NASA-ISRO SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) mission has arrived at ISRO’s spaceport in Sriharikota for its launch.

• NISAR will “scan nearly all of earth’s land and ice surfaces twice every 12 days.

About the Synthetic Aperture Radar

• It is a way to make sharp pictures even when it’s dark or cloudy using a radar system.
• Working: Instead of using visible light like a regular camera, SAR systems send out pulse of energy (e.g., microwave) and record the echoes that bounce back from the ground, ocean, etc. 
• It can collect data 24/7, since microwaves penetrate clouds, smoke, and even light rainfall.

Himachal Pradesh (HP) has opened the Shipki La pass, a motorable mountain pass in the Kinnaur district, to domestic tourists.

• It was closed after Doklam standoff, 2020.

About Shipki La Pass

• Connects India and Tibet (China).
  • The old name of Shipki La was Pema La, or Shared Gate but Indo-Tibetan Border Police named it Shipki La.
• Sutlej River (known as Langqen Zangbo in Tibet) enters India through Shipki La.

Other important passes in Himachal Pradesh: Baralacha La (Lahul and Spiti with Ladakh), Rohtang La (Kullu valley to Lahaul and Spiti), Shingo La/ Shinku La (HP to Ladakh), and Borasu Pass (HP to Uttarakhand).

Barak Magen (the Hebrew name of Lightning Shield) is Israel’s Shield against Iranian drones.

About Barak Magen 

• It is an advanced naval air defense system developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
• Designed to counter a broad spectrum of threats including UAVs (drones); Cruise missiles; High-trajectory projectiles; Shore-to-sea missiles.

Other Major defence systems of Israel: Iron Dome, David’s Sling, Arrow System, Laser Iron Beam, etc. 

• For David’s Sling and Arrow System Israel collaborated with US. 

Under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U), certain cities are integrating electric vehicles (EVs) into their household waste collection systems.

• This is supported by the Sustainable Cities Integrated Pilot Approach (SCIAP) Project.

About SCIAP (2016)

• The project aims to address UN-Habitat's commitments to support India in promoting sustainable urban planning and management.
• It is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and executed by United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and UN-Habitat in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
• Project is underway in five pilot cities – Bhopal, Guntur, Mysore, Vijayawada, and Jaipur.

The exercise will be conducted at Camp Larzac, La Cavalerie, France

About Exercise Shakti (Army)

• Type: Biennial joint military exercise between India and France.
• Other Joint Exercises with France: Exercise Varuna (Navy) & Exercise Garuda (Airforce).

Researchers have discovered 24–23-million-year-old fossilized leaves.

Key Findings

• Discovery:
  • Fossil leaves identified as belonging to the genus Nothopegia (now found only in the Western Ghats).
  • Oldest known fossil record of this genus.
• Migration & Extinction: Nothopegia disappeared from Northeast India due to:
  • Himalayan uplift led to cooling of Climate.
  • Changes in rainfall, wind patterns.
  • Survived in Western Ghats due to stable tropical conditions.

About Nothopegia genus

• Distribution: Restricted to India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
• Species: The genus has 10–11 known species, with 8 found in India, mostly in the Western Ghats and southwestern regions.

Union Minister for Agriculture paid tributes to freedom fighter Buddhu Nonia at his centenary celebrations and hailed nonia community for Nonia Rebellion in 1770s.

• Responding to Gandhi ji’s call during the Salt Satyagraha, Buddhu Nonia took part in making salt. He was deceitfully arrested and killed. 

About Nonia rebellion

• Around 1770, two major uprisings took place: the Sanyasi Rebellion and the Nonia Rebellion (continued for 30 years around 1750).
• Aim: To drive out the British.
• Epicentre: Hajipur, Tirhut, Saran and Purnia of Bihar by the Lonia community.
  • The word Lonia is derived from the Sanskrit word for salt – lavan.
  • The community was associated with making saltpetre, acid and sulfur. 

Researchers developed policy proposals to revive Dhansiri after studying its pollution status.

About Dhansiri river

• Origin: Originates from Laisang peak of Nagaland.
  • Course: Flowing as the boundary between Karbi Anglong and Nagaland.
  • Sub- tributaries: Kakodonga & Bhogdoi.
• Confluence: Joining Brahmaputra on its south bank.
• Support wildlife: Flanked by Dhansiri Reserved Forest and Intangki National Park.