SPORTS

Cristiano Ronaldo Named Global Ambassador for Esports World Cup 2025

• Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has been appointed as the global ambassador for the 2025 Esports World Cup.

• The announcement was made via Ronaldo’s official social media handles, creating a buzz among fans.

• The tournament will take place in Riyadh from July 8 to August 24, 2025.

• With a record-breaking prize pool of $70 million, it’s set to be one of the largest esports events globally.

• A total of 25 games will be featured in this high-stakes global competition.

• Ronaldo’s involvement in gaming includes past collaborations with Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer.

• He also supported UFL, a Japanese football video game launched in 2024.

• In 2025, Ronaldo became a playable character in “Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves,” part of the tournament lineup.

AWARDS

PM Modi Receives Cyprus’s Highest Civilian Honour

• On June 16, PM Narendra Modi was awarded the "Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III" during his official visit to Cyprus.

• The prestigious honour was presented by Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides.

• Modi dedicated the award to India’s 1.4 billion citizens and thanked Cyprus for the recognition.

• He described it as a symbol of shared democratic values and strong bilateral cooperation.

• Instituted in 1981, the Grand Cross is among Cyprus’s most esteemed civilian awards.

• It is granted to individuals for outstanding contributions to international goodwill and diplomacy.

• The award signifies growing ties between India and Cyprus across economic, cultural, and innovation sectors.

• Modi’s June 15–16 visit marked a key step in strengthening strategic and diplomatic relations.

DEFENCE

‘Cyber Suraksha’ Cybersecurity Drill Launched by Defence Cyber Agency

• The Defence Cyber Agency has initiated a multi-phase cybersecurity exercise named ‘Cyber Suraksha’ from June 16 to 27.

• The drill aims to boost India’s cyber defence capabilities across military and strategic sectors.

• Over 100 officials from defence and government bodies are participating in the training program.

• Participants face simulated cyber-attacks in a gamified setup to enhance real-time response skills.

• The exercise combines classroom learning with hands-on technical challenges to build practical expertise.

• A dedicated conclave for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) fosters coordination between tech teams and leadership.

• The initiative promotes a proactive digital security culture within the defence ecosystem.

• ‘Cyber Suraksha’ is set to become a recurring effort to strengthen national cyber resilience.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

India Hosts First International Big Cat Alliance Assembly in New Delhi

• India held the inaugural International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Assembly in New Delhi on 16 July 2025, chaired by Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav.

• Delegations from nine nations, including Bhutan, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, and others, took part in the high-level meet.

• The IBCA, launched in March 2024 by India, includes 95 range countries dedicated to big cat conservation.

• The alliance focuses on technical and financial support for protecting seven big cat species—Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma.

• Members approved key operational documents with India, such as the Headquarters Agreement and Rules of Procedure.

• Bhupender Yadav was unanimously elected as Chairman, and S.P. Yadav appointed as Director General of IBCA.

• The initiative was inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for global collaboration in wildlife conservation.

• Member countries renewed their commitment to reversing big cat population decline and enhancing biodiversity efforts.