1. International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)

India to Host IBCA Headquarters
India has officially signed an agreement to host the headquarters and secretariat of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), solidifying its leadership in global big cat conservation.

About IBCA

• Launch: Initiated by PM Narendra Modi in April 2023 during the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger. Approved by the Union Cabinet in February 2024.

• Implementation: Managed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

• Objective: To protect and conserve seven major big cat species: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Puma, Jaguar, and Cheetah.

• Founding Members: India, Nicaragua, Eswatini, Somalia, and Liberia have ratified the IBCA Framework Agreement.

• Membership: Open to all UN member nations, including:

  • Range countries (native habitats of big cats)

  • Non-range countries supporting conservation efforts

Legal & Financial Status

• Became a treaty-based intergovernmental body after five ratifications

• India ratified in September 2023

• India pledged ₹150 crore (2023–2028) for:

  • Creating a corpus fund

  • Developing infrastructure

  • Managing recurring expenditures

2. Operation ATALANTA

EU Naval Force Proposes Joint Exercise with Indian Navy
The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR), under Operation ATALANTA, has suggested a joint naval exercise with the Indian Navy, tentatively scheduled for May 2025.

Why It Matters

• The exercise aims to strengthen maritime collaboration, particularly in response to renewed piracy threats and instability in the Red Sea.

• The drill will feature advanced naval maneuvers, anti-piracy tactics, and inter-navy communication exercises—surpassing the usual PASSEX drills.

• The resurgence of piracy near the Horn of Africa, alongside Houthi rebel activities, has heightened the need for coordinated efforts.

About Operation ATALANTA

• Established: 2008 as the EU’s counter-piracy mission in the Western Indian Ocean and Red Sea.

• Initial Goal: Protect maritime trade and humanitarian aid routes off Somalia’s coast.

• Expanded Role Includes:

  • Safeguarding World Food Programme (WFP) vessels

  • Enforcing arms embargoes on Somalia

  • Monitoring trafficking (arms/drugs)

  • Combating IUU fishing and illegal charcoal trade

3. James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)

Evidence of Life on Exoplanet K2-18b?
Scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have discovered promising signs of extraterrestrial life on exoplanet K2-18b, located 124 light-years away in the Leo constellation.

Role of JWST

• Launch Date: December 2021

• Developed By: NASA, ESA, and CSA

• Position: Orbits the L2 Lagrange Point (~5 million km from Earth)

• Specialization: Infrared astronomy using key components:

  • OTE: Captures light

  • ISIM: Houses scientific instruments

  • Sunshield: Protects sensitive equipment

  • Spacecraft Bus: Provides essential operations

Key Findings on K2-18b

• Researchers detected dimethyl sulphide (DMS) and dimethyl disulphide (DMDS)—gases associated with biological activity on Earth.

• The high concentration of DMS (far exceeding Earth’s levels) suggests potential microbial life, possibly marine-like organisms.

• The research was led by Nikku Madhusudhan from the University of Cambridge.

4. NASA’s Curiosity Rover

Carbon-Bearing Minerals Discovered on Mars
NASA’s Curiosity Rover has found definitive evidence of a carbon cycle on Mars, a major breakthrough in understanding the planet’s geochemistry.

About Curiosity Rover

• Launch: November 26, 2011 | Landing: August 5, 2012

• Mission: Part of NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL)

• Power Source: Plutonium-based thermoelectric generator

• Objectives:

  1. Search for signs of past life

  2. Study Mars’ climate and geology

  3. Prepare for future human missions

• Specifications: 3 meters long, 900 kg, equipped with a chemistry lab for analyzing rock samples

Significant Findings

• While exploring Gale Crater’s ancient lakebed, the rover identified siderite, a carbonate mineral, for the first time on Mars.

• The presence of 5–10% siderite by weight suggests that much of Mars’ past CO₂ may be stored in its crust.

• Detection of iron oxyhydroxides points to past acidic water activity that could have released CO₂ into the atmosphere—evidence of a limited carbon cycle.

5. Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Technology

Kerala Launches India’s First V2G Pilot Project
The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), in collaboration with IIT Bombay, has initiated a pilot project to test the feasibility of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology in the state.

What is V2G Technology?

• Allows Electric Vehicles (EVs) to send electricity back to the grid when not in use, via bi-directional charging.

• EVs act as mobile energy storage units, supplying power during high demand or low renewable output.

How It Works

• Charging (G2V): EVs draw power from the grid—manageable through smart charging and ToU tariffs.

• Discharging (V2G): EVs return stored power to the grid during peak hours.

