š«š· 1) France Announces Introduction of Compulsory Military Service
Announcement By:
French Government
Key Decision:
France will reintroduce compulsory military service for its youth, marking the return of national conscription after decades.
Background:
- France had abolished mandatory military service in 1997.
- Rising geopolitical tensions in Europe ā especially due to the RussiaāUkraine conflict ā have pushed NATO nations to strengthen defence readiness.
Purpose of the Move:
- Improve national security
- Expand Franceās trained reserve force
- Strengthen civic responsibility and national unity
Global Context:
Europe is witnessing renewed interest in national service policies due to security concerns.
š®š³š²š» 2) Joint Military Exercise āEkuverinā (14th Edition) to Begin in Kerala
Meaning:
āEkuverinā means āFriendsā in Dhivehi (Maldivian language).
Participants:
Indian Army & Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF)
Venue:
Kerala, India
Focus Areas:
- Counter-terrorism
- Maritime security cooperation
- Joint tactical operations
- Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR)
Significance:
Strengthens IndiaāMaldives defence partnership despite regional geopolitical shifts.
š®š¹ 3) Italyās Leonardo Launches AI-Powered āMichelangelo Domeā Air Defence System
Company:
Leonardo, Italyās major aerospace & defence manufacturer.
System Name:
Michelangelo Dome
Type:
Next-generation AI-integrated air defence system
Features:
- Multi-sensor fusion
- AI-based threat detection
- Protection against:
- Drones
- Missiles
- Fighter aircraft
- Hypersonic projectiles
Significance:
Strengthens Europeās defence shield, especially amid growing security concerns across NATO states.
š 4) Riyadh Metro Enters Guinness World Records as Worldās Longest Driverless Network
Location:
Saudi Arabia ā Riyadh
Record:
Worldās longest driverless metro network
Length:
176 km
Features:
- Fully automated system
- High-speed transit
- Part of Vision 2030 urban modernization plan
Importance:
A major step in Saudi Arabiaās plan for:
- Smart mobility
- Reducing car dependency
- Urban sustainability
š„ 5) India Achieves 8th Rank at WorldSkills Asia Competition 2025
Event:
WorldSkills Asia Competition 2025
Indiaās Rank:
8th overall
Skills India Performed Well In:
- Mechatronics
- Cybersecurity
- Robotics
- CNC machining
- Graphic design
Importance:
Reflects Indiaās rising capability in:
- Technical vocational education
- Skill-based workforce development
- Global competitiveness in new-age skills
š 6) Armand Duplantis & Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Win World Athletics Athletes of the Year 2025
Winners:
- Armand Duplantis (Sweden) ā Menās Athlete of the Year
- World record pole vaulter
- Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA) ā Womenās Athlete of the Year
- Dominant in 400m hurdles & 400m sprint
Significance:
Recognizes top global performers in track & field for the 2025 season.
