Daily Current Affairs Quiz December 1 2025

1. Israel – Netanyahu seeks pardon: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requested President Isaac Herzog to grant him a pardon in his ongoing graft trial, arguing the prosecution is impeding his governance.

2. DR Congo – deadly boat accident: At least 20 people were killed (many more missing) when a passenger ferry capsized on Lake Maï-Ndombe in northwestern DR Congo.

3. Venezuela – U.S. security warning: Former U.S. President Donald Trump stated that “all airspace over and around Venezuela should be treated as closed in its entirety,” citing security concerns amid tensions.

4. U.S. – H-1B visa bill reintroduced: U.S. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi introduced the “HIRE Act,” a bill to double the annual H-1B skilled-worker visa cap to 130,000, aiming to expand employment opportunities for foreign professionals.

5. U.S. – Afghan visa suspension: In response to a shooting near the White House, the U.S. State Department temporarily halted visa processing for Afghan nationals under the special immigration program.

6. Sri Lanka – Cyclone Ditwah relief: After Cyclone Ditwah struck Sri Lanka, India launched “Operation Sagar Bandhu”: the IAF airlifted 300+ stranded Indian nationals out of flood-hit areas and delivered about 21 tonnes of relief supplies (tents, blankets, food) to assist affected communities.

1. New “sin” taxes in India: The government is set to introduce bills to raise excise duties on tobacco products and add a new “Health and National Security Cess” on pan masala, as the existing GST compensation cess expires.

2. India GDP & RBI outlook: India’s economy grew a robust 8.2% in Q2 FY2026 (July–Sept) with inflation near 0.25%. Economists note that this combination of strong growth and ultra-low inflation makes it likely the RBI will hold interest rates steady at its December meeting.

3. SEBI warning on bond platforms: The Securities and Exchange Board of India cautioned investors against dealing with unregistered online bond-prospectus platforms, warning that such sites lack regulatory oversight and investor protections.

4. Telecom SIM-binding directive: India’s Telecom Ministry ordered all internet-based messaging apps (e.g. WhatsApp) to implement “SIM-binding” – blocking users from accessing the service unless the SIM used for registration remains in the device – to prevent fraud and misuse.

5. Global – BoJ rate signal: Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda indicated that the BoJ will consider raising interest rates at its policy meeting in mid-December, contributing to a rise in the yen and higher Japanese bond yields.

1. SpaceX Starlink launch: SpaceX kicked off Dec 1 with a Falcon 9 launch from Florida carrying 54 Starlink internet satellites. The rocket lifted off from KSC at 2:44 a.m. EST on Dec 1 (Starlink mission 6‑86) and its first-stage booster successfully landed on the drone ship Just Read the Instructions at sea. (This adds to SpaceX’s growing satellite constellation.)

2. ByteDance AI assistant: Chinese tech firm ByteDance unveiled “DouBao,” an AI-driven voice assistant for smartphones. Debuting on a ZTE device, it can perform tasks like video search, app launches and content booking in Chinese. (The company plans to roll it out to other phone makers next.)

3. NASA-ISRO NISAR satellite: The joint NASA–ISRO NISAR radar satellite released its first Earth-surface images, demonstrating unprecedented resolution for monitoring land and ice. These data will aid disaster response and environmental monitoring by providing detailed insights into terrain change, flooding and vegetation.

1. India air pollution study: The Prime Minister’s Office has directed the Central Pollution Control Board and the Air Quality Commission to fast-track a new emissions inventory and source-apportionment study for Delhi/NCR. This aims to better identify pollution sources and inform stricter controls.

2. Climate COP30 outcomes: At the UN Climate Change Conference COP30 (Belém, Brazil), India welcomed key decisions including the establishment of a global Just Transition Mechanism. Minister Bhupender Yadav highlighted that the COP reaffirmed developed countries’ responsibility to provide climate finance and equity in climate action.

3. Antarctica – “Doomsday Glacier”: A new study of Thwaites Glacier’s Eastern Ice Shelf (“Doomsday Glacier”) finds it is rapidly destabilizing. Two decades of satellite data show growing fractures and accelerated ice flow at a crucial anchoring point; scientists warn this pattern could precede a catastrophic collapse, potentially raising global sea levels.

4. Global glaciers seasonal cycles: NASA-supported researchers mapped glacier movement worldwide over 2014–2022, finding that glaciers exhibit strong seasonal speed-ups during warm months, especially in regions where temperatures rise above freezing. Local air temperature proved to be the dominant factor driving these seasonal flow changes, a finding that improves understanding of how ice responds to climate variability.

1. Bihar assembly session: In Patna, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was sworn in for a record 10th term as Bihar’s assembly convened on Dec 1. Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav also took office. The special session was held on Bihar’s formation day and Nitish Kumar highlighted it as an important milestone.

2. Kerala historic milestone: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan declared the state “free from extreme poverty,” making Kerala the first Indian state to achieve this (through a targeted anti-poverty program covering ~64,000 families). The announcement was made on the state’s 69th formation day, though the opposition termed it politically motivated.

3. J&K border security: The Border Security Force reported that it has rebuilt and strengthened infrastructure along the 200-km Indo-Pakistan international border in Jammu & Kashmir after monsoon floods. This included raising border fences, reinforcing posts and adding surveillance centers to restore a “robust security grid”.

4. Puducherry/TN cyclone precautions: Puducherry’s government ordered all schools closed on Dec 1 as a precaution due to heavy rains from Cyclone Ditwah. (Many Tamil Nadu districts had also shut schools on Nov 29–30.) These measures were taken to ensure student safety amid flood warnings.

New Rajya Sabha Chair: C.P. Radhakrishnan (BJP), a former Tripura Governor, was sworn in as the new Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha on Dec 1, 2025. He won the Vice President (hence Rajya Sabha Chairman) election with 452 votes, and took charge on the first day of the winter session.

World AIDS Day: December 1 is observed globally as World AIDS Day to highlight HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. The theme for 2025 is “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response,” reflecting efforts to recover progress stalled by COVID-19 disruptions. Health agencies in India and abroad held campaigns on this day.

1. Hornbill Festival (Nagaland): The annual Hornbill Festival kicked off on Dec 1 at Kisama Heritage Village near Kohima. Nagaland’s “cultural extravaganza” (running Dec 1–10) celebrates tribal heritage through dance, music, crafts and cuisine. This year’s theme is “Cultural Connect” and the event features performances and exhibitions by local artisans, with overseas partners from Europe engaged in cultural exchange.

2. Bollywood/Box Office: In film news, the Tamil movie Tere Ishq Mein (starring Dhanush and Kriti Sanon) continued its strong run, crossing ₹33 crore at the Indian box office by its second day. Trade analysts expect its earnings to grow further over the weekend.

World AIDS Day (Dec 1): A UN-designated global awareness day observed annually on December 1 to raise public support for combating HIV/AIDS. It underscores the need for continued prevention, treatment and education efforts worldwide. (This observance is noted here as a key event of Dec 1, 2025.)