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Aggressive Sea Lion Behavior: Normally docile sea lions off the California coast are exhibiting unprecedented aggression, attacking humans due to a toxic algal bloom.

Domoic Acid Toxin: The diatom Pseudo-nitzschia produces domoic acid, a neurotoxin that disrupts sea lion brain function, causing stress, muscle spasms, brain damage, and aggression.

Food Chain Contamination: Domoic acid enters the marine food chain, affecting various marine life and posing a deadly threat to humans through contaminated seafood.

Upwelling and Nutrient Input: Stronger winds (linked to global warming) cause upwelling, bringing nutrient-rich water to the surface, which fuels algal blooms.

Pollution’s Role: Pollutant discharge and runoff from events like Los Angeles wildfires introduce additional nutrients, further stimulating algal growth.

Lethal Consequences: While no human deaths have been reported from sea lion attacks, the potential for lethal outcomes exists due to the size and aggression of the affected animals. Domoic acid itself is a lethal poison in high doses for humans.

Recurring Issue: This marks the fourth consecutive year of algal blooms impacting Southern California marine life.

Rehabilitation Efforts: While assistance to affected dolphins is limited, some sea lions are being taken to authorized rehabilitation facilities.

Inaugural AIKEYME Exercise: A large-scale multilateral maritime exercise, Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME), commenced in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania on April 13, 2025.

Co-hosts: Jointly hosted by India and Tanzania, highlighting shared strategic interests in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Participating Nations: Includes India, Tanzania, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, and South Africa.

Objective: To develop collaborative solutions for regional maritime challenges and enhance naval interoperability.

Strategic Alignment: Aligns with India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) initiative.

Indian Naval Deployment: INS Chennai, INS Kesari, and INS Sunayna are participating. INS Sunayna is part of the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR mission.

Exercise Structure: Six-day exercise (April 13-18, 2025) divided into harbor and sea phases.

Harbor Phase Activities: Included an inauguration ceremony, table-top exercises focused on anti-piracy operations, seamanship training, and Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) exercises.

Sea Phase Focus: Strengthening maritime security cooperation among participating nations.

IOS SAGAR Mission: INS Sunayna’s deployment under the IOS SAGAR mission includes joint surveillance and goodwill port calls in Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius, Seychelles, and the Maldives.

Strategic Goals: Aims to enhance maritime cooperation between India and African nations, focusing on security, trade, blue economy, and combating piracy in the IOR, and promoting regional stability and sustainable development.

Fruit Ripening Process: Ripening is a natural aging process in fruits involving changes in color, texture, flavor, sugar content, and acidity, driven by the hormone ethylene. Biochemical changes include increased respiration and ethylene production, cell wall loosening, starch conversion to sugars, chlorophyll reduction, pigment increase, and volatile oil emission.

Color Changes: Synthesis of carotenoids (yellow/red) and anthocyanins (red/blue) contribute to color change.

Texture Changes: Cell wall degradation leads to softening, influenced by enzymes like polygalacturonase and pectinesterase.

Sweetness Development: Enzymes like phosphorylase (bananas, apples) and amylase (mangoes) convert starch to sugars. Volatile compounds add to the sweet aroma.

Acidity: Organic acids (malic, citric, tartaric) contribute to fruit acidity.

Ripening Significance: Essential for embryo development and seed dispersal.

Banned Artificial Ripening Agent: Calcium Carbide releases toxic acetylene gas and may contain arsenic, posing health risks and is banned by FSSAI.

Permitted Ripening Agents:

• Ethylene Gas: Approved by FSSAI (up to 100 ppm), triggers natural ripening, to be used in controlled chambers, without direct contact.
• Ethephon: Releases ethylene, used under regulated conditions.
• Ethereal: Ethylene-releasing compound used in controlled settings.

Helicopter Crash Investigation: Aviation experts are considering “mast bumping” as a potential cause for the recent helicopter crash into the Hudson River near Manhattan.

Mast Bumping Explained: Mast bumping is a helicopter malfunction that occurs primarily in two-bladed, teetering rotor systems. It involves the rotor hub impacting the mast due to low-G maneuvers or sudden control inputs, disrupting rotor balance.

Consequences of Mast Bumping: This impact can lead to loss of control, rotor separation, and ultimately, a crash.

Hudson River Location: The Hudson River is mainly located in New York State, with a portion forming the boundary between New York and New Jersey.

Hudson River Origin: It originates in the Adirondack Mountains and flows approximately 315 miles (507 km) before emptying into the Upper New York Bay.

Why in News: Indoor air pollution is a significant concern in India, especially in urban areas where people spend most of their time indoors (70-90%). Policy focus remains largely on outdoor pollution, neglecting IAQ.

What is IAQ: Refers to air quality within buildings, impacting health and comfort.

Common Pollutants: CO, formaldehyde, asbestos, radon, lead, mould, pesticides, smoke, allergens.

