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1. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a significant infrastructure and development project involving a $50 billion investment in Pakistan. It aims to establish a 3,000 km link between Gwadar and Karachi ports in Pakistan and China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. However, it faces opposition from India due to its route through Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and from Balochistan civilians citing human rights concerns. China recently deployed advanced J-20 stealth fighters near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Tibet, including at the Shigatse airport, as part of efforts to bolster its military presence amid tensions. This move is seen as a response to India's air combat capabilities, including Rafale jets deployed in the eastern sector and Sukhoi-30MKI fighters.
2. The Defense Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has delivered the initial batch of indigenous Leading Edge Actuators and Airbrake Control Modules to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). These components, essential for controlling leading edge slats on aircraft wings, have completed successful flight trials, leading to production clearance. Developed in collaboration with Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in Hyderabad and the Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI) in Bengaluru, this achievement enables HAL to equip the Mk-1A variant of the Light Combat Aircraft - Tejas. RCI is a premier DRDO lab in Hyderabad, while CMTI is a Ministry of Heavy Industries-affiliated R&D organization in Bengaluru.
3. Hong Kong has introduced Asia's first Spot Bitcoin and Ether Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), marking a significant move towards establishing itself as a Virtual Asset Investment Hub in the region. Bitcoin, the pioneering cryptocurrency, operates on decentralized networks utilizing blockchain technology for security. Spot Bitcoin trading involves immediate transactions at prevailing market prices, facilitating real-time exchanges between cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies like the US dollar. Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) are investment vehicles traded on stock exchanges, offering diversification without purchasing individual securities. These ETFs, available in Hong Kong Dollars, US dollars, and Chinese Yuan, could prompt other nations to approve Cryptocurrency ETFs, fostering broader digital asset adoption.
4. The Indian Army has partnered with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) to conduct demonstration trials of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus technology, showcasing a commitment to cleaner transport solutions. The Army has also acquired its first Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus, boasting a seating capacity of 37 passengers and a mileage of 250-300 km per 30 kg of onboard hydrogen fuel. Additionally, the Army previously inked an MoU with NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd to deploy Green Hydrogen-based Microgrid Power Plants along the Northern Borders, marking a significant step toward sustainability. Hydrogen fuel cell technology, producing electricity from hydrogen and oxygen with water vapor as the only byproduct, offers an efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional fuels, leveraging the Earth's abundant hydrogen resources.
5. An evacuation slide is an inflatable device enabling safe passenger exit during aircraft emergencies, especially from high exit points. Types include the Inflatable Slide for door and wing exits, Inflatable Slide/Raft serving as both slide and life raft, Inflatable Exit Ramp aiding overwing exit passengers, and the combined Exit Ramp/Slide. These slides, composed of fire-resistant nylon with urethane coating and reinforced carbon fibers, ensure tear resistance during descent. Meeting regulatory standards, they must deploy automatically upon door opening, inflate within 6-10 seconds, and endure extreme conditions like temperature variations, heavy rainfall, and strong winds.