News In Short-15-04-2025

Morag Axis

Syllabus: GS1/Geography

Context

• Israel announced that its military had completed the takeover of a new security corridor known as the Morag axis.

About

• It cuts across Gaza between the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Yunis. 
• This move effectively links the Philadelphi Route along the Egyptian border to Morag, creating a wider Israeli-controlled “security zone.”
  • The Morag corridor joins other key zones under Israeli control, including the Philadelphi and Netzarim corridors. 
  • The Philadelphi Corridor refers to a narrow strip of land along Gaza’s border with Egypt that has been under Israeli control since 2024.
• Together with expanded buffer zones, these give Israel control of over 50% of Gaza’s territory.

Source: LM

Traditional Harvest Festivals

Syllabus: GS1/Culture

Context

• Traditional harvest festivals were celebrated in different parts of the country on 13th and 14th April. 

Harvest Festivals

• Baisakhi marks the start of the solar calendar and the harvest season, celebrated predominantly in Punjab.
  • Baisakhi usually falls on April 13 or April 14.
  • According to the hindu calendar, this day is observed on the first day of the month of Vaishakh.
• This day also coincides with several other regional spring festivals across India that celebrate the onset of the harvest season.
• These include Pana Sankranti in Odisha, Poila/Pohela Baisakh in West Bengal, Rongali Bihu in Assam, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, Vaishakhi in Bihar, and Vishu or Poooram Vishu in Kerala. 
• While each festival follows its own unique customs and traditions, they all share a common spirit of gratitude and new beginnings.

Source: AIR

WHO Launches First-ever Guidelines on Meningitis

Syllabus: GS2/ Health

In News

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first comprehensive guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment, and care of meningitis, aligning with its broader vision under the Defeating Meningitis by 2030 Global Roadmap launched in 2020.

About Meningitis

• Definition: Meningitis refers to the inflammation of the meninges—the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
• Public Health Concern: It remains a major global public health threat, particularly for infants, young children, and adolescents.
• Causes and Types: Infectious Meningitis: Caused by pathogens such as:
  • Bacteria: Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus), Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), Haemophilus influenzae
  • Viruses: Enteroviruses, Herpes simplex virus, etc.
  • Fungi: Cryptococcus species
  • Parasites: Less commonly involved, but possible in immunocompromised individuals.
  • Non-Infectious Meningitis: Can result from conditions like: Autoimmune disorders, Certain medications & Cancer etc. 
• Transmission: Most often spread through respiratory droplets, direct contact with respiratory secretions, or close personal contact.
• Prevention & Treatment: Effective vaccines exist for Meningococcal disease, Pneumococcal disease & Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
• Antibiotics: Prompt administration is crucial in bacterial meningitis.

Source: TH

GPS Spoofing

Syllabus: GS3/Cybersecurity

Context

• Recently, the Indian Air Force’s transport aircraft carrying relief materials to earthquake-hit Myanmar late last month faced “GPS spoofing”.

About

• GPS (global positioning system) spoofing can be considered to be a form of cyberattack that includes generating false GPS signals to mislead an aircraft. 
• The false signals result in misleading the navigation equipment, posing a significant risk to the aircraft.
• Due to excessive reliance on satellite navigation systems in areas susceptible to electronic warfare, the cyberattack has sparked security concerns.
• Even though modern aircraft have backup systems, such incidents underscore the need for increased vigilance and more robust defence in military and humanitarian operations.

Source: TH

Shifting  Cheetahs From Kuno Park to Gandhi Sagar

Syllabus :GS 3/ Environment

In News

• The Cheetah Project Steering Committee has approved the relocation of some cheetahs from Kuno National Park to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, approximately 300 km away.
  • The move aims to establish a metapopulation of 60–70 cheetahs across the Kuno-Gandhi Sagar landscape, spanning Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Project Cheetah

• It  began in 2022 with 8 cheetahs from Namibia and 12 from South Africa. However, since then, 8 adult cheetahs and 5 cubs have died.
• It is being implemented by National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), a statutory body under Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) in collaboration with Madhya Pradesh Forest Department, Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and Cheetah experts from Namibia and South Africa. 

Do you know? – Cheetahs are the world’s fastest land animals, reaching speeds of 60–70 mph, aided by their slender build, long limbs, long tail, and semi-retractable claws for balance and traction. – Historically widespread across Africa and Asia, cheetahs now occupy only about 10% of their original range, mainly in southern and eastern Africa, with a critically endangered population in Iran.  1. The cheetah was declared extinct in India in 1952. – Cheetah Status at Kuno: Of the 26 cheetahs at Kuno, 17 are in the wild, and 9 are in enclosures. It is yet to be decided which group will be relocated. About Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary – Located in the eastern part of Madhya Pradesh, India. – Lies in the catchment area of Gandhi Sagar Dam on the Chambal River. The Chambal River flows through the sanctuary. – It belongs to the Khathiar-Gir Dry Deciduous Forests eco-region, known for its mixed dry deciduous vegetation. – Home to the Chaturbhuj Nala rock shelters, known for prehistoric cave paintings and archaeological relevance.

Source :IE

Methamphetamine Seized 

Syllabus :GS 2/Health 

In News

• The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and Indian Coast Guard (ICG) seized 311 kg of methamphetamine worth ₹1,800 crore from the Arabian Sea near the India-Pakistan maritime boundary. 

Methamphetamine

• It  is a lab-made (synthetic) stimulant also known as “ice” or “crystal meth”.
• It is a highly addictive recreational drug which exhibits powerful euphoric effects.
• It causes short-term euphoria, alertness, and energy but can also lead to serious health issues like paranoia, anxiety, heart problems, stroke, or death.
  • Long-term use may result in insomnia, memory loss, addiction, and other health complications.

Source:TH

Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2025

Syllabus :Miscellaneous

In News

• Bihar is going to host the 7th edition of the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2025 from May 4 to 15, across cities including Patna, Gaya, Rajgir, Begusarai, and Bhagalpur.
  • The 7th edition has the mascot “Gajsimha”—symbolizing an elephant’s power and a lion’s heart—draws inspiration from Pala dynasty carvings.

Background 

• Khelo India was launched in 2017 and  it promotes grassroots sports in India through Youth, University, Para, and Winter Games, fostering young athletic talent nationwide.

Types of Khelo India Games

• There are four key events under the Khelo India movement:
  • Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) – For school and junior athletes
  • Khelo India University Games (KIUG) – For university-level athletes
  • Khelo India Para Games (KIPG) – For para-athletes
  • Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) – For winter sports enthusiasts

Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2025

• It is a flagship event of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
• Over 8,500 athletes will participate in this major sporting event, which is second only to the National Games.
• The games will feature around 27 disciplines, including popular sports like volleyball, football, boxing, kabaddi, and indigenous games like Malkhamb and Sepak Takraw.

Source: AIR