Reasons for Deteriorating IAQ:

• Outdoor pollutants entering buildings.
• Indoor activities: cooking, smoking, cleaning.
• Overcrowding limits pollutant dispersion.
• Lack of awareness and regulation.
• Solid fuels for cooking in rural areas and in urban areas the switch to cleaner fuels such as gas has mostly been made, there are several other sources of indoor air pollution

Impact:

• India recorded the highest average annual indoor PM2.5 levels globally.
• Household air pollution causes millions of premature deaths annually.
• Poor ventilation leads to “sick building syndrome.”
• Linked to noncommunicable diseases.

Solutions:

• Air purifiers with HEPA filters.
• Indoor plants.
• Clean fuels and technologies.
• Low-VOC materials.
• Health-focused building practices (IGBC, Eco-Niwas Samhita).

Better design can help indoor air pollution: Prioritising indoor air quality in design is crucial, says Mahesh Ramanujam, president & CEO,Global Network for Zero, an independent green certification body helping businesses, buildings, and cities achieve net-zero emissions. One major reason for indoor air pollution, he points out is that there is a lack of good ventilation. Incorporate skylights, daylight into pathways and hallways and designing spaces that allow for the movement of people, can help. This can be combined with the use of air purifier units, high quality HEPA filters to keep out particulate matters and using toxin-free cleaners and greenery where possible, to help with improved air and better health.

Nine big cats detected: Camera traps in Pakke Tiger Reserve (Arunachal Pradesh) have spotted nine tigers. This indicates a healthy tiger population.

Location: East Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh. Bordered by several reserve forests and Nameri National Park (Assam). Lies in the Eastern Himalayas foothills, flanked by Kameng and Pakke Rivers.

Area: 862 sq.km.

Climate: Subtropical with cold winters.

Nyishi Tribe: The Nyishi community plays a significant role in conservation efforts. Their involvement is vital for the reserve’s success.

India Biodiversity Award: Pakke Tiger Reserve received the 2016 award for its Hornbill Nest Adoption Programme, highlighting successful conservation initiatives for threatened species.

Vegetation: Diverse habitats include semi-evergreen, evergreen, and broadleaf forests, showcasing rich biodiversity. Flora includes Hoolock trees, bamboos, orchids, pine, oaks, and rhododendrons.

Fauna: Supports a variety of animals like tigers, leopards, elephants, various deer species, and primates.

KFD Outbreak 2025: Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), or “monkey fever,” is surging in Karnataka, particularly in Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru districts as of April 2025.

Disease Nature: KFD is a tick-borne viral hemorrhagic fever, potentially fatal to humans and primates, caused by the Kyasanur Forest Disease Virus (KFDV).

Transmission: Spread primarily through bites of infected hard ticks (Hemaphysalis spinigera). No person-to-person transmission. Human beings are incidental hosts.

Symptoms: Two phases – First phase: Sudden fever, headache, severe pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding. Second phase (10-20%): Fever recurrence, neurological issues (headache, tremors, vision problems).

Mortality: Fatality rate is between 3-5%.

Diagnosis & Treatment: Diagnosis via PCR, virus isolation, and antibody detection. No antiviral treatment; supportive care focuses on symptom relief and complication prevention.

Prevention: Avoid tick-infested areas, wear protective clothing, use insect repellents (DEET), avoid contact with sick/dead animals, tick checks, and vaccination where available.

Risk Factors: Deforestation, land use change, and climatic factors have all played a role in the increase of the tick population, elevating the transmission risk of KFD.

Vaccine Issues: Abrupt removal of the KFD vaccine due to a decrease in potency has exposed locals and healthcare professionals to risks. Recent vaccine withdrawal may render current availability sparse

Public Health Response: Health officials are monitoring the outbreak, conducting awareness campaigns, distributing protective gear, and working on vaccine development.

Assam Cabinet’s Decision: Assam government withdraws ~28,000 pending Foreigner Tribunal cases against Koch Rajbongshi community members.

Reasoning: State government considers them an “indigenous community.”

Koch Rajbongshi Identity: Traced to the Koch Dynasty of the Kamata Kingdom (16th century). Spread across Assam, West Bengal, and parts of neighboring countries.

Geographic Concentration: Significant presence in western Assam districts. Kamatapur Autonomous Council created in 2020 for their advancement.

Demands: While having OBC status, they seek Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Some groups, especially in West Bengal, advocate for a separate Kamatapur state.

Citizenship Issues (“D-voter” Tag): Transborder nature led to many being labeled “D-voters,” questioning their citizenship due to the 1985 Assam Accord.

Controversies/Questions: Selective withdrawal raises questions about similar relief for other communities, especially indigenous Assamese Muslim sub-groups. Concerns raised that figures may be inflated for political gain with upcoming elections.

Similar instances:The Assam Cabinet had similarly announced the withdrawal of cases against members of the Gorkha community.

Political significance: Communities are expected to build pressure on the state government as the 2026 Assam Legislative Assembly election draws closer.