Polity 

Justice Sanjiv Khanna to be next CJI: how is the top judge of the SC appointed? - Indian Express

The Centre recently appointed Justice Sanjiv Khanna as the next Chief Justice of India (CJI), formally approving the recommendation made by CJI D Y Chandrachud a week ago.

World Affairs 

How will LAC agreement pan out on border? - The Hindu

Recently, Foreign Secretary announced that an agreement had been reached with China on “patrolling arrangements” along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the India-China border areas, leading to “disengagement and a resolution of the issues that had arisen in these areas in 2020.”

Economy 

What is the flight protocol for a bomb threat? - The Hindu

Over nearly two weeks, almost all Indian carriers have faced a wave of threats, resulting in emergency responses and rerouting. There has been military fighter jet interception of some of the flights when they were in international airspace after the crew squawked an emergency transponder code. 

Significance of the livestock census, species it will cover - Indian Express

Rajiv Ranjan Singh, the Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, recently launched the 21st Livestock Census in New Delhi. 

Environment 

Carbon credit - The Hindu

• Definition: A financial instrument granted to entities for activities that either avoid CO₂ emissions or absorb emitted CO₂ (sequestration).
• Purpose: Allows the holder to emit a specified amount of greenhouse gases, with one credit permitting one ton of CO₂ emissions.
• Mechanism:
  • Designed as a market-oriented approach to curb emissions.
  • Companies receive a limited number of credits, decreasing over time, encouraging them to reduce emissions. Excess credits can be sold to companies that exceed their limits, creating a "cap-and-trade" system.
• Incentive Structure: Polluting companies can continue emissions within limits but must adjust as limits are reduced periodically. Unused credits can be sold to companies requiring additional emissions allowances.
• Global Agreement: The Glasgow COP26 summit in 2021 established a global carbon credit offset trading market.

Great Indian bustard - Indian Express 

The birth of a great Indian bustard through artificial insemination at the Sudasari Great Indian Bustard Breeding Centre in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district is an “extremely important step” in the conservation of the critically endangered species.

Great Indian Bustard

• Scientific Name: Ardeotis nigriceps
• Characteristics: Among the heaviest flying birds, with a large, ostrich-like appearance, long legs, and distinctive black crown on a pale head. Weighs up to 15 kg.
• Distribution: Population of 100-150 in India, primarily in Rajasthan's Thar Desert.
• Habitat: Prefers dry grasslands and scrublands.
• Breeding: Breeds in the monsoon, laying a single egg on open ground.
• Diet: Opportunistic eater, consuming grass seeds, insects (grasshoppers, beetles), and occasionally small rodents and reptiles.
• Lifespan: 12-15 years
• IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 Status: Schedule 1
• CITES Status: Appendix 1

Why is Delhi’s air quality deteriorating? - The Hindu

With the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon and the onset of winter, the air quality in Delhi has started to nose-dive. This week, the city and its adjoining territories have consistently recorded particulate matter (PM 2.5) levels exceeding 300, or ‘very poor’ air quality.

Sci and Tech 

CERT-In releases advisory on online scams - The Hindu 

The Computer Emergency Response Team of India (CERT-In) recently shared a list of ways in which online scams are being perpetrated by fraudsters in the country, including “digital arrest”.

Cybersquatting - Indian Express 

Recently, a Delhi-based developer made headlines after he revealed that he owns the domain name jiohotstar.com. The developer, who foresaw a potential merger of Reliance JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar, purchased the domain some time ago. The developer buying the domain and offering it up for sale is known as Cybersquatting.

HOW TARDIGRADES ARE ABLE TO RESIST HIGH LEVELS OF RADIATION - Indian Express

A team of researchers has identified the genetic mechanisms that help a newly discovered species of tardigrades (Hypsibius henanensis) withstand high levels of radiation.