NATIONAL:
1. Mandatory blending of Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG)
Why in news: Centre announced mandatory blending of Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) in CNG (Transport) & PNG (Domestic) segments of City Gas Distribution (CGD) sector
Key points:
• Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas introduced phase-wise CBG Blending Obligation (CBO) to promote production and consumption of CBG.
• CBO is an obligation where mixtures of traditional and alternative fuels (like CBG) are blended in varying percentages in order to displace petroleum.
• It will encourage investment (around Rs. 37500 crores) and facilitate establishment of 750 CBG projects by 2028-29.
Value Addition:
• CBG is an energy-rich gas produced by anaerobic decomposition of biomass like agriculture residue, cattle dung, sugarcane press mud, municipal solid waste, among other.
• It comprises Methane (it consists 90%), carbon dioxide and low levels of Hydrogen sulphide and ammonia.
2. India EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC)
Why in news: Ahead of India EU TTC meeting, both have signed a MoU on semi-conductors that covers cooperation in areas such as research and innovation, talent development, partnerships and exchange of market information.
Key points:
• EU and India have set up TTC as a coordination platform to address key trade, trusted technology and security challenges.
• It acts as key forum to deepen the strategic partnership on trade and technology between two partners.
• It was launched in 2022 and first meet was held in May 2023.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. North Korea
Why in news: North Korea closed its embassy in Bangladesh
Key points:
• North Korea has closed down its embassy in Bangladesh, mentioning that Pyongyang would maintain relations with Dhaka through its embassy in New Delhi.
• The embassy in Dhaka is North Korea's sixth diplomatic mission to close since late October following those in Spain, Hong Kong, Uganda, Angola and Nepal.
• It is mentionable that Bangladesh does not have its embassy in North Korea and maintains its relations with North Korea through its embassy in China.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY:
1. Coronal Mass Ejections
Why in news: Amid a surge in sunspots, NASA warned of multiple coronal mass ejections (CMEs)
Key points:
• CMEs are large expulsions of plasma and magnetic fields from the Sun’s corona (the outermost part of the Sun’s atmosphere).
• They usually take place around sunspot groups and are often accompanied by a solar flare and solar wind.
• Sunspots are dark spots on the Sun's surface where the magnetic field is strong.
• They can eject billions of tons of coronal material and carry an embedded magnetic field (frozen influx).
• Impact of CME: Aurora formation, radio blackouts, satellite damage, navigation system errors, exposure to high doses of radiation by Astronauts.
ECONOMY:
1. NABARD Report
Why in news: Pulses, oil seeds, fruit output to lag demand till at least 2030-31: NABARD report
Key points:
• NABARD in collaboration with Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations published 'Prospects of India’s Demand and Supply for Agricultural Commodities Towards 2030' report.
Major Highlights:
• With income growth and changing lifestyle, food consumption pattern has been diversifying towards high-valued horticulture and livestock products.
• Commodities like oilseed, pulses and fruits are expected to experience a deficit in food balance sheet in the coming years.
• National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) scheme may increase oil palm production.
2. India’s Economic Growth at 6.4 per cent for Fiscal Year 2024-25
Why in news: Standard and Poors Global predicts India’s economic growth at 6.4 per cent for fiscal year 2024-25
Key points:
• According to Standard & Poors (S&P) Global, India’s economic growth is likely to rise at 6.4 percent for fiscal year 2024-25.
• This projection is in line with many agencies, though lower than the government and RBI projection of 6.5 percent.
3. Open-air Annual Trade Fair Bali Jatra
Why in news: Asia’s largest open-air annual trade fair Bali Jatra inaugurated on banks of Mahanadi River in Cuttack
Key points:
• This year the festival started on the occasion of Kartika Purnima and will continue till December 4 next month.
• Cultural troupes from across Odisha and other states will perform.
DEFENCE:
1. National Cadet Corps (NCC)
Why in news: NCC celebrated its 75th Anniversary on November 26.
Key points:
• NCC (HQ: New Delhi) is a voluntary organization which recruits cadets from high schools, colleges and Universities all over India.
• It is largest uniformed youth organisation in world formed with NCC Act of 1948.
• Aim: To develop qualities of character, courage, secular outlook, ideals of selfless service etc. among the youth
• Ministry: Ministry of Defence.
• Motto of NCC: Unity and Discipline.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Barda Wildlife Sanctuary
Why in news: Project Lion proposes Barda Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat as second home for Asiatic lions
Key points:
• A report on “Lion@2047: A vision for Amrutkal” , prepared by the Wildlife Institute of India for Gujarat government, has identified Barda as a potential site where a population of 40 adult and sub-adult lions can be accommodated.
• Barda, established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1979, has since been projected as an alternative second home for the lions in Gujarat.
SPORTS:
1. IBSF 6-Red Snooker World Championship Title
Why in news: Vidya Pillai clinched the World 6 Red Women Championships title at Doha
Key points:
• In the World 6 Red Women Snooker Championships, Vidya Pillai secured Gold to clinch the title of World Champion.
• In the final, she defeated compatriot Anupama Ramachandran by 4-1 frames, who settled for Silver.
• Notably, in 2017, she made history as the first Indian woman to reach the finals of the WLBSA World Women’s Snooker Championship.
POINTERS:
• People in which state celebrated Boita Bandana, a boat festival marking the maritime glory of the region-Odisha
• The Indian Army is set to issue a tender for the acquisition of how many new mounted howitzers equipped with 105 mm guns-200 howitzers
• According to recent analysis, which country is responsible for nearly twice as much global heating as previously estimated-UK
• Which edition of European Union Film Festival (EUFF) is set to be held in New Delhi from December 1 to 10-28th
• The upcoming Bharat Tex exhibition scheduled for February is poised to be a comprehensive display of the entire textile value chain, will be held in which city-Delhi
• Which country confirmed its first human case of the swine flu strain, influenza A(H1N2)v-UK
• A new species of dinosaur has been identified in which country--Brazil
• Which ministry is set to unveil the “Guide on Gender-Inclusive Communication” on November 28, 2023-Union Minister for Women and Child Development and Minority Affairs
• The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has awarded two toll, operate, and transfer (TOT) bundles, namely 11 and 12, covering a total length of 400 km for what amount-Rs 6,584 crore.
• What is the theme of ‘Vigilance Awareness Week 2023-Say no to corruption, commit to the Nation.
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