Current Affairs Exam

Blue Washing

April 12, 2025April 12, 2025 by rawan239

“Blue Washing” Defined: Portraying polluting industries as environmentally friendly through reclassification under less polluting categories.
CPCB’s New “Blue Category”: A new category under Essential Environmental Services (EES), including composting, biogas, sewage treatment, and material recovery facilities.
WTE Incineration Reclassification: Waste-to-Energy (WTE) incineration, previously in the “Red Category” (PI of 97.6), has been moved to the “Blue Category”.
WTE Incineration Process: Burning mixed municipal solid waste (MSW) to generate heat and electricity, similar to coal plants but with higher CO₂ emissions.
Pollution Index (PI): Introduced by MoEFCC to categorize industries based on pollution levels (air, water, hazardous waste, resource consumption). Ranges from 0 (least polluting – White) to 100 (most polluting – Red).
CPCB Consent Validity: The new categorisation grants WTE incineration plants an additional two years of validity for consent to operate (permission to pollute).
Why this is “Blue Washing”: Reclassifying highly polluting WTE incineration plants as “Blue” falsely presents them as environmentally benign, enabling them to operate longer without
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stringent pollution controls.
Implications: Undermines efforts to accurately assess and manage pollution from WTE incineration, hindering genuine progress towards environmental sustainability.
Contradicts Categorisation Rationale:The Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) introduced the concept of categorisation of industries for facilitating decisions related to the location of the industries, formulation of norms for inspection and surveillance, pollution caused and health impacts.

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BM-04

April 12, 2025April 12, 2025 by rawan239

Unveiling: India unveiled the BM-04 missile at the Vigyan Vaibhav 2025 defense exhibition in Hyderabad.
Type: It’s a next-generation short-range ballistic missile (SRBM), indicating India’s focus on conventional counterforce capabilities.
Developer: Developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Size & Weight: 10.2 meters long, 1.2 meters in diameter, and weighs 11,500 kg.
Range: Can strike targets up to 1,500 km with a 500 kg conventional warhead.
Accuracy: Features a 30-meter circular error probability (CEP).
Mobility: Deployed using a six-wheel indigenous transport erector

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launcher (TEL).
Canisterized: Like other Indian missiles, it’s canisterized for rapid deployment, reducing launch time.
Hypersonic Glide Body: Incorporates a Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB) for maneuverability and evading missile defenses. This unpredictable flight path enhances survivability.
Upgradability: Designed to be regularly upgraded with new warheads, sensors, and propulsion systems.

Glowing Shallows

April 12, 2025April 12, 2025 by rawan239

Bioluminescent backwaters observed in Kochi, Kerala, attract tourists but raise ecological concerns. The phenomenon, locally known as “Kavaru,” is a glowing effect caused by bioluminescent organisms.
Bioluminescence is caused by dinoflagellates (Noctiluca scintillans) that emit light when disturbed. This is due to chemical reactions in structures called scintillons. The glow is usually blue, but may appear red or brown.
Eutrophication, driven
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by nutrient overload from industrial runoff and sewage discharge, is a major factor. High salinity, rising temperatures, and reduced rainfall also contribute.
High concentrations of these organisms can lead to harmful algal blooms (HABs) and red tides. This disrupts marine ecosystems, leading to hypoxia (oxygen depletion) and fish mortality.
HABs release toxins that affect marine and human health. This includes amnesic shellfish poisoning (domoic acid) and paralytic shellfish poisoning (Alexandrium).
Fishing communities suffer as fish migrate away from bloom-affected areas. Reduced catches and diminished income result.
Kerala’s Alleppey and Tamil Nadu’s Pitchavaram mangroves are prime examples of bioluminescent backwaters in India. Such phenomena
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have been observed along other beaches and islands in India.
Ecological imbalances are a key issue, requiring monitoring and preventive measures. International and national bodies are involved in monitoring and mitigating HABs.
Regulating coastal runoff, managing waste, promoting sustainable aquaculture, and restoring mangroves are key mitigation strategies. Citizen science and community engagement are crucial.

