1. USAID Funding Suspension
What is USAID?
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy.
It provides foreign aid, disaster relief, and development assistance in areas like health, education, infrastructure, and governance.
Why has USAID halted its funding?
The U.S. government has suspended foreign aid under budgetary constraints and policy changes.
The Biden administration has redirected funds to domestic priorities and geopolitical interests, affecting USAID’s projects in India, Africa, and Latin America.
Impact on India:
USAID has funded health programs (HIV/AIDS, TB, maternal health) and economic growth projects in India.
The suspension may delay or cancel several ongoing development projects.
2. AI Action Summit
Where is it being held?
Paris, France (2025).
What is the AI Action Summit?
A global forum for AI governance focused on ethical and safe AI development.
Addresses job losses, bias in AI models, regulation, and AI safety risks.
How many AI Action Summits have been held?
1st Summit (2023): London, UK – Focus on AI risks in national security.
2nd Summit (2024): New York, USA – Emphasis on AI’s role in cybersecurity and misinformation.
3rd Summit (2025): Paris, France – India co-chairs, advocating for Global South inclusion.
India’s Stand at the Summit:
PM Narendra Modi emphasized equitable AI access and reskilling for new jobs.
India proposed bias-free datasets and open-source AI platforms.
3. Stock Market & Indices: SENSEX, NIFTY 50, BSE, NSE
What is the Sensex?
Sensex (Sensitive Index) is India’s oldest stock market index, introduced in 1986.
It tracks the performance of the top 30 companies listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).
Calculated based on market capitalization and free-float methodology.
What is the Nifty 50?
The Nifty 50 is a benchmark stock market index for the National Stock Exchange (NSE), introduced in 1996.
Tracks 50 large, liquid, and actively traded companies across various sectors.
Difference Between BSE & NSE:
FeatureBSENSEFull NameBombay Stock ExchangeNational Stock ExchangeEstablished18751992No. of Listed Companies5000+2000+Benchmark IndexSensex (30 stocks)Nifty 50 (50 stocks)Trading VolumeLowerHigher
Why are markets falling?
U.S. trade war tensions: Trump announced 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, affecting investor sentiment.
Foreign investors withdrawing from Indian markets.
4. Mangroves & Pneumatophores
What are Mangroves?
Mangroves are coastal forests found in tropical and subtropical regions, growing in saline waters.
They act as natural barriers against cyclones, tsunamis, and coastal erosion.
What are Pneumatophores?
Special aerial roots that grow upwards from the soil to absorb oxygen.
Help mangroves survive in oxygen-poor environments (waterlogged, muddy soil).
Major Mangrove Areas in India:
Sundarbans (West Bengal) – Largest mangrove forest in the world, home to the Royal Bengal Tiger.
Mahanadi Delta (Odisha) – Mangroves protect coastal villages.
Godavari-Krishna Delta (Andhra Pradesh) – Critical for fisheries and coastal biodiversity.
Pichavaram (Tamil Nadu) – Second-largest mangrove forest in India.
Gulf of Kutch (Gujarat) – Dry-climate mangroves adapted to high salinity.
Why is the Bombay HC allowing mangrove cutting?
The court allowed 209 mangroves to be cut for an Adani Electricity transmission line.
Environmentalists warn of coastal erosion and biodiversity loss.
5. CIC (Central Information Commission) – Tenure, Salary, Composition
What is the CIC?
The Central Information Commission (CIC) was established under the RTI Act, 2005.
It is an independent statutory body ensuring citizens’ right to information from public authorities.
Composition:
Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) + Up to 10 Information Commissioners (ICs).
Appointed by: President of India, on the recommendation of a committee (PM, LoP, and a Cabinet Minister).
Tenure & Salary:
Term: The CIC and ICs (at the central and state level) will hold office for a term of three years.
Salary: ₹2.50 lakh per month (same as Chief Election Commissioner).
Why is DU challenging CIC’s order?
CIC directed Delhi University to disclose PM Modi’s degree details under RTI.
DU argues that educational records are personal information and should not be disclosed.
6. Shakti Processor & RISC-V Initiative
What is the Shakti Processor?
India’s first indigenous microprocessor designed for aerospace, defense, and computing applications.
Developed by IIT Madras in collaboration with ISRO.
Uses the RISC-V architecture, an open-source alternative to proprietary chip designs.
What is the RISC-V Initiative?
RISC-V (Reduced Instruction Set Computing - Version 5) is an open-source chip architecture.
