Bhutan has partnered with Binance Pay and DK Bank to launch the world's first national cryptocurrency tourism payment system, enabling cashless travel through over 300 cryptocurrencies including Binance Coin, Bitcoin, and USD Coin. Expected benefits include reduced transaction costs, boosted tourism, and improved financial inclusion within the country. Bhutan, known as the "Land of the Thunder Dragon", is a landlocked Himalayan destination situated between India and China. As the world's first carbon neutral country, Bhutan emphasises Gross National Happiness over GDP.



Following the successful Chandrayaan 3 lunar landing in 2023 and ISRO's proposed Chandrayaan 4 lunar sample return mission, Chandrayaan 5 (LUPEX) has been jointly planned by India and Japan. Set for launch in 202728 on Japan's H3 rocket, the mission aims to study lunar water and ice on the Moon's surface and subsurface. Chandrayaan 5 will carry seven scientific instruments, including spectrometers by NASA and a mass spectrometer by ESA, and its rover will be developed by Japan's JAXA with the lander developed by ISRO. The mission's duration is proposed to be 100 days with a possible extension to a year to explore the Moon's far side.



Bhutan has partnered with Binance Pay and DK Bank to become the first country to launch a national cryptocurrency tourism payment system. This system supports over 300 cryptocurrencies like Binance Coin (BNB), Bitcoin (BTC), and USD Coin (USDC) for fully cashless travel. The initiative aims to reduce transaction costs and enhance financial inclusion. Cryptocurrency is a decentralised digital currency secured by cryptography and recorded using blockchain technology. Although not a legal tender in India, it is not banned. Bhutan, nicknamed "Land of the Thunder Dragon", sits between India and China in the Himalayas and prioritises Gross National Happiness (GNH) over GDP.



A large scale toxic algal bloom, instigated by the algae Karenia mikimotoi, has drastically upset South Australia's coastal marine life, resulting in the death of more than 200 marine species. The algal bloom has affected biodiversity regions, such as Kangaroo Island, Yorke Peninsula and Fleurieu Peninsula, extending over 150 km of coastline. Karenia mikimotoi causes detrimental effects on marine life through toxins, which interfere with respiration and disrupt nervous systems. The algal bloom is worsened by marine heatwaves that increase sea temperatures by 2.5°C and diminish oxygen level, exacerbating the spread and harmful effects of the algae.

 

The Supreme Court of India has deemed ex post facto environmental clearances illegal, therefore invalidating the 2017 Environment Ministry notification and the 2021 Office Memorandum. The concept infringes upon Article 21, the right to a pollutionfree life, and Article 14, the right to equality under the law. Although clearances granted under the 2017 and 2021 stipulations will remain intact to prevent retroactive disruption, the 2021 memorandum has been criticised for effectively legalising projects without initial clearance. The Supreme Court has stressed the constitutional obligation under Article 51A(g) to protect the environment, insisting that development cannot overlook environmental harm.



Mizoram has become India's first state to achieve full functional literacy with a rate of 98.20%, surpassing the Ministry of Education’s benchmark of 95% according to the PLFS Survey 202324, under the ULLAS programme. The Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS) programme is a central scheme running from 2022 to 2027, aimed at empowering adults aged above 15 years who lacked formal schooling. It provides access to education via DIKSHA platform and ULLAS mobile/web portal. Other key government educational initiatives include the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, PRAGYATA, and the Mid Day Meal Scheme.



A travel blogger from Haryana was arrested under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act (OSA), 1923 and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for alleged espionage and promoting proPakistan content. Stemming from the colonialera Indian Official Secrets Act, 1889, the OSA was established to prevent espionage and safeguard India's sovereignty and strategic interests. It is enforced on all Indian citizens within India and abroad, and also on noncitizens involved in acts of espionage. Section 3 criminalises espionage, while Section 5 penalises unauthorised disclosure and possession of classified information. Section 152 of the BNS criminalises acts that incite secession or threaten India’s sovereignty.



In the 2022 K. Umadevi v. Government of Tamil Nadu Case, the Supreme Court granted maternity benefits to a woman for her third child, under the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017, declaring it a constitutional right. This established that the right to health, dignity, privacy, and nondiscrimination are essential components of the Right to Life in Article 21 of the Constitution. Moreover, the right to reproductive choices was reaffirmed as protected under Article 21, referencing the Suchita Srivastava v. Chandigarh Administration Case, 2009. The 2017 act amendment offers paid maternity leave to women employees before and after childbirth, which applies to workplaces with at least 10 employees and also women under the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948.



China is preparing to launch the Tianwen2 mission, aimed at investigating and sampling the nearEarth asteroid, 469219 Kamo'oalewa. Building on the success of the Marsfocused Tianwen1, this mission will endeavour to position China alongside the US and Japan as nations capable of retrieving asteroid samples. The mission's core objectives include studying Kamo'oalewa’s peculiar orbit, a potential lunar origin, and advancing China's deep space operations. Plans for future operations include orbital analysis of a comet in the asteroid belt and Tianwen3's 2028 goal to return Mars samples.



Sikkim celebrated its 50th anniversary of integration with India, having been recognised as the 22nd state of India on 16th May 1975. From 1642 to 1975, it was a monarchy ruled by the Chogyal dynasty and maintained its autonomy during British colonial rule and PostIndian independence. In a 1975 referendum, 97% voted to abolish the monarchy and join India, which led to its full integration into the nation. Known for its rich biodiversity, geographical features, and its status as the world's first fully organic state in 2016, Sikkim is set to host India's first organic fishery cluster in the Soreng district.

 

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