Legionnaires’ Disease

April 12, 2025April 12, 2025 by rawan239

Outbreak in Sydney, NSW: Health authorities issued a public alert due to a spike in Legionnaires’ disease cases. This is newsworthy due to the potential health risk to the public.
Source Suspected: Contaminated Air Conditioning: The surge in cases raises concerns about potentially contaminated air conditioning systems. The source remains speculative, but this raises awareness on such incidents.
Legionnaires’ Disease Basics: It’s a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, often found in freshwater and man-made water systems.
Symptoms: Symptoms include cough, fever, headaches, muscle aches, and shortness of breath; sometimes confusion, diarrhea, or nausea.
Transmission: Primarily through inhalation of contaminated aerosols from water systems. Importantly, it’s not contagious.
Treatment: Antibiotics are required. No vaccine is currently available.
Prevention: Regular cleaning and disinfection of water
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systems (cooling towers, hot tubs) are crucial.
Key Facts: Legionella is usually treatable, but severe cases can have lasting effects.

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Giant Indian Squirrel

April 12, 2025April 12, 2025 by rawan239

Rare Sighting: The Indian giant flying squirrel was recently spotted in Ranikhet, Uttarakhand, marking the first recorded sighting in that region.
Local Significance: Locals consider the squirrel’s appearance a positive omen.
Photographic Evidence: Nature photographer Kamal Goswami captured an image of the squirrel, confirming its
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presence.
Rescue and Release: Forest department officials rescued the squirrel after being alerted and released it back into the wild.
Distinct Species: Despite resembling a regular squirrel, the Indian giant flying squirrel is a distinct species.
Physical Characteristics: The squirrel is one of the largest flying squirrels with body length 30–45 cm and tail up to 60 cm, has a rufous coat, grey underparts, and a membrane for gliding.
Habitat and Distribution: Typically found in tropical and subtropical forests across central and southern India, it is now confirmed in Ranikhet.
Nocturnal Behaviour: The squirrel is nocturnal and arboreal, gliding between trees to find food, and can cover distances up to 60 meters.
Diet: It primarily feeds on fruits, nuts, leaves, and bark, aiding in seed dispersal.
Ecological Role: The species plays a significant role in maintaining forest ecosystems.
Legal Protection: Listed in Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Conservation Status: Globally listed as “Least Concern”
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by the IUCN, but considered “Near Threatened” in India due to habitat loss and degradation.

2025 Tariff War

April 12, 2025April 12, 2025 by rawan239

US-China Tariff Escalation: China retaliated to US tariff hikes by raising tariffs on US goods to 125%. The US had earlier imposed 145% tariffs on Chinese goods.
Global Recession Fears: The tariff escalation has raised concerns about a
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global recession. Investors fear reduced demand and economic slowdown.
Commodity Market Impact: Cocoa, coffee, and sugar prices recovered but were still heading for weekly falls amid demand concerns due to the trade war.
Dollar Weakness: The dollar fell broadly due to concerns about US tariffs, reaching a decade-low against the Swiss franc.
Trade Diversion: Customs authorities are on alert for potential dumping and rerouting of goods through India due to high US tariffs on China.
India’s Response: India is fast-tracking trade deals with the EU and UK to mitigate supply chain shocks and aims to attract supply chains exiting China. The US suspended additional tariffs on India for 90 days until July 9th, leading to a surge in the Sensex and Nifty.
Global Concerns: The IMF highlighted uncertainty for Sri Lanka due to Trump’s tariffs. French PM urged EU members to stick together amid trade tensions.
China’s Response: Xi Jinping called for China and the EU to resist “unilateral bullying” (referring to US tariffs). China’s yuan rebounded from 2007 lows, but slides against trading partners
Impact on Companies: TCS warned that US tariff chaos is hurting client sentiment.
Thailand Corn: Thailand will cut tariffs on imports of corn from the United States
Eu Talks: EU trade chief Sefcovic to go to Washington for talks on Monday

Taiwan Strait

April 12, 2025April 12, 2025 by rawan239

China Launches Military Drills: China has initiated aggressive military exercises in the Taiwan Strait.
Strategic Location: The Taiwan Strait separates mainland China and Taiwan.
Geopolitical Sensitivity: The strait is a major point
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of tension between China and Taiwan.
Vital Trade Route: Nearly 40% of global container ships pass through the Taiwan Strait annually,
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making it critical for international trade.
Historical Flashpoints: The strait has been a site of military and political conflict, including the Taiwan Strait Crises of 1954-55 and 1958. These crises involved artillery bombardments and U.S. intervention.
De Facto Boundary: Since 1949, it has served as a de facto boundary between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Taiwan.
Depth: The Taiwan Strait has an average depth of about 70 meters (230 feet).

