1) Pakistan to Host SCO Summit in 2027
- Pakistan has been announced as the host of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit 2027.
- The SCO is a major Eurasian political, economic, and security grouping comprising China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Central Asian nations, and Iran.
- Hosting the summit gives Pakistan a chance to enhance its regional diplomatic profile, though India-Pakistan tensions may impact participation dynamics.
- Nodal Body: SCO Secretariat (Beijing).
2) USA–South Korea–Japan Launched “Freedom Edge” Military Exercise
- The United States, South Korea, and Japan launched a new trilateral military exercise named “Freedom Edge”.
- Aimed at strengthening maritime security, missile defence, and counter-nuclear threats from North Korea.
- Marks deepening US alliances in Indo-Pacific security architecture amid China and North Korea’s assertiveness.
- Nodal Agencies: US Indo-Pacific Command, South Korean & Japanese Defence Ministries.
3) Indian Grandmaster R. Vaishali Won FIDE Grandmaster Swiss Tournament
- Indian women’s chess star Rameshbabu Vaishali (sister of prodigy R. Praggnanandhaa) clinched the FIDE Grandmaster Swiss Tournament title.
- This adds to her growing reputation in international chess, strengthening India’s rise in the global chess circuit.
- Nodal Body: FIDE (International Chess Federation).
4) First National Policy on Geothermal Energy Unveiled
- The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) launched India’s first National Policy on Geothermal Energy.
- Objective: To harness clean, sustainable geothermal resources for power generation and direct-use applications.
- India’s geothermal potential is significant in regions like Himalayas, Ladakh, Gujarat, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- Aligns with India’s net-zero emissions target by 2070.
5) DRI Operation “Weed Out” Against Drug Trafficking Gangs
- The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) launched Operation Weed Out targeting drug trafficking syndicates.
- Crackdowns involved seizures of narcotics and dismantling smuggling networks linked with organized crime.
- Reinforces India’s stance on combating narco-terrorism and cross-border smuggling.
- Nodal Agency: Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, under Ministry of Finance (CBIC).
