The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with NITI Aayog launched Swavalambini.

About Swavalambini

• A Women Entrepreneurship Programme for Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram.
• Aimed at empowering female students in select Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the northeast by equipping them with the essential entrepreneurial mindset, resources, and mentorship they need to succeed in their entrepreneurial journey.
• It also provides six months of mentorship and handholding support to help participants translate their ideas into sustainable prospects.

Recently, a 2nd genotype (genotype D1.1) spillover of bird flu virus has been detected among dairy cattle in US.

• Until now, all Bird Flu detections in dairy cattle have involved genotype B3.13.

About Bird Flu:

• Caused by: Avian Influenza Type A Virus.
• Divided into subtypes on the basis of two proteins on the surface of the virus:
  • Hemagglutinin (HA) and Neuraminidase (NA).
• Carrier and Transmission: Migratory wild birds, especially waterfowl, are natural reservoirs of avian influenza viruses. 
• Transmission to Humans: Certain subtypes of the virus can infect humans, leading to severe respiratory illnesses like H5N1. 
• Symptoms: Fever, fatigue, cough, sore throat, muscle aches etc.

Recently, Dashavatar performances in Maharashtra started.

About Dashavatar theatre 

• It is a traditional theatre form with a history of eight hundred years. 
• The term Dashavatar refers to the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu (God of preservation). 
  • The ten incarnations are 'matsya' (fish), 'kurma' (tortoise), 'varaha' (boar), 'narasimha' (lion-man), 'vaman' (dwarf), Parashuram, Ram, Krishna, Buddha and Kalki.
• Features: The performers use bright make-up and costumes and they are accompanied by three musical instruments: a paddle harmonium, tabla and zanj (cymbals).
• Popular in: Sindhudurg district of the South Konkan Region of Maharashtra and North Goa district of Goa.

Union Environment Ministry’s Forest Advisory Committee approved the R&D proposal for Dibru Saikhowa National Park. 

About Dibru Saikhowa National Park

• Location: Situated in Assam, it is both a National Park and a Biosphere Reserve.
• Rivers: Bounded by the Brahmaputra and Lohit Rivers to the north, and the Dibru River to the south.
• Vegetation: Moist mixed semi-evergreen and deciduous forests, with the largest salix swamp forest in northeastern India.
• Fauna: Ferral horses, tigers, elephants, leopards, and jungle cats.

Supreme Court questioned whether a Governor can reserve a Bill for the President under Article 200 after already withholding assent.

About Article 200 

• After a Bill is passed by the State Legislature, the Governor can:
  • Assent to it
  • Withhold assent
  • Reserve it for the President’s consideration
• Returning a Bill: If not a Money Bill, the Governor can return it with recommendations. However, if passed again, the Governor must approve it.
• Reservation for the President: If the Bill affects High Court powers, the Governor must send it to the President for approval.

NCST has asked Telangana, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha to gather data on tribals displaced from Chhattisgarh due to Maoist violence.

About NCST

• Genesis: Established under Article 338A of the Constitution (inserted through 89th Amendment Act, 2003). 
• Composition: Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Members (each having a 3-year term). 
  • Chairperson’s rank is equivalent to Union Cabinet Minister, Vice-Chairperson’s a Minister of State and other Members’ ranks of a Secretary of Centre.
• Key Functions: 
  • Monitor safeguards for Scheduled Tribes (STs).
  • investigate complaints on deprivation of ST rights. 
  • Advise on socio-economic development plans for STs.
• Powers: Functions as a Civil Court.

A recent study highlighted the threat to Rhododendron wattii in Nagaland, while new orchid species is recorded for the first time in Manipur. 

About Rhododendron 

• It is one of the largest genera of flowering plants with more than 1,000 wild species. 
• Distribution: 
  • Mainly in the Himalayas and Southeast Asia.
  • In smaller number in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and northeast Australia.
• Recognition
  • Rhododendron arboreum is National flower (called Lali gurans) of Nepal. 
  • Pink Rhododendron state flower of Himachal Pradesh.
• Considered as indicator species for climate change and used in traditional medicine.

SEBI proposed Retail Algo Trading Framework. 

• Algo trading automates buy/sell orders using preset conditions for precise execution. 
• Erstwhile, only institutional investors were allowed to use it t via Direct Market Access (DMA).

Key Highlights of Regulatory Framework

• Categorization of Algorithms
  • White-box: Logic is disclosed and replicable i.e. Execution Algos
  • Black-box: Algos where the logic is not known to the user and is not replicable
• Trading Limits for Retail Traders: Retail traders must follow exchange-set limits (yet to be decided).
• Registration of Algo Providers: Algo providers are not regulated by SEBI, but must register with exchanges and partner with a broker to sell algos.