Daily Current Affairs

To The Point Notes

CZA approval: Central Zoo Authority approves cheetah conservation breeding centre in Gujarat’s Banni grasslands.
Banni grasslands: Selected from 10 potential sites in 2009 for cheetah reintroduction.
Habitat: Savannah-like, similar to East Africa, with Pilu trees for perching.
Historical presence: Cheetahs existed in Saurashtra and Dahod till 1921, references till early 1940s.
Focus: Breeding and development of cheetahs, not tourism.
Support: Forest department improves 14,000 hectares of grasslands, chinkara breeding program for prey base.

Severe flooding: Leads to proposal of relocating capital city Monrovia.
Global warming: Driving sea level rise due to melting glaciers and ice sheets, and thermal expansion.
Liberia: Located on west coast of Africa, north of equator.
Borders: Guinea, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, Atlantic Ocean.
Resources: Iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold.
Geographical features: Highest point Mount Wuteve, rivers – Mano, Cavalla, Lofa, St. Paul, St. John, Cestos River.

India’s passport ranks 82nd, visa-free entry to 58 countries.
Henley Passport Index: Ranks world’s passports based on visa-free access.
Annual list by Henley & Partners, London-based firm.
Based on International Air Transport Association (IATA) data.
Covers 227 destinations and 199 passports.
Singapore at top with visa-free entry to 195 countries.
Japan, Spain, France, Germany, Italy at second with visa-free access to 192 destinations.
Afghanistan’s passport weakest, 103rd rank, visa-free entry to 26 countries.

DRDO successfully flight-tested Phase-II BMD system.
India’s BMD program in two phases, first completed, second underway.
Demonstrates capability to defend against 5000 km class ballistic missiles.
Phase-II AD Endo-atmospheric missile: Two-stage, solid-propelled, ground-launched missile for endo- to low exo-atmospheric threats.
2022: DRDO successfully tested long-range interceptor missile AD-1 for exo-atmospheric and endo-atmospheric interception.
Integrated systems for multi-layered defence against ballistic missiles.

Finance Minister removes indexation on property sales in Budget 2024.
LTCG tax on property and gold reduced from 20% to 12.5%.
Properties purchased before April 1, 2001, continue to enjoy indexation.
Indexation adjusts purchase price for inflation, reducing taxable capital gain.
Without indexation, taxes based on original purchase price, leading to higher taxable capital gain.
Higher taxable amount despite lower LTCG rate, potentially resulting in increased taxes.

Originated in Kerala, India, exact origin uncertain.
Mythologically linked to Lord Parasurama, historically dated between 200 BCE and 600 CE.
Initially used for hunting, evolved into structured combat system for self-defense and warfare.
One of the oldest and most scientific martial arts globally.
Physical feats like chattom, ottam, marichil included in training.
Weapons training: swords, daggers, spears, maces, bows and arrows.
Cultural significance: Kalaris (training grounds) for martial training and religious worship.
Focus on indigenous medicinal practices.