White Island Latest News

The owners of New Zealand’s White Island volcano that erupted in 2019, killing 22 tourists and local guides, have had the conviction against them overturned by the country's High Court recently.

About White Island

• White Island (also known as Whakaari) is an active composite stratovolcano in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.
• It is currently New Zealand’s most active cone volcano, sitting 48 km off the coast of Whakatāne in the North Island.
  • Last major eruption: December 9, 2019 (caused fatalities and injuries)
• The cone has been built up by continuous volcanic activity over the past 150,000 years. 
• The island covers an area of around 325 hectares, and this is only about 30 percent of the volcano’s mass-the rest is under the sea. 
• It is two kilometres in diameter, and its peak rises 321 m above sea level.
• The island was sighted and named by Capt. James Cook in 1769. 
• It has numerous hot springs, geysers, and fumaroles.
• It is privately owned. In 1953 it was declared a private scenic reserve and has been the focus of tourism activities along with geological and ecological science.

White Island FAQs

Q1. Where is White Island located?

Ans. It is located in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.

Q2. Who owns White Island now?

Ans. It is privately owned by the Buttress family, who have held ownership since 1936.

Q3. What is the White Island famous for?

Ans. It is famous for being New Zealand's most active volcano.

Source: NDTV

Blue Ghost Mission Latest News

Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lunar lander has successfully touched down on the Moon's Mare Crisium region after a nerve-wracking powered descent.

About Blue Ghost Mission

• Blue Ghost, developed by Firefly Aerospace,is carrying 10 NASA payloads as part of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, which aims to stimulate lunar commerce through private-sector competition.
• The Blue Ghost mission aims to enhance our understanding of the lunar environment.
• The lander carries a vacuum to collect lunar soil samples and a drill capable of measuring temperatures up to 10 feet (3 meters) below the surface.

Objectives of Blue Ghost Mission

• The lander will study heat flow from the Moon’s interior, helping scientists understand its thermal evolution.
• It will analyse plume-surface interactions to improve landing techniques by examining how lunar regolith reacts to the lander’s engine plumes.
• By collecting data on the Moon’s magnetic and electric fields, researchers will gain insights into its geological history.
• The lander will operate for approximately 14 Earth days, equivalent to one complete lunar day, conducting scientific investigations and technology demonstrations.

Blue Ghost Mission FAQs

Q1. Who launched Blue Ghost?

Ans. The lander, called Blue Ghost, launched to orbit on a SpaceX rocket

Q2. What is the blue ghost mission?

Ans. The Firefly mission is part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services programme, which seeks to leverage private industry to support the agency's return to the moon.

 Source: IE

Rushikulya River Latest News

Forest officials recently restricted entry along a 5-km stretch from Gokharakuda to Bateswar near the Rushikulya river mouth in Ganjam district to protect Olive Ridley turtle eggs. 

About Rushikulya River

• It is one of Odisha's prominent rivers, flowing primarily through the districts of Kandhamal, Ganjam, and Boudh. 
• Course:
  • Originating at an elevation of approximately 1000 meters from the Daringbadi hills in the Eastern Ghats—often referred to as the 'Kashmir of Odisha' for its scenic beauty—the river travels a length of around 165 kilometers before emptying into the Bay of Bengal near the town of Ganjam. 
  • Unlike many other rivers, the Rushikulya River does not form a delta at its mouth, and it flows directly into the Bay of Bengal.
  • The Rushikulya River basin encompasses a catchment area of roughly 7500 sq.km.
• Tributaries: Its tributaries are the Baghua, the Dhanei, and the Badanadi etc. 
• Olive Ridley Turtle Nesting Site (Rushikulya Beach):
  • One of the most famous attractions near the river is the Olive Ridley Turtle Nesting Site, located on the coast where the Rushikulya River meets the Bay of Bengal. 
  • Each year, between January and March, thousands of Olive Ridley Turtles come to the shores to lay their eggs, creating a spectacular natural event known as Arribada.

Rushikulya River FAQs

Q1. Why is Rushikulya River famous?

Ans. It is famous for being one of the largest nesting sites for Olive Ridley sea turtles in the world.

Q2. Which of the states does the Rushikulya River pass through?

Ans. The Rushikulya River flows entirely within the state of Odisha.

Q3. Does the Rushikulya River form delta?

Ans. It does not form a delta at its mouth.

Source: TOI

Juanga Tribe Latest News

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) recently sought an action taken report from the district magistrate-cum-collector of Keonjhar on alleged human rights violations of the Juanga tribe, a PVTG in the district.

