NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. DPIIT and Häfele India Ink MoU to Boost Innovation and Manufacturing Ecosystem: The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and Hafele India Pvt. Ltd signed an MoU in New Delhi to empower startups, MSMEs, and entrepreneurs, with a focus on boosting product innovation, local sourcing, and strengthening India’s manufacturing ecosystem.Under this collaboration, Häfele will invest in Indian startups, offer infrastructure, technical support, and market access, and integrate them into global value chains—including a prior $2.5 million investment in an Indian appliance startup.The partnership aligns with the ‘Make in India’ and ‘India for the World’ vision, combining global best practices with local innovation, and will remain in effect for two years, with the possibility of extension.
2. Titan names Tanishq CEO Ajoy Chawla as next MD: Titan Company has appointed Ajoy Chawla, the current CEO of Tanishq, as its next Managing Director (MD).Ajoy Chawla will succeed C.K. Venkataraman, who is set to retire in 31 December 2025, after completing his term.Chawla has played a crucial role in expanding the Tanishq brand and driving growth across Titan’s jewellery division.
3. Snow Leopards in Ladakh: The research involved a comprehensive survey of 59,150 km² in Ladakh. It employed a double-sampling approach that combined occupancy surveys, camera traps, and habitat modelling. This methodology is considered the most intensive snow leopard survey ever conducted in the region. The aim was to assess both the snow leopards and their prey effectively. Several factors contribute to the high density of snow leopards in Ladakh. Cultural values among the Ladakhi people promote conservation. The efforts of the Ladakh Wildlife Department have transformed the region from a hunting ground into a conservation success story. Additionally, the rugged terrain and low human population density support abundant prey, including blue sheep, urial, and ibex.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Robert Prevost or Leo XIV becomes the first American to become Pope: Robert Francis Prevost became the first American to be elected as the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. After being elected as the 267th Pope in the Vatican, he assumed the name of Leo XIV.Pope Leo XIV succeeded Pope Francis, who died on 21 April 2025.Pope Leo XIV was elected by a College of Cardinals locked in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. As per tradition, they are locked in the Chapel until a new Pope is elected.As per tradition, when the College of Cardinals elects a new Pope, white smoke comes out of the Sistine Chapel’s chimney, signalling the election of a new Pope to the world.
2. New Crocodile Species in Mexico: Scientists from Canada, Mexico, and Panama have discovered two new crocodile species near the Yucatán coast. These were found on Cozumel island and Banco Chinchorro atoll. This brings the number of New World crocodile species from 4 to 6. Previously known species are American, Morelet’s, Cuban, and Orinoco crocodiles. A team of researchers studied crocodile populations on Cozumel Island and the Banco Chinchorro atoll. These isolated habitats were previously thought to house local populations of the widespread American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus). The new species are not just local variants of the American crocodile. They are genetically distinct from known species. Names for the new species are yet to be given, but may reflect their island origins.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Blackout Measures in India: In recent developments, India has implemented blackout measures across over 15 cities in response to Pakistani drone and missile attacks targeting Indian military areas. This action is part of a broader strategy to protect civilian populations and military facilities from potential aerial attacks. Blackouts involve turning off or severely limiting light sources to reduce visibility for enemy aircraft. This article delves into the significance and implementation of blackout measures in India. The primary goal of blackouts is to safeguard both civilians and infrastructure. By reducing visible light, the chances of enemy aircraft accurately targeting ground installations decrease. The dark environment increases anxiety for enemy pilots, making it harder for them to conduct successful operations. This strategy remains relevant despite advancements in aerial technology.
2. Territorial Army: The Territorial Army is a volunteer force that acts as a second line of defence for India. Unlike regular soldiers, TA members are civilians who balance their civilian professions with military responsibilities. They dedicate time to training and are prepared to serve during emergencies, such as wars and natural disasters. The Territorial Army comprises approximately 50,000 personnel across 65 units. These units include both departmental units, like those from Railways and ONGC, and non-departmental units, such as infantry battalions and ecological task forces. Members undergo two months of military training annually. They receive the same pay and privileges as regular army officers when activated.
3. Pakistan’s AWACS Aircraft: On Thursday night, India successfully neutralised a Pakistan military attempt to target military stations in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur. This event involved the destruction of drones and missiles, alongside the downing of Pakistan’s Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft. This act has severely impacted Pakistan’s air surveillance and operational capabilities. The use of AWACS in aerial combat is crucial, as it serves as the nerve centre for battlefield coordination. The incident puts stress on a shift in India’s air strategy, focusing on pre-emptive strikes against critical military assets. Its aim is to not only intercept threats but also to disrupt enemy command capabilities. AWACS is an advanced radar system mounted on large aircraft. AWACS detects, tracks, and monitors aerial and surface threats over vast distances. It acts as a command post in the sky, providing 360-degree radar surveillance. AWACS coordinates air battles and relays real-time intelligence to ground and air forces.
