blockchain

A global tech coalition has successfully dismantled the 'Glassworm' botnet, a sophisticated threat that targeted software developers for months. By simultaneously disrupting its unique command-and-control infrastructure, which spanned blockchain, peer-to-peer networks, and legitimate web services, the operation prevented the malware from shifting to alternative communication channels. This victory significantly bolsters software supply-chain security.

Odisha is set to establish new handloom hubs in Cuttack, Bargarh, and Jajpur districts, incorporating AI and blockchain technology. These initiatives aim to boost employment and promote handloom, handicraft, and apparel production, with significant investments planned for infrastructure and artisan support.

Iran has introduced 'Hormuz Safe', a digital insurance platform. Commercial ships can now use this system to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Payments are accepted in cryptocurrency like Bitcoin. This initiative aims to manage the waterway commercially. It is expected to generate significant revenue for Iran. The platform ensures secure cargo transits through cryptographic verification.

The Centre has approved a Rs 25,530 crore scheme, SARTHAK-PDS, to modernize the public distribution system until March 2031. This initiative aims to ensure smoother ration delivery, reduce leakages, and improve services for 81.35 crore beneficiaries by integrating transport, dealer support, and technology upgrades, including AI and ML.

Technological advancements like AI and blockchain are transforming the chartered accountant profession, pushing CAs towards higher-value advisory roles. Data literacy is becoming as crucial as technical accounting knowledge. The ICAI, now the world's second-largest accounting body, is expanding its reach, with demand for the CA course and placement opportunities on the rise.

Mark Cuban, a former crypto evangelist, has sold most of his Bitcoin, stating it failed as a hedge against global turmoil. He found gold performed better during geopolitical events, questioning Bitcoin's role. Cuban also shared advice on AI use for students, emphasizing critical thinking over reliance.

UPSC CSE Prelims 2026, conducted on May 24, has been described by experts as one of the most difficult and unconventional papers in recent years. With lengthy comprehension-based questions, analytical framing, and unpredictable current affairs themes, the exam tested conceptual clarity and decision-making skills over rote learning. While several experts predicted a lower cutoff this year, others viewed the paper as a necessary shift towards evaluating aptitude, adaptability, and intellectual curiosity expected from future civil servants.

In a significant crackdown on financial fraud, the Enforcement Directorate has immobilized assets exceeding Rs 1 crore linked to a notorious Ponzi scheme disguised as the 'Global Media App.' This online con tricked investors into believing they could earn substantial returns simply by watching advertisements.

Seeks Singapore Tie-Up for Growth of Capital City

The UAE has become the first country to grant a Stored Value Facilities (SVF) license to a cryptocurrency platform, allowing regulated digital asset payments. This landmark approval enables UAE residents to pay government fees using cryptocurrencies, integrating virtual asset payments into the nation's regulated financial system and bolstering its digital economy.

Robotic dogs with the faces of tech billionaires roam Berlin's Neue Nationalgalerie, generating AI art and printed interpretations of their surroundings. This installation by Mike Winkelmann, titled Regular Animals, critiques how algorithms and digital platforms now shape our perception of reality, making abstract systems tangible and prompting critical reflection.

In Emilia-Romagna, Italy, hundreds of thousands of wheels of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese are stored in climate-controlled warehouses, serving as valuable collateral for loans. This unique financial system allows producers to overcome cash flow challenges caused by the cheese's lengthy aging process, ensuring the industry's continued operation and growth.

Twenty-one American companies are donating millions towards a new White House ballroom, estimated at $400 million. President Trump insists taxpayer funds are not used for the structure, only security. The project aims to enhance security following a recent incident, with the Justice Department urging a lawsuit's dismissal.

For centuries, traditional methods like salting, smoking, and drying ensured food safety without modern appliances. These techniques, deeply rooted in local environments, preserved food effectively. While modern technology has advanced food safety, a growing movement is reviving these age-old practices, often enhanced by new tools, to combat waste and promote sustainability.