Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Current affairs for KBC

Abraham Lincoln

President Abraham Lincoln issued the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862, declaring that as of January 1, 1863, all enslaved people in the Confederate states still in rebellion "shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free." The final proclamation, issued on January 1, 1863, formally freed those enslaved in the rebelling states and marked a significant step toward the abolition of slavery in the United States

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Rajakars were private militias raised under the leadership of Kasim Razvi in 1947–48 to defend the Nizam’s rule in Hyderabad against merger with India. While today’s Hindutva propaganda selectively portrays them only as a Muslim outfit, historical records show that members came from different castes and communities, including Hindus who supported the Nizam’s rule for their own feudal or class interests.

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On September 21, 2025, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer officially recognized Palestine as a state, describing this as the “inalienable right of the Palestinian people” and a “moral responsibility” of the global community, even as the move provoked protests from the US and Israel but was welcomed by many nations supporting a two-state solution.

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The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 prohibits the placement of nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in orbit around the Earth or on celestial bodies, ensuring that outer space is used exclusively for peaceful purposes by all countries.

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Alphabet's Google is facing a U.S. Department of Justice trial over alleged monopoly power in online advertising, with the government seeking to force Google to sell its ad exchange platform, AdX, and to make the auction mechanism open source. This trial follows a previous unsuccessful government attempt to require Google to sell its Chrome browser, reflecting ongoing efforts to regulate Google’s dominance in the digital ad market.

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Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in India form the foundation of rural healthcare, serving populations of around 20,000-30,000 people. PHC doctors provide comprehensive care that includes clinical treatment, preventive services, immunization, disease surveillance, health education, and coordination with community health workers. They also handle heavy patient loads and administrative duties, making them crucial for implementing national health programs and achieving Universal Health Coverage as envisioned in Sustainable Development Goal 3.8.

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In 2025, the U.S. government increased the one-time application fee for new H-1B visa petitions to $100,000 from the previous few thousand dollars, a move likely to disproportionately impact young Indian women applicants because they represent a growing share of new H-1B visa holders but tend to earn less than their male counterparts. This steep fee hike makes sponsoring new H-1B workers economically challenging for employers, particularly affecting early-career female professionals who are also highly educated.

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In the 1946 Bengal Legislative Assembly elections, the Hindu Mahasabha opposed the Indian National Congress in 26 general seats but secured only 2.73% of the total Hindu vote, winning just one special reserved University seat uncontested by Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee. This limited success reflected that the Congress was considered much stronger in protecting Bengali Hindu interests, while political tensions then led to the Muslim League—under Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy—returning to power in Bengal. Suhrawardy's policies and his call for a United Bengal stirred fears among Bengali Hindus about becoming a minority under Muslim dominance, which contributed to communal unrest and the eventual violent repercussions during India’s partition in 1947.

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On 15 August 2025, the Prime Minister of India announced major economic reforms under GST 2.0 during the Independence Day address at the Red Fort, which the GST Council approved in its 56th meeting on 3 September 2025. The reforms reduce the existing four GST tax slabs (5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%) to two slabs, 5% and 18%, effective from 22 September 2025. This simplification aims to lower tax burdens on essential goods, boost domestic industries, especially MSMEs, stimulate consumption and employment, and enhance India’s economic growth and global competitiveness.

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The immediate trigger of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 was the introduction of new rifle cartridges greased with animal fat—rumored to be from cows and pigs—which Hindu and Muslim sepoys found deeply offensive due to religious beliefs. This caused widespread anger among sepoys in the British East India Company's army, leading to the refusal to use these cartridges, punishment of dissenting soldiers, and ultimately the outbreak of the rebellion starting in Meerut on May 10, 1857. The revolt rapidly spread, involving a broad coalition of sepoys, local leaders, peasants, and princes, with Delhi becoming the symbolic center under the leadership of the Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar.

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The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is launching India’s first AI Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) at the Vaikuntham-1 complex in Tirumala. This pioneering center, established with donations from Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), aims to efficiently manage the heavy pilgrim rush, accommodation, and security in the temple town. The ICCC will be inaugurated by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on September 25, 2025.

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Edir Macedo is a Brazilian evangelical bishop, author, and billionaire businessman. He founded the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) in 1977, which became one of Brazil's largest Pentecostal churches. 

A major media owner, Macedo acquired Brazil's third-largest TV network, RecordTV, in 1989 and founded the Grupo Record media group. His teachings on prosperity theology have drawn both followers and controversy. As of 2024, his net worth is estimated at around $1.7 billion. He also commissioned the construction of a $300 million replica of Solomon's Temple in São Paulo.

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President Donald Trump has claimed to have stopped seven wars during his presidency. According to his statements, the conflicts he refers to include:

India-Pakistan conflict, which he claimed was close to turning nuclear.

Thailand-Cambodia border clashes.

Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.

Tensions between Israel and Iran.

