WAVES 2025 - Anti-Piracy Challenge Latest News

A Key Initiative Under “Create in India” to Promote Indigenous Innovation in Digital Content Security.

Why in the News?

• The Anti-Piracy Challenge is a flagship initiative under the Create in India Challenge, part of WAVES (World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit) 2025.
• Organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, WAVES 2025 will be held from May 1–4, 2025, in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• The challenge aims to advance technologies like fingerprinting and watermarking to combat the rising threat of digital piracy in India.

About WAVES 2025

• WAVES (World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit) is a global event organized by the Government of India.
• It aims to position India as a hub for media innovation, IP creation, and content development.
• Sectors covered include:
  • Broadcasting, Films, TV, Radio, Animation, Gaming, Comics, Advertising, and
  • Emerging tech like Generative AI, Augmented/Virtual/Extended Reality (AR/VR/XR) and Digital Media Platforms.
• Supports the Creative Economy, which is valued at $30 billion and employs nearly 8% of India’s workforce.
• Contributes to the growth of India’s Media and Entertainment (M&E) sector, projected to reach $44.2 billion by 2028, currently the 5th largest globally.

WAVES 2025 - Anti-Piracy Challenge FAQs

Q1. What is WAVES 2025?
Ans. WAVES 2025 stands for World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit, an international platform aimed at discussing innovation, regulation, and growth in the global media and entertainment industry.

Q2. Where was WAVES 2025 held?
Ans. WAVES 2025 was hosted in Mumbai, India, showcasing India’s growing influence in the global film, OTT, gaming, and media technology sectors.

Q3. What is the significance of WAVES for India’s soft power?
Ans. WAVES enhances India’s soft power by promoting its cultural exports, creative economy, and international collaborations in film, digital media, and entertainment technologies.

Source: PIB

Ironwood TPU Latest News

Google recently introduced Ironwood, their seventh-generation Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), marking a pivotal leap in AI technology. 

About Ironwood TPU

• It is Google’s seventh-generation Tensor Processing Unit (TPU).
  • TPUs are custom-built chipsets aimed at AI and machine learning (ML) workflows. 
  • These accelerators offer extremely high parallel processing, especially for deep learning-related tasks, as well as significantly high power efficiency.
• Designed specifically for inference — a process where AI models make predictions based on learned data — Ironwood is the most powerful, scalable, and energy-efficient TPU Google has ever developed.
• Ironwood signifies a shift from reactive AI models, which respond to queries, to proactive systems that generate insights independently. 
• This evolution defines what Google calls the “age of inference,” where AI agents autonomously retrieve and synthesise data to offer comprehensive answers, not just raw information.
• The Ironwood chip comes with a peak compute of 4,614 teraflops (TFLOP), which is a considerably higher throughput compared to its predecessor, Trillium.
• Google also plans to make these chipsets available as clusters to maximise the processing power for higher-end AI workflows.
• Ironwood can be scaled up to a cluster of 9,216 liquid-cooled chips linked with an Inter-Chip Interconnect (ICI) network. 
• At its most expansive cluster, Ironwood chipsets can generate up to 42.5 exaflops of computing power. 
• Google claimed that its throughput is more than 24X of the compute generated by the world's largest supercomputer, El Capitan, which offers 1.7 Exaflops per pod. 
• Ironwood TPUs also come with expanded memory, with each chipset offering 192GB, which is six times more than its predecessor, Trillium.

Ironwood TPU FAQs

Q1. What is ironwood TPU?

Ans. It is Google’s seventh-generation Tensor Processing Unit (TPU).

Q2. What is the peak compute power of a single Ironwood TPU chip?

Ans. 4,614 teraflops (TFLOP)

Q3. What is the total computing power (in exaflops) of Ironwood at full cluster capacity?

Ans. 42.5 exaflops

Source: TH

Tanzania Latest News

Tanzania recorded its highest average annual temperature in 2024, with the national average reaching 24.3°C, which is 0.7°C above the long-term normal.

About Tanzania

• Capital: Dodoma
• Location: East Africa, just south of the Equator
• Bordering countries: Kenya, Uganda (North); Rwanda, Burundi, DRC (West); Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique (South)
• Water bodies: Lake Victoria (North), Lake Tanganyika (West), Lake Nyasa (Southwest), Indian Ocean (East)
• Climate type: Tropical, with a long dry season and two rainy seasons
• Major lakes: Lake Tanganyika – the World’s second deepest
• Highest peak: Mount Kilimanjaro – Highest in Africa, and a dormant volcano
• Major rivers: Ruvuma, Rufiji

Tanzania FAQs

Q1. Where is Tanzania located?
Ans. Tanzania is an East African country located along the Indian Ocean coast, bordered by Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique.

