The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has prohibited pharmaceutical companies from advertising GLP-1 drugs amid growing concerns of rampant misuse.

About GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) drugs

• They are a class of medications that mimic the natural GLP-1 hormone, helping regulate blood sugar levels and appetite.
  • These drugs include Ozempic, Wegovy, etc. 
• They were originally used for managing type 2 diabetes, but are now also used for reducing obesity and weight loss. 

• They slow down the process of food digestion and increase feelings of fullness, leading to a reduction in food intake.

• Some GLP-1 drugs lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure, and reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes, kidney and liver disease among other outcomes.

The Kurumba art tradition faces the threat of extinction.

Kurumba Painting

• Origin: A 3,000-year-old tribal folk painting of the Kurumba tribe found in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.
  • The Kurumba tribe is classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). 
• Themes: Depicts rituals, spiritual beliefs, festivals, nature, animals and community life.
• Materials: Uses natural pigments from forest sources like tree resin and crushed leaves.
• Style: Characterised by simple linear motifs, dots, lines and geometric patterns.
• Cultural Role: Traditionally painted on walls and temples, preserving tribal traditions and visual storytelling.

SC observed that creamy layer status of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) cannot be decided solely based on parental income. 

• The court noted that treating similarly placed employees of private entities and PSUs differently from government employees, for deciding the Creamy layer, would amount to discrimination.

About Creamy layer

• The concept of creamy layer (more socio-economically advanced members among OBCs) arose out of the landmark Indra Sawhney case in 1992.
  • In the Indira Sawhney case, the Supreme Court upheld the 27% OBC reservation in civil posts, subject to the exclusion of the creamy layer. 
• The Ram Nandan Prasad Committee recommended the criteria for creamy layer - people whose parents are/were in a certain category of government services, and people earning above a threshold income.
  • The threshold income was increased to Rs. 8 lakh in 2017.

As the Strait of Hormuz shuts to most legitimate tanker traffic, vessels in the global “shadow fleet” are still moving oil by operating outside normal rules.

About Shadow Fleet

• Also known as the dark fleet, refers to a group of vessels that rely on deceptive shipping practices to move sanctioned or high-risk commodities while concealing their true origin, ownership, etc. 
• Modern shadow fleet’s growth accelerated after the 2022 Russia–Ukraine war, due to sanctions. 
• Shadow fleets generally turn off radio transponders not releasing relevant information.
  • The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea mandates to keep radio transponders on for collecting relevant information of ships.

India Backs Bahrain draft submitted on behalf of GCC condemning Iran’s missile and drone attacks to be voted in UNSC.

About GCC (Hq: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

• Genesis: Established on 25 May 1981 through a cooperative agreement among six Gulf countries.
• Members (6): United Arab Emirates; Kingdom of Bahrain; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Oman; Qatar; Kuwait.
• Objective: Promote coordination, integration and cooperation among member states to achieve greater regional unity.
• Institutional Structure: Supreme Council (highest authority; oversees Dispute Settlement Commission); Ministerial Council; Secretariat General. 

The government held a high-level interaction with National Shipping Board (NSB) to address emerging challenges in India’s shipping sector.

About National Shipping Board

• It is a permanent statutory body established in 1959, under Section 4 of Merchant Shipping Act, 1958.
• Ministry: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
• Objective: Advise government on matters related to shipping including the development and evolution of India's maritime policy.
• Composition: Chairman and other members
  • Six Members elected by Parliament (four from Lok Sabha and two from Rajya Sabha from amongst its members). 
  • Such number of other members not exceeding sixteen as Central Government thinks fit. 

IISc (Indian Institute of Science) professor becomes second Indian woman to summit Nevado Ojos del Salado. 

About Nevado Ojos del Salado

• Location: On Andes Mountain Range on Chile–Argentina border in the Atacama Desert region
  • World's highest active volcano (6,879 m); highest mountain in Chile. 
• Features: Stratovolcano; Hosts the world’s highest crater lake (~6,390 m); dry climate due to its proximity to the Atacama Desert. 

United Nations adopted a new global framework, called as Agreed Conclusions, to improve access to justice for women and girls worldwide.

• Adopted by broad consensus on ongoing 70th session of Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York, United States.

Key Highlights

• Nature: Not legally binding. 
• Key Recommendations
  • Repeal discriminatory laws affecting women and girls; 
  • Strengthen protection against violence, both online and offline with faster access to justice for survivors. 
  • Promote digital justice systems.
  • Adopt a “whole-of-government” approach linking police, courts, health, and social services.