The Future Circular Collider project raises concerns about monopolizing funding and restricts alternative research directions.

About Future Circular Collider

• It is an ambitious proposed successor to the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN.
  • European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) is one of the world's leading scientific institutions, dedicated to understanding fundamental nature of the universe.
• Scientific Objectives
  • Unanswered Questions from the LHC: e.g. what role did the Higgs boson plays in the Big Bang?
  • Exploring Beyond the Standard Model: The LHC has not yet detected new elementary particles beyond the Higgs boson.

Indian Air Force to Participate in Multinational Air Exercise in Greece.

About INIOCHOS-25

• It is an annual multinational air exercise hosted by Greece’s Hellenic Air Force.
• It serves as a platform for air forces to hone their skills, exchange tactical knowledge, and strengthen military ties.

Sarhul Festival is being celebrated in Jharkhand and the larger Chhotanagpur region.

About Sarhul Festival 

• It is celebrated by Oraon, Munda and Ho tribes, of Jharkhand region.
• Sarhul, literally “worship of the Sal tree” marks the beginning of New Year.
  • They are seen as abode of Sarna Maa, the deity protecting village from inclement natural forces.
• It is rooted in nature worship and celebrates the symbolic union of Sun & Earth.
• Celebrated every year in 1^st month of Hindu calendar, on the third day of the moon or the fortnight of 'Chaitra'.
• It marks the advent of the spring season or “Phaagun”.

Various traditional New Year festivals are being celebrated across different parts of India. 

Chaitra Sukladi

• Marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year, based on the lunar calendar. 
• The Vikram Samvat calendar used in North India also begins from Chaitra Sukladi.

Ugadi

• Celebrated in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka as the Telugu New Year.
• The word "Yugadi" comes from "Yug" (age) and "Adi" (beginning). 

Gudi Padwa

•  Primarily observed in Maharashtra, Goa etc.

Cheti Chand

• Marks the beginning of the New Year for Sindhi community.
• It, also known as Jhulelal Jayanti, is a religious festival celebrated by Sindhi 

Sajibu Cheiraoba 

• Sajibu Nongma Panba Cheiraoba marks the Meitei New Year. Celebrated in Manipur. 
• Falling on the first lunar day of the Sajibu month (March/April).

Shrinking Andean glaciers threaten the water supply in South America as per study.

About Andes Mountains

• Type: Fold Mountains, formed due to the subduction of the oceanic Nazca Plate beneath the South American continental plate.
• Length: About 4,500 miles long and spans seven South American countries Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina.
• Highest peak: Cerro Aconcagua (6960 meters).
• Volcanoes: Ojos del Salado (Dormant), Cotapaxi Volcano (Active).
• UNESCO World Heritage site: Machu Picchu.
• Altiplano plateau, World’s second-highest after the Tibetan plateau.

Breeding colonies of  Pelagic birds were recorded on sandbars of Adam’s Bridge.

• Adam's bridge connects Rameswaram, India to Mannar island of Sri Lanka.

About Pelagic birds

• They spend a large portion of their lives on the open ocean. 
• They can be found thousands of miles offshore, but can get blown on to land during high winds and storms.
• Examples:Brown noddy, Bridled Tern, Saunder’s Tern, Little Tern, etc.
• Key Features:
  • Greatly in size and excellent swimmers. 
  • They have exceptionally long thin wings that allow them to fly for long periods without rest.
  • They have a special salt gland that extracts salt from the seawater.
• Threats:Oil spills,climate change,plastic pollution etc.

India’s National Centre for Seismology says soil liquefaction caused severe damage in Myanmar.

About Soil Liquefaction

• It is a phenomenon where a block of soil behaves as a liquid instead of a solid.
• Liquefaction takes place when loosely packed, water-logged sediments at or near the ground surface lose their strength in response to strong ground shaking.
• Liquefaction occurring beneath buildings and other structures can cause major damage during earthquakes.

Govt bans use of asbestos in KVs, Navodaya Vidyalayas.

About Asbestos

• Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral. Its fibers are resistant to heat and corrosion.
• Useful as insulation and automotive parts, construction materials, and floor and roof tiles etc.
• Health Effects: Cancer, Asbestosis, banned in over 65 countries.
• Major Areas: Russia, Brazil, Kazakhstan and China.