Q2. What is the capital of Tanzania?
Ans. Dodoma is Tanzania's official capital, although Dar es Salaam remains its largest city and commercial hub.

Q3. Why is Tanzania geopolitically important to India?
Ans. Tanzania is a key partner in India's Africa outreach policy, especially under the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and India's SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.

Source: DTE

MacGregor Memorial Medal Latest News

Five military personnel were recently conferred the MacGregor Memorial Medal by Chief of Defence Staff for outstanding contributions in military reconnaissance, exploration and adventure for the years 2023 and 2024.

About MacGregor Memorial Medal

• It was instituted on 03 July 1888 to commemorate the memory of Maj. Gen. Sir Charles Metcalfe MacGregor, the founder of the United Service Institution of India (USI). 
• Initially this medal was awarded for military reconnaissance and journeys of exploration such as British Army expeditions in Central Asia, Afghanistan, Tibet, and Burma. 
• After independence, it was decided to award this medal for adventure activities as well. 
• The medal is open to all ranks, serving and retired, of the Indian Armed Forces, Territorial Army, and Assam Rifles.
• Among the notable recipients of this in the past are Capt F E Younghusband (1890), Maj. Gen. Orde Charles Wingate (1943), Maj. ZC Bakshi, VrC (1949), Col. Narinder Kumar for Siachen Glacier exploration (1978-81) and Cdr. Dilip Donde and Lt. Cdr. Abhilash Tomy for their solo global circumnavigations.

What is the United Service Institution of India (USI)?

• It is a national security and defence services think tank based in New Delhi, India.
• It was founded in Simla in 1870 by Col. (later Maj Gen) Charles Metcalf MacGregor, to advance military knowledge and professional development among British Indian Army officers. 
• It is the oldest autonomous think tank in India.
• Its mission encompassed promoting knowledge in the art, science, and literature of national security, with a particular focus on the Defence Services. 

MacGregor Memorial Medal FAQs

Q1. What is the MacGregor medal in India?

Ans. This medal is awarded to Armed Forces personnel for valuable military reconnaissance. 

Q2. When was the MacGregor Memorial Medal instituted?

Ans. 03 July 1888

Q3. Who was Maj. Gen. Sir Charles Metcalfe MacGregor?

Ans. Founder of the United Service Institution of India

Source: TH

Silkyara Bend-Barkot Tunnel Latest News

Union Road Transport and Highways recently termed the breakthrough in the Silkyara bend-Barkot road tunnel a historic milestone, saying this transformative tunnel will save one hour of travel time.

About Silkyara Bend-Barkot Tunnel

• It is a 4.531 km long, two-lane bi-directional tunnel with an escape passage, located on the Dharasu-Yamunotri section in Uttarakhand. 
• Barkot and Silkyara are the two ends of the tunnel. 
• Part of NH-134 (formerly NH-94), the project is being constructed under the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) Mode.
• Around ninety percent of the tunnel is being excavated in phyllite, which is very weak rock.
• The New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) is used for the construction of the tunnel. 
• NATM is a method of modern tunnel design and construction employing sophisticated monitoring to optimize various wall reinforcement techniques based on the type of rock encountered as tunnelling. 
• Funded under the National Highway Original [NH(O)] Scheme of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, it is a key component of the ambitious Chardham Plan.
• It promises to cut travel time by about an hour and improve accessibility, particularly during adverse weather conditions.
• Yamunotri is just about 50 km from this tunnel. It will provide easy access to devotees to Badrinath and Kedarnath.

Silkyara Bend-Barkot Tunnel FAQs

Q1. Where is Silkyara tunnel situated?

Ans. Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand

Q2. Is Silkyara tunnel part of Char Dham Yatra?

Ans. Yes, the Silkyara Tunnel is part of infrastructure developed to support the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand.

Q3. How long is the Silkaya tunnel?

Ans. It is 4.531 km long.

Source: N18

Mount Lewotobi Latest News

Mount Lewotobi, located in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province, erupted recently, triggering a flight warning and safety advisories.

About Lewotobi

• It is located in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province on Flores Island.
• It is situated along the famous ‘Ring of Fire’ in the Pacific region.
• It is one of the most frequently active volcanoes in the region. 
• It has two peaks arranged on a NW-SE line separated by 2 km and a 1232 m high saddle. This gave the twin volcano its name, Lewotobi, "husband and wife".
• The two peaks correspond to the Lewotobi Lakilaki (man) and Lewotobi Perempuan (woman) stratovolcanoes. 
• Lewotobi Lakilaki (1584 m) has a summit crater of 400 m diameter open to the north. Lewotobi Perampuan (1703 m)'s crater is 700 m wide.
• Lewotobi Lakilaki has been frequently active during the 19th and 20th centuries, while the taller and broader Lewotobi Perempuan has erupted only twice in historical time.
• Small lava domes have grown during the 20th century in the summit craters of both volcanoes. 
• A prominent flank cone, Iliwokar, occurs on the east flank of Lewotobi Perampuan.

