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India and France to Hold 23rd Edition of NAVAL Exercise VARUNA

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The 23rd edition of the bilateral naval exercise VARUNA, which exemplifies the strong maritime partnership between India and France, is set to occur from March 19 to 22. Established in 2001, VARUNA serves as a vital platform for improving naval interoperability and operational collaboration between the two nations.

This year’s exercise will encompass a wide array of maritime operations spanning sub-surface, surface, and aerial domains. The Indian Navy’s INS Vikrant and the French Navy’s Charles de Gaulle aircraft carriers will notably participate, alongside their respective fighter jets, destroyers, frigates, and an Indian Scorpene-class submarine, highlighting the combined naval prowess of both countries.

VARUNA 2025 will feature advanced air defense drills and high-intensity fighter training scenarios, including simulated air-to-air combat between the French Rafale-M and Indian MiG-29K, with the goal of enhancing tactical and operational capabilities. The exercise will also incorporate anti-submarine warfare drills to improve underwater domain awareness, surface warfare operations demonstrating coordinated fleet maneuvers, and maritime patrol aircraft activities to boost situational awareness. Moreover, replenishment-at-sea exercises will strengthen logistical cooperation between the two navies.

By promoting the sharing of best practices and enhancing mutual understanding, VARUNA 2025 reaffirms both nations’ capability to operate effectively in complex maritime environments. The exercise highlights their shared dedication to sustaining a free, open, and secure maritime landscape, reinforcing the enduring ties between the Indian and French Navies in safeguarding regional and global maritime security.

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National

Delhi Techie Found Dead During Honeymoon Trip

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National: A 27-year-old IT professional from Delhi was found dead at a homestay in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand. The woman, P Radha Gayatri, had gone on a honeymoon trip with her husband.

According to police, the couple checked into a homestay on June 14. Her husband said they had consumed alcohol and went to sleep late at night.

The next morning, he found Gayatri unconscious on the floor. Police said she was lying in a pool of urine, and blood was coming from her nose. She was declared dead at the scene.

READ MORE:Woman in Saree Impresses Internet with Michael Jackson-Inspired Dance Moves

The body has been sent for a post-mortem examination. Police are investigating the case and waiting for the autopsy report to determine the cause of death.

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Pakistan Ranked World’s Most Polluted Country in 2025

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Islamabad: Pakistan has been ranked as the most polluted country in the world in 2025, according to a new report released by Swiss air quality monitoring company IQ Air.

The report found that Pakistan’s average PM2.5 pollution level was 13 times higher than the safe limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). PM2.5 refers to tiny harmful particles in the air that can enter the lungs and cause serious health problems.

IQ Air said that only 13 countries and territories met the WHO air quality guideline of less than 5 micrograms of PM2.5 per cubic meter of air in 2025. This was an improvement from seven countries in 2024.

The report also revealed that 130 out of 143 monitored countries and territories failed to meet the WHO standard.

Bangladesh was ranked as the second most polluted country, while Tajikistan secured the third position. Chad, which was the most polluted country in 2024, ranked fourth in 2025.

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Experts said that Chad’s lower ranking may be linked to missing pollution data. In March 2025, the United States ended a global air quality monitoring program due to budget cuts. The program had collected pollution data from US embassies and consulates around the world.

Christi Chester Schroeder, the lead author of the report, said that the loss of data makes it difficult to know the true pollution levels in some countries.

Because of data shortages, Burundi, Turkmenistan and Togo were not included in the 2025 report.

The report also identified Loni in India as the world’s most polluted city. The city recorded an average PM2.5 level of 112.5 micrograms per cubic meter. Hotan in China ranked second with 109.6 micrograms.

According to the report, the 25 most polluted cities in the world were all located in India, Pakistan and China.

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Only 14 percent of cities worldwide met the WHO air quality standard in 2025. This was lower than the 17 percent recorded in the previous year.

The report noted that large wildfires in Canada increased air pollution levels across the United States and even affected parts of Europe.

Countries that met the WHO air quality guideline in 2025 included Australia, Iceland, Estonia and Panama.

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Meanwhile, Laos, Cambodia and Indonesia reported significant improvements in air quality. Experts said wetter and windier La Niña weather conditions helped reduce pollution levels in these countries.

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Mongolia also recorded a 31 percent drop in average PM2.5 levels during the year.

Overall, 75 countries reported lower pollution levels in 2025, while 54 countries experienced an increase in air pollution, according to the IQ Air report

 

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Indian Air Force AN-32 Transport Aircraft Crashes

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Dispur: An Indian Air Force (IAF) AN-32 transport aircraft crashed at the Air Force Station in Jorhat, Assam, on Saturday. The aircraft caught fire after the crash.

According to reports, the AN-32 aircraft went down within the premises of the air base. A fire broke out immediately after the accident.

Rescue and firefighting teams rushed to the spot and launched an operation to control the flames. The fire was brought under control after their prompt response.

READ MORE:Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Brother Scores Century in Local Match

The exact cause of the crash is not known yet. Authorities are investigating the incident.

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So far, there have been no reports of any deaths or injuries. The Indian Air Force has confirmed the accident and said that more details will be shared after a complete assessment of the situation.

Further information is awaited.

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