Recently, Panama has officially announced its withdrawal from China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

• President Jose Raul Mulino declared that the canal’s control is not negotiable. This move signals Panama’s intent to reaffirm its sovereignty over the Panama Canal which is an 82-kilometer artificial waterway connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
• Also Italy, which became the first major Western nation to join the initiative back in 2019, officially withdrew in late
• BRI is China’s strategic initiative, launched in 2013 and aims to link Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa and Europe with a network of land and sea routes.
• The aim is improving regional integration, increasing trade and stimulating economic growth.

The initiative includes two principal components: the Silk Road Economic Belt and the Maritime Silk Road.

China’s Chang’e-7 lunar probe, scheduled for launch in 2026, will target the moon’s south pole to search for water ice and test cutting-edge technologies critical for sustainable human activities on the moon.

• The probe is planned to be launched by a Long March 5 rocket in 2026, from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on Hainan Island.
• The mission, set for 2026, includes a robotic “flyer detector” designed to search for water.
• The Chang’e-7 mission will consist of four key components. These include an orbiter, a lander, a lunar rover and a flying robotic detector.
• It is part of China’s long-term roadmap is to establish a permanent lunar research station by the 2030s.

The Cheetah family in Madhya Pradesh has grown, as two cubs were born to the cheetah Veera at Kuno National Park in Sheopur district on 4 February, with the addition of the cubs, the total number of cheetahs at Kuno has risen to 26.

• Kuno National Park is located in Madhya Pradesh’s Sheopur district and spans 748 sq km.
• It was initially a wildlife sanctuary established in 1981 and was upgraded to a national park in 2018.
• The park is part of the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests and provides an ideal habitat for cheetahs.
• Cheetahs in India were declared extinct in 1952, and Project Cheetah was launched to reintroduce them.
• Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) are the fastest land animals, reaching speeds up to 110 km/h in short bursts.
• Cheetahs mainly inhabit southern African countries, including Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
• Iran is the only country with the Asiatic cheetah, which is critically endangered and smaller than African cheetahs.

 Bart De Wever leader of the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), has officially taken office as Belgium’s new Prime Minister.

• It is the first time a Flemish nationalist has ascended to the highest office in Belgium.
• Belgium is a country in Northwestern Europe, bordered by the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, France, and the North Sea.
• Its capital, Brussels, is also the seat of the European Union (EU).
• Belgium is called the ‘Cockpit of Europe ‘because it is where the largest number of European battles have taken place in history.

The Indian Army changed the name of the Eastern Command headquarters, located in West Bengal, from Fort William to Vijay Durg mid-December last year in a bid to shed off the “colonial legacy”.

• Additionally, Kitchener House inside Fort William has been renamed to Manekshaw House, and South gate, formerly known as George’s Gate, is now Shivaji Gate.
• Fort William is Fort Williamsituated in Kolkata, West Bengal, on the eastern banks of the Hooghly River, a major distributary of the Ganga.
• Fort William was constructed by the British in 1781 and was named after King William III of England.
• The original fort was built by the British East India Company under Sir John Goldsborough.
• The current fort was reconstructed under the supervision of Robert Clive after the British regained control of Kolkata following the Battle of Plassey (1757).

Recently, Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) were sighted in Gurez Valley for the first time in over 25 years, indicating ecological improvement.

• Gurez Valley is located in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district and lies near the Line of Control (LoC).
• It is known for its scenic beauty, meadows, and high-altitude passes.
• The valley was historically a part of the ancient Silk Route connecting Kashmir with Central Asia.
• The Kishanganga River, a tributary of the Jhelum, flows through the valley, providing water resources and supporting biodiversity.
• Kaobal Gali, at an elevation of 4,167 meters, is the highest pass in Gurez and connects it to the Mushkoh Valley in Drass, Ladakh.

National Opera Day is celebrated on 8th February every year to recognize the significance of opera in Indian culture.

• The day holds special meaning for music enthusiasts, theatre lovers, and art connoisseurs.
• The origins of opera trace back to the 17th century, with its earliest performances occurring in Venice, Italy, in the 1630s.

Tshego Gaelae a native of Soweto, Johannesburg in , South Africa, has made history as the first Black woman to be crowned Mrs World 2025 at the grand finale in Las Vegas.

• She is the first Black woman to win Mrs World in 40 years and Second South African winner after Candice Abrahams (2016).
• She plans to use this platform to champion women’s empowerment while representing South Africa on a global stage.

General Studies Paper -3

Context: The Union government is considering allowing private sector participation to achieve 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047.

About

• 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;
• Atomic Energy Act, 1962, a framework for nuclear energy development and regulation.
• Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, ensuring compensation mechanisms for nuclear incidents.
• The government will enter into partnerships with the private sector with the motive of;
• Setting up Bharat Small Reactors,
• Research & development of Bharat Small Modular Reactor, and
• Research & development of newer technologies for nuclear energy.

Status of Nuclear power capacity in India

• The current installed nuclear power capacity in the country is 8,180 MW, spread across 24 nuclear power reactors.
• Capacity Expansion: 10 new reactors (totaling 8 GW) under construction across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh.
• Approval for a 6×1208 MW nuclear plant in Andhra Pradesh in collaboration with the USA.

Benefits of Private Sector Involvement

• Faster Capacity Expansion: Private investment will help bridge the financial gap needed for rapid nuclear power growth.
• Technological Advancement: Collaboration with private companies drive innovation and bring in global expertise.
• Cost Efficiency: Competitive bidding and private participation will help reduce project costs and delays.
• Energy Security: Increased nuclear power generation helps India reduce dependence on fossil fuels and meet clean energy goals.

Concerns to Private Sector Entry

• Regulatory Hurdles: Amendments to existing laws are required to enable private sector participation.
• High Capital Requirement: Nuclear power projects involve long gestation periods and large upfront investments, which deters private players.
• Liability Concerns: The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act imposes high liability on operators, making private investment risky.
• Safety and Security: Nuclear energy requires strict safety protocols, and allowing private firms to operate reactors necessitates robust regulatory oversight.
• Public Perception: Concerns over nuclear safety, waste management, and radiation risks will face public resistance.

Government steps

• India had announced a Rs 20,000 crore R&D mission for development of small modular reactors (SMRs).
• India is also targeting the deployment of at least five of these indigenously developed reactors by 2033.
• NPCIL and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) have signed a supplementary Joint Venture agreement to develop nuclear power facilities in the country.

Way Ahead

• Clear Regulatory Framework: Establish a robust regulatory environment to ensure safety, compliance, and transparency, addressing concerns about accountability and national security.
• Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Promote partnerships where the government maintains oversight, while private players handle operations, innovation, and investment, ensuring a balance of interests.
• Gradual Implementation: Start with pilot projects and small-scale initiatives to test private sector involvement, ensuring risk management before large-scale implementation.

The  Union  Minister for Minority Affairs, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani launched the Haj Suvidha App for the benefit of Indian Haj Pilgrims.

• Haj Suvidha App has been developed by Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG-N).
• The App offers solutions to common problems faced by the pilgrims during their journey and will be a boon especially to those performing Haj for the first time in their life.
• The Haj Suvidha App was launched to provide essential information and access to crucial services like Flight details, Accommodation information, Emergency helpline &Health services.
• The Haj Guide-2024 was released to educate pilgrims about various aspects of the journey, with a focus on utilizing the app effectively. It is published in 10 languages for widespread accessibility.