Sri Lankan golden backed frog has been rediscovered after 200 years in India at Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary.

About Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary

• It lies in Kuppam and Palmaner Ranges of Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh.
• It is the only sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh known for harboring Asian elephants.
• Kaundinya and Kaigal tributaries of Palar River flow through it.
• Fauna: Birds (Partidges, Quails etc.), Mammals (Indian Elephant, Panther, Sloth bear, Wild boar, Nilgai, Hyena, Jackal) etc. 
• Forest: Dry Deciduous forests with thorny scrub.

The Consumer Affairs Ministry seeks public feedback on draft regulations for Doppler radar equipment used for measuring vehicle speeds.

• Doppler radar uses the Doppler effect to gather velocity data.

About Doppler effect

• It refers to the change in wave frequency during the relative motion between a wave source and its observer.
• First proposed by  Johann Christian Doppler in 1842.
• The phenomenon is observed in sound waves and electromagnetic waves.
• Application: Astrophysics, by police to check overspeeding of vehicles, etc.

A rare hemi-parasitic terrestrial plant (Phtheirospermum lushaiorum) has been found in Phawngpui National Park of Mizoram.

• Lushaiorum is named after “Lushai” tribe of Mizoram.

About Lushai tribe

• Tribe under Kuki-Chin group of tribes.
• Commonly known as Mizos and racially they are known to be under Mongoloid origin. 
• Main occupations are Jhum and orange Cultivation.
• Lusai are known as Head Hunter community. 
• Popular Dance is Bamboo Dance (Cheraw-dance).
• Basic unit of Lushai (Mizo) society is a patrilocal joint family with patrilineal descent and inheritance rules.

The Manipur Government has collaborated with different organizations to protect the Manipuri Pony, also known as Meitei Sagol.

About Meitei Sagol

• They are one of seven recognised horse and pony breeds of India. 
  • Others: Marwari Horse, Kathiawari Horse, Zanskari Pony,Spiti Pony, Bhutia Pony and Kachhi-Sindhi Horse.
• They are of short height, however, known for their unique stamina, agility, intelligence, speed, etc.
• Regarded as the original polo pony as modern polo is derived from the traditional Sagol Kangjei of Manipur.
• Threat: Shrinkage of wetlands, lack of polo grounds, etc.

According to a study, baobab trees endemic to Madagascar reached Africa and Australia around 12 million years ago.

About Baobab tree

• Long-lived deciduous, small to large trees from 20 to 100 ft tall with broad trunks and compact tops.
• Massive root systems slow down soil erosion and enable nutrient recycling.
• Also known as upside-down tree, because in dry season they are devoid of leaves, and their bare grey and gnarled branches resemble roots.
• Fiber from the bark is used to make rope, baskets, cloth, musical instrument strings, and waterproof hats.

According to a new study Venus is losing water much faster than previously thought.

About Venus

• Venus is the nearest to earth and 2nd from the Sun.
• It is the brightest planet in the night sky.
• It has no satellite of its own. 
• Its atmosphere consists mainly of carbon dioxide, with clouds of sulfuric acid droplets.
• Unlike others, Venus and Uranus rotate from east to west.
• Venus, along with Mercury, Earth and Mars  are called the inner planets (Terrestrial planets).

The Supreme Court has set aside the furlough extension of double murder convict.

About Furlough

• The furlough system is defined by The Prisons Act of 1894.
• It is given in cases of long-term imprisonment. 
• A prisoner’s sentence is considered to be remitted during his furlough time.
• Every State has formulated its own set of rules/guidelines for getting furlough.

ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrants for Israel’s Prime Minister and Hamas leaders.

About ICC

• ICC is a permanent international court established to investigate, prosecute and try individuals accused of committing crime of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crime of aggression.
• Headquarters: The Hague, Netherlands.
• Established by Rome Statute of ICC in 1998.
• Membership: 124 countries are States Parties to Rome Statute of ICC. India is not a member.
• There are 18 judges who serve 9-year, non-renewable terms.
• ICC does not replace national criminal justice systems; rather, it complements them.