Switzerland implemented a series of significant changes starting January 1, 2025, which impact various sectors including legal, economic, and social frameworks. These include a ban on facial coverings, reforms to inheritance laws, increased pensions, and measures to strengthen bank solvency and liquidity. The changes reflect a growing alignment with European norms and a response to past financial crises. Here is a detailed overview of these changes.
Switzerland has revised its international inheritance law to better align with the European Succession Regulation.
The reform aims to resolve frequent jurisdictional conflicts between Switzerland and EU/EFTA countries, particularly affecting the Swiss expatriates.
India 2nd most Targeted Nation in Terms of Cyber Attacks
India emerged as the second most targeted nation in terms of cyber attacks in the world as 95 Indian entities came under data theft attacks in 2024, according to a report by cyber intelligence firm CloudSEK.
According to the company's ThreatLandscape Report 2024 based on data monitoring in dark web, the US was the most targeted country, with 140 attacks, due to its economic dominance and digital infrastructure followed by India where data of 95 entities were attacked in 2024.
Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Tops Global Sovereign Investments with $29.2 Billion in 2024
Mubadala Investment Company, Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth fund, claimed the title of the world's leading sovereign investor in 2024, deploying an impressive $29.2 billion across 52 deals. This marks a significant achievement, as it surpassed Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and accounted for approximately 20% of the $136.1 billion in total sovereign wealth fund spending globally last year (2024).
Manish Singhal New Secretary General of ASSOCHAM
The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), one of the country's oldest business chambers, appointed Manish Singhal as its new Secretary General. Singhal brings over 35 years of experience in both corporate India and chambers of commerce, having previously served as the Deputy Secretary General of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
His extensive career includes stints with major Indian transnational companies such as Tata Motors, Eicher (Volvo), Tata Auto Comp Systems, Moser Baer India, and BEML. Singhal succeeds Deepak Sood, who led ASSOCHAM for the last five years, steering the chamber to success and establishing a solid financial foundation.
ASSOCHAM, established in 1920, plays a crucial role in policy advocacy and strengthening India's economic ecosystem.
Amit Ganorkar new CEO & MD of TATA AIG General Insurance Company
TATA AIG General Insurance Company appointed Amit Ganorkar as its Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director.
Ganorkar succeeded Neelesh Garg after the approval of the Board of Directors.
Ganorkar has more than two decades of experience in the general insurance industry, especially in key sectors such as sales and distribution, as well as product development. He previously served as the Managing Director of Royal Sundaram General Insurance. Ganorkar has also served as the Chief Operating Officer at TATA AIG.
Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar Takes Oath as Kerala Governor
Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar took the oath as the 23rd Governor of Kerala at a function held at Raj Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram. Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court, Justice Nitin Jamdar, administered the oath.
Arlekar succeeded Arif Mohammed Khan, who was transferred to serve as the Governor of Bihar. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Secretary Sharada Muraleedharan, Chief Justice Jamdar, and Additional Chief Secretary for General Administration K. R. Jyothilal welcomed the newly appointed Governor and his wife, Anagha Arlekar.
Union Minister Virendra Kumar Presides over Stakeholder Meeting on Welfare Initiatives for DNT Communities
Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment (SJ&E), Virendra Kumar, chaired a pivotal stakeholder meeting focusing on the welfare and development of De-notified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DNT), in New Delhi. The event was graced by the presence of MoS (SJ&E), Ramdas Athawale, along with other senior officials of Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE).
The meeting served as a dynamic platform for peer learning, showcasing innovative initiatives and successful practices implemented across States to uplift DNT communities. Representatives from Governments of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu shared their strategies and solutions for addressing the unique challenges faced by these communities and driving their holistic development.
Veteran Journalist S. Jayachandran Nair Passes Away
Renowned writer and senior journalist S. Jayachandran Nair, known for redefining Malayalam magazine journalism with a focus on literature and culture, passed away at the age of 85.
Nair authored numerous books, including his autobiography 'Ente Pradakshina Vazhikal,' which won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2012.
His work 'Mounaprararthana Pole,' a study of filmmaker G. Aravindan, won the National Award for Best Book on Cinema in 2018.
Nair received several accolades, including the K. Balakrishnan Memorial Award, M. V. Pylee Journalism Award, and the C. H. Mohammed Koya Award.
Born in Sreevaraham in Thiruvananthapuram district, Nair began his career with the Kaumudi weekly under the editorship of K Balakrishnan.
He later worked with Malayalarajyam, Kerala Janatha, and Kerala Kaumudi.
In 1975, he joined Kalakaumudi Weekly as associate editor and later became its editor.
In 1997, when the New Indian Express Group launched Samakalika Malayalam Weekly, he became its editor, holding the position until 2013.
The Indian government announced the recipients of the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award for 2024, honouring exceptional contributions to sports.
