1. Air-Sol Moyenne Portée-Renove (ASMPA-R)

France has, for the first time, released images of its latest nuclear-capable supersonic air-launched cruise missile, the ASMPA-R.

About ASMPA-R

• It is the upgraded variant of France’s ASMP medium-range, supersonic, nuclear-capable missiles.

• Developed by France, it is a key element of the air-based leg of the French nuclear triad.

Key Features

• Uses a ramjet propulsion system with dual air intakes for sustained Mach 3 speeds.

• Approximate range: 600 km.

• Equipped with the Tête Nucléaire Aéroportée (TNA) warhead.

• The TNA features a “dial-a-yield” mechanism with yields between 100–300 kilotons

Source: Centre sanctions Rs 9 crore development program for Maram Naga tribe in Manipur

2. Maram Naga Tribe – Key Facts

The Centre has approved ₹9 crore under the Jan Man Scheme for development and cultural preservation of the Maram Naga tribe in Manipur.

About the Tribe

• A Naga group living in Senapati district of Manipur, also found in western Myanmar.

• Part of the Tibeto-Burman linguistic family within the Mongoloid group.

Language

• Belongs to the Sino-Tibetan language family; the Maram language is written in Roman script.

Occupation

• Primarily dependent on agriculture, including shifting and wet cultivation.

• Hunting is a secondary occupation.

Beliefs & Festivals

• Worship supernatural benevolent and malevolent forces.

• Major festivals: Punghi (July), Kanghi (December), and the women-centric Mangkang festival (April)

Source: Centre sanctions Rs 9 crore development program for Maram Naga tribe in Manipur

3. Checkered Keelback (Fowlea piscator)

A team from the Assam State Zoo has documented the first known case of albinism in the checkered keelback in Assam.

About the Species

• A non-venomous, medium-sized Asiatic water snake.

• Found across the Indian subcontinent—India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka.

Habitat & Features

• Inhabits freshwater bodies like ponds, marshes, and rice fields.

• Slender, agile body; length 3–4 ft; keeled dorsal scales.

• Colour varies: olive-brown/green/yellow with black patches; underside pale.

Diet: fish, frogs, small reptiles.

• IUCN Status: Least Concern.

Source: First albino Asian water snake recorded in Assam

4. Vrindavani Vastra

The Assam Chief Minister has travelled to London to initiate the process of bringing back the sacred Vrindavani Vastra from the British Museum.

About the Textile

• A 400-year-old Assamese silk textile depicting scenes from Krishna’s childhood and divine play in Vrindavan.

• Woven using the complex lampas technique, requiring two weavers to work simultaneously.

• Crafted under Srimanta Sankardeva’s guidance, commissioned by Koch king Nara Narayan.

• Features multicoloured threadwork and originally consisted of 15 silk panels.

• The piece reached Tibet before being acquired by the British Museum in 1904.

• Considered a masterpiece of Assamese Vaishnav art.

Source: Assam to ink deal with British Museum to bring back Vrindavani Vastra

5. Ashtamudi Lake – Key Facts

Researchers are studying the rare cooperative fishing behaviour between wild dolphins and traditional fishers in Ashtamudi Lake.

About the Lake

• Located in Kollam district, Kerala; second largest lake after Vembanad.

• Covers 61.4 sq km and stretches for 16 km.

• Name means “eight braids”, reflecting its palm-shaped, multi-branched geography.

• Fed by rivers including Kallada, draining into the Arabian Sea.

• Declared a Ramsar site in 2002.

Historical Importance

• An important port in the 14th century, connecting ancient Quilon to global trade routes.

• Mentioned by Ibn Battuta as a major trading centre.

• Region is known for the traditional coir industry.

Biodiversity

• Hosts 57 bird species and 97 fish species.

• Supports endangered species like pearl spot fish, mangrove crab, otters, and several water birds.

Source : Researchers to study rare dolphin-fisher kinship in Ashtamudi Lake

6. Exercise Garuda 2025

The IAF is participating in the 8th edition of Exercise Garuda with the French Air and Space Force at Mont-de-Marsan.

