Daily Current Affairs
To The Point Notes
1.Cheetah Conservation Breeding Centre, Gujarat
- 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.
2.Liberia Might Relocate its Capital City Monrovia
- 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.
3.Henley Passport Index- 2024
- 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.
4.Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) System
- 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.
5.End of Indexation Benefit on Property Sale
- 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.
6.Kalaripayattu
- 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.