Current Affairs 17 November 2025

Odisha’s Sunapur & Puri Beaches Earn Blue Flag Status Again.

• Odisha’s Sunapur and Puri beaches have secured the Blue Flag Certification for 2025–26, reaffirming their global eco-tourism excellence.
• The Blue Flag, awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), Denmark, recognises world-class standards in water quality, environmental management, safety, and eco-education across 33 criteria.

India to Build World’s Deepest Underwater Research Lab by 2047.

• India will construct the world’s deepest underwater research laboratory at 6,000 metres in the Indian Ocean, forming a major part of Vision 2047.
• The project begins with a 500-metre demonstrator habitat to test life-support systems, pressure endurance, and logistical operations for missions exceeding 24 hours.
• The full-scale habitat will act like an underwater ISS.

Bangladesh Joins Colombo Security Conclave as 5th Member.

• Bangladesh has been officially inducted as the 5th member of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) at its 8th DNSA-level meeting.
• The CSC began in 2020 when India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives expanded their trilateral maritime cooperation framework.
• Current members: India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, and Bangladesh; Seychelles participates as an observer.

US Launches Operation Southern Spear Against Narco-Terrorists.

• The United States has initiated Operation SOUTHERN SPEAR in Latin America to target and remove narco-terrorists.
• The operation is led by SOUTHCOM (U.S. Southern Command), which oversees 31 countries across South America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
• Mission objectives include defending the U.S. homeland, eliminating narco-terrorist threats in the Western Hemisphere.

Govt Raises Print Media Ad Rates by 26% to Support the Sector.

• The Government has announced a 26% increase in print media advertisement rates, enhancing financial support for the sector.
• The rate for black-and-white ads (per sq. cm for 1 lakh copies) has risen from ₹47.40 to ₹59.68, as per the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.
• The revision follows recommendations of the 9th Rate Structure Committee (2021).