Geography 

Northern lights - Indian Express 

The night sky recently was illuminated by the northern lights, or aurora borealis, visible in parts of the world including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and even Hanle village in Ladakh, India. 

Godavari River - Indian Express 

The civic body has planned to outsource 60 sanitary workers through a private agency to clean the Godavari river and its tributaries Waldevi, Nandini, Waghadi and Kapila.

Godavari River/ Dakshina Ganga

Society 

NGOs should be roped in to deal with ‘Bangladeshi infiltration’ in Santhal Pargana, says NCST report - The Hindu

In the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes’ (NCST) report on the demographic changes in Jharkhand’s Santhal Pargana region, the Commission has recommended roping in non-State actors, specifically non-governmental organisations (NGOs), to deal with the alleged problem of “Bangladeshi infiltration” into the State.

Polity 

Who gets the preferred symbol when there are two factions? - The Hindu

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder recently filed a plea in the Supreme Court, seeking a direction to restrain the Ajit Pawar faction from using the ‘clock’ symbol in the upcoming assembly polls in Maharashtra.

World Affairs 

U.S. to send missile defence system and troops to Israel - The Hindu

The United States will send a Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) battery to Israel, along with the troops needed to operate it, the Pentagon said on Sunday, even as Iran warned Washington to keep American military forces out of Israel.

Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD)

• About: A transportable, ground-based anti-ballistic missile defense system designed to intercept and destroy short and medium-range ballistic missiles in their final flight phase & cannot be used for offensive attacks.
• Development: First proposed in 1987, deployed in 2008.
• Functioning: Uses data from space-based and ground-based surveillance stations to detect incoming threats.
• Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin and deployed in UAE, Guam, Israel, and Romania.

Economy 

PM GatiShakti - The Hindu

• Aim: To ensure integrated planning and implementation of infrastructure projects over four years, focusing on speeding up ground work, reducing costs, and creating jobs.
• Features: 
  • Subsumes the Rs 110 lakh crore National Infrastructure Pipeline (2019).
  • Reduces logistics costs, increase cargo capacity, and improve port turnaround times to boost trade.
  • Develops 11 industrial corridors, two defence corridors (Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh), extend 4G to all villages, and add 17,000 km to the gas pipeline network.
  • Sets targets for 2024-25, including expanding highways to 2 lakh km and creating over 200 airports, heliports, and water aerodromes.
• Integrated Approach: Unites 16 infrastructure-related ministries to tackle issues like disjointed planning, lack of standardization, and delays in project implementation.
• Gati Shakti Digital Platform: A common platform for real-time coordination between ministries to improve infrastructure project planning and implementation.
• Expected Outcomes: 
  • Improved connectivity mapping and last-mile linkage for regions and industrial hubs.
  • Integrated transport strategy to support Make in India and boost India as a global business hub.
• Associated Challenges:
  • Low Credit Off-take: Despite banking reforms, there are concerns over declining credit offtake.
  • Lack of Demand: Post-COVID, private and investment demand remains low.
  • Structural Problems: Slow project implementation due to land acquisition delays, litigation, and environmental clearances.

Are the U.S.’s cybersecurity concerns over Chinese electric vehicles justified? - The Hindu

Modern electric vehicles (EVs) are technological marvels, combining innovation and convenience. Connected tech allows drivers to personalise their driving experience while ensuring better security through advanced algorithms. But as with all technology, the potential for misuse brings about serious concerns.

FMCGs  - The Hindu

• About: Products sold quickly and at a relatively low cost.
• Characteristics of FMCG industry: High-volume sales, quick inventory turnover, and various products catering to consumer needs.
• Components: Food and beverages, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and other low-cost household items.
• Short shelf life: It is because of high consumer demand (e.g., soft drinks and confections) or because they are perishable (e.g., meat, dairy products, and baked goods).
• FMCG Industry in India:Fourth-largest sector in the Indian economy.

Environment 

Water chestnut - The Hindu 

• About: Known as goer in Kashmir, it is an aquatic vegetable growing in Wular Lake, also called Singhara in India.
• Endemism: Native to Europe, Asia, and Africa, it is also known as water caltrops.
• Nutrition: Rich in potassium and fiber, with low sodium and fat, but high in carbohydrates.
• Uses:  The edible kernel is peeled, dried, and made into flour, outer shells are used as fuel in traditional fire pots (kangri) during winter.
• Challenges: Production has declined due to dry weather and increasing marshland around Wular Lake, affecting livelihoods.

Horse-shoe Crab - The Hindu 

Horseshoe crabs have been around for millions of years, but their habitats are increasingly being degraded. While scientists have now begun tagging them to track their movements and study them better on the beaches they come to nest on, they are also in demand for the medical industry.

Sci and Tech 

What is Wayanad’s new X-band radar? - The Hindu

After devastating floods and landslides killed more than 200 people in Kerala’s Wayanad district in July 2024, the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences approved an X-band radar to be installed in the district. A torrential downpour triggered the landslide in the valley above Punchirimattom, near the Mundakkai region; its effects were compounded by a massive debris flow triggered by the rains.

The rise of AI-generated synthetic medical images: a new frontier or potential pitfall? - The Hindu 

In a world where even the experts are sometimes puzzled by our economic systems, only a tiny fraction of economists truly understand the mechanics that govern them. Imagine what would happen if these experts were replaced by artificial intelligence (AI). 

Issues in the treatment of 'rare diseases', and what the govt can do - Indian Express

The Delhi High Court recently issued directions aimed at improving the availability of so-called “orphan drugs”, which are medications used to treat “rare diseases”.

Defence 

Defence Ministry seeks more funds to expand scope of iDEX scheme - Indian Express

The Ministry of Defence is seeking to expand the scope of its flagship Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) scheme and has sought additional funds from the Finance Ministry to keep it going.

Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)

WHAT ARE 'DRAGON DRONES', BEING USED IN RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR? - Indian Express

A deadly new weapon has taken to the skies in the Russia-Ukraine war. Both sides have posted visuals of drones appearing to rain down fire — earning this weapon the moniker of “dragon drone”.