The 42nd anniversary of Operation Bluestar was observed with pro-Khalistan slogans raised inside the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. Sikh hardline groups, including Dal Khalsa and Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), called for an 'Amritsar shutdown' to mark the occasion. Activists advocated for a separate Sikh homeland, with some displaying photographs of slain separatist leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Kuldip Singh Gargajj, the officiating Jathedar of the Akal Takht, expressed concern over the increasing targeting of Sikh identity and religious symbols globally, while emphasizing the community's contributions to humanity.
The 42nd anniversary of Operation Bluestar was marked by pro-Khalistan slogans at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
Sikh hardline groups, including Dal Khalsa, called for an 'Amritsar shutdown' to observe the occasion.
Activists advocated for a separate Sikh homeland and displayed images of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
Exam Points
The event marked the 42nd anniversary of Operation Bluestar.
Pro-Khalistan slogans were raised at the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar.
Kuldip Singh Gargajj is the officiating Jathedar of the Akal Takht.
A rapid bird survey conducted in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, Assam, has identified 30 species of raptors and six species of storks. The survey, carried out by a 10-member team in late February and early March, was released on World Environment Day (June 5). It recorded 217 individual raptors and 266 individual storks. Kaziranga's diverse wetlands and Himalayan foothills provide critical habitats for these birds. The park is also highlighted as a significant stronghold for the enigmatic Pallas's fish eagle, with 10 active nests recorded in a 2020 survey.
Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve in Assam recently completed a rapid bird survey.
The survey recorded 30 species of raptors and six species of storks.
Kaziranga's diverse habitats are crucial for these bird species, including the Pallas's fish eagle.
Exam Points
Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve is located in Assam.
The survey recorded 30 raptor species and 6 stork species.
The Himalayan griffon vulture (Gyps himalayensis) was the most common raptor.
The Supreme Court recently upheld the use of DNA tests in a paternity dispute, navigating the complex question of balancing a child's right to know parentage with an individual's right to privacy. While previous judgments cautioned against routine DNA tests, this ruling emphasized the child's desire for closure. The court referenced the 2017 Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India case, which established privacy as a fundamental right. It also cited the 2014 Nandlal Wasudeo Badwaik v. Lata Nandlal Badwaik case, affirming that scientific advancements should prevail over conclusive legal proof when in conflict, as exemplified by the N.D. Tiwari paternity case.
The Supreme Court ruled on balancing a child's right to know paternity against an individual's right to privacy.
The court upheld the use of DNA tests in a specific paternity dispute, moving beyond previous cautions against routine testing.
The ruling acknowledges the fundamental right to privacy established in the Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India case (2017).
Exam Points
Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017) established the right to privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21.
Nandlal Wasudeo Badwaik v. Lata Nandlal Badwaik (2014) held that scientific proof prevails over conclusive legal proof.
Section 112 of the Evidence Act, 1872 (now Section 116 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam), deals with the presumption of legitimacy.
SpaceX is preparing for a massive $75 billion IPO on Nasdaq (SPCX) at a $1.75-2 trillion valuation, primarily to fund its Orbital Data Centre (ODC) and AI unit expansion. The company faces scrutiny over its 'Frankenco' structure, where Starlink profits are used to offset xAI's heavy losses. Starlink also faces headwinds from new European regulations limiting its bandwidth and increased noise in radio bands. Analysts express skepticism about the valuation, citing the use of IPO proceeds for debt repayment and the controversial merger with cash-burning xAI as 'related-party transactions'. Concerns also exist regarding the feasibility of the proposed ODC and Terafab facility, particularly regarding thermal management and radiation hardening in space.
SpaceX is planning a massive IPO to raise $75 billion, targeting a $1.75-2 trillion valuation, primarily to fund its Orbital Data Centre and AI expansion.
The company's financial structure, where Starlink's profits are used to cover xAI's substantial losses, is under investor scrutiny.
Starlink faces regulatory challenges in Europe and technical issues with increasing radio noise.
Exam Points
SpaceX's IPO is set for June 12 on Nasdaq (SPCX).
The company aims to raise $75 billion at a valuation of $1.75-2 trillion.
