Furnace and iron slag found at Daojali Hading point points to early metallurgical practices of the Neolithic Age.

Daojali Hading:

• A neolithic site in Assam’s Dima Hasao district near the Brahmaputra valley.
• First evidence of an Eastern Asiatic Neolithic complex of double-shouldered Celts and cord-marked pottery in India was reported from there. 

Neolithic period(About 6000 BC to 1000 BC):

• Last stage of the Stone Age
• Significant for spread of agricultural practices, and the use of polished stone, more refined tools.

Other neolithic sites:

• Kashmir: Burzahom, Gufkral and Kanispur.
• Ganga valley: ChopaniMando, Koldihwa, Lehuradeva and Mahagara. 

India’s private telecom operators have raised concerns about the pricing for satellite based communication networks.

About Satellite Communication (SATCOM)

• It refers to any communication link that involves the use of an artificial satellite in its propagation path.
• It is a form of wireless communication where satellites serve as relay stations in space, enabling the transfer of data over vast distances.
• Key Characteristics: Facilitates long-distance communication; operates over radio frequencies; provides global coverage, including remote and inaccessible areas, etc.
• Most common orbits followed by SATCOMs are Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and Geostationary Satellite Orbit (GSO).

ADB commits $10 billion to boost India’s urban development and metro expansion.

• ADB will also assist with India’s Urban Challenge Fund, boosting private investment.

About Asian Development Bank (ADB) 

• Supports inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific.
• Present Members: From 31 members at its establishment in 1966 to 69 members—of which 50 are from within Asia and the Pacific and 19 outside.
• Headquarter: Manila, Philippines.
• ADB’s five largest shareholders (As of 31 December 2023): Japan and the USA (each with 15.6% of total shares), China (6.4%), India (6.3%), and Australia (5.8%).

Chief Scientist of the World Health Organization said that there is no reason to fear COVID-19 due to the immunity people have acquired over the last few years.

About Acquired Immunity

• Also known as adaptive immunity, it is a type of immunity that develops after exposure to a specific antigen, such as a pathogen or vaccine.
• As against innate immunity (present from birth), it is learnt when a person’s immune system encounters foreign invaders and antigens.
• Is also called specific immunity because it tailors its attack to a specific antigen.
• The white blood cells responsible for acquired immunity are Lymphocytes (T cells and B cells).

The Delhi High Court has passed an order protecting the personality rights, and publicity rights of the founder of Isha Foundation.

About Personality Rights

• In India Personality Rights have not been defined under any statute. 
• Generally they are of two types: Right to publicity (U/A 19) and Right to Privacy (U/A 21).
• In its most basic sense, it could be understood to mean the right of an individual to protect and control their image, name and identity.
• Personality Rights are protected under: Trademark Act, 1999, Copyright Act, 1957.

Under ⁠Operation Spider Web, Ukraine carried out its most devastating drone strike of the war.

Operation Spider Web

• Conducted by Ukraine’s SBU (Security Service/Agency).
• It is a drone attack (using first-person view (FPV) drones) on strategic bomber aircrafts at Russian air bases.
  • The attack was planned on four air bases. E.g. Belaya air base in the Irkutsk region of Siberia.
• FPV drones, also known as Remote Person View (RPV) drones, are unmanned aerial vehicles which streams real-time video from the camera on the drone to goggles.

UN officials have alleged that the newly created agency, backed by the U.S. and Israel, is an ‘aid-washing’ initiative is meant to mask the starvation of Palestinians

About Gaza Humanitarian Foundation:

• A charity that was founded in 2025 in legal form "Stiftung" in Switzerland. 
  • It gives grants in topics such as healthcare, humanitarian & disaster relief, non-profit & charitable and others.
• It is not a UN Body.

Concerns:

• Violation of principles of impartiality, neutrality, humanity, and independence in aid distribution.
• Aid must never be politicised or weaponised.

Mock drills were conducted in States and Union territories adjoining the western border under ‘Operation Shield’.

About Operation shield

• Objective: To assess and strengthen the country’s readiness in the face of possible external threats.
• The drill is designed to simulate various emergency scenarios, such as enemy air raids, drone intrusions, missile strikes, and mass evacuations. 
• It will include silent and general recall of civil defence volunteers, evacuation drills, and emergency communication exercises.