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Srinivasan K Swamy, Executive Group Chairman of R K Swamy Ltd, has been re-elected as the President of the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) for 2025-26. This marks his fourth term as AAAI President, coinciding with the association’s 80th anniversary of representing the advertising industry in India. Swamy, a veteran leader in the advertising and communications sector, is recognised for his influential role in advancing collaboration, ethical practices, and policy advocacy. His prior leadership experience (2004–2007) and continued industry influence ensure strong guidance for AAAI as it navigates challenges and opportunities in the digital era.

Indranil Bhattacharyya, Executive Director of the Reserve Bank of India, has been appointed as the newest ex officio member of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), replacing Rajiv Ranjan ahead of the October 2025 policy meeting. With over 28 years of experience in central banking, Bhattacharyya has played a significant role in monetary policy formulation, having also served as Executive Director of the Department of Economic and Policy Research. His international experience at the Qatar Central Bank and academic background from JNU further strengthen his expertise. His appointment ensures continuity and expertise in the RBI’s critical policy-making body.

Muthoot Microfin Limited has entered into a strategic co-lending partnership with the State Bank of India (SBI) to provide financial support to women entrepreneurs in rural and semi-urban areas across India. This collaboration aims to extend financial services to Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) engaged in various income-generating enterprises, with loan amounts ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 3,00,000.

The Indian government has retained the interest rate on Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) deposits at 8.25% for FY2024-25, as approved by the Ministry of Finance following the Central Board of Trustees’ recommendation. This rate matches the previous year’s rate, ensuring steady returns for over 7 crore EPFO subscribers. EPF is a mandatory retirement savings scheme where both employee and employer contribute 12% of the basic salary. Maintaining this attractive interest rate supports financial security for salaried employees and sustains confidence in EPF as a reliable long-term investment.

Project Nexus is a collaborative effort between RBI, BIS, and central banks of ASEAN countries to enhance the efficiency, speed, and cost-effectiveness of retail cross-border payments. Scheduled to launch by 2026, this initiative will integrate domestic fast payment systems across Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and India, marking a significant advancement in international payment systems.

Indian Railways has entered a partnership with Switzerland's Department of the Environment, Transport, and Communications (DETEC) to improve infrastructure modernization through technical cooperation. This MoU focuses on sharing technology, enhancing track maintenance, and upgrading overall infrastructure. The collaboration is set to increase operational efficiency, safety, and service quality within Indian Railways, reflecting a commitment to modernize and bring global standards to India’s railway network, benefiting both passengers and freight services.

India is preparing to launch its first human-operated underwater submersible as part of the Deep Ocean Mission. The submersible is initially designed to reach depths of up to 500 meters, with plans to extend its capability to 6,000 meters by the following year. This mission is significant for India’s advancement in marine exploration, resource identification, and the development of marine and space technologies. It aligns with the country’s broader goals of enhancing scientific knowledge, exploring new marine biodiversity, and contributing to sustainable development through its blue economy.

The Grand Renaissance Dam, recognized as Africa’s largest hydroelectric power plant, has been completed by Ethiopia. The dam is strategically constructed on the Blue Nile, a major tributary of the Nile River, which originates from Lake Tana in the Ethiopian Highlands. This massive project highlights Ethiopia’s ambition to harness its water resources for sustainable energy development. The Blue Nile flows northward to join the White Nile at Khartoum in Sudan, forming the Nile River, which then continues through Egypt. The dam has been a focal point of regional discussions due to its potential impact on water distribution and regional geopolitics.

Mount Semeru is situated in Indonesia, a nation recognised for having one of the highest concentrations of active volcanoes in the world—over 120 in total. This is due to its position along major tectonic plate boundaries, including the Indo-Australian and Sunda Plates, which contribute to frequent seismic and volcanic activity. As part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, Indonesia experiences continuous geological dynamism. Mount Semeru, the tallest peak in Java at 3,676 meters, exemplifies this active landscape. Its periodic eruptions impact nearby communities, making its monitoring crucial for disaster preparedness and regional safety.

On July 3, 2025, Russia officially recognised the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan, becoming the first country to do so since the group's return to power in 2021. The Russian Foreign Ministry removed the Taliban from its list of banned organisations and formally accepted the credentials of the Taliban-appointed Afghan ambassador. This move is significant not only because Russia is a major global power and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, but also because it may influence other countries’ foreign policies towards Afghanistan. The decision reflects a strategic choice to engage with the current power structure in Afghanistan based on realpolitik considerations.

Bannerghatta Biological Park carried out the import of eight black-capped capuchin monkeys as part of an animal exchange programme with South Africa. The monkeys included an equal number of males and females and were sourced from Induna Primate and Parrot Park. After their arrival at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, they were shifted to a designated quarantine facility. This step follows established wildlife management and health protocols, ensuring the safety of both the animals and the existing fauna within the park.

