1. African Swine Fever (ASF)

The Assam government has restricted the inter-district movement of live pigs to contain the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF), a deadly and highly contagious viral disease.

About ASF:

• A severe viral infection that affects domestic pigs and wild boars; it is not zoonotic (does not infect humans or other livestock).

• Causes extremely high morbidity and mortality (up to 90–100%), severely impacting piggery.

• First detected in sub-Saharan Africa; now present across Asia, Europe, and Africa.

• India reported its first outbreak in January 2020 in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

Transmission:

• The virus survives for long periods on clothes, boots, wheels, and in pork products like ham or bacon.

• Spread occurs through infected pigs, contaminated materials or feed, and soft ticks in (sub)tropical regions.

• Human behaviour plays a major role in disease spread.

• Symptoms: Fever, weakness, loss of appetite, red skin, inflamed eyes, (bloody) diarrhoea, and vomiting — similar to classical swine fever.

• Prevention: No treatment or vaccine exists; strict biosecurity measures and culling are required.

Source: Assam bans movement of pigs to check spread of African swine fever

2. Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS)

Ukraine recently announced that it targeted Russian positions using US-supplied ATACMS missiles, marking a significant development in the conflict.

About ATACMS:

• A US-developed series of surface-to-surface ballistic missiles, made by Lockheed Martin.

• Created in the 1980s to counter Soviet long-range artillery; first used in the 1991 Gulf War.

• Known as M39 (US Army) and MGM-140 (DoD).

• Other operators include Bahrain, Greece, South Korea, Taiwan, and the UAE.

Features:

• All-weather, inertially guided ballistic missile with a 305 km range.

• Single-stage, solid propellant.

• Launched from M270 MLRS or M142 HIMARS platforms.

• Costs about $1.5 million each.

Carries either:

• A cluster warhead with hundreds of bomblets, or

• A 225-kg high-explosive unit for hardened targets.

• High-altitude flight and rapid descent make it difficult to intercept.

Source: Ukraine strikes Russian targets using US ATACMS missiles in first public acknowledgment

3. New Public Distribution System (PDS) Digital Initiatives

The Ministry of Food and Public Distribution has launched several tech-driven initiatives to modernise warehousing, improve supply chain efficiency, and enhance transparency in the PDS.

ASHA (Anna Sahayata Holistic AI Solution):

• An AI-based platform enabling PDS beneficiaries to give multilingual feedback via automated calls.

• Costs ₹5 lakh; reaches 20 lakh beneficiaries monthly.

• Uses translation, sentiment analysis, grievance categorisation, and real-time dashboards

Bhandaran 360 (CWC ERP System):

• A comprehensive ERP platform covering 41 modules and integrating 35 external systems like FCI, ICEGATE, and port systems.

• Includes SSO, encryption, audit trails, real-time dashboards, chatbots, predictive analytics, HRMS, SAP FICO, biometric attendance, and more.

Smart EXIM Warehouse System:

• Uses AI, IoT, FASTag, OCR/ANPR, and GNSS for automating container freight station operations.

• Includes gate automation, yard digital twins, and smart real-time inventory management.

ANNA DARPAN (FCI):

• A microservices-based platform replacing the Depot Online System.

• Integrates procurement, storage, movement, sales, quality checks, labour and contract management.

• Offers mobile-first access and unified, real-time data for faster decisions.

Source: Centre launches ASHA, an AI platform to gather PDS feedback

4. Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS)

A 29-year-old man in Chennai with Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) survived a second stroke and multiple clots after emergency medical intervention.

About APS:

A rare autoimmune disorder in which the body produces antibodies against phospholipid-binding proteins, increasing clot formation.

• Can cause clots in veins, arteries, and vital organs like kidneys and lungs.

• Can lead to stroke, heart attack, pregnancy complications, miscarriage, or stillbirth.

• Some individuals may have no symptoms.

• No cure exists, but medications reduce clotting risk.

• More common in women; risk increases with autoimmune diseases such as lupus.

Source: 29-year-old with autoimmune disease successfully treated for rare recurrent stroke

5. Raulane Festival

Striking images of the Raulane Festival of Himachal Pradesh recently went viral, drawing attention to this ancient cultural tradition.

