NATIONAL
- Gujarat Forms Panel to Draft Uniform Civil Code (UCC)
The Gujarat government has appointed a five-member panel to draft the state's Uniform Civil Code (UCC), aiming to ensure equal rights for all citizens. The panel, headed by Retired Supreme Court Judge Ranjana Desai, includes Retired IAS Officer CL Meena, Advocate RC Kodekar, Educationist Daxesh Thakar, and Social Worker Gita Shroff. The committee has 45 days to submit its report.
- Bhopal district administration has imposed a ban on all forms of begging
The Bhopal district administration has imposed a ban on all forms of begging, giving alms, and purchasing goods from beggars under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. This law empowers the District Magistrate (DM) or any Executive Magistrate to issue orders in cases of public nuisance. Additionally, Section 223 of BNSS outlines penalties for disobeying such orders.
A similar ban was enforced earlier in Indore, where from January 1, 2025, individuals found giving alms to beggars will face FIRs. Authorities have also uncovered organized begging networks and are working on rehabilitation programs for those forced into begging. Indore is part of the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment's pilot project to make 10 Indian cities beggar-free, including Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna and Ahmedabad.
- India Expands Ramsar Sites to 89 with First Recognitions for Jharkhand & Sikkim
India has added four new wetlands to the Ramsar List, increasing its total to 89. The newly recognized sites Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary and Therthangal Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu, Khecheopalri wetland, Sikkim and Udhwa Lake, Jharkhand. This marks the first-ever Ramsar recognition for Jharkhand and Sikkim, underscoring India’s dedication to wetland conservation.
- Tamil Nadu Inaugurates India's Largest Solar Cell Manufacturing Unit
Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister has inaugurated India's largest solar cell and module manufacturing facility at the Gangaikondan SIPCOT Industrial Growth Centre. This state-of-the-art unit aims to boost domestic solar production, reduce reliance on imports, and support India's renewable energy goals. The initiative aligns with the country’s commitment to achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, promoting green energy and local job creation.
- Gujarat Declares Guneri’s Inland Mangrove as First Biodiversity Heritage Site
The Gujarat government has designated Guneri village's inland mangrove, located in Kutch district, as the state's first Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS). This decision emphasizes the need to preserve rare ecosystems crucial for regional biodiversity. Guneri’s inland mangrove is one of the last remaining of its kind in India and is globally significant, found in only eight locations worldwide.
INTERNATIONAL
- Trump Imposes Sanctions on International Criminal Court (ICC)
U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing harsh economic
sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) in response to its
arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense
Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
The order grants Trump
the power to freeze assets and impose travel bans on ICC officials and their
families, accusing the court of "illegitimate and baseless actions" against the U.S.
and Israel. Neither country is a member of Rome Statute or a member of the ICC.
- UK Becomes First Country to Criminalize AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM)
The UK has made history by becoming the first country to criminalize AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM), introducing strict laws to combat the misuse of artificial intelligence in creating and distributing child abuse content. The new measures will be part of the Crime and Policing Bill, aimed at preventing the use of AI tools for producing highly realistic CSAM.
The rise in AI-generated CSAM has been alarming, with the Internet Watch Foundation reporting a 380% increase in cases between 2023 and 2024. The new laws include criminalizing AI tools for generating CSAM, banning AI paedophile manuals, shutting down websites facilitating CSAM, and empowering the UK Border Force to inspect devices for such material. Offenders face severe prison sentences, signaling the UK's commitment to global child protection.
- New Zealand Grants Mount Taranaki Legal Personhood to Honor Māori Heritage
New Zealand has granted Mount Taranaki legal personhood, giving it the same rights as a human. This decision honors its cultural and spiritual importance to the Māori people.
SPORTS
- India U19 Women Clinch Back-to-Back T20 World Cup Titles
India's U19 women's cricket team made history by clinching their second consecutive ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup title with a commanding nine-wicket win over South Africa in the 2025 final at Bayuemas Oval, Malaysia.
- R Praggnanandhaa Wins First Tata Steel Masters Title in Thrilling Finale
Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa secured his maiden Tata Steel Masters title defeating D Gukesh 2-1 in an intense tie-breaker.
AWARDS
- Chandrika Tandon Wins Grammy for 'Triveni' in New Age Category
Indian-American musician and business leader Chandrika Tandon won the Grammy Award for Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album for her project Triveni, created with Wouter Kellerman and Eru Matsumoto. The award was presented at the 67th Grammy Awards, 2025, at Los Angeles.