The Sixth International Agronomy Congress (IAC-2025) is scheduled to begin in New Delhi, bringing together global experts, researchers, and policymakers in the field of agronomy. The event focuses on the theme “Re-envisioning Agronomy for Smart Agro-Food Systems and Environmental Protection,” highlighting the growing need for sustainable agricultural practices and innovative technologies. By hosting the congress in the national capital, India aims to showcase advancements in smart farming, climate-resilient agriculture, and environmentally conscious food systems. The three-day event, inaugurated by the Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, serves as a platform for advancing scientific collaboration and addressing pressing agricultural challenges.

The 9th edition of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup tournament, initially scheduled to take place in Bangladesh from October 3-20, 2024, has been relocated to the United Arab Emirates. This decision was made to ensure the tournament's successful conduct. The UAE has previously hosted several international cricket events, showcasing its capability to organize high-profile tournaments. The ICC Women's T20 World Cup will feature 10 teams divided into two groups, competing for a total prize money of US$7,958,080, with the winner receiving $2,340,000.

Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian women's cricket team captain, made her mark in the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 by becoming the sole Indian representative in the Team of the Tournament. Her impressive performance included two fifties, earning her recognition as the fourth-highest scorer in the tournament. This achievement underscores her exceptional skill and contribution to Indian cricket. The Team of the Tournament features international cricket stars, highlighting Kaur's stature among the world's best players. Her inclusion is a testament to her outstanding performance in the tournament.

Gujarat has taken a pioneering step by launching India’s first Tribal Genome Sequencing Project. This initiative, led by the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC), aims to improve healthcare access for tribal communities through genomic science. The project will sequence the genomes of 2,000 tribal individuals across 17 districts to detect genetic markers linked to diseases such as sickle cell anaemia, thalassemia, and cancer. It also seeks to establish a comprehensive genetic database for future medical research. By integrating tribal welfare with advanced genomics, Gujarat sets a strong precedent for inclusive, data-driven public health planning in India.

The Cochin University of Science & Technology (CUSAT) has patented an advanced machine learning system designed to accurately decode rainfall information from radar signals. Developed at the Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research (ACARR), the innovation employs a Hybrid Adaptive Bi-Gaussian Algorithm integrated with a Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) to distinguish between raindrop and turbulence echoes in real time. This AI-driven approach enhances the precision of monsoon monitoring and flood forecasting, significantly improving Kerala’s climate resilience and contributing to the advancement of atmospheric and environmental research in India.

The Department of Posts issued a commemorative postage stamp in honour of Mata Karma, a revered saint, social reformer, and devoted follower of Lord Krishna. The stamp was unveiled during a ceremony marking her 1009th birth anniversary in Raipur. Mata Karma is remembered for her deep spiritual journey, devotion to Lord Krishna, and significant social contributions, including advocating for social reform, women’s empowerment, and religious harmony. Her legacy continues to inspire people to fight against discrimination and promote unity.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to inaugurate the dhaRti BioNest Incubation Centre at IIT Dharwad, a significant initiative to promote biotechnology innovation and entrepreneurship. The centre has already supported 15 startups, each receiving ₹50 lakh under the Elevate Karnataka scheme. The project received funding support of ₹5.2 crore from the MPLADS fund allocated by Nirmala Sitharaman and ₹5 crore from BIRAC. This collaboration aims to strengthen India’s startup ecosystem, particularly in the biotech sector, and enhance research-driven innovation through academic-industry partnerships at IIT Dharwad.

Zomato introduced ‘Nugget,’ an AI-powered, no-code customer support platform designed to automate customer queries and improve operational efficiency. Developed over three years, Nugget currently handles over 15 million interactions monthly across Zomato's ecosystem, including Blinkit and Hyperpure. The platform aims to resolve up to 80% of customer queries autonomously, utilizing AI technologies like image classification, voice AI agents, and automated quality audits. Zomato's shift towards AI solutions highlights its strategic move into B2B services, helping businesses streamline customer service while maintaining transparency in AI integration.

HCLTech has joined the European Commission’s AI Pact, reinforcing its commitment to ethical and responsible AI development. This voluntary initiative is designed to align companies with the forthcoming EU AI Act, the world’s first comprehensive legal framework for AI regulation. By signing the pact, HCLTech has pledged to implement strong AI governance strategies, identify and mitigate high-risk AI applications, and train its workforce in ethical AI use. The company has also established an Office of Responsible AI and Governance to drive fairness, transparency, and accountability in AI across its operations. This step positions HCLTech as a global leader in responsible AI innovation.