The dawn of 2025 has brought with it not only a New Year but also a new generational cohort — Generation Beta. In India, this shift was marked by the birth of the first recorded Generation Beta baby, Frankie Remruatdika Zadeng, born in Aizawl, Mizoram, at 12:03 am on January 1.

Weighing 3.12 kg, Frankie represents the start of an era that futurist Mark McCrindle predicts will be shaped by unprecedented technological integration and societal evolution.

Dr Vanlalkima, the attending gynaecologist, told PTI that the birth was ‘regular, with no complications.’

India’s 16-year-old squash prodigy Anahat Singh was the top seed at the year’s British Open Juniors in the U17 category. But she had to navigate a tough path before clinching her first title in that age-group, tackling three Egyptians, always the toughest bunch of squash players.

Twenty-two years after Joshna Chinappa made history for India claiming the British Juniors U17, Anahat matched her compatriot’s feat at the Birmingham University glass courts.

With squash slated to debut at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, Anahat’s third British Open title, having picked earlier ones in U11 and U15 categories, is shaping up into a fine career trajectory. It was also a memorable comeback after losing last year’s final.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation Monday in the face of rising discontent over his leadership and after the abrupt departure of his finance minister signalled growing turmoil within his government.

A misty-eyed Mr. Trudeau said it had become clear to him that he cannot “be the leader during the next elections due to internal battles.” He planned to stay on as prime minister until a new leader of the Liberal Party is chosen.

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to reporters, announcing he intends to step down as Liberal Party leader and Prime Minister, but he will stay on in his post until a replacement has been chosen, from his Rideau Cottage residence in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on January 6, 2025.

“I don’t easily back down faced with a fight, especially a very important one for our party and the country. But I do this job because the interests of Canadians and the well being of democracy is something that I hold dear,” he said at the announcement outside his official residence.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on 9th January every year since 2003 to mark the contribution of the Overseas Indian community in the development of India. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention features plenary sessions, an exhibition, and cultural programs and provides an opportunity to interact with other overseas Indians, policymakers, political leadership, and others. During the event, the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award is also given to individuals of exceptional merit to appreciate their role in India's growth.

Since 2015, its format has been revised to celebrate the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas once every two years and to hold theme-based Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conferences during the intervening period with participation from overseas diaspora experts, policy makers, and stakeholders. These conventions provide a platform to the overseas Indian community to engage with the government and people of the land of their ancestors for mutually beneficial activities. These conventions are also very useful in networking among the overseas Indian community residing in various parts of the world and enable them to share their experiences in various fields.

The Centre has cleared the appointment of judges in the High Courts of Delhi and Uttarakhand. In a social media post, Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said, President Droupadi Murmu has appointed advocates Ajay Digpaul and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar as judges of the Delhi High Court, and judicial officer Ashish Naithani as a judge of the Uttarakhand High Court.

In its meeting held on December 22, last year, the Supreme Court Collegium approved the proposal for the appointment of judicial officer Naithani as a judge of the Uttarakhand High Court. In August, the SC Collegium headed by then Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud recommended the elevation of advocates Ajay Digpaul, Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar, and Shwetasree Majumder as judges in the Delhi High Court.

In a remarkable biodiversity discovery, Tripura has recorded its first-ever sighting of the rare Banded Royal butterfly (Rachana jalindra indra) in the state. The find, made in the Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary, has been documented in the international peer-reviewed journal Munis Entomology & Zoology.

The butterfly was initially spotted on May 5, 2021, during a research survey in the sanctuary. Animesh Das, a member of the research team, confirmed that this species had not been previously recorded in Tripura, expanding its known distribution range. The Banded Royal butterfly is protected under Schedule II of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Further identification was made on May 20, 2021, when the butterfly was photographed while basking on bushes along a forest track. Researchers noted its distinct white underside with a broad chocolate-colored band and green scales on the hindwings.

Pharma major Cipla announced the launch of CipAir, a mobile application designed to facilitate the first line of screening for asthma in India. This app aims to empower users by helping them understand their likelihood of having asthma, therefore enabling timely intervention and management, the company said in a press release on Monday.

Users are required to perform three exhalations while focusing on extinguishing a virtual candle displayed on the screen. The app provides real-time feedback on the quality of the test and analyses exhalation sounds to detect acoustic patterns indicative of asthma. Results are categorised into Red, Yellow, or Green zones, guiding users on the next steps.

"The mobile-based assessment serves as an easy and convenient starting point for asthma screening. It can facilitate earlier diagnosis, enabling individuals with asthma to manage their condition more effectively and lead a healthier lifestyle," the drugmaker said.

Kiran Jadhav of Navy was in spectacular form over the last 12 shots that ranged between 10.4 and 10.8 to clinch the gold medal in the air rifle open event of the 15th Lakshya Cup shooting championship at the Kamala Sports Academy in Panvel on Sunday.

The 29-year-old Kiran, a trainee of the Lakshya Club from 2015, overtook the early leaders Gajanan Khandagale and Mohit Gowda for the gold.

“I have been in the finals every time since 2018. It is a special feeling, winning the gold for the first time. I believe in enjoying every moment of the sport and go with the flow,” said Kiran, who collected a cash prize of Rs.1,50,000.

Asian Games gold-winning former shot putter Bahadur Singh Sagoo was on Tuesday elected unopposed as the Athletics Federation of India’s president, succeeding the long-serving Adille Sumariwalla in the top position.

The 51-year-old Sagoo, who will serving a four-year term, won a shot put gold in the 2002 Busan Asian Games and also took part in the 2000 and 2004 Olympics. He is a member of the AFI Athletes Commission.

Sagoo was the lone candidate left in fray after incumbent senior vice president Anju Bobby George opted out of the race for the position.

His election was formalised at the two-day Annual General Meeting of the AFI.

Celebrated filmmakers Yash Chopra and Shyam Benegal will be honoured at the upcoming edition of the Jaipur International Film Festival (JIFF) 2025, set to be held in the Rajasthan capital between January 17 and 21.

While the gala will bestow the Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award on Chopra, it will also pay tribute to Benegal, who died late last year.

Chopra, known for films such as "Deewar", "Kabhi Kabhie", "Dil To Pagal Hai", "Veer-Zaara", and "Jab Tak Hai Jaan", left an indelible mark with a filmography that spans across decades, capturing hearts worldwide, according to a press release.

"His directorial debut, 'Dhool Ka Phool' (1959), set the tone for socially conscious narratives. Following this, 'Dharmputra' (1961) delved into the complexities of communal tensions. With 'Waqt' (1965), he introduced the genre of multi-starrer films, setting new trends in storytelling.