Manu Bhaker, Harmanpreet Singh, Praveen Kumar and D. Gukesh were the four recipients of the 2024 Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is India's highest sporting honour, awarded for the most outstanding performance in sports by an individual or team. Instituted in 1991–1992, it has recognised numerous athletes who have brought glory to the nation through their exceptional talent and dedication.
Magnus Carlsen, Nepomniachtchi Share Blitz Title
Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi's decision to share the World Blitz Championship title for the first time in history sent shockwaves through the chess community, sparking widespread criticism. World number one Carlsen and Russia's Nepomniachtchi shared the Blitz title after three sudden-death games failed to produce a winner. This is the first time that the title was awarded to two players after the Norwegian asked whether it could be shared given the deadlock.
Biden Awards Liz Cheney, Bennie with Presidential Citizens Medal
Former Representative Liz Cheney, who bucked her Republican Party as a strong critic of President-elect Donald Trump and some of his allies, is one of the 20 people awarded by President Joe Biden with the Presidential Citizens Medal, one of the country's highest civilian honours.
The medal is awarded to US citizens who have performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens.
Cheney, a one-time Republican member of Congress, served as vice chair of the House of Representatives select committee that investigated the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters.
Cabinet Approves Seven Major Schemes to Enhance Farmers' Lives and Livelihoods
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved seven significant schemes aimed at improving farmers' lives and increasing their incomes, with a total financial outlay of Rs. 13,966 crore.
Following are the schemes approved:
1. Digital Agriculture Mission (Rs. 2,817 crore). This mission seeks to leverage technology to enhance farmers' lives by establishing a robust Digital Public Infrastructure.
2. Crop Science for Food and Nutritional Security (Rs. 3,979 crore)
This initiative focuses on preparing farmers for climate resilience and ensuring food security by 2047.
3. Strengthening Agricultural Education, Management, and Social Sciences (Rs. 2,291 crore)
This measure aims to prepare agriculture students and researchers for current challenges.
4. Sustainable Livestock Health and Production (Rs. 1,702 crore)
This decision aims to increase farmers' income from livestock and dairy.
5. Sustainable Development of Horticulture (Rs. 860 crore)
This measure is aimed at increasing farmers' income from horticulture plants.
6. Strengthening of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (Rs. 1,202 crore)
This initiative focuses on enhancing the capacity of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (agricultural extension centers) to disseminate knowledge and best practices to farmers, thereby improving productivity and income.
7. Natural Resource Management (Rs. 1,115 crore)
This scheme focuses on the sustainable management of natural resources, essential for ensuring the long-term viability of agricultural practices while also protecting the environment.
Blinkit Launches 10-Minute Ambulance Service in Gurgaon
Blinkit CEO Albinder Dhindsa announced the launch of an instant ambulance service, where residents of Gurgaon can book an ambulance through the Blinkit app and have it arrive within 10 minutes. This initiative aims to address the critical need for quick emergency medical transport in urban areas. The service, which includes Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances, marks a significant step toward providing fast and reliable medical aid.
PM Modi Lays Foundation Stone for DU's Veer Savarkar College
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stones for two new campuses of Delhi University (DU). These campuses, located in East and West Delhi, will house colleges named after Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar and former BJP leader Sushma Swaraj.
IIT Guwahati Develops Injectable Hydrogel for Targeted Breast Cancer Therapy
Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, in collaboration with Bose Institute Kolkata, developed an advanced injectable hydrogel designed for localised breast cancer treatment. This innovative hydrogel system allows for precise delivery of anti-cancer drugs to tumour sites, minimising side effects commonly seen in conventional treatments like chemotherapy.
Tripura CM Manik Saha Inaugurates Agartala Book Fair
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha inaugurated the 43rd Agartala Book Fair at Hapania International Fair Ground.
A total of 177 stalls have been set up at the book fair this year (2025), but for the first time in its history, there is no Bangladeshi participation in the fair.
Of the 177 book stalls, 42 are from outside the state. These are mostly from West Bengal, Assam, and Delhi.
Amit Shah Releases 'Jammu Kashmir & Ladakh Through The Ages : A Visual Narrative of Continuities and Linkages' Book
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, released the book 'Jammu Kashmir & Ladakh Through the Ages: A Visual Narrative of Continuities and Linkages' in New Delhi. Many dignitaries including Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan and Chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) and Editor of the book Prof. Raghuvendra Tanwar were present on the occasion.
Air India First Airline to Roll out Wi-Fi for Select Domestic Flights
Tata group airline Air India rolled out Wi-Fi internet connectivity services on board domestic and international flights operated by select aircraft in its fleet. With the rollout of this service, Air India became the first Indian airline to offer internet connectivity on domestic flights.
Wi-Fi will be offered free of charge on domestic flights operated by select aircraft for a limited introductory period. The airline did not specify the length of the introductory period. Over time, Air India plans to progressively offer the service on other aircraft in its fleet.