{"id":61146,"date":"2025-12-09T19:03:52","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T13:33:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=61146"},"modified":"2025-12-13T17:44:09","modified_gmt":"2025-12-13T12:14:09","slug":"news-in-short-09-12-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/09-12-2025\/news-in-short-09-12-2025","title":{"rendered":"News In Short 09-12-2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Hornbill Festival at Kisama Village<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/ Culture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The eighth day of the 26th Edition of the Hornbill Festival 2025 commenced with a vibrant \u2018Cultural Connect\u2019, in <strong>Nagaland<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Hornbill Festival<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Overview: <\/strong>It is held<strong> annually<\/strong> in the first week of December at <strong>Kisama near Kohima<\/strong>, and is a vibrant cultural showcase of all Naga tribes. It is often cited as \u201c<strong>festival of all festivals\u201d.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It was conceived in<strong> 2000 <\/strong>to promote unity and preserve ethnic heritage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Traditional Performances: <\/strong>Akoina Lin, Kha Kiaklak Rhimo, Tainang Jong Paihi Ai, Akikiti, sang lolong pe, Gando Makkal Pala, Tholi Keva etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Participating communities:<\/strong> Sangtam, Rengma, Tseminyu, Pochury, Phom, Lotha, Kuki, Angami, Kachari, Garo, Chang, Chakhesang, Ao and Konyak.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"b3bea1\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"778\" height=\"424\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-09-at-6.53.18-PM.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-61164\" style=\"--dominant-color: #b3bea1; aspect-ratio:1.8318737860769414;width:694px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-09-at-6.53.18-PM.png 778w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-09-at-6.53.18-PM-300x163.png 300w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-09-at-6.53.18-PM-768x419.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 778px) 100vw, 778px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/160512\/OPS\/GVFF89119.1+G70F9DMAF.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Serendipity Arts Festival<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/Culture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Old GMC Complex in Panjim, Goa, a heritage building dating back to the 1800s and formerly one of Asia\u2019s oldest medical institutions, now serves as a key cultural venue for the <strong>Serendipity Arts Festival (SAF).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Serendipity Arts Festival (SAF)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Serendipity Arts Festival is a multidisciplinary Festival that brings together performative, visual and culinary practices from India and beyond in ways unseen before. It aims to energise arts production, awareness and practice across South Asia.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It also highlights local culture through performances and culinary experiences, such as percussion music celebrating Goan ghumat, immersive tavern-inspired dining, and tastings showcasing Goan culinary traditions from diverse communities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Serendipity Arts Festival (SAF) emphasizes dialogue across art forms, connecting local history, contemporary voices, and global perspectives.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source :<a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/lifestyle\/art-and-culture\/a-glimpse-of-goas-layered-history-at-serendipity-arts-festival-10410067\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IE<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Parliament Passes Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025 to Raise Tobacco Duties<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ Polity and Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Parliament passed the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025 with the Rajya Sabha approving and returning it to the Lok Sabha.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Bill seeks to amend the <strong>Central Excise Act, 1944. <\/strong>The Act provides for the levy and collection of central excise duties on goods manufactured or produced in India.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Central excise duties on many items were repealed with the introduction of the <strong>Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2017<\/strong>, except for certain items such as tobacco and tobacco products.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tobacco and tobacco products continue to face a <strong>three-layered taxation structure <\/strong>comprising GST, GST compensation cess, and central excise duty.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Provisions of the Bill<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Bill<strong> increases central excise duty on unmanufactured tobacco,<\/strong> manufactured tobacco, tobacco products, and tobacco substitutes.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Unmanufactured tobacco<\/strong> (such as sun-cured tobacco leaves) from 64% to 70%.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Chewing tobacco:<\/strong> From 25% to 100%.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hookah or gudaku tobacco: <\/strong>From 25% to 40%.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Smoking mixtures for pipes and cigarettes: <\/strong>From 60% to 325%.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cigarettes:<\/strong> Current duty under the Act ranges from \u20b9200 to \u20b9735 per 1,000 cigarettes.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Bill proposes a significant increase to \u20b92,700 to \u20b911,000 per 1,000 cigarettes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsonair.gov.in\/parliament-passes-central-excise-amendment-bill-2025-to-raise-tobacco-duties\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>AIR<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Thailand-Cambodia Conflict<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/IR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recently, Thailand launched airstrikes on Cambodian military targets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Background&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The conflict centers on a long-standing territorial dispute dating back to colonial-era border demarcations made by France in 1907.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>At the heart of the dispute is the Preah Vihear temple, a culturally significant 11th\u201312th century Khmer shrine claimed by both countries.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Though the International Court of Justice affirmed Cambodian sovereignty in 1962 and again in 2013, Thailand has rejected the rulings, and the area remains heavily militarized.