations.
- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas calls it a violation of international law.
- Challenges & Controversies:
- Violates international law & Palestinian sovereignty.
- Risks further Middle East instability.
- No clear plan for Palestinian resettlement.
2. SIX STATES RESOLVE AGAINST UGC’S NEW DRAFT REGULATION
SUBJECT: NATIONAL
- Opposition: Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, TN, HP, and Jharkhand reject UGC regulations for compromising state autonomy.
- Concerns: NEP 2020 grading system affects state universities.
- Perceived ideological influence of the central government.
- UGC’s Defense: Claims academic excellence and transparency.
- State-Centre dialogue for a balanced framework.
- Protect higher education autonomy while maintaining national standards
3. AN ASTEROID MIGHT HIT EARTH. HOW WORRIED SHOULD WE BE?
SUBJECT: GEOGRAPHY
- Historical Comparisons
- Tunguska Event (1908, Siberia): 30-50masteroid/comet exploded mid-air.
- Flattened 80 million treesacross2,000 sq. km.
- Dinosaur Extinction (66 million years ago): 9 km asteroid impact triggered a global winter, wiping out75% of species.
- Expected Impact
- Airburst Explosion: Similar to Tunguska, would explode in the sky rather than create a crater.
- Energy Release:500 timesthe power of the Hiroshima bomb.
- Urban Impact: Direct hit over a city (e.g.,Paris, London, New York) would wipe out the entire city.
- Ocean Impact: Could trigger tsunamis if near coastlines.
- Scientific Response & Preparedness
- NASA & International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN) monitoring closely.
- Comparative case: Apophis (2004)initially projected a2.7% chance of impact in 2029, later ruled out.
- Experts predict new calculations will likely reduce impact probability to zero in the coming years
4. WHAT IS THE SC DIRECTIVE ON SACRED GROVES?
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENT
- Rajasthan Forest Department to classify sacred groves as forests under WLPA 1972.
- Shifts control from communities to Forest Department, conflicting with FRA 2006.
- Definition of Forest Land & Impact
- T.N. Godavarman Case (1996): Expanded “forest” definition beyond legal classification.
- Rajasthan’s ‘Orans’ (Sacred Groves):
- 25,000 hectares, crucial for biodiversity, water recharge, religious & cultural traditions.
- SC’s order overrides traditional conservation practices, affecting local governance & biodiversity.
- Traditional Role of Community Reserves
- Self-regulated by local communities.
- Linked to temples, shrines & water systems.
- Biodiversity hotspots: Help in species conservation & ecosystem balance.
- Concerns Over Forest Department’s Control
- May restrict local access & traditional practices.
- Limited community involvement→ bureaucratic hurdles in conservation efforts.
5. ARMY’S FORT WILLIAM IN KOLKATA SET TO BE KNOWN AS VIJAY DURG
SUBJECT: STATES
- Elimination of Colonial Vestiges in Indian Armed Forces: Renaming of Fort William
- Fort William in Kolkata, HQ of Eastern Army Command, renamed Vijay Durg
- Kitchener House renamed Manekshaw House.
- St. George’s Gate renamed Shivaji Gate.
- Internal communications using the new names have commenced, official announcement pending.
- Vijay Durg is named after the Maratha naval base under Chhatrapati Shivaji.
- This renaming is part of a larger initiative to remove colonial vestiges and “Indianise” military traditions.
- Prime Minister Modi has emphasized the need to shed legacy systems and practices in favor of indigenization
