1. Himalayan Brown Bear

A rare sighting of a Himalayan brown bear, reportedly with its family, in the Nelong and Jadung Valleys has created a buzz among wildlife enthusiasts in Gangotri National Park, Uttarakhand.

About Himalayan Brown Bear:

• The Himalayan brown bear is the largest mammal inhabiting the high-altitude Himalayan regions.

• It belongs to one of the most ancient brown bear lineages.

• Scientific Name: Ursus arctos isabellinus

• Commonly referred to as the “Himalayan Red Bear” or “Isabelline Bear,” it is known locally as Denmo in Ladakh.

Habitat & Distribution:

• Found across the northwestern and central Himalayas in Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Tibetan region of China.

• Prefers elevations between 3,000 to 5,500 meters above sea level, typically above the timberline.

• In India, it occurs in scattered populations across alpine and subalpine zones of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

• Some believe that sightings of this bear walking upright may have inspired the myth of the Yeti.

Physical Characteristics:

• Males are larger (average 1.9 m length, 135 kg) than females (1.6 m, 70 kg).

• Possesses dense, sandy to reddish-brown fur.

Diet & Behavior:

• Omnivorous: feeds on grasses, roots, bulbs, insects, and small mammals like marmots and pikas.

• Solitary by nature; interactions are mostly for mating or competition. Mothers remain with their cubs.

• Hibernates during winter.

• Lifespan: 20–30 years in the wild.

Conservation Status:

• IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered

• Wildlife Protection Act (India), 1972: Schedule I

• CITES: Appendix I

2. Tomahawk Missile

The United States recently launched Tomahawk cruise missiles, alongside GBU-57 bunker busters, in precision strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, marking direct involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict.

About the Tomahawk Missile:

• A long-range, subsonic cruise missile developed by the US Navy.

• Launched from ships or submarines using a Vertical Launch System, it is designed for high-precision land attacks.

• First saw combat use during Operation Desert Storm (1991), and has since been used in conflicts including Syria (2017).

Key Features:

• Low-altitude flight allows evasion of radar detection.

• Guided by GPS, inertial navigation, and terrain contour mapping for high accuracy (within 10 meters).

• Follows a non-linear trajectory to reduce interception risk.

• Range: 1,000–1,500 miles (1,550–2,500 km).

• Size: 18.3 feet long, 3,200 lbs (4,400 lbs with booster).

• Warhead: 1,000 lbs of conventional explosives or cluster munitions.

• Propulsion: Solid booster for launch, then turbofan engine with low infrared signature.

• Cost: Approximately $2 million per missile.

3. Chios Island

A major wildfire broke out near the main town of Chios Island, prompting a response from over 100 firefighters, assisted by water-dropping aircraft.

About Chios Island:

• Located in the eastern Aegean Sea, it is the fifth-largest Greek island (842.29 sq.km).

• Positioned about 8 km off the western coast of Turkey.

• Measures 50 km from north to south and 13–24 km in width.

• The island is mountainous, with Mount Pelinaíon as its highest point (1,297 m).

• The main town and municipal center is Chios town.

Distinctive Features:

• Renowned for producing mastic gum, earning it the nickname “Mastic Island.”

• Known for its lush landscapes, pristine beaches, and well-preserved medieval villages.

• Steeped in history, it is considered the birthplace of Homer and home to several notable Greek figures.

• Archaeological evidence dates back to the Neolithic period, and Byzantine architecture is widespread.

4. Lake Tahoe

A tragic incident occurred at Lake Tahoe as a boat capsized, resulting in six fatalities and two people reported missing.

About Lake Tahoe:

• A striking cobalt-blue freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, straddling California and Nevada.

• The largest freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada and the largest alpine lake in North America.

• Elevation: 1,897 meters above sea level, making it the highest lake in the U.S.

• Dimensions: 22 miles long, 12 miles wide, 75 miles of shoreline.

• Area: 191 square miles; Depth: 1,645 feet — second-deepest lake in the U.S. after Oregon’s Crater Lake.

• Volume: 150 km³ — the largest by volume in the U.S. after the Great Lakes.

• Fed by 63 streams, with the Truckee River as its sole outlet, which drains into Pyramid Lake (not the ocean).

• Noted for its purity, with water 99.994% pure.

• Surrounded by national forests, the region is a major tourist destination.

5. INS Nilgiri

INS Nilgiri has officially joined the Eastern Naval Command, becoming a key part of the Eastern Sword-Sunrise Fleet.

About INS Nilgiri:

• The first stealth frigate under Project 17A, indigenously developed by the Indian Navy.

• Designed by the Warship Design Bureau, and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai.

• A derivative of the earlier Shivalik-class stealth frigates (Project 17).

Specifications:

• Length: 149 meters; Displacement: ~6,670 tonnes.

• Powered by a CODAG (Combined Diesel and Gas) propulsion system.

• Top speed: 28 knots.