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-dominant-color=\"d2d6cb\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #d2d6cb;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"472\" height=\"468\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-09-at-6.53.31-PM-1.png\" alt=\"thailand-Cambodia Conflict\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-61166\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-09-at-6.53.31-PM-1.png 472w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-09-at-6.53.31-PM-1-300x297.png 300w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-09-at-6.53.31-PM-1-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 472px) 100vw, 472px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Source:<a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-global\/thailand-strikes-cambodia-conflict-temple-10408880\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IE<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>UPI Recognized as World\u2019s Largest Real-Time Payment System by IMF<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The International Monetary Fund (IMF) report on \u2018Growing Retail Digital Payments (The Value of Interoperability)\u2019 dated June 2025 had recognized Unified Payments Interface (UPI) as the <strong>world\u2019s largest retail fast-payment system (FPS) by transaction volume.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Unified Payments Interface (UPI)&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a system that empowers users to add multiple bank and other allowed accounts (of any participating bank) into a UPI App, merging several banking features, seamless fund routing &amp; merchant payments under one hood.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The pilot launch on UPI was done on 11th April 2016 by Dr. Raghuram G Rajan, Governor, RBI at Mumbai.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Progress and Steps<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>UPI accounts for about 49% of global real-time payment transactions, far surpassing other international platforms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Digital transactions through RuPay and UPI are being expanded nationwide across multiple sectors, including public services, transportation, and e-commerce.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Countries with operational or planned interoperability include: Singapore (PayNow), UAE, France, Nepal, Bhutan, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and others.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source :<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2200569&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>PIB<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>EU Fine on X<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Cybersecurity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Elon Musk-owned X was <strong>fined 120 million euro ($140 million)<\/strong> by the European Union for violating its transparency rules under the <strong>Digital Services Act (DSA).<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is the first time that the EU has used its toughest enforcement power under the law.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About the DSA<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Digital Services Act is a<strong> comprehensive European Union regulatory framework<\/strong> that fundamentally transforms how online platforms and digital intermediaries operate.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It entered into force in <strong>2022 <\/strong>and became fully applicable and enforceable in <strong>2024<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The DSA aims<\/strong> to create a safer, fairer, and more transparent online environment across the European Union.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The most stringent obligations apply to <strong>Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs)<\/strong>.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They are defined as services with <strong>more than 45 million<\/strong> monthly active users in the EU.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The European Commission has designated<strong> 19 such services as of 2025,<\/strong> including Amazon Store, Apple AppStore, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Google Search, Microsoft Bing, Wikipedia, and others.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Penalties:<\/strong> The maximum financial penalty for violations is 6% of the platform&#8217;s global annual turnover in the previous year.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For serious and repeated infringements, regulators may temporarily restrict platform access within the EU or suspend operations entirely.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/technology\/tech-news-technology\/what-eu-fine-x-says-about-elon-musk-speech-wars-10409488\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change addressed a high-level meeting of the Collaborative Initiative for Big Cat Conservation under the <strong>International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) in New Delhi.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Launched by India in 2023 to facilitate global cooperation for conservation of seven big cat species:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Out of the seven big cats under IBCA, five are found in India: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard &amp; Cheetah (reintroduced from Namibia, South Africa &amp; Botswana since 2022).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Open to 97 \u201crange countries\u201d where these big cats are found.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Aims to mobilise global knowledge, resources, and best practices to protect big cats and their ecosystems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India has committed \u20b92,000 crore (approx.) for initial funding over 5 years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: AIR<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Context<\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">The eighth day of the 26th Edition of the Hornbill Festival 2025 commenced with a vibrant \u2018Cultural Connect\u2019, in Nagaland.<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong>About Hornbill Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Overview: It is held annually in the first week of December at Kisama near Kohima, and is a vibrant cultural showcase of all Naga tribes. It is often cited as \u201cfestival of all festivals\u201d.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">It was conceived in 2000 to promote unity and preserve ethnic heritage.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Traditional Performances: Akoina Lin, Kha Kiaklak Rhimo, Tainang Jong Paihi Ai, Akikiti, sang lolong pe, Gando Makkal Pala, Tholi Keva etc.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Participating communities: Sangtam, Rengma, Tseminyu, Pochury, Phom, Lotha, Kuki, Angami, Kachari, Garo, Chang, Chakhesang, Ao and Konyak.<\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/09-12-2025\/news-in-short-09-12-2025\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read\u00a0More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-61146","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61146","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61146"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61146\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":61486,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61146\/revisions\/61486"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61146"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61146"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=61146"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}