SpaceX's AI unit is xAI, and its internet service is Starlink.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently invoked 'national interest' regarding the closure of the Sterlite Copper plant in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, suggesting a conspiracy behind its shutdown. The plant, closed for eight years after police firing on protesters in 2018 and environmental violations, had a capacity of 4 lakh tonnes of refined copper annually, meeting 40% of India's demand and contributing to exports. Its closure turned India into a net importer of copper, costing $3.5 billion in foreign exchange. Vedanta, the company, proposed a 'green copper' project with cleaner technology, but its application was rejected by the TNPCB. The Madras High Court has directed the State government to form an expert committee to study the new proposal, amidst ongoing legal and environmental debates.
PM Modi highlighted the closure of the Sterlite Copper plant in Thoothukudi as a matter of national interest, implying a conspiracy.
The plant's closure transformed India from a copper exporter to a net importer, impacting the economy.
Vedanta proposed a 'green copper' project with advanced, cleaner technology, but its application was rejected by the TNPCB.
Exam Points
The Sterlite Copper plant is located in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.
The plant was shut down for eight years after police firing on protesters in 2018.
The plant had a capacity of 4 lakh tonnes of refined copper annually.
Climate scientists have retired the extreme RCP8.5 scenario, which projected over 4°C warming by 2100, deeming it implausible due to rapid renewable energy adoption and climate policies. This eliminates the 'doomsday scenario' and its most severe consequences. However, scientists caution that the planet is still on track for drastic climate change under current policies, with the new highest emission scenario projecting around 3.5°C warming by 2100. The world is currently on a 'medium pathway' towards roughly 2.8°C warming by 2100, and keeping global temperature rise below 1.5°C without significant overshoot appears impossible. Even moderate warming of 2°C poses severe risks like droughts and extreme rainfall.
Climate scientists have retired the extreme RCP8.5 scenario, which predicted over 4°C warming by 2100, due to increased renewable energy adoption and climate policies.
While the 'doomsday scenario' is now considered implausible, the planet is still heading towards drastic climate change under current policies.
The new highest emission scenario projects approximately 3.5°C warming by 2100, and the world is on a 'medium pathway' towards 2.8°C warming.
Exam Points
The extreme climate scenario RCP8.5 has been retired.
The new highest emission scenario projects an overall warming of around 3.5°C by 2100.
The world is currently on a 'medium pathway' towards roughly 2.8°C of warming by 2100.
The Supreme Court recently delivered two significant rulings impacting India's real-money online gaming industry. It upheld the constitutional validity of State laws prohibiting real-money gaming platforms, asserting that betting and gambling are 'res extra commercium' and fall under State legislative competence (Entry 34, List II). The Court also affirmed the Centre's retrospective 28% GST levy on online gaming companies, clarifying that GST applies to the full value of stakes, irrespective of whether games are skill-based or chance-based. The rulings emphasize that once money is staked on an uncertain outcome, the distinction between skill and chance becomes irrelevant for GST purposes. These judgments have severe implications for the industry, with many companies facing insolvency and potential shifts in operations.
The Supreme Court upheld State laws prohibiting real-money online gaming, classifying betting and gambling as 'res extra commercium'.
The Court affirmed that State governments have legislative competence to regulate such activities under Entry 34 of List II.
The Centre's retrospective 28% GST levy on online gaming was upheld, applicable to the full value of stakes.
Exam Points
The Supreme Court bench included Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan.
The GST Council approved amendments in August 2023 for a 28% GST levy on online gaming.
Betting and gambling fall under Entry 34 of List II (State List) of the Seventh Schedule.
Beaufort Castle, a 12th-century hilltop fortress in southern Lebanon, has re-emerged as a strategic flashpoint in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. With a commanding view of northern Israel and the Beqaa valley, the castle has a long history of invasions and sieges, changing hands from Crusaders to Mamluks, Ottomans, and the French. Its military significance, including its use by the PLO and subsequent Israeli occupation (1982-2000), underscores its strategic value. The castle is on Lebanon's tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage Site status, having received provisional enhanced protection. Recent escalations in the conflict, including Hezbollah's rocket attacks and Israeli air strikes, highlight the castle's continued relevance in the region's volatile geopolitics.
Beaufort Castle, a 12th-century fortress in southern Lebanon, is a key strategic location in the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
The castle has a rich history of changing hands among various powers, including Crusaders, Mamluks, Ottomans, and the French.
It served as a base for the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and was occupied by Israel from 1982 to 2000.
Exam Points
Beaufort Castle is a 12th-century hilltop castle in southern Lebanon.
It is also known as Qalaat al-Shaqif.
The castle was occupied by Israel from 1982 to 2000.
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