Global developments: SAFTA trade fraud, Kuril Islands dispute, and Voyager 2 mission extension

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has uncovered a large-scale fraud involving the misuse of South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) concessions. Syndicates allegedly imported areca nuts from Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia, routing them through Bangladesh with fraudulent Certificates of Origin to claim customs-duty exemptions. The estimated revenue loss exceeds ₹2,500 crore. Nine individuals have been arrested following the seizure of approximately 160 MT of areca nuts.

In geopolitical news, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup Island, marking his first visit to the disputed Kuril Islands. Japan has strongly protested the move, maintaining its claim over the four southern islands, which it refers to as the Northern Territories. The ongoing territorial dispute continues to prevent Russia and Japan from establishing a formal post-war peace treaty.

In space technology, NASA engineers have implemented a power-saving upgrade on the Voyager 2 spacecraft. By redistributing power from non-essential systems, the mission is expected to extend the operation of its remaining scientific instruments by at least one year as it continues its study of interstellar space.