UNSC
News – U.S. sides with Russia at UNSC
- UNSC – United Nations Security Council
- UNSC is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations
- Responsible for – Maintaining international peace and security
- Establishment – 1945
- Headquarters: New York City, USA.
- Membership
- Permanent Members (P5) – 5 members
- China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States
- They have Veto Powers
- Non-Permanent Members –
- 10 members with 2 years term
INTERNET SHUTDOWNS
News – Internet shutdowns highest in 2024 globally, India tops in government-ordered curbs
- About – The deliberate interruption of internet services, rendering them inaccessible or unusable for a specific population or within a location.
- Legal Framework –
- Indian Telegraph Act, 1885
- Who can suspend – Union or state home secretary
- Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure
- Who can suspend – District Magistrate
- Impacts of Internet Shutdowns-
- Violation of Fundamental Rights
- Economic Loss
- SC Judgement – Right to internet is Fundamental right
- Manipur Shutdown – 143 days
BOOKER PRIZE
News – Banu Mushtaq on Booker Prize longlist
- It is – one of the most prestigious literary awards in the world
- Estb in – 1969
- Objective – To promote the best original novel written in the English language and published in the UK
- Awarded – Annually
- International Booker Prize: Awarded annually for a single book translated into English and published in the UK
- Prize Money – £50,000
- Booker Prize 2024: British author Samantha Harvey for her novel “Orbital,”
- International Booker Prize 2024: “Kairos” by Jenny Erpenbeck, translated by Michael Hofmann
POLITICAL CONSULTANCIES
News – How political consultancies are rewriting Indian elections
- About – Political consultancies are professional firms that provide strategic advice and services to political parties and candidates to help them achieve their electoral goals.
- Services Offered by them –
- Campaign management
- Public relations
- Media planning
- Data analytics
- Grassroots organizing
- Examples –
- Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) – Prashant Kishor
- Showtime Consulting – Anant Tiwari
IREDA
News – IREDA shareholders give nod to ₹5,000-crore fund-raise plan
- IREDA – Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency
- Motto: “Energy For Ever”
- Status: It is a Mini Ratna company
- Registered under – Companies Act, 1956
- Under – Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
- Type – specialized non-banking financial institution.
- Obj –
- Promoting Renewable Energy
- financial support to specific projects
- Recent Development – IREDA has achieved Maharatna Status
MAKHANA
News – Makhana will take over the world of superfoods in future, says Shivraj Chouhan
- Also known as – Foxnut or Lotus seed
- Scientific Name: Euryale ferox
- Native Regions: Southeast Asia and China
- Climatic Conditions –
- Grown in stagnant perennial water bodies – ponds
- Temp – 20°C to 35°C
- Relative humidity – 50% to 90%
- Annual rainfall – 100 cm to 250 cm
- Soil – loamy soil
- Major Producing States: Bihar, West Bengal, Manipur
- Bihar accounts for more than 80%
- Makhana Board – To be Established in Bihar
MCQs-
1. Who is NOT a P5 (permanent 5) member of UNSC?
A. Russia
B. France
C. USA
D. India
2. Headquarter of UNSC is located at?
A. Paris
B. Geneva, Switzerland
C. Rome
D. New York
3. “Booker Prize” is related to?
A. Innovation in AI
B. For best Books in English
C. Discovery of New Vaccine
D. Bravery in War
4. What is the “motto” of IREDA?
A. We want Energy
B. Save Energy For Future
C. Energy For Ever
D. Per House More Light
5. Which state is the largest producer of Makhana?
A. Andhra Pradesh
B. Bihar
C. Rajasthan
D. Jammu and Kashmir