RudraM-II missile was successfully flight-tested from Su-30 MK-I. 

About About RudraM-II

• Indigenously developed solid-propelled air-launched missile, designed for air-to-surface operations.
• Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• In 2020, RudraM, a new-generation anti-radiation missiles (NGARMs) was successfully tested. 
  • It is first indigenous ARM of Indian Air Force. 
  • It is equipped with the Inertial Navigation System (INS)-Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation system and Passive Homing Head (PHH). 
    • PHH can detect, classify and engage targets over a wide band of frequencies as programmed.

Japan researchers have built the world's first wooden satellite named Lignosat.

• NASA and JAXA are collaborating in this Initiative. 

About Lignosat

• Tiny cuboid craft and it will be sent into space by SpaceX rocket.
• Initiative aims to combat space clutter and promote more environmentally friendly space activity.
• Material: Magnolia wood, due to its strength and resilience.
• Benefits: Unlike traditional satellites (built with aluminium) which release harmful particles during re-entry whereas Lignosat will burn harmlessly.
  • Electromagnetic waves can easily pass through wood, allowing for the containment of instruments within the satellite's structure. Eliminates the risk of instruments detaching and becoming debris.

As per recent studies, SASS6 (SAS-6 Centriolar Assembly Protein) gene’s may be responsible for causing microcephaly.

• SASS6 is a Protein Coding gene. It is a central component of centrioles (paired barrel-shaped organelles located in the cytoplasm of animal cell). 

About Microcephaly

• Condition in which a baby’s head is much smaller than normal.
• Occurs when there is a problem with brain development in the womb or when the brain stops growing after birth.
• Causes: Variety of genetic factors, viral infection such as Zika etc.

India assumed the Chair of Colombo Process for 2024-26, for the first time since its inception in 2003.

About Colombo Process

• Regional Consultative Process that provides platform for consultations on the management of overseas employment and contractual labour.
• Comprises of 12 Member States of Asia such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka etc.
  • India is one of the founding members.
• Thematic priority areas are: Skills and Qualification Recognition Processes; Fostering Ethical Recruitment Practices, etc.
• UN’s International Organization for Migration provides technical and administrative support to the Colombo Process. 

The National Green Tribunal tells Karnataka govt to curb illegal sand mining in Sharavathi river.

About Sharavathi River

• West flowing river which drains into the Arabian Sea.
• Origin: Ambutirthha (Western Ghats) in Shimoga district of Karnataka.
• Tributaries: Haridravathi, Yennehole, Nagodi, etc.
• Water Falls: Jog falls (one of the highest plunge waterfall)
• Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Sharavathi River Valley.
• The Mahatma Gandhi Hydroelectric Power Station is built on it. 

The report is  published by the International Labour Organisation.

Key highlights 

• World unemployment to fall slightly in 2024.
• 183 million people are  unemployed (actively looking for work).
• 45.6 % of women (aged 15 and above) are employed, compared to 69.2 % of men, a gap of 23.6%
  • Reason for such gap: family responsibilities (marriage and parenthood).
  • Also, women receive lower labour income than men – especially in the developing world. 
• Informal workers have grown from 1.7 billion in 2005 to 2.0 billion in 2024. 

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has launched three initiatives to enhance public access to the central bank and facilitate regulatory approvals.

Initiatives

• PRAVAAH portal (Platform for Regulatory Application, Validation, and Authorisation): secure and centralized web-based portal to seek authorisation, license or regulatory approval.
• Mobile Application for RBI Retail Direct portal: Retail investors can transact in government securities using the mobile app.
• Fintech Repository: comprehensive database containing information on the Indian fintech sector aims to provide a better understanding of the sector from a regulatory perspective.

The rivers in Alaska are turning orange due to the thawing of permafrost caused by climate change. 

This thawing releases toxic metals that have been locked in the permafrost for thousands of years, making rivers highly acidic.

Chemical analysis of the river water revealed high levels of zinc, nickel, copper, cadmium, and iron.

About Alaska

• State of the USA and lies at the extreme northwest of the North American continent.
• Bounded by the Beaufort Sea and Arctic Ocean(North), Gulf of Alaska and the Pacific Ocean(South), Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea (west).