NEWS 05-12-2025. News For 8th-Dec (Monday) *International news* 1. G20 Johannesburg Summit weakened as Trump, Xi, and Putin skipped the meeting. In their absence, India was accepted as a world leader. 2. A multinational security force for Ukraine is being shaped to support Kyiv in post-war or ceasefire scenarios, with Europe expected to lead the coalition. 3. During the COP30 summit, South Korea announced its long-term coal plant retirements and officially joined the *Powering Past Coal alliance*, aligning with global efforts to reduce fossil-fuel dependence. 4. A volcanic eruption in Ethiopia has generated ash clouds that have drifted towards parts of Asia, including regions between India and China — raising environmental and air-quality concerns. 5. ?The EU announced a US$13.2 billion investment package for infrastructure, green energy, and digital projects in Central Asia. 6. At COP30, Cambodia became the 18th country to formally support a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, pushing for a binding legal framework to phase out oil, gas, and coal. 7. The IMF raised Asia’s 2025 growth forecast to 4.5%, citing strong exports and intra-regional trade, but warned of geopolitical risk and tighter financial conditions. 8. ?OPEC+ has agreed to boost oil output by 137,000 barrels/day in November, despite concerns about a global supply glut. 9. ?The 2025 G20 Summit, will be held for the first time in Africa (Johannesburg, South Africa) on 22nd & 23rd November, with focus on debt sustainability, global growth, development, and climate issues. 10. ?Blue Origin’s heavy-lift rocket New Glenn was launched on 13 November 2025 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida carrying a pair of NASA small spacecraft bound for Mars. 11. ?The United States and India signed a 10-year defence framework, marking a significant step in strengthening strategic and security cooperation. 12. ?The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that China’s economy grew by 5 % in 2024—higher than its previous forecast of ~4.8%. 13. ?The United Nations reported that the global energy transition has hit a “positive tipping point” — in 2024, 74% of newly-added electricity capacity came from renewables like solar and wind; solar is now about 41% cheaper, wind about 53% cheaper than the cheapest fossil fuels. 14. ?The France economy rebounded in Q3 2025 with 0.5% growth, driven by strong exports in aircraft, pharmaceuticals and defence sectors. 15. ?Afghanistan and India took a step towards deeper diplomatic engagement: India announced its technical mission in Kabul will be upgraded to a full embassy, signaling stronger ties and regional cooperation. *National news* 1. The Ministry of Electronics & IT, under the India AI Mission, has launched a free national-level course called *YUVA Artificial Intelligence for ALL* for 10 million Indians, aimed at making basic AI skills accessible through self-paced modules. 2. India is set to launch its first Tesla Centre in Orchid Business Park, Gurugram — a full-service hub for sales, delivery, service, and potentially Superchargers — marking an important milestone for EV mobility in the country. 3. ?The CII Partnership Summit 2025 in Visakhapatnam is set to host nearly 3,000 delegates and sign 410 MoUs, targeting investments worth around ?9.76 lakh crore. 4. ?CIL and Damodar Valley Corporation signed a ?21,000 crore JV to expand a 1,600 MW thermal power plant in Jharkhand. 5. ?At India Maritime Week 2025, Maharashtra signed MoUs worth Rs. 55,719 crore to scale up its shipbuilding infrastructure under the “Made-in-Mumbai” initiative. 6. ?India will source 10% of its LPG imports from the U.S. in 2026, under a structured import contract. 7. ?The IMF has raised India’s GDP growth forecast for FY 2025-26 from 6.4% to 6.6%, citing strong economic momentum. 8. ?The state of Madhya Pradesh is rolling out a major TB-testing initiative using the IGRA blood test to detect latent tuberculosis across all 52 districts. 9. ?The Indian Himalayan Region Conclave began in Almora under the theme “Indian Himalayan Region-2047,” focusing on environmental conservation and sustainable socio-economic growth. 10. ?Visakhapatnam is hosting the CII Partnership Summit (14–15 Nov 2025), with thousands of attendees and enhanced security measures, including drones and extensive CCTV monitoring. 