India to get another major DRDO missile testing range in Bengal

India and France have taken a significant leap in space collaboration, with new agreements enhancing their partnership. These arrangements include satellite launch agreements and the development of space surveillance systems. Notably, France's Safran Space will provide essential technology for India's SBS-III constellation, while RIDE! is set to facilitate the launch of two satellites for orbital data centers. This collaboration merges French innovation with India's extensive industrial expertis

India and Vietnam are set to boost their defense technology cooperation, emphasising the importance of maritime and defense collaboration for enhancing regional stability. This decision emerged after talks between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Le Minh Hung, highlighting the recent BrahMos missile system export deal. The nations will also engage in multilateral dialogues and future discussions on defense policies.

In an ambitious move, the Ladakh administration is undertaking the revival of Tso Kar glacial lake by channeling glacier water towards it. This project aims to rejuvenate the lake's ecosystem within a year, propelled by prior success with a water diversion initiative near Leh. Local villagers have voiced concerns about the lake's ecological deterioration and its broader environmental implications, prompting efforts to establish new wetlands and habitats for migratory birds.

Ladakh's Lieutenant Governor announced compensation for four protesters killed last September.An ex gratia of Rs 3 lakh for major injuries and Rs 1 lakh for minor injuries was also approved.This follows demonstrations demanding statehood and constitutional safeguards under Schedule Six.Authorities imposed restrictions and arrested over eighty people after the violent protests occurred.Cases against those arrested will be withdrawn and victims will receive compensation.

By 2030, India is projected to require an additional 1.25 million electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Currently, these public chargers are limited to just ten states, and the slower charging speeds provided by many of them may pose challenges during longer trips. While home charging is an option for individuals with private parking, operators struggle with low usage rates that deter investments in smaller urban areas.

Gujarat's mangrove cover dramatically increased from 427 sq km in 1987 to over 1,177 sq km by 2026. This significant recovery is attributed to community participation and large-scale plantation programmes. Mangroves provide vital coastal protection and support marine ecosystems and local livelihoods. The government now promotes this approach nationwide through the MISHTI programme. Gujarat's success demonstrates mangroves as effective natural infrastructure for coastal defense.

In Jaipur, students staged a protest and boycotted the Rajasthan SET-2026 exam due to a significant delay in the arrival of question papers, which reached the examination hall nearly thirty minutes after the scheduled start. Candidates expressed grave concerns about exam irregularities and called for a re-examination, underlining ongoing challenges faced in competitive testing in India. Official confirmation of the exam's status remains pending.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized decolonizing India's history and knowledge authentically. He stated that true knowledge should remain free from any ideological constraints. Shah highlighted the importance of preserving India's knowledge traditions and manuscripts. He proposed creating a wider network for sharing heritage collections across India. The minister urged using Indology for the nation's and world's welfare.

On Sunday, a four-story structure in Shahdara's Gandhi Nagar lost its balance unexpectedly, prompting swift action from authorities. The area surrounding the building was quarantined while the Municipal Corporation of Delhi conducted an inspection, ultimately mandating its demolition. This incident comes on the heels of a tragic building collapse in Satya Niketan that led to loss of life, and officials are now closely monitoring the area to ensure community safety.

At the recent BRICS Summit held in New Delhi, Prime Minister Modi and President Xi focused on strengthening their countries' long-term ties, stressing the necessity of safeguarding peace along the border. The discussions prominently featured the trade deficit and the challenge of market access. Both leaders also committed to boosting cultural and business exchanges to achieve shared growth and prosperity.

In a united front, BRICS countries protested against the EU's carbon border adjustment mechanism, deeming it unfair. They underscored the importance of energy security alongside a pragmatic approach toward climate goals, making it clear that fossil fuels remain integral to the energy mix. The alliance urged for actions driven by equity and collective responsibilities, indicating their trust in multilateral efforts to confront global climate challenges.

Prime Minister Modi opened the Brics summit, demanding urgent United Nations Security Council reforms. He stressed transforming global governance from privilege to partnership for developing nations. Modi proposed Brics draft ten proposals for inclusive global governance and multilateralism. He also called for a Seafarers Emergency Support Network for maritime workers. The summit aims to empower the Global South as rule-shapers, not rule-takers.

In a significant statement, the BRICS Declaration addressed India’s serious concerns about terrorism, condemning both the Pahalgam attack and cross-border movements of terrorists. The declaration underscored the need for zero tolerance and criticized discrepancies in counter-terrorism responses. It affirmed that states have the primary duty to combat terrorism, asserting that terrorism must not be associated with any particular religion or nationality.

Following intense late-night negotiations, BRICS nations have come together to issue a joint declaration addressing vital issues, including the protection of civilian and peaceful nuclear sites. The leaders reiterated the critical role of constructive dialogue in achieving regional stability. Furthermore, they collectively reaffirmed their resolve to combat terrorism in all its manifestations and called for extensive reforms of the United Nations Security Council.

Punjab secured its first gangster extradition from Europe, showcasing the government's firm stance. Amritpal Singh, a Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang operative, was extradited from Moldova. The government stated previous administrations allowed gangsterism to flourish unchecked. The Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell has brought back ten wanted fugitives. Twenty-one more extradition proposals are currently pending with the central government.

The 18th Brics Summit took place in New Delhi, hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Leaders from eleven member countries came together to engage in dialogue and capture memorable group photographs. Significant moments were shared with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. As a symbol of unity for their future, the leaders planted a banyan tree, and they collectively embraced the New Delhi Declaration 2026.

Brics countries strongly condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack, reaffirming their commitment to combating terrorism.The New Delhi Declaration 2026 opposed double standards and called for zero tolerance towards terrorism.It also supported comprehensive UN reform, including Security Council expansion for developing nations.China and Russia reiterated support for India and Brazil's greater UN roles.The declaration also raised concerns over trade measures and unilateral sanctions.