- PAK USED 400 DRONES POSSIBLY FROM TURKIYE
SUBJECT: DEFENCE
- Pakistan launched300–400 dronesacross36 locations from Leh to Sir CreekonMay 8–9, including an armed UAV targeting Bhatinda military station.
- Indian forces retaliated with strikes on four air defence sites in Pakistan; one radar destroyed.
- The drones, likely of Turkish origin (Asisguard Songar), intended to test Indian air defences.
- India accused Pakistan of using civil airliners as shields to delay Indian response
- Drone Swarm Intrusion:Coordinated mass drone attacks to overwhelm radar and test air defence.
- Air Defence Systems (AD):Networks of radars, missiles, and sensors that detect and neutralize aerial threats
2. INDIA A PART OF WIDER TREND OF ERODING PRESS FREEDOM – REPORT
SUBJECT: NATIONAL
- The23rd Annual South Asia Press Freedom Report (2024–25)flags a systematic erosion of press freedom in India and other South Asian countries
- Objective:To assess press freedom in South Asia and highlight structural and legal threats faced by journalists and media organizations.
- Scope/Range:Covers 8 South Asian countries—India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Afghanistan, Bhutan, and Maldives— with India flagged for systematic suppression.
- Highlights include intimidation, surveillance, arbitrary detentions, and the use of financial laws against media houses.
- The report warns of “every authoritarian effort being made to crush those who hold power to account,” via laws, raids, and control of ad revenues.
- The report notes India’s”growing trust deficit”in media, use of laws like UAPAandPMLA, and disinformation by political IT cells.
- References instances like the abduction and murder of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar as emblematic of rising impunity.
3. A SILENT BURDEN – THALASSAEMIA PATIENTS BATTLE DISEASE WITH HOPE AND HARDSHIP
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENT
- Disorder: Inherited blood disorder; low haemoglobin, frequent transfusions needed. Treatment Options
- Blood Transfusions:Essential, often free at centres like Indira Gandhi Institute.
- Iron Chelation:Manages iron overload; drugs costly if not free.
- Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT):Curative but expensive (₹10-15 lakh for unmatched donors).
- Free at centres like Sankalp India for matched donors; limited to financial barriers. Prevalence in Karnataka: High, with many patients needing regular care.
4. BANKS READY WITH ANTI-DDOS TO THWART CYBERATTACKS, FM TOLD
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
- Coordinate with RBI and CERT-In for quick cyberattack responses.
- Designate two senior officers:one for reporting cyber incidents, another for operational matters (branches, ATMs).
- Report incidents to CERT-In and DFS on a real-time basis.
- Protection Measures:
- Conduct mock drills to protect against massive cyberattacks. Ensure Security Operations Centres and Network Operations Centres are on high alert.
- Coordinate with CERT-In and NCIPC for critical infrastructure protection.
- Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack overwhelms a system, server, or network with excessive traffic to disrupt normal functioning.
5. INDIA ABSTAINS FROM IMF VOTE TO GIVE MORE FUNDS TO PAK FLAGS ITS POOR TRACK RECORD
SUBJECT: NATIONAL
- India abstained from an IMF Executive Board vote to disburse$1 billion to Pakistan under the Extended Fund Facilityand$1.3 billion under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility.
- The vote took place on Friday, and India raised concerns over Pakistan’s“poor track record”with IMF funds
- Objective:India’s abstention intended to highlight Pakistan’s history of non-compliance with IMF reforms and potential misuse of international aid.
- Scope/Range: Pakistan has had28 disbursements in 35 years, and24 loans since 1958.
- India noted that Pakistan has become overly dependent on IMF bailouts.
- Strategic Communication:India emphasized its role as an“active and responsible member”, questioning“efficacy of IMF programmes”in achieving reform.
- Ministry of Finance cited that IMF is bound by “procedural and technical formalities” and stressed India’s responsibility as an IMF member.