About the Festival:

• Celebrated in Kalpa (Kinnaur district) in winter or early spring; believed to be around 5,000 years old.

• Honours celestial beings called Saunis, believed to protect villagers during harsh winters.

• Two men symbolically "marry" and become the Raula (groom) and Raulane (bride), acting as vessels for the Saunis.

• They wear heavy woollen robes, ornaments, and masks, performing a slow ritual dance at Nagin Narayan Temple.

• A major cultural event preserving ancient Himalayan traditions.

Source: What Is Raulane Festival? Know History And Significance Of Himachal Pradesh's Unique Tradition

6. Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT)

At UNFCCC CoP30 in Brazil, India participated in the LeadIT Industry Leaders’ Roundtable.

About LeadIT:

• Launched in 2019 by India and Sweden, supported by the World Economic Forum.

• First global high-level initiative aimed at net-zero emissions from heavy industry by 2050.

• Brings together countries and companies committed to industrial decarbonisation.

LeadIT 2.0 (2024–26) Priorities:

• Just and inclusive industry transition

• Low-carbon technology co-development

• Financial support for emerging economies

Other Key Points:

• Secretariat: Stockholm Environment Institute

• Members: 18 countries + 27 companies

Source: Union Environment Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav addresses LeadIT Industry Leaders’ Roundtable at CoP30, Belém, Brazil

7. Tetrachloroethylene

Researchers have linked tetrachloroethylene, a chemical common in dry cleaning and household products, to a higher risk of liver disease.

About Tetrachloroethylene:

• A clear, noncombustible liquid with an ether-like smell; also known as PCE or perchloroethylene.

• Breaks down slowly in air, water, and soil, allowing long-distance environmental spread.

• Can contaminate groundwater through industrial waste.

Health Impacts:

High-level exposure can cause dizziness, nausea, confusion, unconsciousness, or death.

Uses:

• Widely used in dry cleaning.

• Industrial degreasing.

• Used to manufacture chemicals and in some consumer products.

Source: Toxin that triples the risk of liver diseases may be hiding in plain sight

8. Viscose Staple Fibre (VSF)

The Centre has removed the Quality Control Order (QCO) requirement for Viscose Staple Fibre (VSF).

About VSF:

• A natural, biodegradable fibre made from plant-based cellulose such as cotton linters or wood pulp.

• Produced by chemically processing cellulose xanthate into fibre form.

Characteristics:

• Breathable, moisture-absorbent, lightweight, blends easily with other fibres, and retains colour well.

• Used as a cotton or polyester substitute.

Applications:

• Widely used in apparel, home textiles, knitted wear, and non-woven products.

Source: Govt revokes Quality Control Order for Viscose Staple Fibre to ensure access to quality raw material

9. Ginkgo-Toothed Beaked Whale

Scientists have recorded the first-ever wild sighting of ginkgo-toothed beaked whales off Baja California, Mexico.

About the Species:

• One of 24 beaked whale species — the second most diverse cetacean group after dolphins.

• Found in tropical and temperate waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

• Recognizable by two ginkgo-shaped teeth on the lower jaw.

• Deepest-diving mammals, spending most of their lives offshore and surfacing briefly.

• Shy and easily disturbed by boats.

Conservation:

• IUCN: Data Deficient

• CITES: Appendix II

Source: What are ginkgo-toothed beaked whales, spotted in the wild by researchers for the first time?

10. Trade Intelligence and Analytics (TIA) Portal

The Commerce Ministry has launched the Trade Intelligence & Analytics (TIA) Portal, a unified digital platform integrating global and national trade databases.

Features:

• One-stop hub with 28 dashboards and 270+ interactive visualisations.

• Provides real-time insights on global & Indian trade, commodities, markets, and trends.

• Includes automated trade reports and tools to compare economies.

Integrates trade indices such as:

• Trade Complementarity Index

• Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA)

• Trade Intensity Index

Significance:

• It drastically improves accessibility and usability of trade data for informed decision-making.

Source: Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal launches Trade Intelligence and Analytics Portal