KARNATAKA

• Veteran actress B. Saroja Devi, who passed away at 87, was a legendary figure in Indian cinema with a career spanning over five decades and nearly 200 films. Debuting at 14 in Mahakavi Kalidasa (1955), she rose to fame across Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi films. Known for her expressive acting and iconic style, she starred with legends like M.G. Ramachandran and Dilip Kumar. Honored with Padma awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award, she also held significant public service roles.
• On July 14, 2025, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the Sigandur Bridge across the Sharavathi River in Shivamogga district, Karnataka. Spanning 6 km, it is India’s second-longest cable-stayed bridge after the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. Built at ₹472 crore, it includes 96 cables, 604 box girder segments, and a 16-meter-wide deck. Connecting Ambaragodlu and Kalasavalli, the bridge improves access to Sigandur Temple, reduces travel time by two hours, boosts regional connectivity, and promotes tourism and local development.
• The Centre has approved Justice Vibhu Bakhru’s appointment as Karnataka High Court’s Chief Justice. As per Article 217, the President appoints Chief Justices in consultation with the CJI and State Governor, often from outside their home state. This process, along with judicial appointments and removals, primarily functions under the Collegium system

SCHEME

• The Ministry of Power, through BEE, launched the ADEETIE Scheme to promote energy-efficient technologies in Udyam-registered MSMEs, aiming for at least 10% energy savings. The scheme offers technical aid like energy audits and project reports, and financial support through interest subvention—5% for Micro and Small Enterprises, and 3% for Medium ones. ADEETIE includes a dedicated online platform and supports capacity building. It aligns with India’s climate goals, sustainable growth, and the net-zero mission.

ENVIRONMENT

• Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences discovered that the pheromone 4-vinylanisole (4VA) triggers swarming in locusts by attracting others and releasing serotonin. Produced via enzymes 4VPMT1 and 4VPMT2 after digesting phenylalanine, 4VA plays a key role in swarm formation. Scientists disrupted this by deactivating the 4VPMT1 gene and using 4-nitrophenol, though it’s environmentally toxic. RNAi-based insecticides are proposed as safer alternatives. This breakthrough offers an eco-friendly solution to control locusts and improve global food security.

INTERNATIONAL

• India and Singapore share a robust and evolving partnership, strengthened by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s recent visit and PM Modi’s 2024 trip, which elevated ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The upcoming India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable will further deepen cooperation across sectors like semiconductors, infrastructure, skill development, and connectivity. Economic and technological ties are thriving, with CECA (2005) enhancing trade. Singapore, a major semiconductor hub, collaborates with India in space tech, IT, biotech, aviation, and education.