About Juanga Tribe

• Juang is one of the 13 particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) of the total 62 tribes found in Odisha.
• As per the 2011 census, the Juang population stands at approximately 50,000.
• They are primarily concentrated in the current districts of Keonjhar and Dhenkanal in Odisha.
• Language: Linguistically, they converse in the Juang language, a member of the Munda family within the Austroasiatic languages.
• The Juangs are known for their clan structure and kinship organisations. 

Juanga Tribe Livelihood

• Initially reliant on hunting, gathering, and limited cultivation, the declaration of their forests as reserves during the British colonial era prompted a shift in traditional customs. 
• Adapting to these changes, the Juang people showcased expertise in basket-weaving,exchanging their products with neighboring caste villages for essentials like salt, oil, and food.

Juanga Tribe Clothing

• Historically known as Patuas or “leaf-wearers,” Juang women adorned leaf girdles, while men wore small loincloths. 
• Following contact with neighbouring communities and government agencies, the Juangs were forced to adopt clothing from other communities.

Juanga Tribe Beliefs

• Although they have some Hindu beliefs, Juangs practice mostly ancient animistic rituals.
• Their supreme god is the sun god. However, they have also adopted the Hindu deities in addition to tribal gods and goddesses.

Juanga Tribe FAQs

Q1. Where is the Juanga Tribe found?

Ans. The Juanga Tribe is primarily found in the state of Odisha.

Q2. Which is the largest tribe in Odisha?

Ans. Also called as Kondhs or Kui, Khonds are the largest tribal group of Odisha. 

Q3. What are Austroasiatic languages?

Ans. They are a stock of some 150 languages spoken by more than 65 million people scattered throughout Southeast Asia and eastern India.

Source: TOI

Neonatal Sepsis Latest News

Recently, the Lancet Global Health journal study said that more than a third of newborns diagnosed with sepsis could die.

About Neonatal Sepsis

• It is a blood infection that occurs in an infant younger than 90 days old.
• It can be caused by bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E coli), Listeria, and some strains of streptococcus.
• Symptoms of Neonatal Sepsis : Body temperature changes Breathing problems and Diarrhea or decreased bowel movements etc
• Treatment: Sepsis in newborns is curable.Sepsis must be treated in a hospital, usually through antibiotics transmitted intravenously. 
• Prevalence of Neonatal Sepsis: Neonatal sepsis results in more than 5,50,000 deaths globally every year. India accounts for nearly one-fourth of the global burden of infection-related deaths.

Classification of Neonatal Sepsis

• Early-onset Neonatal Sepsis: Most providers use the term “early-onset neonatal sepsis” to describe sepsis that develops within the first 72 hours of life.
• Late-onset Neonatal Sepsis: Most providers refer to “late-onset neonatal sepsis” as sepsis that develops after three days of life.

Neonatal Sepsis FAQs

Q1. What causes sepsis in newborns?

Ans. Newborn sepsis is most often caused by bacteria

Q2. Why does sepsis happen after birth?

Ans. Maternal sepsis usually occurs when a C-section incision, tear or other wound from childbirth becomes infected in the days or weeks after giving birth. 

Q3. What age is neonatal sepsis?

Ans. Neonatal sepsis is a blood infection that occurs in an infant younger than 90 days old.

Source: TH

Aadhaar Good Governance Portal Latest News

Recently, the central government launched the Aadhaar Good Governance portal to streamline the approval process for Aadhaar authentication requests.

About Aadhaar Good Governance Portal

• It is aimed at streamlining the approval process for Aadhaar authentication requests.
• It was launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
• The platform follows the recent amendments to the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2025, under the Aadhaar Act of 2016.
• The new rules are designed to support good governance and improve the delivery of various welfare services and benefits.
• This portal is part of ongoing efforts to simplify processes, enhance service delivery, and improve the overall ease of living for citizens.
• The portal shall work as a resource rich guide, and offer detailed SOP for authentication seeking entities on how to apply and how to onboard for Aadhaar authentication.
• Face Authentication may also be integrated in the customer facing apps of private entities, which will enable anytime anywhere, authentication.

Key Facts about Aadhaar

• It is a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to every individual resident of India. 
• It serves as proof of identity, which is linked to the individual's biometric and demographic information. 
• The Aadhaar programme was launched in 2009 by the UIDAI with the goal of providing a unique and verifiable identity for every resident of India. 
• It is now mandatory for a number of government services and is also being used by private companies for identification purposes.

Aadhaar Good Governance Portal FAQs

Q1. What is the governance of UIDAI?

Ans. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is a statutory authority established under the provisions of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 (“Aadhaar Act 2016”) on 12 July 2016.

Q2. What is meant by good governance?

Ans. Good governance is the process of managing public affairs and resources in a way that is accountable, transparent, and free of corruption. It also involves upholding human rights and the rule of law. 

Source: DN

Harpoon Missile Latest News

The U.S. Air Force is exploring the use of the Harpoon anti-ship missile on its F-16s, signaling a potential shift in its approach to naval warfare.

