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• Japan and the United States have launched a major strategic collaboration to develop deep-sea mining operations near Minamitorishima Island, Japan’s easternmost territory in the Pacific Ocean. The initiative seeks to secure rare earth elements (REEs) — critical for advanced technologies, clean energy systems, and defence manufacturing — amid China’s near-total dominance in global rare earth processing.

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• India is preparing for the launch of Atomesus AI, a next-generation artificial intelligence platform developed by the Indus Valley Group. Created by a team of young Indian innovators with experience in ISRO-linked research, Atomesus AI aims to become the world’s most affordable and secure AI system, fully built, trained, and hosted in India. The project reflects India’s growing focus on technological sovereignty and data security in the digital age.

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• The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) has issued a clarification on October 29, 2025, regarding the entitlement of central government employees under the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) in cases of resignation. The update provides detailed guidance on how resignation affects the assured payout and pension corpus under the new scheme, which came into effect from April 1, 2025.

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• India will host the AI Impact Summit, the world’s largest international gathering on artificial intelligence, on February 19–20, 2026, in New Delhi. Announced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the event underscores India’s growing prominence in digital technology, innovation, and global AI governance. It will be the second-largest multilateral event hosted by India after the G20 Summit (2023).

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• The Japan Music Awards 2026 has officially announced its nominations, creating a global buzz with BTS members dominating several major categories. The prestigious event, which celebrates the best in Asian and international music, will be held on 13 June 2026 at Toyota Arena, Tokyo. The announcement coincides with rising anticipation for BTS’s much-awaited comeback in early 2026.