Current Affairs 18 June 2025

Defence cyber agency launches "Cyber Suraksha" exercise.

• In a strategic move to reinforce India’s cybersecurity preparedness, the Defence Cyber Agency has launched Cyber Suraksha, a multi-phased national-level cyber security exercise.
• Organised under the aegis of the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff.
• Cyber Suraksha is structured to simulate real-world cyber threats.

India joins elite group of Rinderpest Virus Cattle Plague Containment.

• India has joined the elite global group for Rinderpest Virus Cattle Plague Containment, as ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal has been designated as Category A Rinderpest Holding Facility.
• It has been recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health – WOAH and the Food and Agriculture Organization- FAO of the United Nations.

Cooking oils can help recover silver from e-waste.

• Researchers in Finland have developed a green chemical process that uses natural fatty acids found in cooking oils to recover silver from electronic waste (e-waste).
• This innovation emerges amid a global surge in silver demand and escalating e-waste challenges, especially in countries like India.
• E-waste refers to the discarded electronic and electrical devices.

MoTA Launches Largest Tribal Empowerment Campaign.

• MoTA Launches Largest Tribal Empowerment Campaign – DhartiAaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan.
• Massive Benefit Saturation Drive Across 550 Tribal Districts,2900+ Blocks and 207 PVTG-Dominated Districts Covering about 1 Lakh Villages &Habitations.
• It as a key initiative under Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh, the campaign honors the legacy, culture, and contribution of India’s tribal communities.

India believed to have "slightly expanded" its nuclear arsenal in 2024.

• The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) launched its annual assessment of the state of armaments, disarmament and international security for 2025.
• Top spenders: USA ($997 billion), China ($314 billion).
• Top importers: Ukraine, India, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan.
• Top exporters: USA (43%), France (9.6%), Russia (7.8%).