11. ?India and Israel have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen their cooperation in defence technology, coinciding with a visit by Israel's Foreign Minister. 12. ?The Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3) successfully placed the communication satellite CMS-03 into orbit (Nov '25). This satellite is a major strategic upgrade for the Indian Navy. 13. ?Indian Army and IIT Gandhinagar signed an MoU to strengthen collaboration in research, development, and academic exchange, focusing on addressing operational requirements through innovation. 14. ?A Letter of Intent (LoI) was signed between the Govt of Maharashtra and Starlink Satellite Communications Pvt Ltd, to deploy high-speed internet in remote, rural areas. *Defence news* 1. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and France’s Safran Electronics & Defence have formed a 50:50 joint venture to produce the HAMMER smart precision-guided air-to-ground munition in India, boosting indigenisation and supporting both the Indian Air Force and Navy. 2. India achieved its highest-ever defence production in FY 2024–25, reaching ?1.54 lakh crore, with significant contributions from private sector firms and MSMEs, signaling strong growth in self-reliant defence capacity. 3. ?On November 24 ’2025, the Indian Navy commissioned INS Mahe, an indigenous Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), built by Cochin Shipyard with over 80% indigenous content. 4. ?HAL signed a $1 billion agreement with GE for 113 fighter jet engines to power the upcoming LCA Mk1A fleet, with deliveries beginning in 2027. 5. ?Japan has proposed its advanced IHI XF9-1 low-bypass afterburning turbofan engine for India’s AMCA program. 6. Paras Defence & Space Technologies secured a ?35.68 crore order from India’s MoD for portable counter-drone systems (PCDS) and RF jammers. 7. NATO member states (except Spain) have committed to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, under the 2025 Hague Summit decision. 8. India’s arms exports jumped to a record $2.8 billion (?25,000 crore) in 2025, reflecting its growing strength as a defence manufacturer. 9. India and Australia have agreed to enhance cooperation in submarine rescue operations and defence industry development, strengthening Indo-Pacific maritime security. 10. A high-altitude airbase in eastern Ladakh (approx. 13,700 ft elevation) has been commissioned, enhancing India’s rapid deployment and air-power projection on the border with China. 11. India and the UK finalised a GBP 350 million missile deal, strengthening defence industrial ties and supporting jobs in the UK. 12. Govt has declared that India exported defence equipment to 92 countries, with exports amounting to ?23,500 crore last year, and set a target of ?50,000 crore for the current year. 13. India’s defence production reached a record high of ?1.51 lakh crore in FY 2024-25, reflecting increasing self-reliance and industrial growth. 14. India and the US signed a new 10-year Defence Framework agreement, replacing and expanding upon the 2015 version. 15. India and Indonesia are reportedly close to finalizing a major defence deal, estimated at around $450 million, for the purchase of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system. *Sports news* 1. Indian women’s kabaddi team clinched their second consecutive Women’s Kabaddi World Cup title, defeating Chinese Taipei by a score of 35-28, conducted in Dhaka, Bangladesh. 2. Former Indian captain Rohit Sharma has been appointed the brand ambassador for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. 3. India’s Gurpreet Singh won a silver medal in 25m centre pistol at the ISSF World Championships. 4. 2025 Summer Deflympics are being held from 15–26 November 2025 in Tokyo. 5. In the FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 (Goa), Indian GMs Arjun Erigaisi, Harikrishna, and Karthik Venkataraman drew their Round-4 matches, while Praggnanandhaa survived a major challenge. 6. France has secured qualifications for the FIFA World Cup 2026. 7. The Indian women’s cricket team claimed their first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 title, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in the final. 8. The financial windfall for the winning women’s team (over ?90 crore) reflects growing professionalism and parity in sports, which is good for athletes’ livelihoods. < < Back