India and Pakistan have renewed agreement on Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor for next five years.

• Agreement originally signed in 2019 was valid for 5 years. 

Sri Kartarpur Sahib corridor 

• It facilitates the visit of pilgrims from India to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, Narowal in Pakistan without a visa. 
  • Guru Nanak, founder of Sikhism, spent last 18 years of his life at Kartarpur (located at west bank of river Ravi). 
• Corridor provides a 4.5-kilometer route from Indian border at Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab to Kartarpur corridor. 

India’s fourth nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), referred to as S4*, was launched into water. 

• India currently has 2 SSBNs operational i.e. INS Arihant & INS Arighaat (S3).
• Third SSBN Aridhman (S4) is currently undergoing sea trials. 

About S4*

• S4* submarine boasts nearly 75 % indigenous content and is equipped with K-4 ballistic missiles, which have a range of 3,500 km.
• SSBNs are a potent and highly specialized military asset, which serve as a crucial component of nuclear deterrence. 
• They are operated by only few countries namely US, Russia, China, UK, France and India.

Madras High Court ruled that contractual employees are also entitled to maternity benefits.

• Court held that provisions of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 would prevail over contractual conditions if the latter either deny or offer less favourable benefits.

About Maternity Benefit Act 1961

• It provides paid maternity leave to women workers.
• Amendment in 2017 brought following changes:
  • Increased paid maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks for women with less than two surviving children. 
  • Depending upon the nature of work, Act provides for work from home for nursing mothers.
  • Extension of 12 weeks of maternity benefit to commissioning mothers and adopting mother. 

As per Global Energy Monitor, Fossil capacity is set to drop below half of the power capacity mix in BRICS bloc for the first time ever in 2024.

Other Key Findings 

• Wind and utility-scale solar capacity in development across BRICS is double the amount of coal, oil, and gas power capacity.
• BRICS countries have enough renewables projects in development to nearly triple capacity by 2030.

BRICS Members

• Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, UAE, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, and Egypt.

Climate scientists are urging Nordic ministers to prevent global warming from causing major change/ collapse in Atlantic Ocean current.

• This collapse of AMOC would increase cooling of Northern Hemisphere, raise Atlantic sea levels, drop precipitation over Europe and North America and shift monsoons in South America.

About AMOC

• A system of ocean currents that circulates water within Atlantic Ocean, bringing warm water north and cold water south.
• AMOC shutdown would cool northern hemisphere and decrease rainfall over Europe. It can also have an effect on the El Nino.
• It distributes heat and nutrients throughout the world’s ocean basins.

Union Government has scrapped export tax on parboiled rice to boost rice exports.

• Decision could lead to increase global supplies and soften international rice prices. 

About Parboiled Rice

• Parboiled rice refers to rice that has been partially boiled at the paddy stage in its inedible husk, before milling.
  • It is called miniket in West Bengal and Odisha.
• Generally, there are three major steps in parboiling, i.e. soaking, steaming and drying.
• Significance: Increase in rice yield, prevents from insect attacks, contains more of B-vitamins and produces a bran higher in oil content. 

Recently, CWG 2026 (will be held in Glasgow) edition was unveiled which features only 10 sports.

About CWG 2026

• Six of 12 disciplines in which India won a medal at 2022 CWG (contributing 30 out of total 61 medals) have been dropped from 2026 edition.
  • These include badminton, cricket, hockey, squash, table tennis and wrestling.

About CWG

• First held in 1930 in Hamilton, Canada.
• Held every four years. India hosted Games in 2010 at Delhi.

Recently, President of India presented fifth NWA in New Delhi.

About National Water Awards

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• Aim: To create awareness among people about importance of water and motivate them to adopt the best water usage practices. 
• Presented in nine categories: Best State, Best District, Best Village Panchayat, Best Urban Local Body (ULB), Best School/College, Best Industry, Best Water User Association, Best Institution (other than school/college), and Best Civil Society.
  • Odisha is best state and Surat, Gujarat is Best ULB.