In a groundbreaking collaboration under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, NASA and SpaceX are set to launch robotic moon lander, Athena.

• Mission Overview: Athena is a robotic moon lander set to launch as the second lunar mission for Texas-based Intuitive Machines, following their historic first private moon landing in February 2024.
• Launch Vehicle: SpaceX Falcon 9
• Launch Site: NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida

Objectives:

• Study lunar soil composition & search for subsurface water
• Test Nokia’s 4G communication system for Moon connectivity
• Deploy rovers and a hopping drone for terrain analysis

Scientific Payloads:

• MAPP Rover (Lunar Outpost):Captures 3D terrain images
• AstroAnt Mini Rover (MIT):Monitors temperature
• Grace Hopping Robot:Scans for ice and hydrogen
• Lunar Trailblazer Satellite (NASA):Maps Moon’s water distribution

• Vietnam’s foreign ministry published a new map outlining its baseline claim in the Gulf of Tonkin, asserting sovereignty, rights, and jurisdiction. This move follows China’s unilateral publication of a new maritime baseline in March 2023, which led to diplomatic protests from Vietnam.
• Geographical Features:
• The Gulf of Tonkin, also known as Vịnh Bắc Bộ in Vietnamese, is a northwest arm of the South China Sea.
• Bordered by China, Hainan Island, and northern Vietnam, and receives the Red River.
• Key ports include Ben Thuy and Haiphong in Vietnam, and Beihai in China.
• Historical & Diplomatic Context:
• The Gulf of Tonkin Incident of 1964 was a catalyst for the Vietnam War, leading to direct American military intervention.
• In 2000, Vietnam and China signed the Gulf of Tonkin Agreement to establish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) boundaries in line with UNCLOS 1982.

• Observed on February 27, 2025, is dedicated to honoring the outstanding contributions of volunteer NGOs worldwide.
• Established in 2010 and first commemorated in 2012.
• Gained international recognition in 2014, with celebrations by organizations like the EU and UN .
• Inspiration: Founded by Latvian philanthropist Marcis Skadmanis.
• 2025 Theme: “Empowering Grassroots Movements for a Sustainable Future.”

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh initiated the rollout of ‘Sanjay’, a battlefield surveillance system, that will be operational within the Indian Army by October,2025
• Inauguration: Inaugurated by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi.
• Development: Jointly developed by the Indian Army and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
  • Developed under the ‘Buy (Indian)’ category.
  • Cost: Rs 2,402 crore.
• Deployment: Induction into all operational brigades, divisions, and corps of the Indian Army.
  • Deployment in three phases from March to October 2025.
  • 2025 designated as the ‘Year of Reforms’ by the Ministry of Defence.
• Functionality: Provides enhanced situational awareness and battlefield surveillance capabilities.
• Improves operational effectiveness through real-time information gathering and dissemination.

• On February 13, 2025, the Income-Tax Bill, 2025 was introduced to the Lok Sabha.
• The bill is intended to replace the 1961 Income-Tax Act by simplifying the language, and removing unneeded sections, while keeping the majority of the original act.

Formation:

• A 31-member Select Committee has been established by the Lok Sabha Speaker.

Chairmanship & Composition:

• Chaired by BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda, with 17 members from the ruling National Democratic Alliance.

Mandate:

• To examine the new Income Tax Bill and submit its report by the first day of the Monsoon session.

New Income Tax Bill Overview:

• Aims to modernize the tax structure by simplifying compliance procedures, revising tax slabs, and enhancing digital administration.
• Expected to streamline tax processes, widen the tax base, and improve revenue generation.

Event & Occasion:

• Prime Minister to witness the event at Guwahati’s Sarusajai Stadium, celebrating the 200th anniversary of Assam’s tea industry.

Cultural Significance:

• Showcases the traditional jhumur dance of Assam’s tea tribes, brought by 19th-century migrants from Central India.

Tea Tribes Background:

• Comprise multi-ethnic tea garden workers, classified as OBC in Assam, yet striving for Scheduled Tribe status.

Festival Elements:

• Central to tea garden celebrations like Tushu Puja and Karam Puja.
• Features coordinated dance, traditional music, and songs that narrate the community’s migration and cultural heritage.

• The fourth Samvad, a Hindu-Buddhist global forum for conflict avoidance, was conducted from February 14–17, 2025, in Bangkok and Ayutthaya, Thailand.”
• Organizer: Conducted by the New Delhi-based Vivekananda International Foundation.
• Theme: “Asian Century of Dharma—Dhamma.”
• Focus:
  • Explored cultural and philosophical exchanges across Asia.
  • Promoted dialogue on shared spiritual traditions and cultural heritage.
• Significance:
• Served as a platform for cross-cultural engagement and the celebration of Asian philosophical thought.

• The 9th Asia Economic Dialogue (AED) 2025 is scheduled from February 20 to 22, 2025, in Pune, Maharashtra.
• Organizers: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Pune International Centre (PIC).
• Theme: “Economic Resilience and Resurgence in an Era of Fragmentation.”
• Key Discussion Areas:
  • Impact of AI and automation.
  • Cybersecurity challenges.
  • Prospects in the Blue Economy.
  • Development of MSMEs.
  • Climate change effects on the global economy.
• Notable Inauguration: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal officially opened the dialogue.

• Published by: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
• Coverage: Assesses SDG progress in 58 countriesacross Asia-Pacific.
• Overall SDG Progress:
• 16 out of 117 targets are on track for 2030.
• 18 targets show negative trends, needing urgent action.
• At the current pace, SDGs will be achieved by 2062, missing the 2030 deadline by 32 years.
• Best Performing SDGs:
  • SDG 1 (No Poverty)– Decline in extreme poverty.
  • SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure)– Improved digital connectivity.
  • SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-being)– Gains in life expectancy and disease control.
• Lagging SDGs:
  • SDG 13 (Climate Action)– Rising CO₂ emissions, worsening extreme weather.
  • SDG 4 (Quality Education)– Widening learning gaps, low investment.
  • SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption & Production)– Resource wastage, unsustainable practices.
  • SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth)– High youth unemployment, informal labor issues.

• Data Challenges:
• Only 54% of SDG indicatorshave sufficient data.
• Major gaps in data for women, rural, and indigenous populations.
• ESCAP recommends modernizing statistical systems with technology.
• Community Innovations:
• India: AI mapping for nomadic households.
• Indonesia: Health-monitoring apps for maternal care.
• Nepal: Renewable energy projects expanding electricity access.

• Jharkhand Health Minister Irfan Ansari has imposed a ban on the sale, purchase, and distribution of gutka, pan masala, and other tobacco products.
• Duration: One-year prohibition.
• Prohibited Items: Gutkha and pan masala containing nicotine or tobacco.
• Legal Basis: Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and related 2011 regulations.
• Primary Goal: To decrease oral cancer incidence and safeguard public health.
• Enforcement Agency: Health and Family Welfare Department, Jharkhand.