- Under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban, Ghaziabad issued India’s first Certified Green Municipal Bond, raising ₹150 crore for a state-of-the-art Tertiary Sewage Treatment Plant (TSTP).
- Municipal Bond is a debt instrument issued by urban local bodies (ULBs) or municipal corporations to finance infrastructure and public service projects.
- The Green Municipal Bond is a subtype of municipal bonds used exclusively to fund environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure projects, such as renewable energy, water treatment, and waste management. Read More
Home / Daily Current Affairs / 30-04-2025
Daily Current Affairs – 30 April, 2025
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- The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) released its 2025 Special 301 Report assessing the adequacy and effectiveness of intellectual property (IP) rights protection and enforcement by U.S. trading partners.
- It is an annual review of the global state of IP protection and enforcement. USTR conducts this review pursuant to Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 and the Uruguay Round Agreements Act.
- It aims to promote innovation by identifying and addressing challenges that hinder IP rights, including weak enforcement, inadequate trade secret protection, discriminatory innovation policies, online piracy, counterfeit goods, and restrictive market access measures. Read More
USTR Releases 2025 “Special 301 Report” on Protecting Intellectual Property Rights
In News
The “Special 301” Report
- A recent study commissioned by the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor and executed by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and others has revealed significant gaps in the support provided to deep tech start-ups by public-funded R&D organisations in India.
- Deep Technology refers to innovations founded on advanced scientific and technological breakthroughs such as AI, quantum computing, biotechnology, and space tech and of its disruptive nature.
- Deep tech start-ups differ from traditional start-ups primarily in their technology-driven approach, longer development cycles, and higher risk factors. Read More
Insufficient Support for Deep Tech Start-ups in India: Study
Context
About Deep Tech Start-ups
- Starlink has begun discussions with key Indian players in the satellite communication , telecom, and broadband sectors, to accelerate the rollout of its services across India.
- Starlink is a satellite internet service developed by SpaceX, designed to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband access globally, particularly in underserved and remote areas.
- Utilizing a constellation of over 7,000 small satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), Starlink aims to deliver internet services where traditional infrastructure is limited or unavailable . Read More
Negotiations for Starlink’s Entry into India
Context
What is Starlink?
- India could allow foreign companies to take a stake of up to 49% in its nuclear power plants, to help achieve goals to cut carbon emissions.
- Traditionally, nuclear power plants in India have been owned and operated only by state-owned Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) and its fully-owned subsidiary Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam (BHAVINI).
- To allow private sector participation government has proposed amendments to key legislations; Read More
India Considers Allowing 49% Foreign Stakes in Nuclear Power Plants
Context
Background
- A new study published in Nature Geoscience reveals that climate-driven extreme weather events in India’s summer monsoon could permanently disrupt the Bay of Bengal’s marine productivity.
- This study highlights the critical link between monsoon variability and marine ecosystem health in the Bay of Bengal over the past 22,000 years.
- Foraminifera microfossils were used to reconstruct past ocean conditions, revealing how monsoons and ocean chemistry evolved in response to global climate change. Read More
Climate-driven Extreme Weather Events
Context
About
- The Maharashtra government has reclaimed the iconic sword of legendary Maratha warrior Raghuji Bhosale I.
- He was the founder of the Nagpur-based Bhosale dynasty and a prominent Maratha general during the reign of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj.
- Impressed by his bravery and military acumen, he was honoured with the title ‘Senasaheb Subha’ by Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj. Read More