Dispute between Egypt and Ethiopia related to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile.

Hostilities between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Kosovo-Serbia dispute, where he claimed to have helped normalize economic relations.

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The acclaimed Telugu film "Balagam" has received national recognition at the 71st National Film Awards.

At a ceremony in New Delhi, President Droupadi Murmu presented lyricist Kasarla Shyam with the National Award for Best Lyrics for the song "Ooru Palleturu" from the film. Directed by Venu Eldandi, the film has been widely praised for its portrayal of rural Telangana culture.

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he funeral of legendary Assamese singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg attracted an unprecedented outpouring of grief and tribute, becoming the fourth largest last rites procession in the world, as recorded by the Limca Book of Records. Tens of thousands of mourners gathered in Guwahati to bid farewell to the beloved artist, whose sudden demise in a tragic scuba diving accident in Singapore shocked the nation.

Zubeen Garg, aged 52, known for his soulful voice and hits like the Bollywood chartbuster “Ya Ali,” was cremated with state honors and a 21-gun salute. His contributions spanned over three decades, with performances in over 40 languages, touching millions across India and beyond.

This historic funeral procession joins other significant global memorials related to prominent personalities. Among the other top funeral events recently noted in record books are:

The state funeral of Nelson Mandela in South Africa, attended by world leaders and millions across the nation.

The grand last rites of Queen Elizabeth II in the United Kingdom, which drew global attention and large-scale participation.

The mourning ceremony for Mahatma Gandhi, a historic event that symbolized India’s profound respect for its Father of the Nation.

Zubeen Garg’s memorial stands as a testament to his immense cultural impact and the deep love he earned from fans and communities far beyond Assam.

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The jury has begun deliberations in the federal trial of Ryan Wesley Routh, who is accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump.

Prosecutors presented extensive evidence, including testimony from 38 witnesses, linking Routh to the September 15, 2024, assassination attempt at Trump International Golf Club in Florida. Routh, who is representing himself, argued he lacked the means or intent to carry out the assassination. If convicted, he faces a potential life sentence.The jury has begun deliberations in the federal trial of Ryan Wesley Routh, who is accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump.

Prosecutors presented extensive evidence, including testimony from 38 witnesses, linking Routh to the September 15, 2024, assassination attempt at Trump International Golf Club in Florida. Routh, who is representing himself, argued he lacked the means or intent to carry out the assassination. If convicted, he faces a potential life sentence.

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The pioneers of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) are:

Sir Robert Edwards: A British physiologist who received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2010 for the development of IVF.

Dr. Patrick Steptoe: A British gynecologist and surgeon who collaborated with Edwards, developing the laparoscopic procedure to retrieve eggs.

Jean Purdy: An embryologist who worked with Edwards and Steptoe. She was the first to witness the dividing of the first successful human embryo and was a crucial part of the team's work.

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In 1954, Texas Instruments and Industrial Development Engineering Associates (I.D.E.A.) partnered to create the Regency TR-1, the first commercially produced transistor radio.

Released on November 1, 1954, the Regency TR-1 was a portable and compact breakthrough in consumer electronics. Though its performance was modest, its success led to the widespread use of transistors in consumer devices, sparking a revolution in portable electronics.

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Since the first IVF birth in 1978, more than 13 million babies have been born worldwide through in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technologies.

A recent study in Fertility and Sterility estimates the number to be between 13 and 17 million as of 2024. Today, an IVF-conceived baby is born approximately every 35 seconds globally. IVF has become a major achievement in reproductive medicine, although it remains costly and inaccessible in many parts of the world.

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The Supreme Court of India recently reaffirmed that secularism is a fundamental principle and an essential part of the Constitution's basic structure. This reaffirmation came in response to a petition challenging the participation of a Muslim writer, Banu Mushtaq, in the Mysuru Dasara festival inauguration at a temple, which the Court dismissed. The Court emphasized that the Dasara festival is a state-sponsored cultural event, not a purely religious ceremony, and that the state cannot discriminate based on religion in public events. The judgment upholds the constitutional values of equality and secularism as enshrined in the Preamble and Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, protecting the unity and pluralism of Indian society.

This ruling highlights that freedom to practice one's religion cannot restrict others from participating in religious or cultural events, reinforcing the ideal of India's shared cultural heritage beyond religious boundaries

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In 2025, the Andhra Pradesh High Court ruled that a transgender woman is legally entitled to be recognized as a woman under Indian law, affirming that gender identity is protected by the Constitution. The court dismissed arguments that limited womanhood to reproductive ability, upholding rights under Articles 14, 15, and 21 that guarantee equality, non-discrimination, and dignity. This landmark judgment extended protections against domestic cruelty under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code to transgender women, marking a significant step toward transgender rights and justice in India. This ruling builds on the Supreme Court’s 2014 NALSA verdict, which recognized transgender persons as a ‘third gender’ with equal fundamental rights.

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