SIPRI: World’s Top 100 Arms-Producing Companies

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report, the world’s biggest weapons-producing companies saw a 5.9% increase in revenue from sales of arms and military services last year as demand was fed by the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as countries’ rising military spending. Global Trend Regional Highlights United States Europe (excluding Russia) Russia Asia & Oceania India-Specific Highlights Source: TH

WHO Issues First Guideline on GLP-1 Therapies for Obesity

The World Health Organization (WHO) released its first-ever guideline on the use of GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1) therapies for treating obesity — a condition affecting over 1 billion people globally. Key Points What is GLP-1? Why GLP-1 Drugs? These medications: Background Recommendations Global Access Challenge Global Health Context Why WHO acted Member states requested guidance to manage the escalating obesity epidemic and integrate GLP-1 therapies into public health systems. Source: HT

Scientists Warn Centre Against ‘Compromise Proposal’ at ITPGRFA-GB11

The Scientists for Genetic Diversity, a collective of scientists, has written to the Union Agriculture Minister, the Union Environment Minister, and the Director General of ICAR expressing strong concerns over the “compromise proposal” discussed at the 11th Session of the Governing Body (GB11) of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA). Key Highlights About the ITPGRFA Objectives of the Treaty The treaty’s Multilateral System (MLS) Read More …

50 Years of Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar warned that the world is still “not adequately prepared” to confront the escalating threat of bioterrorism. Speaking at a conference marking 50 years of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), he said non-state actors could resort to biological agents, making global preparedness essential. Key Highlights Biological Weapons: What They Are About the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) Sources: TH, MEA & UN

Italy Recognises Femicide as a Specific Crime

On November 25, 2025, the Italian Parliament approved a law that formally recognises femicide — the killing of a woman because of her gender. Italy now joins a small group of countries (e.g., Mexico, Chile) that explicitly criminalise femicide. Life imprisonment mandated for convicted offenders. Why Femicide? UN Framework on Femicide (2022) Based on relationship between perpetrator and victim: Global Data (UN Women Report, 2024) How Do Other Countries Treat Read More …

Bnei Menashe community

The Israeli cabinet has approved the immigration of all 5,800 members of the Bnei Menashe community, who currently live in Mizoram and Manipur. Although they are not recognised as Jews under Israeli law, the community was acknowledged as the “seed of Israel” in 2005 by former Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar. Source: IT

India Re-elected to the IMO Council for 2026–27 with Highest Vote Tally

India has been re-elected to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council for the 2026–27 biennium, securing the highest number of votes (154 out of 169) in Category B, which represents nations with the largest interest in international seaborne trade. This marks the second consecutive biennium in which India has topped its category. • Election Held During 34th IMO Assembly: The elections took place on 28 November during the 34th session Read More …

Scientists Identify Mysterious “Burtele Foot”

Scientists have resolved the mystery surrounding the 3.4 million-year-old fossils known as the “Burtele Foot,” discovered in Ethiopia in 2009. The fossils have now been identified as belonging to the species Australopithecus deyiremeda, a little-known human ancestor. • New Fossil Evidence Leads to Breakthrough: The conclusion follows the recent discovery of 25 teeth and the jawbone of a 4½-year-old child near the original site. These new fossils matched the features Read More …

WTDC-25 Concludes in Baku: India Emerges as Key Driver of Global Digital Agenda

The World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025 (WTDC-25), held in Baku, concluded with India emerging as one of the most influential contributors to the global digital development agenda. The quadrennial summit saw participation from nearly 2,300 delegates, including over 65 ministers and heads of agencies. • High-Level Policy Vision Presented by IndiaIndia’s delegation, led by the Union Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, delivered a policy statement highlighting universal Read More …