1️⃣ UNESCO Inaugurates the World's First Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Objects
- About: UNESCO launched a virtual museum showcasing stolen or illicitly trafficked cultural artifacts from across the world.
- Objective: To raise global awareness about the theft and smuggling of cultural heritage and to promote their recovery.
- Significance: This initiative uses digital technology to help identify, trace, and protect cultural heritage — a first-of-its-kind global platform in the cultural preservation sector.
2️⃣ AustraHind 2025 – 4th Edition of India-Australia Joint Army Exercise Commences
- Location: Australia
- Participants: Armies of India and Australia
- Aim: To strengthen defence cooperation, interoperability, and understanding between the two armies in counter-terrorism and peacekeeping operations.
- Background: The first AustraHind exercise was held in 2022 in Rajasthan. It is part of growing India-Australia strategic partnership under the Quad framework.
3️⃣ Five Maharashtra Beaches Receive International ‘Blue Flag’ Certification
- Awarded By: Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), Denmark
- Meaning: The Blue Flag is an international eco-label given to beaches and marinas that meet high standards of cleanliness, environmental management, and safety.
- Significance: With these five additions, Maharashtra strengthens India’s position as a country with multiple Blue Flag-certified beaches — reflecting its commitment to sustainable coastal tourism.
4️⃣ Kaziranga Director Sonali Ghosh Becomes First Indian to Receive IUCN’s Kenton R. Miller Award
- Recipient: Sonali Ghosh, Director of Kaziranga National Park, Assam
- Awarded By: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
- Award Name: Kenton R. Miller Award for Innovation in Protected Area Management
- Achievement: Recognized for her innovative management and community participation model in protecting biodiversity and wildlife corridors in Kaziranga.
- Significance: Marks a proud moment for Indian conservation leadership on the global stage.
5️⃣ 78th Session of WHO South-East Asia Regional Committee Begins in Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Hosted By: World Health Organization (WHO)
- Participants: Health ministers and officials from 11 member countries of the WHO South-East Asia Region, including India.
- Agenda: Discussion on strengthening universal health coverage, digital health transformation, and preparedness for future pandemics.
- Importance: The meeting sets the roadmap for achieving Health for All and resilient health systems in the region.