Mount Lewotobi FAQs

Q1. Where is Mount Lewotobi located?

Ans. It is located in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province on Flores Island.

Q2. What type of volcano is lewotobi?

Ans. Mount Lewotobi is a stratovolcano (also known as a composite volcano).

Q3. Is Lewotobi active?

Ans. Yes, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki is currently active and has been experiencing ongoing eruptions.

Source: HANSI

Type 5 Diabetes Latest News

Type 5 diabetes has been officially recognised as a distinct form of diabetes by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).

What is Type 5 Diabetes?

• Type 5 diabetes primarily affects lean, undernourished teenagers and young adults in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• It is caused by malnutrition-induced reduction in insulin production, unlike Type 2 diabetes, which involves insulin resistance with continuing insulin secretion.
• In Type 5, the pancreatic beta cells function abnormally, resulting in severely reduced insulin secretion.
• This form of diabetes has long been neglected in medical research and often misdiagnosed.

Historical Background

• The condition was first reported in Jamaica in 1955 under the term J-type diabetes.
• In 1985, the World Health Organization (WHO) named it “malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus”, but this was removed in 1999 due to lack of causal evidence linking malnutrition to diabetes.
• Despite this, similar cases were later reported in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Korea, mostly in the Global South.
• The condition is estimated to affect about 25 million people globally.

Clinical Markers of Type 5 Diabetes

• No autoimmune or genetic cause is associated with this condition.
• Patients have very low BMI (<18.5 kg/m²), much lower than typical Type 2 diabetic patients.
• Insulin levels are extremely low, significantly below Type 2 diabetes and slightly above Type 1 diabetes.
• Body fat percentage is substantially lower than in Type 2 patients.
• Dietary intake of protein, fibre, and micronutrients is notably inadequate.

Type 5 Diabetes FAQs

Q1. What is Type 5 Diabetes?
Ans. Type 5 Diabetes is a proposed classification of diabetes linked to genetic mutations affecting insulin secretion and action, distinct from the more common Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes.

Q2. How is Type 5 Diabetes different from Type 2 Diabetes?
Ans. Type 5 Diabetes typically involves specific genetic defects affecting pancreatic β-cells or insulin signalling pathways, while Type 2 Diabetes primarily involves insulin resistance and lifestyle factors.

Source: IE

Exercise DUSTLIK-VI Latest News

Recently, the 6th edition of the India-Uzbekistan Joint Military Exercise DUSTLIK-VI officially commenced at the Foreign Training Node, Aundh (Pune).

About Exercise DUSTLIK-VI

• Exercise DUSTLIK is an annual bilateral military exercise conducted alternatively in India and Uzbekistan, with the previous edition (DUSTLIK-V) held in Termez District, Uzbekistan, in April 2024.
• The first edition was held in November 2019 in Uzbekistan, marking the beginning of a structured defence partnership.
• Participants and Representation
  • The Indian contingent consists of 60 personnel, including troops from a battalion of the JAT Regiment and the Indian Air Force (IAF).
  • The Uzbekistan contingent is represented by troops from the Uzbekistan Army, reflecting their ongoing military cooperation with India.

Theme and Focus of DUSTLIK-VI

• The central theme of DUSTLIK-VI is “Joint Multi-Domain Sub-Conventional Operations in a Semi-Urban Scenario”.
• The exercise simulates response mechanisms to terrorist activities, specifically territorial capture by hostile forces, with coordinated joint battalion-level operations.
• Activities will include:
  • Establishment of a Joint Operations Centre
  • Counterterrorism operations, such as population control, raids, and search-and-destroy missions
  • Employment of firepower, including air assets, to neutralise terrorist threats
• Special Forces from both the Army and Air Force will conduct missions such as:
  • Securing a helipad for further operations
  • Reconnaissance, observation, and Special Heliborne Operations (SHBO)
  • Small Team Insertion and Extraction (STIE)
  • Use of helicopters, drones, and counter-Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) measures
• The Indian Air Force will also provide logistical support to sustain operations in hostile environments, underlining the air-land integration capabilities.

Exercise DUSTLIK-VI FAQs

Q1. What is Exercise DUSTLIK-VI (2025)?
Ans. Exercise DUSTLIK-VI (2025) is the sixth edition of the joint military exercise conducted between India and Uzbekistan, aimed at strengthening defence cooperation and counter-terrorism training.

