🇷🇺🤝 1) Russia Becomes First Country to Recognize Afghanistan's Taliban Government

In a major geopolitical development, Russia has become the first country to officially recognize the Taliban regime in Afghanistan since its return to power in August 2021.

🔍 Why It Matters:

• Since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, most countries have refrained from formal recognition.
• This move could pave the way for international normalization of the Taliban, despite global concerns on women’s rights and terrorism.
• Russia's interest includes counter-terrorism, drug trafficking control, and regional influence in Central Asia.

📜 Historic Parallel: During the Cold War, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979 — a move that led to a decade-long war with the Mujahideen, many of whom later became part of the Taliban.

🇨🇳🚀 2) China Tests Feitian-2: Hypersonic Missile with Eco Fuel Mix

China has successfully tested the Feitian-2 hypersonic missile, powered by a kerosene and hydrogen peroxide mixture — a fuel combination that allows for high thrust and lower emissions.

🚀 About Feitian-2:

• It flies at Mach 5+ (five times the speed of sound).
• Uses wave-rider technology for sustained high-speed gliding in the atmosphere.
• Designed for strategic precision strikes and anti-defense maneuvers.

🌍 Global Implication:

• Marks China's growing prowess in the hypersonic arms race, alongside the US, Russia, and India.
• Raises concerns over global security and missile defense preparedness.

📜 Historic Note: Hypersonic tech was first explored during the Cold War, but only in the 21st century did countries begin successfully testing deployable versions.

🧪🌏 3) 23rd OPCW Regional Meet of Asian States Concludes in New Delhi

The 23rd Regional Meeting of Asian States Parties to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has successfully concluded in New Delhi.

🔬 Key Objectives:

• Strengthen chemical weapons non-proliferation.
• Promote peaceful uses of chemistry.
• Enhance regional cooperation and training.

🇮🇳 India’s Role:

• India is a founding member of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
• It destroyed its entire stockpile of chemical weapons by 2009, earning OPCW certification.

📜 Background: OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 for its efforts in eliminating chemical weapons worldwide.

☮️👩‍🦰 4) Sukanya Sonowal Appointed Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassador

Sukanya Sonowal from Assam has been appointed as a Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassador, recognizing her work in conflict resolution, youth empowerment, and climate justice.

🌱 Why It’s Special:

• She will work under the Commonwealth Secretariat’s peacebuilding mission.
• Highlights the role of Indian youth in global diplomacy and peacebuilding.

📜 Context:

• The Commonwealth Youth Programme has been instrumental since the 1970s in creating a network of young leaders.
• Famous Indian youth leaders like Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai (Pakistan) have championed global youth rights in similar international platforms.

🛶🇮🇳 5) Khelo India Water Sports to Debut at Dal Lake, Srinagar

In a landmark move, Khelo India Water Sports will be held for the first time ever at Dal Lake, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir.

💦 Why This Is Big:

• Promotes adventure and water sports in India's most scenic water body.
• Aims to boost sports tourism, local economy, and youth participation.

🏞️ Dal Lake Significance:

• Known as the "Jewel in the crown of Kashmir", it has been central to Kashmir's culture and economy.
• This move reflects normalcy and development in a region long affected by conflict.

📜 Background: The Khelo India programme was launched in 2018 to identify and nurture grassroots sporting talent across India.

📉🌐 6) SEBI Bans US-Based Global Trading Giant Jane Street

India’s capital markets regulator, SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India), has banned US-based hedge fund giant Jane Street for suspicious trading activities and algorithmic manipulation.

🕵️‍♂️ Key Points:

• Jane Street was allegedly involved in front-running — a practice of exploiting confidential market orders.
• This is part of SEBI’s increasing crackdown on foreign institutional investor (FII) irregularities.

💹 SEBI's Growing Oversight:

• SEBI has been enhancing surveillance of algorithmic trading, HFT (High Frequency Trading), and dark pools.

📜 Historic Tie-In:

• This echoes the Harshad Mehta (1992) and Ketan Parekh (2001) stock market scams, after which SEBI's powers were dramatically expanded.