About Harpoon Missile

• The Harpoon (RGM-84/UGM-84/AGM-84) is a subsonic anti-ship cruise missile developed by Boeing for the U.S. Navy.
• It was first introduced in 1977.
• It is currently in service with the armed forces of more than 30 countries, including India.

Harpoon Missile Features

• It is an all-weather, over-the-horizon, anti-ship missile system. 
• A single missile measures 4.5 m in length and weighs 526 kg.
• Propulsion: Turbojet, solid propellant.
• Range: 90-240 km
• It can be launched from ships, submarines, shore batteries, and aircraft. 
• It is capable of executing both land-strike and anti-ship missions.
• The missile can fly at speeds of up to Mach 0.85 (647 mph or 1,041 km/h) and carry a 221 kg blast warhead.
• It incorporates GPS-assisted inertial navigation, which enables the system to have both an anti-ship and a land attack capability.
• It uses mid-course guidance and an active radar seeker to track and hit surface targets. 
• Its active radar guidance, low-level, sea-skimming cruise trajectory, terminal mode sea-skim or pop-up maneuvers, and warhead design assure high survivability and effectiveness.

Harpoon Missile FAQs

Q1. Which country made Harpoon missile? 

Ans. United States

Q2. Does India have a Harpoon missile?

Ans. Yes, India does have a harpoon missiles.

Q3. What is a Harpoon missile used for?

Ans. It is capable of executing both land-strike and anti-ship missions. 

Source: INE

Epidelaxia Falciformis and Epidelaxia Palustris Latest News

Researchers have discovered two new species of jumping spiders from the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary and named it as Epidelaxia falciformis sp. nov. and Epidelaxia palustris.

About Epidelaxia Falciformis and Epidelaxia Palustris

• These two speciesbelong to the genus Epidelaxia.
• It was for the first time the genus Epidelaxia has been recorded from India as it was previously considered endemic to Sri Lanka.

Physical Features of Epidelaxia Falciformis and Epidelaxia Palustri

• These consist of prominent yellow triangular-shaped mark on the prosoma (the front part of the body) of females and unique traits of the copulatory organs in both males and females.
• Males of E. falciformis have a brown carapace with a yellow-brown stripe, while males of E. palustris feature a pale brown band along the side of their bodies.
• The females exhibit similar colouration, with the added feature of white orbital setae around their eyes.
• The researchers add that the species vary slightly in size, with E. falciformis measuring 4.39 mm. E. palustris measures 4.57 mm in males and 3.69 mm in females.
• These spiders have been described as highly adapted to their environment, inhabiting the dense foliage of the Western Ghats.

Epidelaxia Falciformis and Epidelaxia Palustris FAQs

Q1. Which river flows through the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary?

Ans. Chenthuruni River

Q2. Where is Western Ghats located?

Ans. The Western Ghats are a mountain range in India that run along the western coast of the country, from Gujarat to Tamil Nadu. 

Source: TH

MISHTI Scheme Latest News

Gujarat has emerged as the national leader in mangrove afforestation, covering 19,020 hectares in just two years under the Centre’s ‘MISHTI’ scheme.

About MISHTI Scheme

• The Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) scheme is a government-led initiative aimed at increasing the mangrove cover along the coastline and on salt pan lands. 
• “MISHTI” comes after India joined the ‘Mangrove Alliance for Climate’ launched during the 27th Conference of Parties (COP27) to the UNFCCC held in Egypt in November 2022.
• It was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change on the occasion of World Environment Day, i.e., 5th June 2023. 
• MISHTI envisages the restoration/reforestation of mangroves covering approximately 540 sq.km., spreading across 9 states and 3 union territories for a period of five years commencing 2023-24 onwards.
• The scheme is primarily focused on the Sundarbans delta, Hooghly Estuary in West Bengal, India, and other bay parts of the country, but also includes other wetlands in the country.
• Under the MISHTI scheme, the government is providing financial assistance to local communities to undertake mangrove plantation activities. 
• The scheme also involves awareness campaigns to educate people about the importance of mangroves and their role in protecting the environment.
• The plantation activities are carried out in a participatory manner, involving local communities and NGOs, to ensure sustainability and community ownership of the initiative. 
• It leverages the strengths and provisions of different government schemes and initiatives such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) Fund and other relevant sources.

MISHTI Scheme FAQs

Q1. Which ministry launched the Mishti scheme?

Ans. Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change

Q2. When did Mishti scheme start?

Ans. It was launched on 5th June, 2023 on the occasion of World Environment Day.

Q3. What is mangrove?

Ans. A mangrove is a type of coastal forest ecosystem found in tropical and subtropical regions, where saltwater meets land

Source: NIE