Promoted under Digital India RISC-V Initiative (DIR-V).
Goal: Reduce India’s dependence on foreign chip manufacturers (Intel, AMD, ARM).
Benefits: More control over data security, chip design, and semiconductor production.
7. IED (Improvised Explosive Device)
What is an IED?
An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) is a homemade bomb used in asymmetric warfare.
Made from military-grade or locally available materials.
Types of IEDs:
Time-Delayed IEDs: Explodes after a set time (e.g., suitcase bombs).
Pressure-Plate IEDs: Activated when stepped on (common in insurgencies).
Remote-Controlled IEDs: Detonated via mobile phones or radio signals.
Why was IED in the news?
Jammu’s Akhnoor sector: Indian Army Captain and a soldier killed in an IED blast near LoC.
Indicates increased militant activity along the border.
Elephant Communication and Behavior
Trumpeting and Acoustic Communication:
New research suggests Asian elephants use trumpeting for various reasons beyond disturbances, including social interactions, play, and group coordination.
Young elephants produce higher-pitched calls to attract herd mates, while older elephants use lower-frequency sounds.
The study is forming an Asian Elephant Sound Library for further research on their vocal behavior.
Elephant Social Structure:
Matriarchal society: Herds are led by the oldest female (matriarch), who has extensive knowledge of food sources, water, and danger.
Males (bulls) leave the herd at puberty (around 14-15 years) and live alone or in bachelor groups.
Elephants have strong family bonds and exhibit grief, playfulness, and cooperation.
DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation)
Overview:
DRDO is India’s premier defense research agency, established in 1958 under the Ministry of Defence.
It develops missiles, aircraft, radars, naval systems, and cybersecurity technology.
Key achievements:
Agni & Prithvi missiles
Tejas fighter jet
Arjun battle tank
Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS)
Recently, DRDO licensed 19 advanced technologies to private companies for defense production
Hawaii as the "Rainbow Capital of the World"
Why is Hawaii ideal for rainbows?
Consistent sunshine & short rain showers: Sunlight refracts through raindrops, creating vivid rainbows.
Clean air: Fewer particles like dust and pollution enhance color clarity.
Trade winds bring frequent small rain showers, allowing rainbows to form more often.
Rainbows appear opposite the sun and are higher in the sky during mornings and late afternoons.
Climate Change & Rainbows:
A study predicts fewer rainbows in Brazil, the Mediterranean, and Central Africa by 2100 due to changing rainfall patterns.
EDITORIAL OF THE DAY
South-South Climate Cooperation & India’s Role
What is South-South Cooperation?
Collaboration among developing nations to share technology, climate finance, and sustainable practices.
India’s Climate Initiatives:
India launched the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) in 2023, aligning with Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement.
India’s renewable energy (RE) sector attracted $10 billion in FDI in 2022.
Collaborating with South Korea, Japan, and the EU on green hydrogen, sustainable aviation fuel, and carbon capture.
Why Africa?
High renewable energy potential and severe climate vulnerabilities.
India can assist with solar energy, sustainable agriculture, and carbon credit markets.
11 Toponymy – The Study of Place Names
What is Toponymy?
The study of how places get their names, influenced by history, geography, and culture.
Examples from the news:
Azerbaijan was historically a region in Iran. After the Russian Empire collapsed in 1918, the new country adopted the Iranian region’s name.
Chattogram (Bangladesh) was called "Grand Harbour of Bengal" by the Portuguese and "Sadkawan" by Ibn Battuta
New Zealand & Deep-Sea Mining Ban
Why are Kiwis reconsidering the ban?
New Zealand banned deep-sea mining due to environmental concerns, but is reconsidering it due to demand for rare earth minerals (used in EV batteries, solar panels, and electronics).
The Pacific region has vast reserves of polymetallic nodules, but mining risks destroying marine ecosystems
14 Vietnam’s Industrial Boom
Why is Vietnam experiencing an industrial boom?
Many global companies are shifting production from China to Vietnam due to:
US-China trade war and rising Chinese labor costs.
Vietnam’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the EU, ASEAN, and the US.
Government incentives for manufacturing and low wages attracting foreign investment.
Key Industries Driving Growth:
Electronics: Samsung, Apple suppliers, and Intel expanding production.
Textiles & Garments: Vietnam is the third-largest textile exporter after China and India.
Automobiles & EVs: VinFast is emerging as a major electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer
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