Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Scientists have developed a glowing paper sensor to help detect liver cancer. 

• It uses the green glow of Terbium to sense the presence of an enzyme called β-glucuronidase, a critical biomarker for liver cancer. 

About Terbium

• It is a rare-earth metal of the lanthanide series of the periodic table.
• Appearance: Soft, silvery metal.
• Occurrence: Can be recovered from minerals, monazite and bastnaesite. 
  • Also obtained from euxenite, a complex oxide containing 1% or more of terbium.
• Applications:  Solid-state devices, low-energy lightbulbs and mercury lamps, safety of medical x-rays, laser devices etc.

Recently, a mud volcano erupted in Taiwan. 

About Mud Volcano

• Formation: Occurs in subduction zones, when one of earth’s tectonic plate moves under another, causing it to sink due to gravity at their convergent points.
  • Can be man-made (triggered by mining or drilling for gas) or naturally occurring. 
• Appearance: Hill or mound shaped. 
• Eruption: Caused by the Earth’s tectonic forces or by the squeezing of sediments at the deltas of large rivers. 
  • Usually release gases, especially methane. 
• Differs from traditional igneous volcanoes: As no lava or ashes are produced.

Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued guidelines for the establishment of Captive Non-Public Networks (CNPNs) and launched a module on Saral Sanchar portal for identification of CNPNs bands. 

About CNPNs

• Meaning: Terrestrial wireless telecommunication network established for captive use within a specified geographical area. 
  • Unlike a public mobile network operated by telecom providers and accessible by anyone,  CNPNs are operated by a private entity and are not accessible by the general public, hence not used for providing commercial telecommunication services.
• Significance: Fulfils customized tailormade requirements of enterprises with complete control over data, security and networks.

Public sector banks stepped up issuance of CDs from 6% (2022) to 69 % (2024). 

About CD

• Meaning: Negotiable money market instrument issued in dematerialised form against funds deposited at a bank/eligible financial institution for a specified time period.
  • Issued at a discount on face value. 
• Issued by: Scheduled commercial banks (excluding Regional Rural Banks and Local Area Banks); select All-India Financial Institutions (FIs) permitted by RBI to raise short-term resources.
• Issued to: Individuals, corporations, companies (including banks) trusts, funds, associations, Non-Resident Indians (only on non-repatriable basis), etc. 
• Guidelines for issuance:  Presently governed by Reserve Bank of India. 

SECI executed over 60 Gigawatts of Power Sale Agreements (PSAs) of renewable energy capacity.

About SECI

• Genesis: Established in 2011 for the implementation of the National Solar Mission.
• It is a Navratna Central Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
• Designated Renewable Energy Implementing Agency (REIA) for MNRE schemes.
• It functions as a Category-I (highest) power trading licensee under the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC).
• Implementation of Special Programmes and Regional Models: Greening of Islands (e.g., Lakshadweep, A&N Islands), High-altitude grid-linked capacity (e.g., 5 GW proposed in Ladakh).

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has busted a massive international drug racket operating through the darknet, in the operation code-named 'Operation MELON.'

About Operation Melon

• Recovery: LSD blots, Ketamine, and cryptocurrency.

• LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) and Ketamine are drugs which are extremely potent hallucinogens. 

• Hallucinogens are psychedelic drugs that can potentially change the way people see, hear, taste, smell or feel, and also affect mood and thought.

• Ketamine is not an opioid (narcotic); it is an NMDA receptor antagonist, which means it blocks the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) neurotransmitter in the brain.

• Officials also discovered TAILS OS, the operating system designed for accessing darknet markets.

Quad foreign ministers’ meeting concluded in Washington (USA)

Key Highlights

• Reaffirmed strong support for a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, rejecting any coercive or forceful changes to the regional status quo.
• Launched a renewed agenda focusing on: Maritime/transnational security, Economic prosperity and secure supply chains, Emerging technologies, Humanitarian and emergency response.
• Condemned all terrorism, including the April 2025 Pahalgam attack.
• Support for Regional Frameworks: Continued support for ASEAN centrality and unity; Pacific Islands Forum and other Pacific-led efforts; Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).

What is Quad?

• Known as the 'Quadrilateral Security Dialogue' (QSD), the Quad is an informal strategic forum.
• It comprises four nations: United States of America (USA), India, Australia and Japan.

INS Udaygiri, the second ship of Project 17A’s stealth frigates, was delivered to the Indian Navy.

Project 17A

• The Project is a follow-on of the Shivalik class (Project 17) frigates active in service.
  • Frigate is a multi-role vessel utilized for fleet surface ship protection against surface combatants or incoming aerial threats.
• P-17A ships have enhanced stealth features and fitted with ‘State of the Art’ weapons and sensors, a significant upgrade from the P17 class. 
• These multi-mission frigates are capable of operating in a ‘Blue Water’ environment dealing with both conventional and non-conventional threats in the area of India’s Maritime Interests.