• Capable of independent operations and can lead as the flagship in a naval task force.

Armaments & Systems:

• Equipped with 16 Barak-8 SAMs for air defense and 8 BrahMos missiles for surface combat.

• Advanced radar systems: MF-STAR for 360° surveillance, 3D AESA radar for multi-target tracking, and Nishant radar for targeting.

• The Combat Management System (CMS) ensures network-centric warfare capabilities and interoperability with other naval platforms.

Fleet Expansion:

• Other ships under Project 17A include: Himgiri, Taragiri, Udaygiri, Dunagiri, Vindhyagiri, and Mahendragiri, currently under construction at MDL and GRSE.

6. Sariska Tiger Reserve
A new proposal to revise the boundaries of Sariska Tiger Reserve's Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH) could benefit over 50 marble and dolomite mines that were shut down last year following a Supreme Court ruling due to their proximity to the CTH.
About Sariska Tiger Reserve:

• Location: Rajasthan; lies within the Aravalli hills.

• History: Former hunting ground of the Maharaja of Alwar; declared a natural reserve in 1955 and a national park in 1979.

• Topography & Vegetation: Rocky terrain with dry deciduous and thorn forests, featuring dhok, salar, kadaya, bamboo, and other native species.

• Fauna: Hosts tigers, leopards, sambhars, chitals, nilgais, wild boars, and four-horned antelopes.

• Attractions: Notable for historical sites like Pandu Pol, Bhangarh Fort, and lakes such as Siliserh and Jai Samand.

7. Palm Tree
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought explanations from the CPCB and Bihar authorities over mass palm tree felling, which may be linked to a rise in lightning-related fatalities.
About Palm Trees:

• Scientific Classification: Belong to the family Arecaceae (Palmae) within the order Arecales.

• Description: Evergreen monocots that grow as shrubs, trees, or woody vines (lianas).

• Distribution: Widely found in the Americas, Asia, Africa, and island regions in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

• Structure: Known for tall, unbranched trunks with consistent diameter and palmate or pinnate leaves.

• Economic Importance: Coconuts and African oil palms are major sources of edible oils.

• Conservation Status: About 100 palm species are endangered due to habitat loss and unsustainable harvesting.

8. Kounis Syndrome
The recent death of an Indian industrialist from a bee sting has spotlighted Kounis Syndrome, a rare allergic condition that can trigger cardiac events.
About Kounis Syndrome:

• Definition: A rare form of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) caused by an allergic or hypersensitivity reaction.

• Also Known As: Allergic angina or allergic myocardial infarction.

• Mechanism: Allergens activate mast cells, releasing histamines and cytokines, causing coronary artery spasms or plaque rupture.

• Types:

  • Type I: In patients with normal coronary arteries.

  • Type II: In those with pre-existing coronary disease.

  • Type III: Involving stent thrombosis in patients with coronary stents.

• Triggers: Insect stings, NSAIDs, antibiotics, shellfish, nuts, latex, and contrast dyes.

• Symptoms: Chest pain, rash, breathing difficulty, hypotension, and ECG changes.

• Treatment: Involves antihistamines, corticosteroids, epinephrine, and standard cardiac therapies like nitrates and oxygen.

9. Gwada Negative
France’s national blood agency (EFS) has discovered a new blood group named Gwada Negative, now officially classified as ISBT042 by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT).
About Gwada Negative:

• Scientific Name: EMM-negative blood group (ISBT042).

• Discovery: Named after a woman from Guadeloupe, the only known person with this blood type.

• Characteristics: Lacks the high-frequency EMM antigen found in most humans.

• Inheritance: Resulted from both parents carrying a rare gene variant.

• Significance: Marks the 48th recognized blood group system, defined by genetic inheritance, detectability, and the presence of an associated antibody.
  About ISBT:

• Founded: 1935, Paris.

• Headquarters: Amsterdam.

• Functions: Standardizes transfusion methods and promotes collaboration in blood science.

10. INS Tamal
The Indian Navy will commission INS Tamal, a new stealth multi-role frigate, on July 1, 2025, in Kaliningrad, Russia.
About INS Tamal:

• Class: Part of the Krivak/Tushil class, upgraded from the Talwar and Teg classes.

• Built at: Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad; last foreign-built warship under India's push for indigenous defense manufacturing.

• Symbolism: Named after a mythical sword used by Indra; mascot blends Jambavant (Indian mythology) and the Eurasian brown bear.
  Key Features:

• 26% indigenous systems including BrahMos cruise missiles.

• Equipped with vertical-launch SAMs, upgraded 100 mm gun, CIWS, torpedoes, and anti-submarine rockets.

• Advanced EO/IR systems, surveillance radars, Electronic Warfare suite, and Network Centric Warfare capabilities.

• Carries early-warning and multi-role helicopters.

• High endurance, top speed >30 knots, and high firepower-to-tonnage ratio.

• Completed extensive sea trials successfully.