4. Rafale Fighter Jet vs. F-16 Fighter Jet: The Rafale is a 4.5-generation multirole aircraft developed by Dassault Aviation. It was inducted into the Indian Air Force in September 2020. The Rafale excels in air superiority, ground strike, and electronic warfare. Its advanced capabilities position it as a formidable opponent in modern aerial combat. Pakistan’s F-16s are fourth-generation jets originally manufactured by General Dynamics. They have undergone upgrades to the Block 52+ standard. However, their core design remains from the Cold War era. Despite improvements, they lack the technological advancements seen in newer aircraft like the Rafale. A critical advantage of the Rafale lies in its armament. It carries the Meteor missile, which has a range exceeding 150 kilometres and no-escape zone of 60 km. In contrast, F-16s are equipped with AIM-120C5 AMRAAMs, which have a maximum range of around 100 km. The Rafale’s superior missile technology enhances its combat effectiveness.
5. Harop Drones: Harop drones can loiter over a target area for up to nine hours. They use an electro-optic sensor to locate and identify targets. This capability allows them to plan an attack route effectively. Once a target is acquired, they dive and strike from various angles. Their design provides immunity to communication jamming, enhancing their effectiveness in combat. The concept of loitering munitions is not new. Israel Aerospace Industries first introduced the HARPY in the 1980s. Initially termed a “Kamikaze Drone”, it allowed for strikes without prior target intelligence. The HAROP is a modern evolution of the HARPY, featuring advanced targeting systems and improved operational flexibility.
SPORTS
1. Aryna Sabalenka Clinches Third Madrid Open Title with Win Over Coco Gauff: World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka defeated Coco Gauff 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) to win her third Madrid Open title, marking her 31st career victory on Madrid clay.This was Sabalenka’s sixth final of the year and her 37th overall, and she has now won WTA titles in Brisbane, Miami, and Madrid in 2024.Gauff, who had defeated Iga Swiatek in the semifinals, was overpowered by Sabalenka’s consistent play and a tie-break finish sealed by Gauff’s double fault.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Bhutan Launches World’s First Crypto Tourism Payment System: Bhutan launched the world’s first national-level cryptocurrency tourism payment system in partnership with Binance Pay and DK Bank. This innovative initiative allows travellers to use digital currencies for a wide range of services during their stay in Bhutan. Visitors can pay for airfares, visas, accommodations, and even local fruit using their Binance accounts. The move aims to enhance the tourism experience while promoting financial inclusion in the country. The new payment system is integrated into the Binance app. It supports over 100 cryptocurrencies including BNB, BTC, and USDC. Tourists can make real-time payments using dynamic or static QR codes. This method ensures secure transactions and instant settlement in Bhutanese currency via DK Bank. The system eliminates traditional barriers like currency conversion issues and high transaction fees.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. RBI’s New Digital Lending Regulations: These guidelines aim to enhance transparency and accountability in the digital lending ecosystem. The new rules require regulated entities to report their digital lending applications through the Centralised Information Management System (CIMS) portal. This initiative is set to encourage trust among borrowers and mitigate unethical practices in digital lending. The RBI’s new digital lending directions consolidate previous guidelines. They focus on ensuring that digital lending practices are transparent. Regulated entities must report details of their digital lending apps by June 15, 2025. A public directory of these apps will be accessible on the RBI’s website by July 1, 2025.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Nicaragua’s La Prensa Newspaper Awarded 2025 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize: La Prensa, a Nicaraguan newspaper, has been honored with the 2025 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize for its outstanding commitment to press freedom and journalistic integrity.The award highlights La Prensa’s resilience in upholding independent journalism, often under challenging circumstances, as recognized by UNESCO’s international jury.The UNESCO/Guillermo Cano Prize, named after the assassinated Colombian journalist, celebrates contributions to free expression, with La Prensa joining a legacy of global defenders of press rights.
2. UNESCO’s Guillermo Cano Prize: UNESCO member states created the World Press Freedom Prize in 1997.The only UN prize awarded to journalists, it is named after Colombian newspaper journalist Guillermo Cano Isaza, who was assassinated in Colombia’s capital, Bogota, in 1986.
3. Recent Award: Medal of Honour from World Jurist Association – Bhuwan Ribhu (renowned child rights lawyer and founder of Just Rights for Children)Companion of the Order of Fiji – Karnataka-based humanitarian Madhusudan SaiLata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award 2025 – Kumar Mangalam Birla, Shraddha Kapoor, Sunil Shetty, Sachin Pilgaonkar, Sonali Kulkarni, and violinist Dr N RajamsGurudev Kalicharan Brahma Award 2025 – Achyuta SamantaBreakthrough Prize 2025 for Contribution to ALICE Collaboration at CERN – Bose Institute’s High-Energy Physics Team
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