About the Exercise

• Bilateral India–France air exercise.

• Focus: improving tactics, interoperability, and operational coordination.

Participation

• IAF assets: Su-30MKI, C-17 Globemaster III, IL-78.

• Includes air-to-air combat, air defence, and coordinated strike missions.

Other India–France Exercises

• Varuna – Navy

• Shakti – Army

• Desert Knight-21 – Air

Source: EXERCISE GARUDA 25: INDIAN AIR FORCE PARTICIPATES IN 8TH EDITION OF BILATERAL AIR EXERCISE WITH FRENCH AIR AND SPACE FORCE

7. Tungsten

Hindustan Zinc Ltd has obtained a licence to explore and mine a tungsten block in Andhra Pradesh.

About Tungsten

• Chemical symbol: W, atomic number 74.

• Occurs in minerals such as wolframite and scheelite.

Properties

• Highest melting point among metals: 3410°C.

• Extremely high tensile strength; low vapour pressure.

• Excellent conductivity and wear resistance.

Uses

• X-ray tubes, light bulbs, high-speed cutting tools, welding electrodes.

• Tungsten carbide is crucial for mining, petroleum, and metal-working industries.

• Used in pigments, dyes, and fire-retardant coatings.

• Major producers: China, Vietnam, Russia, North Korea.

• Classified as a Critical Mineral in India.

Source: Hindustan Zinc gets licence to explore, mine tungsten block in Andhra Pradesh

8. Marburg Virus Disease

WHO has confirmed Ethiopia’s first outbreak of Marburg virus disease.

About the Disease

A severe, often fatal viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Marburg and Ravn viruses.

First detected in 1967 in Marburg (Germany).

Reservoir & Transmission

• Natural host: Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus).

• Spread to humans via contact with infected bats; human-to-human transmission through bodily fluids.

• Mostly reported in sub-Saharan Africa.

Symptoms

• Early: high fever, severe headache, malaise.

• Later: bleeding, liver failure, multi-organ collapse, shock; death often within 8–9 days.

Treatment

• No specific cure; supportive care improves survival.

Source : Ethiopia reports nine cases of Marburg virus disease in first-ever outbreak: WHO

9. Territorial Army (TA)

The Army plans to induct women soldiers into its Territorial Army units.

About TA

• A part-time, voluntary force supporting the Regular Army.

• Acts as the second line of defence; not a full-time job.

• Members must be gainfully employed in civilian professions.

• Motto: Savdhani Va Shoorta (Vigilance and Valour).

History

• Origin: Indian Territorial Act, 1920 under British rule.

• Reorganised post-Independence; formally launched in 1949 by C. Rajagopalachari.

Eligibility

• Indian citizens (men & women), age 18–42, graduates, and employed.

• Personnel from regular forces or police are not eligible.

Role

• Relieves regular forces from static duties.

• Assists civil administration during natural disasters, essential service support, and security challenges.

Source : Another glass ceiling breaks: Women soldiers soon in Territorial Army

10. Key Facts about Greenland

Greenland’s Parliament has recently passed a law restricting foreign citizens from owning property on the island.

About Greenland

• Greenland is the world’s largest island (excluding continents), lying between North America and Europe in the North Atlantic Ocean.

• Geographically, it belongs to the North American continent.

• Formerly a Danish colony, it is now an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.

Borders

Arctic Ocean – North

Greenland Sea – East

North Atlantic Ocean – Southeast

Davis Strait – Southwest

Baffin Bay – West

Capital: Nuuk

Geographical Features

• Climate: Polar climate with extreme winters reaching –50°C, and short, cool summers rarely exceeding 10–15°C.

• Highest Point: Gunnbjørn’s Fjeld, the tallest peak in the Arctic.

• Natural Resources: Rich in coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, molybdenum, gold, diamonds, platinum, and niobium.

Source : Greenland limits foreigners' right to property