Three New Centipede Species in South India: Scientists described Rhysida quadrispinosa, R. coorgensis and R. neyyarensis, increasing India’s known Rhysida species to 23 + Research Institutions – Zoological Survey of India’s Western Ghat Regional Centre, Kozhikode, and Malabar Christian College + Classification – Arthropods belonging to class Chilopoda; terrestrial predators with one pair of legs per trunk segment + Venomous Appendages – First pair of appendages modified into venom-delivering structures called forcipules + Identification – Based on morphological examination and comparison with taxonomic databases such as ChiloBase 2.0

Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl: Rare Bubo nipalensis (also known as Ketupa nipalensis) photographed for the first time in Kerala’s Kozhikode district + Location – Janakikadu (Janakikkad Forest), along the Kuttiyadi River in Maruthonkara panchayat, Kozhikode + Observers – Wildlife photographer and birder Sunil Titto with eco-tourism guide Sudheesh A. + Local Names – “Kolliyan” and “Kattumoonga” + Size – Second-largest owl species in India + Identification – Dark, deep-set eyes, prominent sloping ear-tufts, chocolate-brown upperparts with white spots and black chevron-shaped markings on the pale underbelly + Behaviour – Nocturnal apex predator with eerie, human-like screaming calls; nicknamed the “Ghost of the Forest.”

JWALA-MK1: India’s first indigenously developed private-sector micro-missile, developed by IG Defence as a hard-kill weapon to physically destroy hostile drones and UAVs + Type – Short-range surface-to-air micro-missile (SAM) + Engagement Range – 2–5 km + Altitude Range – 50 metres to 5,000 metres + Accuracy – Circular Error Probable (CEP) of under 2 metres at maximum range + Propulsion – Dual-pulse solid rocket motor; motor test-firings completed + Launch System – Truck-mounted multi-canister launcher; detection-to-launch response time under 7 seconds