The names of the individuals elected to serve on VCI have been announced.

• Every three years, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying holds elections to elect 11 members to VCI. 
• Council also includes nominated members.

About VCI

• It is a statutory body established under Indian Veterinary Council Act 1984.
• It receives 100% Grants-in-Aid from Ministry of Fisheries Animal Husbandry and Dairying to cover its office expenses.
• It is charged with responsibilities of making provision for regulation of veterinary practice, preparation and maintenance of an Indian Veterinary Practitioners Register etc.

Indian traders are demanding resumption of border trade with China through Lipulekh pass which was closed during Covid-19 pandemic.

About Lipulekh Pass

• It is located close to the tri-junction of India, China (Tibet) and Nepal and is situated in Uttarakhand (Pithorgarh district).
• It is a major pass of Kumaun region situated in Kali Valley.
• It has been an ancient trade route used for centuries by traders, pilgrims, and travellers for cultural exchange.
• Traveling through Lipulekh Pass significantly reduces travel time for Kailash Mansarovar Pilgrimage. 

Recently Cold Lava rushed through streets as Mount Kanlaon erupted in the Philippines.

Cold Lava(A.k.a. Lehar in Indonesian):

• It is a dense mixture of volcanic material, debris, and water that behaves like a fast-moving landslide.
• It occurs when water interacts with volcanic ash and debris on the slopes of a volcano.
• It remains hot internally due to chemical reactions within volcanic material.

Threats Posed:

• It can advance rapidly, giving little time to evacuate.
• Its high density and abrasive nature can cause significant damage to buildings & roads, and human life.

Telangana High Courts ruled in favor of GAAR against a taxpayer and has held that colourable devices(transactions without commercial substance) cannot be part of tax planning.

About GAAR

• It empowers tax authorities to deny tax benefits on transactions or arrangements that have no commercial substance and whose only purpose is to avoid tax.
• It came into effect on 1st April 2017.
• Provisions of GAAR are contained in Chapter X-A of the Income-tax Act, 1961.

Recent study has found out that Artificial sweeteners xylitol may pose health risks.

• According to study, it can increase risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes.

About Xylitol

• It is a sugar alcohol that is commonly used as a sweetener. 
  • Sugar alcohols combine traits of sugar molecules and alcohol molecules.
• It is a common ingredient in sugar-free chewing gums,diabetes-friendly foods, and oral-care products.
• It can be found naturally or artificially produced, primarily from plant materials.

CSIR-IICT scientists highlighted microalgae potential as a protein supplement.

About Microalgae:

• Diverse group of single-cell photosynthetic organisms, both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
• These are groups of autotrophic microorganisms that live in marine, freshwater, and soil ecosystems.

Significance: 

• Nutrition: These are rich in nutrients and biologically active substances, such as proteins, vitamins, etc.
• Carbon cycle: They absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen through photosynthesis.
• Food Chain: Phytoplankton, which forms the base of the food chain, includes microalgae.

Prime Minister released 17th instalment of PM Kisan Nidhi scheme.

About PM KISAN

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
• Type: Central Sector Scheme.
• Aim: To supplement financial needs of land-holding farmers families in procuring various inputs and also domestic needs.
• Objective: To provide income support to all land-holding eligible farmer families (families include husband, wife and minor children).
• Beneficiaries: All landholding farmers, subject to certain exclusions.
• Benefits: Rs. 6,000 is transferred annually in three equal instalments of Rs. 2,000 each every four months.
• Exclusion: Beneficiaries of higher economic status shall not be eligible.

AIM, NITI Aayog has launched two initiatives to foster innovation.

• AIM – Innovation Centre Denmark (ICDK) Water challenge 4.0 to address critical water-related challenges through inventive solutions.
• Innovations For You –Sustainable Development Goals Entrepreneurs of India handbook spotlights entrepreneurs from diverse corners contributing to societal betterment through sustainable innovations.

About AIM                                                  

• Launched in 2016 by NITI Aayog, it is Government of India’s flagship program to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
• All the initiatives of AIM are monitored using real-time systems and dynamic dashboards.