Q2. What is the main focus of Exercise DUSTLIK?
Ans. The focus is on joint training for counter-terrorism operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrains, as well as enhancing interoperability between the Indian Army and the Uzbekistan Army.

Q3. Where was Exercise DUSTLIK-V conducted?
Ans. Exercise DUSTLIK-V was hosted in Termez District, Uzbekistan, in April 2024, following the tradition of alternating venues between the two countries.

Source: PIB

NMESIS Latest News

Philippines recently confirmed the deployment of US anti-ship missile system *NMESIS for this year’s Balikatan military exercises.

About NMESIS

• It is an anti-ship missile system developed for the US Marine Corps (USMC) to support land-to-sea attacks performed by the US Navy.
• It features the US Navy’s latest anti-ship missile, the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), mounted atop the chassis of an unmanned variant of the Oshkosh Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV).
• The ground vehicle platform, known as Remotely Operated Ground Unit for Expeditionary (ROGUE) Fires vehicle, is supplied by Oshkosh Defense, United States, while the NSM is jointly manufactured by Raytheon Missiles & Defense (Raytheon), United States, and Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.
• NMESIS is not considered an autonomous launcher, as its fire control system is not controlled by the self-driving system and autonomy technology.
• The system is operated by a marine who is responsible for mission planning and firing of the missile.

Features of ROGUE Fires

• It incorporates advanced autonomous vehicle technologies, off-road mobility, and high payload carrying capacity.
• The vehicle is remotely operated using the teleoperator or leader-follower modes. 
• The vehicle lacks a crew cab/body. It is integrated with sensors and cameras, with a launcher mounted atop the vehicle.
• The flexible design of the platform allows it to be configured to meet different mission requirements. 

Features of NSM

• It is a multi-mission cruise missile that can ably neutralise highly secure maritime and land targets.
• The missile can destroy enemy ships located more than 100 nm (185 km) away. 
• Equipped with an advanced seeker, it provides high-precision capabilities.
• The missile can escape enemy radars by performing manoeuvres and flying close to sea level. 
• It carries a 226.79 kg-class warhead and programmable fuse.

NMESIS FAQs

Q1. Which missile is used in the NMESIS system?

Ans. Naval Strike Missile (NSM)

Q2. What vehicle platform is used to launch NMESIS missiles?

Ans. ROGUE Fires vehicle

Q3. What is the maximum range of the NSM used in NMESIS?

Ans. Over 100 nautical miles (185 km)

Source: N18

Meghayan-25 Latest News

Recently, the Indian Navy hosted the 3rd edition of its Meteorological and Oceanological Symposium, titled Meghayan-25. 

Meghayan-25 Theme and Objective

• The event commemorated the formation of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and celebrated World Meteorological Day 2025 (23rd March every year).
• Meghayan-25 was held under the WMO Day 2025 theme, ‘Closing the Early Warning Gap Together’, which highlights the importance of improving early warning systems for climate and disaster preparedness.

Major Launches During Meghayan-25

• MOSDAC-IN Web Services were launched, a joint initiative of the Directorate of Naval Oceanology and Meteorology (DNOM) and SAC-ISRO.
  • It provides customised satellite-derived weather products with secure, individual log-ins for Naval Meteorological Offices.
• The Navy also relaunched its professional journal, “Sagarmanthan”, with the 10th edition being published after a decade-long gap.

World Meteorological Organisation (WMO)

• The WMO is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN), focused on meteorology, operational hydrology, climate, and related sciences.
• WMO coordinates global efforts to monitor weather and climate, promotes scientific research, and enables the exchange of data and weather forecasts.
• The WMO evolved from the International Meteorological Organisation (IMO), which was established in 1873.
• WMO was officially established in 1950 as a specialised UN agency, building upon the IMO’s foundational work.
• The headquarters of WMO is located in Geneva, Switzerland.
• It has 193 member countries and territories, reflecting global participation in meteorological cooperation and research.

Meghayan-25 FAQs

Q1. What is Meghayan-25?
Ans. Meghayan-25 is a flagship climate monitoring and data-sharing initiative launched under the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) for the year 2025, aimed at improving global weather forecasting and climate resilience.

Q2. When is World Meteorological Day celebrated?
Ans. World Meteorological Day is celebrated on 23rd March every year, marking the establishment of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) in 1950.

Q3. What was the theme of World Meteorological Day 2025?
Ans. The 2025 theme was “Closing the Early Warning Gap Together”, highlighting the importance of climate data and predictive tools for disaster preparedness and policy planning.

Source: PIB