India remains the fastest-growing large economy, according to the United Nations (UN). As per the UN’s World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) mid-year report, the Indian economy is expected to grow by 6.3 per cent this fiscal year, even as the global economy faces a “precarious moment.”

Ingo Pitterle, a senior UN economist, said the growth is driven by strong private consumption and public investment. The report projects India’s growth to rise slightly to 6.4 per cent next year. In contrast, global growth is forecast at just 2.4 per cent in 2025, with trade tensions and policy uncertainty weakening the outlook.

The report also noted positive trends in inflation and employment. Inflation is expected to ease from 4.9 per cent in 2024 to 4.3 per cent in 2025, remaining within the central bank’s target range.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared a polio outbreak in Papua New Guinea.

Samples of the highly infectious virus were found in two healthy children during a routine screening in Lae, a coastal city in the country's north east.

"We have to make maximum effort to get 100% [vaccination] coverage," Dr Sevil Huseynova, WHO's representative in Papua New Guinea, said at a media conference on Thursday, according to the BBC.

Papua New Guinea was said to be polio-free since 2000, until an outbreak in 2018, which was contained within the same year.

The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) has released the 36th Monthly Report on the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) of Central Ministries and Departments’ performance for the month of April. Nearly one lakh 25 thousand grievances were redressed by central ministries and departments in April this year.

The report states that the Department of Posts, Department of Telecommunications and Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare topped the Group ‘A’ category in the rankings, while the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Ministry of Heavy Industries topped the Group ‘B’ category. Around 48 thousand new users registered last month, with maximum registrations from Uttar Pradesh. The report provides a detailed analysis of types and categories of public grievances and the nature of disposal.

The total number of Aadhaar authentication transactions has crossed 150 billion mark, making it a milestone moment in the journey of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and for the broader Aadhaar ecosystem.

The landmark highlights the extensive usage and utility of Aadhaar, and the growth of digital economy in the country. Ministry of Electronics and IT in a statement said that the cumulative number was achieved by the end of April 2025, since its inception.

The Ministry added that in April alone, almost 210 crore Aadhaar authentication transactions were carried out which is nearly eight percent more than the same month in 2024. It added that Aadhaar-based authentication has been playing a stellar role in aiding ease of living, in effective welfare delivery, and in voluntarily availing various services offered by service providers.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed monetary penalties on two major banks – Deutsche Bank AG, India, and Yes Bank Limited – for violations of regulatory norms.

Deutsche Bank AG has been penalised 50 lakh rupees for non-compliance with RBI directions regarding the creation of a Central Repository of Large Common Exposures Across Banks and the Central Repository of Information on Large Credits (CRILC) – Revision in Reporting. RBI found that Deutsche Bank had failed to report credit information of certain borrowers to the CRILC system. After considering the bank’s reply and submissions during a personal hearing, RBI determined that the violation warranted a monetary penalty.

In a separate order, RBI imposed a penalty of 29.60 lakh rupees on Yes Bank Limited for failing to comply with directions on financial statements presentation and disclosures. RBI noted that the bank did not provide correct and complete information regarding customer complaints in its Annual Financial Statements for the year 2023-24. This action was also taken under the same provisions of the Banking Regulation Act.

President Droupadi Murmu today conferred the 58th Jnanpith Award on Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya at a function in New Delhi. Jagadguru Rambhadracharya and the renowned Urdu poet and lyricist Gulzar have been selected for this prestigious award for 2023. These eminent personalities have been honoured with this award for their outstanding contribution in the field of literature.

Speaking on the occasion, the president congratulated Jagadguru Rambhadracharya and Gulzar for the Jnanpith Award. However, Gulzar could not attend the award ceremony as he is not well. President Murmu said that literature unites and awakens society. The president said, from the social awakening of the 19th century to the country’s freedom struggle in the 20th century, poets and writers have played a great role in connecting people. She said the song ‘Vande Mataram’, composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, has been awakening the children of Mother India for almost 150 years and will always do so.

Speaking about Jagadguru Rambhadracharya, the president said that he has set an inspiring example of excellence. She expressed confidence that by taking inspiration from his glorious life, future generations will continue to move ahead on the right path in literary creation, society-building, and nation-building.

The Ministry of Culture has launched a powerful and binding initiative, Ek Desh Ek Dhadkan (One Nation, One Heartbeat), to honour the bravehearts of the nation. The slogan Ek Desh Ek Dhadkan is being widely adopted across digital platforms, amplifying the spirit of unity, patriotic fervour and reverence for the Tiranga.

The campaign has already begun to resonate strongly with citizens across India. Over the past 48 hours, all 43 institutions under its aegis of the Ministry of Culture have shown cohesive and enthusiastic participation. The Ministry said, prominent cultural institutions and heritage sites have been illuminated in the colours of the Indian flag. Under the supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India, more than 60 heritage monuments across the country have been lit with the tricolour.

India and the European Union have jointly launched two major research initiatives under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC), aiming to develop innovative solutions in the areas of marine pollution and green hydrogen production from waste. The projects, backed by a combined investment of ₹391 crore (approximately €41 million), mark a significant step in strengthening bilateral cooperation in science and technology.

The TTC, established in 2022 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, serves as a platform to deepen strategic collaboration in trade and technology between India and the EU.

The first initiative focuses on tackling the pressing issue of marine plastic litter and other pollutants. Co-funded by the European Union and India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences, this project aims to develop advanced tools to monitor, assess, and reduce the harmful impact of pollutants such as microplastics, heavy metals, and organic compounds on marine ecosystems. The research is expected to contribute to global commitments like the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and support national policies, including India’s National Marine Litter Policy and the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan.

Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Scotland captain Kathryn Bryce have been named ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month for April 2025, respectively. Miraz played a pivotal role in helping Bangladesh level the two-match series 1-1 against Zimbabwe.

As a result, Miraz became just the third player from Bangladesh to win the men’s monthly award after Shakib al Hasan, who won in March 2023 and Mushfiqur Rahim. The spin all-rounder played a pivotal role in his team’s victory in the second Test, putting his all-round skills on display.

Miraz scored a magnificent century, playing an innings of 104 (162), with the help of 11 fours and a six. The off-spinner also scalped a five-wicket haul (5/32) in the second innings to help his team register a comprehensive win by an innings and 106 runs. The 27-year-old was deservedly adjudged Player of the Match for his sensational performance.

Our natural balance is presently at risk, and human actions further amplify and drive many species to the brink of extinction. National Endangered Species Day calls for a crucial effort to preserve endangered species and their habitats.

It is observed annually on the third Friday of May worldwide, and this year, in 2025, it’s falling on May 16, Friday, under the theme “celebrate saving species”. It calls for action to reduce the harmful human activities that threaten species, while also encouraging us to be more mindful and contribute to the well-being of nature and endangered species.

To inspire people globally to learn more about endangered animals and their conservation, the Endangered Species Coalition and David Robinson co-founded National Endangered Species Day in 2006.