🇮🇳 1. India to Host the 18th BRICS Summit in 2026
India is set to host the 18th BRICS Summit in 2026, reaffirming its key leadership role in the five-nation bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
🔹 Context: India last hosted the BRICS Summit in 2021 (virtually due to COVID-19), where the theme was “BRICS @15: Intra-BRICS Cooperation for Continuity, Consolidation and Consensus”.
🔹 Significance: The 2026 summit is expected to focus on global south cooperation, inclusive growth, digital transformation, and expanding the BRICS+ framework with newer member countries such as Egypt, UAE, and Iran now joining the bloc.
👩⚖️ 2. Jemmifer Simons Becomes Suriname’s First Female President
🇸🇷 Breaking a glass ceiling in South American politics, Jemmifer Simons has been elected as Suriname’s first-ever female president.
🔹 Simons previously served as the Speaker of the National Assembly and is known for her progressive leadership and push for social reforms.
🔹 Historical context: Suriname, a small South American country with a population of around 600,000, has had a turbulent political past marked by military rule and economic instability. This milestone marks a new chapter in its democratic evolution.
🌋 3. Mount Shinmoedake Erupts in Japan
Japan’s Mount Shinmoedake, part of the Kirishima volcanic range in Kyushu, has erupted, spewing ash and smoke into the sky.
🔹 Historical Note: Shinmoedake last made headlines in 2011 and 2018 with explosive eruptions. It even featured in the 1967 James Bond movie You Only Live Twice.
🔹 Japan lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, making it prone to frequent volcanic activity and earthquakes. Authorities have issued alerts, but no major damage has been reported yet.
🧬 4. IISc Bengaluru Launches BHARAT Initiative to Study Ageing in Indians
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, has launched the BHARAT (Biology of Healthy Aging in the Indian Tribe) initiative to conduct an in-depth, multi-disciplinary study on ageing among Indian populations.
🔹 Focus areas: Genetics, lifestyle, environment, and regional diversity in ageing patterns.
🔹 India is witnessing a sharp rise in its elderly population—projected to reach 300 million by 2050. This initiative aims to provide data-driven insights for healthcare and policy planning.
🌐 5. Colombia and Uzbekistan Join New Development Bank (NDB)
The New Development Bank, established by BRICS in 2015, has welcomed Colombia 🇨🇴 and Uzbekistan 🇺🇿 as its newest official members.
🔹 The NDB was created to support infrastructure and sustainable development in emerging economies.
🔹 With these additions, the NDB continues to diversify beyond BRICS, signaling a shift in global financial governance toward multi-polarity.
🏏 6. ICC Appoints Sanjog Gupta as CEO
In a landmark move, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has appointed Sanjog Gupta, former Head of Sports at Star & Disney India, as its new Chief Executive Officer.
🔹 Gupta has been pivotal in transforming the IPL into a global brand, and his appointment is seen as a strategic move to further globalize cricket and enhance digital fan engagement.
🔹 He replaces Geoff Allardice, who stepped down after a decade of service.
🧑💼 7. Himachal Pradesh Becomes First State to Use Aadhaar-Based Facial Authentication for Ration
In a digital-first breakthrough, Himachal Pradesh has become the first Indian state to implement Aadhaar-based facial recognition for Public Distribution System (PDS) beneficiaries.
🔹 This move helps eliminate duplicate or ghost beneficiaries and enhances ease of access for the elderly and disabled.
🔹 HP has long been a pioneer in e-governance, previously digitizing land records and rolling out e-Hospital services across the state.
🏏 8. Smriti Mandhana Creates History Across All Formats
Trailblazing Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana has become the first Indian woman to score centuries in all three formats—Tests, ODIs, and T20Is!
🔹 Mandhana joins an elite global club of female cricketers to achieve this milestone.
🔹 She’s already a recipient of the Arjuna Award and the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year 2018, making her one of India’s most accomplished athletes.
🌊 9. Tamil Nadu Conserving Kariachalli Island Under Inshore Project
The Tamil Nadu Government is actively conserving Kariachalli Island, which is expected to be fully submerged by 2036, under the Inshore Conservation Project.
🔹 Located in the Gulf of Mannar, Kariachalli is one of India’s 21 uninhabited islands with rare seagrass meadows and coral reefs.
🔹 The conservation effort includes mapping marine biodiversity, preventing coastal erosion, and creating community awareness among local fishing populations.
🔹 Climate change and rising sea levels are accelerating the submergence of such fragile ecosystems, making this a timely intervention.
📌 Conclusion:
From India’s growing role in BRICS and advancements in science and technology to pioneering conservation and digital governance initiatives, the world is witnessing transformation through collaboration, innovation, and resilience.
