• In a case, Bombay HC observed that police has Misutilized its power under Section 41A of the CrPC. 

• About Section 41A
  • Empowers apolice officer conducting a probe to issue notices to people connected to the case, directing them to appear before him.
  •  If the person concerned complies with the notice, they shall not be arrested unless there are specific reasons, which have to be recorded in writing by the police officer.
  • It aimed to avoid unnecessary arrest or its threat looming large on the accused which required it to be vitalised.

• MILAN 2024 is a multilateral naval exercise, hosted by India. 

• The Neem Summit has been organized by collaboration with lCAR-Central Agroforestry Research Institute.

• About Neem Tree
  • Native to Indian sub-continent. 
  • Climate: Grow in arid, semi-arid, wet tropical and sub-tropical climates and is tolerant to high temperature up to 49 °C.
  • Type: Evergreen tree (deciduous in drier areas).
  • Benefits:
    • Has a medicinal property. 
    • Act as very efficient, natural air filters trapping dust particles, absorbing gaseous pollutants. 
    • Other- Pesticides, mosquito repellents, fertilizers (neem coated urea), etc. 

• Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) and ISRO to monitor and issue operational forecast alerts of rip currents.

• About Rip Currents
  • A strong flow of water running from a beach back to open ocean, sea, or lake. 
  • They can be as narrow as 10 or 20 feet in width though they may be up to ten times wider.
  • Prevalent along East, Gulf, and West coasts of U.S., as well as along shores of Great Lakes.
  • They do not pull people under water rather they pull people away from shore.

• European Union launches ‘Mission Aspides to protect Red Sea vessels from Iran-backed Houthi attacks.
  • It aims to preserve freedom of navigation, provide maritime situational awareness, accompany ships and protect them from possible multimodal attacks at sea.
  • Its area of operation will include Bab Al Mandeb and Strait of Hormuz, as well as international waters in Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman and Arabian Gulf.

• Recent collapse in global price of nickel is due to Chinese investment in Indonesian mines.

• About Nickel 
  • Lustrous, silvery-white metal. 
  • Fifth most common element of earth's crust. 
  • Melting point of 1,453^oC.
  • Pure nickel is obtained by reduction of its oxides or by Mond process.
• Properties: Relatively low thermal & electrical conductivities; High resistance to corrosion & oxidation; Excellent strength at high temperatures etc. 
• Applications: Manufacture Stainless steel production, alloys, electroplating, etc.
• Distribution of Nickel: India (Odisha, Jharkhand, Nagaland, Karnataka), Global (Australia, Indonesia, Brazil etc.).

• United Nation Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) released report titled ‘Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report 2024’. 
  • Report highlighted that Asia-Pacific region is 32 years behind the 2030 target of achieving Sustainable development goals.

• About UNESCAP
  • Established as Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE) in 1947 and became ESCAP in 1974. 
    • It is one of the five regional commissions of the UN. 
  • Objective: Promotes cooperation among members in pursuit of solutions to sustainable development challenges.
  • Members: 53 member States (Including India) and 9 associate members. 
  • HQ- Bangkok (Thailand).

• Uttar Pradesh has secured Rs.740 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) Scheme, the highest amount in the country.

• About PM-USHA Scheme 
  • In light of the National Education Policy 2020, the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) scheme has been revamped as PM-USHA.
  • Scheme Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Education.
  • Key Objective: Improve the overall quality of existing state higher educational institutions (HEI).
    • It ensures Institutions conformity to prescribed norms and standards and adoption of accreditation as a quality assurance framework. 

Papua New Guinea (Capital: Port Moresby)

• Tribal violence in Papua New Guinea has caused the death of various people.

• Political Boundaries 
  • Island country in south-western Pacific Ocean.
  • Encompassing eastern half of New Guinea (world’s second largest island); Bismarck Archipelago; Bougainville and Buka (part of Solomon Islands chain) and other small islands.
  • Stretches from just south of Equator to Torres Strait.

• Geographical Features
  • Situated along a fault line, making earthquakes and resultant tsunamis relatively common occurrences.
  • Main rivers: Sepik, Ramu, Fly, and Purari.
  • Highest peak: Mount Wilhelm.