A recent asymmetric strike by Ukraine under the Operation Spiderweb, which involved long-range drone assaults on Russian air bases has drawn significant attention, offering key lessons in modern warfare.
According to a report by CUTS International, India has emerged as a major hub for illegal online betting, with unauthorized gambling platforms recording over 5 billion visits in FY25.
Key Findings of the Report
Massive User Engagement: The top 15 illegal betting platforms, including 1xBet, Parimatch, Stake, Fairplay, and BateryBet, collectively logged over 5.4 billion visits in FY25.
Financial Scale: Annual deposits on these platforms are estimated to be around $100 billion, raising concerns about money laundering and tax evasion.
Regulatory Loopholes: Many of these platforms bypass KYC and age verification, exposing minors to gambling risks.
Advertising & Payment Issues: Offshore operators exploit India’s advertising and payment infrastructure, making it easier for users to access these sites.
The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has notified the detailed guidelines for the “Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SPMEPCI)”, aiming to position India as a major electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing hub.
Significance of the Scheme
Encourages cutting-edge EV technology transfer to India.
It strengthens Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
The scheme enhances clean mobility adoption and contributes to climate goals.
It aims to generate high-skilled employment in manufacturing and R&D.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently highlighted India’s rapidly growing aviation sector as a major investment opportunity.
India’s aviation sector
It is rapidly expanding, driven by rising demand and strong government support through strategic policies.
This transformation has made India the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market, after the U.S. and China.
Government initiatives have played a key role in modernizing and empowering the industry, positioning it as a major player in the global aviation landscape.
India is facing increasingly severe heatwaves with 2024 and early 2025 seeing record temperatures and early heatwave conditions.
Heat waves
They are periods of unusually high temperatures relative to a region’s normal climate.
The threshold for declaring a heat wave varies by location based on historical temperature patterns.
Heat wave is considered if maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40 degree C or more for Plains and at least 30 degree C or more for Hilly regions
Factors like high humidity, strong winds, and prolonged duration can worsen their impact.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that France is “open to dialogue” on potentially stationing its nuclear weapons in other European countries.
About
This development occurred amid security concerns in Europe due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
France’s consideration of a broader European role for its nuclear deterrent aligns with its “European strategic autonomy” policy, which aims to enhance the EU’s capacity to act independently in security and defence matters.
Historically, France has fiercely guarded the independence of its nuclear deterrent, viewing it as a strictly national tool.
This openness, thus, signifies an evolution in its strategic thinking.
India and Japan have formally agreed to deepen maritime relations, reaffirming their shared commitment to regional cooperation in the maritime sector.
Key Highlights of Maritime Cooperation
Smart Islands and Renewable Energy: Japan has extended support to develop Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands into smart, green islands using renewable energy, disaster-resilient infrastructure, and sustainable maritime ecosystems.
Port Digitisation and Emission Reduction: The two sides have agreed on using digital technologies in port operations to enhance efficiency, reduce logistical costs, and minimise carbon emissions. This aligns with India’s smart port initiative.
Employment and Skilling of Seafarers: With over 1.54 lakh trained Indian seafarers, Japan has expressed interest in recruiting Indian maritime professionals to meet its skilled labour shortage in the maritime sector.
Investment in Maritime Infrastructure: Japan’s Imabari Shipbuilding is proposing a greenfield shipyard project in Andhra Pradesh, reflecting Japan’s intent to bolster India’s domestic shipbuilding capacity, vital for its Maritime India Vision 2030.
A landslide triggered by heavy rainfall hit a military camp in Sikkim’s Lachen district causing casulities & loss to property.
What is Landslide?
Landslides are a geological phenomenon that involves the sudden and rapid movement of a mass of rock, soil, or debris down a slope under the influence of gravity.
Landslides, usually, occur in areas having characteristics like steep terrain such as hilly or mountainous areas, presence of joints and fissures or areas where surface runoff is directed or land is heavily saturated with water.
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