Rare Blue Pinkgill Mushroom
News- Rare Blue Pinkgill Mushroom Discovered in Telangana Forests.
- Location – Kagaznagar forest, Komaram Bheem Asifabad district, Telangana.
- Discovery – Rare Blue Pinkgill mushroom (Entoloma hochstetteri),
- Originally Native To – New Zealand.
- Features – Striking sky-blue colour, contains rare azulene pigments.
- Additional Find – Shuttlecock mushroom (Clathrus delicatus) recorded for first time in Eastern Ghats, Kawal Tiger Reserve.
- Significance – Highlights rich fungal diversity of the region.
Namrata Batra
News- Namrata Batra Becomes First Indian to Enter Wushu Final at World Games 2025.
- Event – Namrata Batra became first Indian to reach women’s 52 kg Wushu final at 2025 World Games, Chengdu, China.
- Date – 11 August 2025.
- Semifinal – Defeated Philippines’ Krizan Faith Collado 2-0.
- Achievement – Assured India’s first-ever World Games medal in Wushu (at least silver).
- Final Opponent – Mengyue Chen (China).
- Past Win – Batra won gold at Moscow Star International Wushu Championship before Games.
First Freight Train Reaches Kashmir Valley
News-First Freight Train Reaches Kashmir Valley – Boost to Connectivity & Commerce.
- Event – First-ever freight train reached Anantnag Goods Shed, integrating Kashmir with national freight network.
- Date – 9 August 2025.
- Cargo carried – 21 BCN wagons of cement for infrastructure projects.
- Distance & Time – ~600 km in under 18 hours.
- Locomotive – WAG-9 electric.
- Project – Part of Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL).
- Significance – Lower transport costs, better market access for Kashmir’s produce, year-round connectivity despite winter highway closures.
ICC Player of the Month
News- ICC Player of the Month – July 2025: Shubman Gill & Sophia Dunkley Shine.
- Announcement – ICC named July 2025 Players of the Month.
- Men’s Winner – Shubman Gill (India).
- Achievement – First series as India’s Test captain, in Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy vs England (2–2 draw).
- Competitors Beaten – Ben Stokes (England), Wiaan Mulder (South Africa).
- July Stats – 567 runs in 3 Tests; Avg 94.50; 3 centuries (incl. double ton).
- Series Total – 754 runs in 5 Tests; Player of the Series.
- Women’s Winner – Sophia Dunkley (England).
- Achievement – First ICC Women’s Player of the Month award.
- Competitors Beaten – Sophie Ecclestone, Gaby Lewis.
- T20I Series – 75 (53) in 6-run win; 46 (30) in final match to seal last-ball victory; Total 144 runs, Avg 36, SR 134.57.
- ODI Series – 83 in 1st ODI; unbeaten in rain-hit 2nd ODI.
Artificial Rain Experiment
News- India’s First Drone-AI Powered Artificial Rain Experiment Launched in Jaipur.
- Event – India’s first drone-AI-powered cloud seeding experiment.
- Location – Ramgarh Dam, Jaipur.
- Purpose – Trigger artificial rain to revive reservoir.
- Benefits – Boost water supply, agriculture, and biodiversity
- Lead by – Agriculture & Disaster Relief Minister Kirodi Lal Meena.
- Attendance – Weather/tech experts, villagers, MLA Mahendra Pal Meena.
MCQs
Q1. In which district of Telangana was the rare Blue Pinkgill mushroom discovered?
A) Nalgonda
B) Komaram Bheem Asifabad
C) Warangal
D) Adilabad
Q2. Which country’s player did Namrata Batra defeat in the semifinals of the 2025 World Games?
A) China
B) Philippines
C) Japan
D) Vietnam
Q3. This freight train connectivity is part of which railway project?
A) Konkan Railway Project
B) Dedicated Freight Corridor Project
C) Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL)
D) Northern Rail Expansion Project
Q4. Who was named ICC Men’s Player of the Month for July 2025?
A) Ben Stokes
B) Shubman Gill
C) Wiaan Mulder
D) Virat Kohli
Q5. Where was India’s first drone-AI-powered cloud seeding experiment conducted?
A) Mansagar Dam, Jaipur
B) Ramgarh Dam, Jaipur
C) Gandhisagar Dam, MP
D) Hirakud Dam, Odisha