1) Bangladesh becomes the first South Asian country to join the UN Water Convention
- About: Bangladesh has officially joined the United Nations Water Convention (1992), becoming the first country from South Asia to do so.
- About the Convention: Formally known as the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes, it promotes cooperation in managing shared water resources.
- Significance:
- Strengthens Bangladesh’s commitment to sustainable water management and transboundary river cooperation.
- Important for countries sharing river basins, especially the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna basin.
- Organisation: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
2) 17th India Game Developer Conference (IGDC) begins in Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- About: The 17th edition of the India Game Developer Conference (IGDC) has commenced in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
- Organised by: The India Game Developer Association (IGDA), supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
- Objective:
- To showcase innovations in gaming, animation, AR/VR, and e-sports.
- To provide a platform for Indian game developers and global studios to collaborate.
- Significance: Reflects India’s rise as a global gaming hub, aligning with the Digital India and AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming & Comics) Mission.
3) European Union sets revised climate target: 90% emission reduction by 2040
- About: The European Union (EU) has announced an ambitious goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by the year 2040, compared to 1990 levels.
- Objective: To align with the EU Green Deal and the Paris Climate Agreement targets of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
- Significance:
- Strengthens the EU’s global leadership in climate action.
- Encourages transition to renewable energy, green industries, and sustainable transport.
- Context: The EU’s earlier target was a 55% reduction by 2030.
4) UN Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report: India had the highest emissions in 2024
- Report by: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) under the Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report 2025.
- Finding: India recorded the highest greenhouse gas emissions in the year 2024, surpassing other major emitters in terms of total volume increase.
- Reason: Rapid industrialization, energy demand, and coal-based power generation.
- Significance:
- Highlights the urgent need for clean energy transition and emission control policies.
- Reinforces India’s focus on renewable energy expansion and net-zero target by 2070.
5) Sweden becomes the World’s First Cashless Society
- About: Sweden has officially transitioned into becoming the world’s first completely cashless society, where all transactions are digital.
- Key Features:
- 99% of payments now made via digital or mobile platforms (Swish, cards, and apps).
- Physical cash is no longer accepted in most businesses and public services.
- Significance:
- Marks a major milestone in digital economy evolution.
- Sets a global example for financial inclusion, transparency, and cybersecurity.
- Context: Sweden began its cashless transformation in the early 2010s, led by Riksbank (Sweden’s Central Bank).
6) EESL to start India’s largest geothermal energy project in Andhra Pradesh
- About: Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) announced the launch of India’s largest geothermal energy technology project in Andhra Pradesh.
- Objective:
- To harness geothermal resources for power generation and clean energy supply.
- To promote low-carbon energy solutions under India’s renewable energy goals.
- Significance:
- A major step in diversifying India’s renewable energy portfolio beyond solar and wind.
- Expected to boost local employment and energy self-sufficiency.
- Ministry: Ministry of Power, Government of India.
7) Supreme Court makes written reason for arrest mandatory under Article 22(1)
- Judgment: The Supreme Court of India ruled that law enforcement agencies must provide written reasons for arrest to the accused person, as per Article 22(1) of the Constitution.
- Objective:
- To uphold the fundamental right to personal liberty and legal protection.
- To ensure transparency and accountability in arrests.
- Significance:
- Strengthens due process of law and prevents arbitrary detention.
- Reinforces judicial emphasis on constitutional safeguards in criminal procedure.