An archaeological discovery attributed to megalithic period has been made in Kerala’s Kasaragod, featuring rock-cut carvings created with iron tools. 

• These carvings include depictions of human figures representing both children and adults.

About Megalithic Culture

• Period: Belongs to Iron Age (1500 BC–500 BC).
• Megaliths: Refer to burials made of large stones in graveyards. 
  • Types: Polylithic (Dolmen, Cairn, Cromlekh, Cist) and Monolithic (Menhir).
• Sites: Adichanallur, Kodumanal (Tamilnadu); Thrissur and Kunnattur (Kerala) etc.
• Characteristics: Agricultural economy; pastoralism; metal, wood & ceramic industry & craft, religious practices - Animism.

ISRO and Australian Space Agency (ASA) have signed an Implementation Agreement (IA) to enhance collaboration on space activities between India and Australia.

About IA

• It enables cooperation between both space agencies on crew and crew module recovery for Gaganyaan missions.
• It supports Australia's role in search and rescue operations and crew module recovery, particularly if an emergency abort during the ascent phase occurs near Australian waters. 

About Gaganyaan mission

• It aims to demonstrate India's human spaceflight capability by sending a three-member crew to Low Earth Orbit for three days and safely returning them to Earth.

Defense minister of India met the US Secretary of Defense on the sidelines of 11th ADMM-Plus at Vientiane, Lao PDR.

About ADDM-Plus

• It comprises of 10 ASEAN Member States and 8 Dialogue Partners (Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia and US). 
• Inaugural ADMM-Plus was convened in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2010.
• Since 2017, ADMM-Plus Ministers meet annually to further dialogue and cooperation amongst ASEAN and Plus Countries.
• Its purpose is to strengthen security and defence cooperation for maintenance of peace, stability, and development in the region.
• Focuses on seven areas of practical cooperation: Maritime Security, Counter-terrorism, HADR, Peacekeeping Operations, Military Medicine, Humanitarian Mine Action and Cyber Security. 

Indian researchers have developed peptide (a short chain of amino acids)-based adjustable piezoresponsive nanomaterials that can help in energy harvesting and biodevice applications.

Piezoresponsive Nanomaterials (PN)

• PN can change their physical properties, like electrical resistance, when subjected to mechanical stress.
  • This unique ability helps to generate an electric charge when subjected to pressure.
•  Due to this ability, these materials are typically used in applications like sensors, actuators, and energy harvesting devices.
• When they are composed of nanostructured materials, it enhances their sensitivity and responsiveness to external forces.

Recently, ICC issued an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister, Hamas leader for their alleged war crimes in the Gaza conflict.

About ICC:

• First international permanent court established to investigate, prosecute individuals accused of committing war crime, genocide, crime against humanity and crime of aggression. 
• Independent judicial body, not part of the UN. However, UN Security Council can refer certain situations to the Prosecutor of the ICC
• Founding treaty: Rome Statute, came into force in 2002 (negotiated within the UN framework).
• Members: 124 members.
  • India, Israel, the US, Russia and China are not members. 

Recently, scientists found evidence that desertification leads to large amounts of nutrient-rich dust landing in the Indian-Ocean, south east of Madagascar, causing phytoplankton (Algae) bloom.

Phytoplanktons:

• Microscopic, single-celled plants that live in the ocean.
• They regulate the carbon sink and food chain (primary producers) in the ocean.

About Phytoplankton bloom:

• It’s the exponential growth of phytoplankton.
• Favorable conditions: Warm Sea surface temperature, calm waters, availability of excessive nutrients etc.
• Impact: Produce biotoxins that can bioaccumulate in the marine food web; depletes the oxygen level in the ocean creating ‘Dead Zone’. 

National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) in collaboration with Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) inaugurated Bharat National Cyber Security Exercise (Bharat NCX 2024).

• NSCS serves as the apex body for all matters concerning internal and external security.

About Bharat NCX 2024

• It aims to strengthen India's cybersecurity resilience by training cybersecurity professionals and leaders to tackle evolving threats.
• It includes immersive training, live-fire simulations, and strategic decision-making exercise which will bring together senior management from across sectors to simulate decision-making in a national-level cyber crisis.

Union Minister of Science and Technology has inaugurated Viksit Bharat Initiative for Student Innovation and Outreach Network (VISION) portal.

About VISION Portal

• It aimed at nurturing education, skill development, and innovation among underprivileged children. 
• It can act as a gateway for those in remote areas to access mentorship and training.
• It is integral to realizing the country’s aspirations under Vision India 2047.