Madhya Pradesh High Court dismissed an actor’s objection to a government notification declaring his property under Enemy Property Act, 1968. 

Enemy Property Act,1968

• It defines  an ‘enemy’ as a country (and its citizens) that committed external aggression against India (i.e., Pakistan and China). 
• Enemy Property means any property for the time being belonging to or held or managed on behalf of an enemy, an enemy subject or an enemy firm. 
• It vests these assets to the Custodian of Enemy Property for India, Ministry of Home Affairs.
• The 2017 amendment to the act expanded the definition of enemy to include: 
  • Legal heir or successor of enemy whether or not citizen of India or the citizen of a country which is not an enemy. 
  • Enemy who has changed his nationality

Red Sea cargo ships face new attacks as Houthis (Yemen) claim to have sunk vessel.

Red Sea

• Red Sea marginal sea in the north-west of the Indian Ocean.
• It is connected to the Gulf of Aden via Strait of Bab El Mandeb and to the Mediterranean sea via Suez Canal.
• Bordering Nations: Egypt ,Sudan and Eritrea(West), Israel & Jordan(North East) via the gulf of Aqaba and Saudi Arabia & Yemen(East).
• Northern Split: Red Sea in its northern part splits into two parts, the Gulf of Suez (Northwest) and Gulf of Aqaba (Northeast).
• It contains one of the world’s most saline seawater.
• The Red Sea receives very little precipitation in any form and no water enters the Red Sea from rivers.

Japanese Coast Guard ship, Itsukushima,arrived in Chennai for joint exercise, Jaa Mata.

About Jaa Mata ('See you later' in Japanese)

• It is a joint sea exercise between Japan and India Coast Guard.
• Aim: Enhance operational capabilities, refine combat skills and strengthen interoperability for effective joint operations.

CDSCO recommended  17 drugs to be flushed down the sink to prevent harm to pets and people.

• These mostly include narcotic drugs such as Fentanyl, Tramadol (painkiller), Diazepam(Anti-anxiety medication)etc. 

About CDSCO 

• It is Central Drug Authority under Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare 
• It discharges functions assigned to the Central Government under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act (1940).
  • Regulation of manufacture, sale and distribution of Drugs is primarily the concern of the State authorities while the Central Authorities are responsible for approval of New Drugs.
• Functions
  • Regulatory control over import of drugs (import licensing and regulation)
  • Approval of new drugs and clinical trials
  • Banning of Drugs and Cosmetics
  • Meetings of Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) and Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB)

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare highlighted the importance of Maize at India Maize Summit 2025.

About Maize

• It is a Kharif crop, used both as food and fodder. 
• Globally, known as “queen of cereals” because it has the highest genetic yields potential among the cereals.
• Soil: Well drained sandy loamy to silt loamy soil. Grows well in old alluvial soil. 
  • pH value: 5.5 to 7.5.
• Temperature: 21°C to 27°C. 
• Major Growing states: Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.
  • Also grown in North America, Brazil, China, Russia, Canada, and Mexico.

NITI Aayog has started deliberations with ministries and departments on proposed Battery Passport framework.

• European Union Batteries Regulation (2023) also mentioned the need for battery passport for industrial batteries with a capacity greater than 2kWh. 

About Battery Passport

• Meaning: Sort of Aadhar, providing every battery with a unique ID containing information on the product, including its origin, performance, composition, end of life, etc., digitally embedded in a QR code.
• Significance: Improve safety and quality standards, accelerate export of EVs from India, promote transparent and circular supply chain.

Floods triggered by heavy rainfall caused massive damage in parts of central Texas, particularly along the Guadalupe River.

About Guadalupe River

• Spring-fed river rising in North and South Forks in Kerr County, Texas. 
  • Empties into San Antonio Bay at the Gulf of Mexico.
• Canyon Reservoir and Edwards Aquifer (Balcones Fault Zone – San Antonio Portion) are a part of its Basin.
• The River and its surrounding areas have historically been prone to flash flooding earning the name as "Flash Flood Alley." 
  • Flash Flood Alley is characterized by steep terrain, high rainfall and shallow soil contributing to flooding. 

Jal Jeevan Mission hits major roadblocks due to funding roadblocks.

About JJM

• Launched in 2019 as a centrally sponsored scheme under Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• Objective: Providing Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC).
• Jal Jeevan Mission is envisioned to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections to all households in rural India, extended from 2024 till 2028.
• Drinking Water is a State subject, as such planning, approval, implementation, operation and maintenance of drinking water supply schemes, lies with State governments.
  • The Government of India supplements the efforts of the States by providing technical and financial assistance.