“SPORTS”

India Crowned Champion of WSF Squash World Cup for the First Time

India created history in sports by winning the WSF Squash World Cup 2025 for the first time in the history of the tournament. In addition, the Indian team put on a great show to defeat top-seeded Hong Kong 3-0 in the final held at Express Avenue Mall, Chennai, in front of an enthusiastic home crowd. This is a major victory for Indian squash, incidentally, highlighting the country’s steady rise into prominence on the global squash stage. 

“AWARDS”

Col Prateek Roy of Indian Army Receives Prestigious Geddes Gavel Award at Australian Defence College

Col Prateek Roy of the Indian Army was awarded the Geddes Gavel Award upon completing the Defence Strategic and Studies Course at the Australian Defence College, recognizing his outstanding performance. The award honors the student who demonstrates exceptional understanding of regional relationships, decision-making, and superior knowledge across political, diplomatic, military, cultural, and economic domains.

“APPOINTMENTS”

Press Club of India Elects Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty as Its First Woman President

A pathbreaking development for India’s media scene, senior journalist Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty was elected as the first woman President of the Press Club of India. The declaration of results on December 14, 2025, marked a historic milestone in the annals of one of the most powerful journalist bodies of the country, and a step towards changing the trend of low gender representation in media leadership.

“NATIONAL & INTERNATIONA NEWS”

Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve to Become New Cheetah Habitat in MP

Another significant step in wildlife conservation efforts by the state of Madhya Pradesh is that of developing Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve into a cheetah sanctuary before the next monsoon session, announced Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. Situated at Nauradehi in the Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh, it would be the third cheetah sanctuary in the state after the success of cheetah shifting at Kuno National Park.

India Ranks Third in Global AI Index After US and China

India is a major milestone in the area of artificial intelligence with its current rankings as the third best globally, after the USA and China, revealed by the report of the Global AI Vibrancy Tool of Stanford University. It is noteworthy that India stood at the seventh position as of 2023, but enters 2024 with the current position of the third best in the global rankings.

India Launches First Indigenous Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Passenger Vessel in Varanasi

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off India’s first indigenous hydrogen fuel-cell passenger vessel in Varanasi, marking a major step toward clean and sustainable inland water transport. Launched at Namo Ghat, the hydrogen-powered vessel showcases India’s advancing technological capabilities and places the country among global leaders like China, Norway, the Netherlands, and Japan operating hydrogen-driven vessels.

UAE Tops Global Rankings as World’s Strongest Passport for 2025

UAE has been ranked the world’s strongest passport for 2025 with a mobility score of 179, offering its citizens the highest access to countries visa-free or with visa-on-arrival. Singapore and Spain hold the second position with scores of 175. India ranks 67th globally, indicating comparatively limited travel freedom when measured against top-tier passports.