- Switzerland Enforces Facial Covering Ban 🇨🇭👩🦰
- What’s Happening? Switzerland has implemented a ban on facial coverings, effective from January 1, 2025.
- Why It Matters: This ban is part of a series of significant changes aimed at aligning Switzerland with European norms and addressing past financial crises.
- Tourist Tax Rolled Out in Russia 🇷🇺💰
- What’s Happening? Russia introduced a new tourist tax, replacing the earlier resort fee, effective January 1, 2025.
- Why It Matters: The tax aims to strengthen regional tourism infrastructure and will initially charge travelers 1% of their lodging costs, increasing to 3% by 2027.
- Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra Assumes Command of IAF’s Western Air Command 🇮🇳✈️
- What’s Happening? Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra assumed command of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Western Air Command on January 1, 2025.
- Why It Matters: This leadership change ensures continuity and strategic direction for the IAF’s Western Air Command.
- India-Nepal “Surya Kiran” Military Exercise Begins 🇮🇳🇳🇵
- What’s Happening? The 18th edition of the India-Nepal joint military exercise “Surya Kiran” commenced at Saljhandi, Nepal, from December 29, 2024, to January 13, 2025.
- Why It Matters: This exercise aims to enhance interoperability in jungle warfare, counter-terrorism operations, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
- India’s Coffee Exports Reach Record High ☕📈
- What’s Happening? India’s coffee exports have reached a record $1.14 billion between April and November of FY24.
- Why It Matters: This growth is driven by rising global demand for Robusta coffee and supply chain challenges faced by major coffee-producing nations.
- India Achieves 36% Reduction in GDP Emission Intensity 🌍📉
- What’s Happening? India has achieved a 36% reduction in GDP emission intensity between 2005 and 2020.
- Why It Matters: This progress aligns with India’s climate action targets under the Paris Agreement.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) 📝
1. What significant change did Switzerland implement from January 1, 2025? 🇨🇭👩🦰
- a) Legalization of cannabis
- b) Ban on facial coverings
- c) Adoption of a new currency
- d) Introduction of universal basic income
- Answer: b) Ban on facial coverings ✅
2. What new tax did Russia introduce for travelers from January 1, 2025? 🇷🇺💰
- a) VAT on food items
- b) Environmental tax
- c) Tourist tax
- d) Luxury goods tax
- Answer: c) Tourist tax ✅
3. Who assumed command of the Indian Air Force’s Western Air Command on January 1, 2025? 🇮🇳✈️
- a) Air Marshal Rakesh Singh
- b) Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra
- c) Air Marshal Anil Kapoor
- d) Air Marshal Rajesh Sharma
- Answer: b) Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra ✅
4. Where is the 18th edition of the India-Nepal joint military exercise “Surya Kiran” being held? 🇮🇳🇳🇵
- a) Kathmandu
- b) New Delhi
- c) Saljhandi
- d) Pokhara
- Answer: c) Saljhandi ✅
5. What record did India’s coffee exports achieve between April and November of FY24? ☕📈
- a) $500 million
- b) $750 million
- c) $1 billion
- d) $1.14 billion
- Answer: d) $1.14 billion ✅
6. What percentage reduction in GDP emission intensity did India achieve between 2005 and 2020? 🌍📉
- a) 26%
- b) 30%
- c) 36%
- d) 40%
- Answer: c) 36% ✅