U.S. is considering a 10% tariff on Chinese imports because fentanyl is being smuggled from China into U.S. through Mexico and Canada.

About Fentanyl

• It is a powerful synthetic opioid, approved by Food and Drug Administration for analgesic (pain relief) and anesthesia.
• It is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin as an analgesic.
• Opioids (fentanyl, oxycodone, morphine etc.), are drugs derived from or mimicking natural substances in opium poppy.
• All opioids work similarly. They activate an area of nerve cells in brain and body called opioid receptors that block pain signals between brain and body. 

State Bank of India released a report on India's Investment and External Commercial Borrowings (ECB) Landscape.

Key Observations

• Household Net Financial Savings: Improved to 5.3% of GDP in FY24 from 5.0% in FY23.
  • Savings in physical assets increased from 12.9% of GDP in FY23 to 13.5% in FY24.
• In FY23, government investment reached 4.1% of GDP, the highest since FY12.
• Private corporate investment rose to 11.9% of GDP in FY23, its highest since FY16.
• ECB Landscape: Total outstanding ECBs stood at $190.4 billion as of September 2024.
  • ECBs are commercial loans raised by resident entities from non-resident lenders.

Karnataka High Court struck down the Electricity (Promoting Renewable Energy Through Green Energy Open Access) Rules, 2022.

• Court noted that Centre had no powers to frame these specific rules and the relevant Commission at the State level was authorised to regulate open access.

About Green Energy Open Access (GORA) Rules 2022

• Notified for promoting generation, purchase and consumption of green energy including the energy from waste-to-energy plants through open access.
• GORA is allowed to any consumer and limit of open access transaction has been reduced from 1 MW to 100 kW for green energy.

As per Ministry of Education (MoE), PM SHRI Schools witness around 76% rise in student enrolment in five states (Manipur, Tripura, Rajasthan, Meghalaya, and Madhya Pradesh).

About PM SHRI Scheme (Aligned with NEP, 2020)

• Nodal Ministry: MoE
• Type: Centrally sponsored scheme launched in 2022
• Duration: 5 Years (2022-23 to 2026-27)
• Aim: To develop more than 14,500 PM SHRI Schools managed by Central Government/State/UT Government/local bodies.
• Funding pattern: 60:40 between Centre and State Governments and UTs with legislature (except J&K).
  • 90:10 for North Eastern and Himalayan States and UT of J&K.
  • 100% for UTs without legislature.

As per a study, continued use of nano- urea could reduce yields of rice and wheat.

About Nano Urea

• Developed by Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO), it is an innovative agricultural input based on nanotechnology which provides nitrogen to plants. 
• It contains 4% nitrogen.
• It has small size (20-50 nm); more surface area and number of particles per unit area than conventional urea.
• Benefits of Nano- Urea: 
  • Higher nutrient use efficiency. 
  • Minimise environment footprint by reducing loss of nutrients from agriculture fields in form of leaching and gaseous emissions.
  • Easy to store or transport; etc.

Researchers conducted a genetic survey of cyanobacteria in Lake Victoria’s Winam Gulf. 

• Lake Victoria is the second largest freshwater lake in the world after Lake Superior in the US and the largest in Africa.
  • Bordering countries: Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya.

About Cyanobacteria

• Cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, are photosynthetic microorganisms found in aquatic habitats. 
• They are important providers of nitrogen fertilizer in rice and beans cultivation and were helpful in generating oxygen atmosphere during Archaean and Proterozoic Eras. 
• Cyanobacteria can form dense, toxic blooms in freshwater and marine environments, disrupting ecosystems, and degrading water quality.

Etikoppaka dolls showcased at President’s reception for Republic Day.

About Etikoppaka Dolls

• Origin: 400-year-old craft in Etikoppaka, Andhra Pradesh.
• Officially recognized with Geographical Indication tag in 2017.
• Made from wood of Ankudu tree (Wrightia tinctoria), known for its lightweight and smooth texture.
  • They do not contain any heavy metal or toxic item.
• Made purely out of natural elements like seeds, lacquer, bark, roots and leaves.
• Process of Etikoppaka toy making is known as ‘turned wood lacquer craft’ or ‘Tharini.’

Ministry of Home Affairs has announced Padma Awards 2025 on Republic day.

About Padma Awards                                         

• Instituted in 1954, they are one of the highest civilian Awards of country.
• Conferred by President at Rashtrapati Bhawan in three categories, namely:
  • Padma Vibhushan: For exceptional and distinguished service.
  • Padma Bhushan: For distinguished service of high order.
  • Padma Shri: For distinguished service in any field.
• Awards are given in various disciplines/ fields of activities, viz. art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc. 
• They are announced on occasion of Republic Day every year.