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News Highlights provides you with the best compilation of the Daily News Highlights taking place across the globe: National, International, Sports, Science and Technology, Banking, Economy, Agreement, Appointments, Ranks, and Report and General Studies

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INDIAN EXPRESS

1.

Environment Ministry panel clears new Sikkim dam despite its own concerns

Over a year after a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) ravaged parts of Sikkim and washed away a 60-metre-high rockfill concrete dam of the 1200-MW Teesta-III hydel project, an environment ministry panel has cleared a proposal to build a new 118.64-m-high concrete gravity dam in its place. This, without a fresh public hearing and even as the design aspects of the dam are yet to be approved. The proposal by M/s Sikkim Urja Ltd, the project operator, was approved by the Environment Ministry's Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) River Valley and Hydroelectric Projects under the provisions of 'expansion or mod-ernisation' in existing projects. 


2.

Environment Ministry panel clears new Sikkim dam despite its own concerns

Over a year after a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) ravaged parts of Sikkim and washed away a 60-metre-high rockfill concrete dam of the 1200-MW Teesta-III hydel project, an environment ministry panel has cleared a proposal to build a new 118.64-m-high concrete gravity dam in its place. This, without a fresh public hearing and even as the design aspects of the dam are yet to be approved. The proposal by M/s Sikkim Urja Ltd, the project operator, was approved by the Environment Ministry's Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) River Valley and Hydroelectric Projects under the provisions of 'expansion or mod-ernisation' in existing projects. 


3.

Foreign Secy Misri lands in Beijing as India, China attempt to repair ties

Moving to resume bilateral engagements after the border disengagement, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Sunday landed in Beijing and met a top Communist Party of China (CPC) leader. In Misri's meeting with Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the CPC's central committee, "the two sides exchanged views on jointly implementing the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, strengthening exchanges and dialogues, and promoting the improvement and healthy and stable development of China-India relations, as well as international and regional issues of common concern". The Foreign Secretary's visit is a move to repair damaged bilateral ties after Chinese incursions in 2020 triggered a military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.


4.

Hunting fields of England to Parliament: Origins of whip system

It originates from the hunting fields of England, where a whipper in was a member of the hunting party whose job was to bring straying hounds back into the pack. Its use in politics comes from Anglo-Irish politician and philosopher Edmund Burke. The system is important for parliamentary functioning as parties see voting on some matters as crucial to how their politics is perceived. Hence, MPs are expected to be present at the time of voting on matters critical to the party and follow the organisation's line.


5.

In 14 pollution control boards, only 167 posts filled out of total 2,228

Reflecting tardy progress on compliance of a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order to fill up vacant posts across pollution control boards in the country by April end, only 167 posts out of 2,228 vacancies have been filled so far in 12 states and two union territories. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the country's top pollution control watch-dog, submitted this information to the NGT. The CPCB had not received progress reports on filling of the remaining 3,443 vacancies from 16 state pollution control boards and six pollution control committees of union territories, the CPCB's affidavit stated.


6.

Amid human-animal conflict at Corbett Tiger Reserve, women more vulnerable

Since 2017, Ramnagar division has seen 12 deaths in attacks by tigers, of which seven were of women. In 2024, five deaths were reported near the Corbett buffer area-four of these victims were women and three of them from Dhela, a village in the buffer zone of the Corbett National Park. Ramnagar Divisional Forest Officer Diganth Nayak says women often fall prey to tigers because they venture into forests to collect fodder for their cattle and firewood." The Corbett National Park, spread over 1,288.31 square kilometres and three districts - Pauri, Nainital, and Almora-is home to 260 tigers, making this the park with the highest density of tigers in the country, according to the Status of Tiger report 2022.


7.

Regional play, global game

The agreement outlines a phased process, beginning with the release of 33 of the 100 hostages over the first six weeks. In the subsequent phase, the remaining hostages will be released, and in the final stage, the bodies of the deceased will be returned. In exchange, Israel has agreed to release thousands of Palestinian prisoners, return the remains of Hamas fighters, and withdraw militarily from Gaza. Additionally, Israel will facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza and support its reconstruction efforts. The main obstacle to lasting peace remains Israel's right-wing parties, including Netanyahu himself, who continue to resist the establishment of a viable Palestinian state. Yet, the creation of such a state is precisely what is required to stabilise the region and pave the way for long-term development. There are, however, emerging signs of hope.


8.

