Recently two satellites have been built by an Indian private company, to be used for the Space Docking Experiment.

About SPADEX:

• Objective: Indigenous technological development and demonstration of docking (attaching) of two spacecraft (called Chaser and Target) in orbit.
  • Subsequent to docking, Chaser and Target will be separated so that they would carry-out their designated experiments with payloads. 
• Significance of Experiment: Crucial for future human spaceflight and lunar sample return missions and construction of large space structures. E.g. Chandrayaan-4 and India’s proposed Bhartiya Antriksh Station.

First anniversary of operations of Namo Bharat Trains was celebrated as Namo Bharat Diwas.

About Namo Bharat Trains:

• They represent India’s first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) currently operating across a 42 kms Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor covering 9 stations.
  • It is stipulated to be a 82-km corridor connecting Delhi to Meerut, expected to be completed by 2025.
• About RRTS: It provides high-speed, efficient connectivity between suburban areas, reducing commuting time and reinforcing India’s commitment to developing sustainable urban transport solutions.

Officials from BCAS met with airline representatives following reports of bomb threats affecting multiple flights.

About BCAS

• Established within Directorate General of Civil Aviation in 1978 based on the Pande Committee's recommendation.
•  It became an independent department under Ministry of Civil Aviation in 1987.

Functions:

• lays down standards and measures related to security of civil flights at international and domestic airports in India.
• Establishes Aviation Security Standards as per Chicago Convention of International Civil Aviation Organization

Recently militants attacked Z-Morh Project site in Jammu and Kashmir.

About Z-Morh Project:

• It is a 6.4-km tunnel on the Srinagar-Sonamarg highway at an altitude of 8,500 feet aimed at all weather connectivity to Sonamarg, a famous tourist destination.
• It has acquired its name from presence of a Z-shaped road stretch at the construction location.
• Strategic importance: 
  • It is part of the Zojila tunnel project that aims to provide all weather connectivity from Srinagar to Ladakh throughout the year.
  • It connects Srinagar, Dras, Kargil and Leh regions, apart from this all-weather connectivity reduces army’s reliance on air transport.

Fraser Institute released the 2024 Economic Freedom of the World Report.

About Economic Freedom Report, 2024 (India’s Rank: 84th)

• It ranks 165 countries based on the degree to which policies and institutions permit people to make their own economic choices.
• Indicators: It uses various data points organized into five broad areas to construct an overall index
  • Size of Government: Role of fiscal policy.
  • Legal System and Property Rights: Covers Impartiality of courts; protection of property; etc. 
  • Sound Money: With low (and stable) rates of inflation. 
  • Freedom to Trade Internationally: Easy clearance and customs. 
  • Regulation: Restricting entry into markets. 
• Top and Bottom Ranks: Hongkong (1st), Venezuela (165th)

As per German Research Centre for Geosciences, a 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit Halmahera Sea in Indonesia. 

About Halmahera Sea

• Located near Halmahera Island (Indonesia), it is a part of eastern  entry  route of Indonesian  throughflow (ITF)  passages. 
  •  ITF links pacific ocean and Indian Ocean through two entry passages i.e. Western and Eastern. 
• Halmahera Island is the largest island of the Moluccas, located between the Molucca Sea (west) and the Pacific Ocean (east) in Indonesia.

Recently, bilateral naval exercise, Naseem-Al-Bahr, was conducted

About Naseem-Al-Bahr

• It was conducted between the Indian Navy and Royal Navy of Oman in Goa. 
• INS Trikand and Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft participated from the Indian side. 
• Aim: reaffirms India's commitment to constructive collaboration and mutual growth with like-minded nations in the Indian Ocean Region

Recently, World Iodine Deficiency Day was celebrated.

About Iodine

• It is an essential component of the thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which regulate metabolism and are crucial for fetal and infant development.
• Impact of iodine deficiency
  • Hypothyroidism:  which may further lead to Goitre.
  • In pregnant women: It causes neurodevelopmental deficits and growth retardation in the fetus and may result in miscarriage and stillbirth.
  • Others: stunted growth, delayed sexual maturation etc.
• National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme in India covers various iodine deficiency disorders across all States and Union Territories.