1. Naegleria fowleri: Rare Amoeba Claims Life of Five-Year-Old in Kerala, Highlighting Dangers of Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) Topic: Important topic for Prelims Context: A five-year-old girl in Kozhikode, Kerala, succumbed to Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) caused by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba. This rare infection occurs when contaminated water is inhaled through the nose, leading…
1. Ireland, Norway, and Spain set to formally recognise the statehood of Palestine Topic: GS2 – International Relations Context ● Ireland, Norway, and Spain announced their formal recognition of Palestine amid escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas, following a deadly Hamas attack and Israeli retaliations. ● This move aligns with a recent UN vote supporting…
1. Joint culture in the armed forces is way forward: CDS Topic: GS2 – Governance Context ● Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan outlined the importance of jointness and integration for creating Integrated Theatre Commands (ITC), aimed at enhancing military readiness. ● Speaking at a memorial lecture, he emphasised advancing to “Jointness 2.0” for…
1. Helicopter crash kills Iran President Raisi, Foreign Minister Abdollahian Topic: GS2 – International Relations Context ● Iran mourns the loss of President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a helicopter crash. ● Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei declares mourning and appoints an interim leader, with elections due in 50 days. Analysis of the…
1. With food scarce, lion-tailed macaques leave forest canopies for the urban jungle Topic: GS3 – Environment – Conservation – Important Species Context ● The presence of lion-tailed macaques, a species endemic to the Western Ghats, face challenges for existence due to habitat degradation and urbanisation. ● Increased interaction with humans and improper waste management…
1. Kudumbashree example of Kerala’s social progress: CM Topic: GS2 – Governance GS2 – Social Justice Context ● On the 26th anniversary of the Kudumbashree Mission, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan praised it as a model of women empowerment. ● He highlighted mission’s evolution from local women’s enterprises to providing legal help, loans, and participating…
1. Kerala sounds warning on West Nile Virus; neighbouring States on guard Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Health Context ● Kerala is facing an early outbreak of vector-borne diseases, including West Nile Fever (WNF), with cases reported even before the monsoon. ● The Health Department has confirmed 10 WNF cases and 2 suspected deaths,…
1. April trade gap hits $19 bn as imports outpace exports Topic: GS3 – Indian Economy – Effects of liberalization on the economy. Context ● India’s merchandise trade for April 2024-25 saw a 1.07% rise in exports to $35 billion but a significant 10.3% jump in imports to $54.1 billion, widening the trade deficit to…
1. New Chabahar pact ‘not exempt’ from Iran sanctions: U.S. (Source – The Hindu, Delhi Edition – Page No. – 1) Topic: GS2 – International Relations Context ● The U.S. State Department expressed concerns over India and Iran’s new 10-year agreement to develop the Chabahar port, warning of potential sanctions risks. ● India’s plans to…
1. India and Iran Strengthen Maritime Ties with 10-Year Contract for Chabahar Port Operation (Source: Indian Express; Section: Explained; Page: 13) Topic: GS2 – International Relations – Bilateral Relations Context: India and Iran recently signed a 10-year contract for the operation of a terminal at the strategically important Chabahar port in Iran. Chabahar, situated in Iran’s…