Broader Applications

• Part of an ecosystem that includes:

  • Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) – powering homes

  • Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) – transferring charge between EVs

• Among these, V2G is currently the most explored for grid support and energy balancing.

6. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
Animal rights organization PETA has welcomed the Trump administration's recent move to end animal testing.

About PETA:

• PETA is the world’s largest animal rights NGO, based in Norfolk, Virginia, with a global presence.

• Founded in 1980 by Ingrid Newkirk and Alex Pacheco, inspired by Peter Singer’s Animal Liberation (1975).

• Initially known for exposing animal cruelty in laboratories, PETA now has over nine million members worldwide.

• The organization fights speciesism—a belief in human superiority over animals—and focuses on ending cruelty in four key industries:

  1. Laboratory testing

  2. Food production

  3. Clothing

  4. Entertainment

• PETA also works against the mistreatment of animals labeled as pests and domestic abuse cases.

• Its methods include public awareness campaigns, investigations, research, animal rescues, lobbying, protests, and corporate negotiations.

7. Dal Lake
A tourist shikara capsized in Srinagar’s famed Dal Lake due to strong winds, sending a tourist family and the boatman into the water.

About Dal Lake:

• Located in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, at mid-altitude and encircled by the Pir Panjal mountain range.

• Often referred to as the “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir” or “Srinagar’s Jewel.”

• The lake spans 18 sq.km., forming part of a 21.1 sq.km. wetland with floating gardens (Raad), which bloom with lotus flowers in July and August.

• Divided by causeways into four basins: Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal, and Nagin (sometimes seen as a separate lake).

  • Lokut Dal and Bod Dal each host an island—Rup Lank (Char Chinari) and Sona Lank, respectively.

• Features a 15.5 km shoreline lined with Mughal gardens, houseboats, parks, and hotels.

• Dal Lake supports a floating market with vendors operating from traditional wooden boats (Shikaras).

• Average depth: ~5 ft; maximum depth: ~20 ft.

8. Colossal Squid
For the first time ever, marine biologists have recorded live footage of a colossal squid in its natural habitat—almost a century after the species was first identified.

About the Colossal Squid:

• Scientific Name: Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni

• Habitat: Southern Ocean near Antarctica

• Among the largest and most elusive invertebrates on Earth.

• Resembles an octopus but is much larger and heavier—can grow up to 7 meters (23 ft) and weigh around 500 kg.

• Features include a tubular body, massive eyes (largest of any known animal), and arms/tentacles lined with rotating, sharp hooks.

• Juveniles are almost transparent, while adults develop a red or purple hue and powerful limbs.

• These adaptations help them survive and hunt in the pitch-black ocean depths.

Conservation Status: IUCN Red List – Least Concern

9. International Maritime Bureau (IMB)
The IMB has reported a significant rise in global maritime piracy and armed robbery incidents in the first quarter of 2025.

About IMB:

• A non-profit arm of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), founded in 1981 to combat maritime fraud, piracy, and other crimes.

• Serves as a key platform for sharing information among governments, shipping firms, and enforcement agencies.

• Operates the Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which:

  • Broadcasts daily piracy updates via Inmarsat-C SafetyNET

  • Notifies authorities and the IMO of incidents

  • Supports law enforcement, shipowners, and crews

  • Publishes detailed quarterly and annual reports

• The PRC’s services are free for all vessels regardless of flag or ownership.

• IMB also locates missing ships, retrieves stolen cargo, and offers paid custom reports.

• Recognized by the IMO (UN resolution A.504(XII)) and has observer status with INTERPOL.

• Engages in advocacy, mediation, and develops maritime safety standards with partners like the IMO.

10. Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD)
A new study commissioned by the Principal Scientific Adviser suggests the Environment Ministry should reconsider its 2015 mandate requiring all 537 coal plants in India to install FGD systems.

What is Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD)?

• FGD systems remove sulphur dioxide (SO₂) from exhaust gases emitted by fossil-fuel power stations.

• The wet FGD process is the most commonly used in large power plants.

  • It involves spraying flue gases with an absorbent (e.g., limestone slurry) inside a scrubber tower.

  • The SO₂ reacts chemically with the slurry, removing up to 95% of the sulphur.

• Absorbents like ammonia, sodium sulphite, or lime can also be used.

• FGD is crucial because fossil fuels, especially coal, often contain high sulphur content (up to 4%).

  • Given that some plants burn over 5,000 tonnes of coal per day, sulphur emissions can be substantial.

• The technology plays a key role in reducing air pollution and improving environmental health.