Retired Hurricane Names 2024

April 12, 2025April 12, 2025 by rawan239

Four Hurricane Names Retired: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) retired the names Beryl, Helene, Milton, and John from its Atlantic and East Pacific storm lists.
- Why: These names are retired due to the significant devastation and trauma caused by the hurricanes in 2024, making their reuse insensitive.
Specific Storm Impacts:
- Beryl: Became the earliest Category-5 hurricane on record, impacting the Caribbean.
- Helene and Milton: Caused catastrophic damage in the United States.
- John: Resulted in deadly flooding in Mexico.
Replacement Names: The WMO has selected Brianna, Holly, and Miguel as replacements in the Atlantic, and Jake in the eastern Pacific.
Name Reuse Policy: Typically, storm names are reused
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every six years unless retired due to their severe impact.
India’s Cyclone Naming System: India employs a one-time naming system for cyclones in
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the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea, never reusing names.
Regional Coordination: The India Meteorological Department collaborates with a regional body of 13 countries to name cyclones, including India and neighboring countries like Bangladesh, Maldives, etc.

Indian President Honored

April 12, 2025April 12, 2025 by rawan239

City Key of Honour Award: The President of India received the ‘City Key of Honour’ from Lisbon, Portugal. It’s Lisbon’s highest honor, recognizing contributions to society and ties with Portugal.
Symbolic Gesture: Acknowledges the strong and friendly relations between India and Portugal.
50th Anniversary: 2025 marks 50 years of India-Portugal diplomatic relations.
Areas of Cooperation: India and Portugal can further cooperate in areas such as technological change, innovation, digital public infrastructure and digital transition.
Historical Ties: The President highlighted the cultural ties between the
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two nations, reflected in shared architecture, historical sites, languages, and cuisines.
Growing Partnership: Noted the steady growth in cooperation across various fields,
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including science, technology, defense, IT, startups, research, and education.
Portugal’s Role: Appreciated Portugal’s role in promoting India’s relations with the European Union, referencing the first India-EU Summit held during Portugal’s EU Presidency in 2000.
Knowledge-Based Economy: India views Portugal as a partner in leveraging its strengths as a knowledge-based economy, particularly in science, technology, and digital infrastructure.
Bilateral Trade: The bilateral trade between the two countries stands at USD 1.5 billion, reflecting a 50% increase since 2020.
Diaspora Connection: A significant Indian diaspora of around 1.25 lakh people resides in Portugal.

Agasthyamalai Reserve

April 12, 2025April 12, 2025 by rawan239

Supreme Court Order: Directs the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to conduct a detailed survey of the Agasthyamalai landscape.
Survey Aim: To identify non-forestry activities and encroachments violating the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, and the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Also, to compare forest cover data to assess degradation.
Key Areas: Survey to include Periyar Tiger Reserve, Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary, Meghamalai and Thirunelveli Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Agasthyamalai Importance: A UNESCO-recognized 3,500 sq. km biosphere reserve spanning Tamil Nadu and Kerala, part of the Western Ghats. Home to unique flora and fauna like Neelakurinji,

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Lion-Tailed Macaque and indigenous communities like the Kani tribe.
Restoration Focus: Survey is an interim measure to restore the forests, protect tiger habitats, wildlife reserves and sanctuaries within the biosphere.
Data Requirements: The CEC report must contain comparative data showing changes in forest cover to gauge the extent of depletion.
Forest Depletion Impact: The court acknowledges forest destruction contributes to climate change.
State Commitment: Tamil Nadu assures commitment to remove encroachments and restore the landscape.
Background: The judgment arose from petitions to preserve forests, wildlife sanctuaries, and tiger reserves in Tamil Nadu, including the rehabilitation of workers evicted from a tea estate.