CONTINUITY & CHALLENGE

Jaishankar's two trips to Washington reflect India's recognition of the importance of its relationship with the US and the necessity of managing it prudently amid global turbulence. The elephant in the room is the H-1B visa issue, within the larger and ongoing debate over immigration in the US. Speaking to reporters in Washington, Jaishankar emphasised that India is willing to take back illegal Indian immigrants, provided that their Indian origin is verified. With respect to legal migration, both India and the US have expressed their willingness to work towards reciprocal gains.


9.

No India-China direct flights: Singapore, Vietnam, Dhaka gain as connecting hubs

Resumption of direct flights and normalisation of visa issuances-demands China has been making over the past couple of years-are expected to come up in Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's discussions with Beijing during his visit. In September 2024, resumption of direct passenger flights be-tween India and China was discussed in a meeting between India's Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu and Song Zhiyong, the Administrator of the Civil Aviation Administration of China. Lack of direct air connectivity between India and mainland China, along with stringent visa restrictions, have led to airlines from both countries losing out on potential passenger loads. No wonder passenger traffic between the two countries- now solely through connecting hubs in South and Southeast Asia-is less than half of what it was in 2019.


10.

Easing oil prices: What it means for India US investor offers to acquire 55% in REL

NEARLY A week since Donald Trumpassumed office as the 47th President of the US, and declared a national energy emergency while promising to increase oil production in America, Brent crude oil prices have softened by around 3 per cent. In his inaugural address after taking oath on January 20, Trump announced a sweeping plan to maximise domestic oil and gas production. Analysts said the drop in crude oil prices will help in narrowing India's current account deficit and also help in a faster gross domestic product (GDP) growth. Since oil serves as a raw material for many industries, a lower price will ease input costs, thereby reducing inflation pressures. But there is one more factor that could come into play. 


11.

PARAQUAT

Paraquat, also known as paraquat dichloride or methyl viologen, is one of the most commonly used herbicides in the world. It is primarily used to control the growth of weeds and desiccate crops like cotton before harvest. Paraquat's sale is banned or regulated in many countries as it is extremely toxic for humans. According to the US Centers for Disease Control, paraquat causes direct damage when it comes into contact with the lining of the mouth, stomach, or intestines. It spreads rapidly through the body, and causes adverse reactions in the lungs, liver, and kidneys. In India, paraquat's use is governed by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC), under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. A 2021 notification by the Agriculture Ministry restricts its use to the following crops: wheat, rice, tea, coffee, potato, grapes, maize, rubber and apple. 


12.

Why Trump wants Greenland

Greenland is the world's largest but sparsely populated island. Abundant in natural resources, particularly minerals critical to many future technologies, and located strategically near the emerging shipping lanes around the Arctic, it had been leading an inconspicuous existence till Trump brought it under global spotlight shortly after his election last year, saying he would like to make it a part of America, by force, if necessary. Way back in 1946, American officials put forward a proposal to buy Greenland from Denmark. That offer followed a 1941 agreement between the United States and Denmark over the defence of Greenland, which allowed US troops to be based on Greenland for the first time. At that time, German forces had already taken over Denmark and there was the threat of Greenland being attacked as well.


13.

Why J&K is issuing 'Aadhaar' to each chinar tree

The Jammu & Kashmir government has launched an initiative for the conservation of the region's chinar trees, which have been dwindling in number over the years. The initiative involves conducting a census of chinar trees and assigning each one of them a "Tree Aadhaar" number. Chinar, also known as Oriental plane tree (plantus orientalis), is a maple-like tree with a huge canopy. It is found in cool climate regions with sufficient water. The name 'chinar' was given to the tree by Mughals-some suggest it was Mughal emperor Jahangir who coined the name. The new project aims to make sure the government can track the status of each tree. Thus, the new initiative involves conducting a census of chinar trees across the Kashmir valley and the Chenab region. As part of the process, the government has not only enumerated chinar trees but also given a unique identity - called Tree Aadhaar - to each chinar tree. The census has been done district-wise. Each tree has been geo-tagged.


14.

What is US birthright citizenship, how has it evolved, what is the law in India

A federal judge last week temporarily blocked US President Donald Trump's executive order aimed at curtailing the right to birthright citizenship in the United States. Subsequently, Parliament enacted the Citizenship Act, 1955, which provided birthright citizenship under Section 3 to every person born in India on or after January 26, 1950. There was an exception only for children born to "an envoy of a foreign sovereign power" who is not a citizen, and children of an "enemy alien" when the birth takes place in an area under enemy occupation. However, in 1986, Parliament amended the Act to address the entry of migrants from "Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and some African Countries". All children born after the Amendment came into force would only become citizens if either of the parents were Indian citizens, marking the end of birthright citizenship in India.


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