“DEFENCE”

Exercise Raahat: Army, NDRF join forces for disaster relief excellence in Nagaland

Exercise Raahat, a joint disaster relief initiative by the Indian Army’s Spear Corps and the NDRF, was conducted at Rangapahar Military Station in Nagaland, focusing on inter-agency coordination and preparedness. The three-day exercise featured intensive planning sessions, real-life scenario war-gaming, and a lecture-cum-demonstration showcasing advanced rescue and medical response capabilities using modern disaster relief equipment.

 “SPORTS”

Napoli Clinches Serie A Title in Dramatic Fashion

Napoli has been crowned champions of the 2024–25 Serie A season after a dominant 2-0 victory over Cagliari in the final round. Goals from Scott McTominay and Romelu Lukaku sealed the win at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, ensuring Napoli finished one point above rivals Inter Milan, who also won their final game but fell short. Coach Antonio Conte, suspended from the touchline, guided his team to glory and made history by becoming the first manager to win the Italian title with three different clubs.

 “APPOINTMENT”

Ram Mohan Appointed as New Director of MPEDA

In a significant development in India’s marine export sector, Ram Mohan M K has been appointed as the new Director of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA). A seasoned professional with over two decades of service in the organization, Mohan brings deep expertise in marketing, quality control, and international trade, including a tenure as Resident Director in Tokyo.

 “NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL NEWS”

Konkan Railway Set to Merge with Indian Railways

The Maharashtra government has officially approved the long-pending merger of the Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) with Indian Railways, paving the way for the complete integration of this vital coastal rail route. With this, all shareholder states—Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and now Maharashtra—have backed the merger, ensuring that the scenic and strategically crucial Konkan route becomes a full-fledged part of India’s national railway network.

Indira Gandhi International Airport Becomes India’s Busiest Airport in 2024

Global air passenger traffic is rebounding strongly post-COVID-19, projected to reach 9.9 billion in 2025, marking a 4.8% year-over-year growth, with 2024 already surpassing pre-pandemic (2019) levels. According to Airports Council International (ACI) World, five of the top 10 busiest airports are in the United States, with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport retaining its position as the busiest airport globally, followed by Dubai International Airport.

India Opposes Global Ban on Chlorpyrifos

India’s recent opposition to the global phase-out of Chlorpyrifos, a hazardous insecticide, has sparked environmental and policy discussions at the global level. The issue arose during the 2025 meetings of the BRS Conventions where many countries advocated for banning the pesticide under the Stockholm Convention. Despite strong scientific evidence about its harmful effects on human health and the environment, India cited food security and lack of alternatives as major concerns, urging for broader exemptions.

Algeria Becomes New Member of BRICS’ New Development Bank

In a significant development for international finance and South-South cooperation, Algeria has formally joined the New Development Bank (NDB)—an institution established by the BRICS nations—on May 19, 2025. This move reinforces Algeria’s commitment to sustainable development and underlines NDB’s expanding global footprint beyond its founding members.