Extreme weather events in 2025 inflicted over $122 billion in global damages, with India and Pakistan's devastating monsoon floods alone costing $5.6 billion and claiming 1,860 lives. While the US faced the highest financial toll from wildfires, poorer nations bore a disproportionate human cost. Experts warn continued fossil fuel use fuels this escalating crisis.

Madhya Pradesh High Court denied a 16-year-old rape survivor permission to terminate her 29-week pregnancy, as she wishes to continue and has married the accused. The court directed the Child Welfare Committee to care for her and the child until she turns 18. A medical board had advised against termination due to advanced stage risks.

A valuable M.F. Husain mural at LIC's Mumbai headquarters is deteriorating due to neglect and ongoing renovation work. Painted in 1963, the artwork shows signs of damage and lacks proper identification, highlighting the undervaluation of wall art in India. LIC has pledged to investigate protection measures.

India has expressed concerns to the US regarding the expansion of H-1B visa program reviews, citing hardship for Indian families. The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted delays in visa appointments, impacting family life and children's education. India is actively engaged with the US to minimize disruptions for affected professionals.

India has introduced quality standards for incense sticks, prohibiting harmful insecticidal chemicals and synthetic fragrance intermediates. These new norms, aimed at improving safety and sustainability, classify agarbattis and set requirements for raw materials and burning quality. The voluntary standard, IS 19412:2025, seeks to protect public health and the environment from potentially hazardous substances.

Resident doctors in Himachal Pradesh have launched an indefinite strike, demanding the reinstatement of a doctor sacked for assaulting a patient. Despite a promise of a fresh inquiry, doctors deem the termination unjust, citing a lack of consideration for the doctor's perspective. The protest has disrupted routine medical services across the state.

'Hindu's killing a matter of grave concern'

A Class 10 student died by suicide after allegedly being reprimanded by teachers and the principal at a Greater Noida West school for using AI on her mobile phone during pre-Board exams. Her father has filed a police complaint accusing the school of abetment to suicide and mental harassment.

The CBI has approached the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the Delhi high court's order suspending the sentence of expelled BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the Unnao rape case. The High Court had ruled that Sengar, convicted for raping a minor, was wrongly classified as a public servant.

The Supreme Court, guided by a 'sixth sense,' intervened in a rape conviction case. Observing a consensual relationship that soured, the court facilitated a marriage between the convict and victim. Following their union and happy cohabitation, the apex court quashed the 10-year conviction, invoking its powers to deliver complete justice.

India's drug regulator has revoked the registration of QR 678-Neo, an anti-hair loss product. The cosmetic was illegally marketed online for treating medical conditions like post-chemotherapy hair loss and genetic baldness. This action by the CDSCO against M/s Esthetic Centers International Pvt Ltd serves as a stern warning to the booming cosmetic market about making unapproved therapeutic claims.

Generations-old trades now face uncertainty

In a significant political development, the BJP has secured its maiden mayoral victory in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation. V V Rajesh, a seasoned party leader, clinched the top post with crucial support, marking the NDA's first governance of a city corporation in the state.

Prime Minister Modi lauded the Sahibzadas' supreme sacrifice as a testament to India's courage against religious fanaticism. He emphasized that their story, suppressed for decades due to a colonial mindset, is now being brought to the forefront.

Union home minister Amit Shah has called for a nationwide upgrade of anti-terror infrastructure, advocating for an «impenetrable anti-terrorism grid» and a common ATS structure across states. He also announced a «360-degree strike» plan against organised crime, emphasizing data sharing and technological integration to combat evolving threats and ensure future security.

An NRI's viral post highlights a New York friend's surprise at India's rapid growth and affordability, particularly in healthcare, transport, and digital services. While acknowledging better air quality in the US, the visitor noted significantly lower costs for mobile, health insurance, and property taxes in India. The post sparked discussions on civic sense and the nuances of cost-of-living comparisons.

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin accused the BJP of trying to sow religious divisions, saying Tamil Nadu’s communal harmony “irritates” the party. He condemned attacks on Christians, highlighted interfaith unity, and expressed confidence that the DMK would be re-elected in 2026.

Leaders across India remembered former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on his first death anniversary. Singh, who served from 2004 to 2014, was hailed as a transformative leader who boosted India's economy. His contributions to the nation's development were acknowledged by political figures. Singh's legacy as an economist and a dedicated public servant continues to inspire.

Megha Majumdar's new novel, 'A Guardian and a Thief’, is an Oprah's Book Club selection, a finalist for the National Book Award and the Kirkus Prize, and on the longlist for the American Library Association's Andrew Carnegie Medal. Her first book, 'A Burning’, was nominated for the National Book Award, the National Book Critics Circle's John Leonard Prize and the Carnegie Medal, and won a Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar in India.

India has raised concerns with the US over the abrupt cancellation of pre-scheduled H-1B visa interviews for thousands of Indian applicants. These interviews, postponed for enhanced social media vetting, have caused significant delays and hardships for skilled workers unable to return to their jobs in the US.

India's women's safety challenges persist in 2025, with official crime data revealing only a fraction of the reality. Decades of reforms haven't erased gender inequality, social stigma, and uneven justice access, leaving many incidents unreported due to fear, family pressure, and systemic barriers. This gap between reported crimes and lived experiences highlights the ongoing struggle for safety.

Dr. Dimple Padawe, Dean of Government Dental College, was crowned 'Mrs India Classic', using the platform to raise awareness about oral cancer, especially in tribal communities. Her impactful national costume, featuring a digitally printed saree and a crown of artificial cigarettes, symbolized the disease's devastating effects.

The Enforcement Directorate has launched a money laundering investigation against Islamic preacher Maulana Shamshul Huda Khan, based on an FIR by the UP Anti-terrorism squad. Khan, now a UK citizen, allegedly drew a government salary from 2013-2017 while living abroad and acquired properties worth over Rs 30 crore.