1) Mekong River: Town of Luang Prabang in Laos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is facing the threat of losing its UNESCO status due to a dam project on Mekong river.
- Town reflects the fusion of Lao traditional urban architecture with that of the colonial era.
- Mekong river:
- Trans-boundary river in Southeast Asia originating in Glaciers of Tibet and drains in South China Sea.
- River flows through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
2) Types of US Visas: US has announced a steep increase in fees for various categories of nonimmigrant visas like the H-1B, L-1 and EB-5, the most popular among Indians.
- H-1B visa allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.
- L-1 visa is a visa category in the US that is designed for intracompany transferees.
- It allows multinational companies to transfer certain employees from their foreign offices to work in the US temporarily.
- EB-5, or US golden visa, provides a special road for overseas investors and their families to seek permanent residency and Green Cards in the United States
3) World Wetland Day 2024 (WWD): WWD 2024 was celebrated at Sirpur Lake Indore, Madhya Pradesh (MP) with theme- ‘Wetlands and Human Wellbeing’
- WWD is observed on 2nd February every year worldwide to commemorate the signing of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance in 1971.
- India has been a party to the Convention since 1982.
- About Sirpur Lake
- It is a human-made wetland.
- Located in the city of Indore, MP.
- Lake is shallow, alkaline, nutrient-rich and prone to floods.
4) GHAR PORTAL: GHAR (GO Home and Re-Unite) Portal was launched earlier by National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).
- The portal digitally monitor and track restoration and repatriation of children as per the protocols under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
- About NCPCR
- Apex body for safeguarding children’s rights.
- Constituted under the Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005.
- Consists of 1 chairperson and 6 members.
- Present reports to central government annually.
- NCPCR has responsibilities under POCSO Act (2012), RTE Act(2009) as well.
Places in News:
1) Catalonia (Capital: Barcelona):
- Catalonia has declared a state of emergency as it faces its worst drought on record.
- Political Features
- An autonomous region of Spain.
- Located in north east of Iberian Peninsula.
- Shares boundary with France and Andorra (North) and Mediterranean Sea (East).
- Geographical Features
- The Pyrenees mountain range separates Catalonia from France.
- It falls under Mediterranean climate.
- In this type of climate, summers are hot and dry whereas winters are rainy.
- Major River: Ebro River
