IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 Opens in Abu Dhabi
The IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, the world's largest gathering of conservation leaders, policymakers, and scientists, opened in Abu Dhabi under the theme 'Powering Transformative Conservation'. With just five years remaining to meet critical global biodiversity targets, more than 1,400 member organisations from over 160 countries are convening at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from October 9 to 15 to chart new strategies for protecting nature and supporting communities.
The opening ceremony, focused on "Revitalising Global Governance for Nature and People," featured keynote addresses that underscored the urgency of integrated global action to combat biodiversity loss, climate change, and environmental degradation.
Akasa Air Co-Founder and Senior Vice President Neelu Khatri Resigns
Akasa Air's co-founder and Senior Vice President for international operations Neelu Khatri put in her papers, marking a high-level exit at the three-year-old airline.
Khatri is among the founding team of Akasa Air, which started flying in August 2022. She is also one of the executive committee members of the airline.
Apart from Khatri, Akasa Air has five other co-founders -- Aditya Ghosh, Anand Srinivasan, Belson Coutinho, Bhavin Joshi and Praveen Iyer.
World's First Solar-thermal Power plant Commences in China's Gobi Desert
China made a revolutionary breakthrough in renewable energy engineering after it launched the world's first solar-thermal power plant that utilises a dual-tower system to generate electricity in the Gobi Desert.
Developed by the Three Gorges Corporation, a wind and solar energy company headquartered in Guazhou County, China, the new facility combines efficiency, innovation and large-scale clean power production in one of the planet's harshest environments.
India-UAE Hold Strategic Cultural Council Meeting to Strengthen Bilateral Ties
The Director-General of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, K. Nandini Singla, concluded a three-day visit to the United Arab Emirates on, highlighted by her co-chairing of the second Joint Steering Committee Meeting of the India-UAE Cultural Council alongside Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE.
The meeting, held in Abu Dhabi, built upon the foundation established during the first Joint Steering Committee Meeting in New Delhi in March this year (2025), when Minister Al Kaabi visited India. The Cultural Council Forum was established through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by both nations with the objective of strengthening the deep-rooted cultural and people-to-people bonds between India and the UAE.
Exposition of Buddha's Sacred Relics from India to Russia's Kalmykia Republic
The sacred Relics of the Buddha enshrined in the National Museum, New Delhi travelled to Russia's Kalmykia Republic for an exposition, accompanied by a high-level delegation of 11- senior Indian monks who will Bless the local devotees and conduct religious service for the predominantly Buddhist population of the region.
The Holy Relics received by Head of the Buddhists of Kalmykia, Shajin Lama of Kalmykia, Geshe Tenzin Choidak, Batu Sergeyevich Khasikov, Head of Republic of Kalmykia and other eminent Buddhist Sangha members.
It may be recalled that it was the 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, the revered Buddhist monk and diplomat from Ladakh who played a pivotal role in reviving Buddhism in Mongolia and subsequently, also instrumental in reintroducing interest in Buddha dharma in the three regions of Russia, namely Buryatia, Kalmykia, and Tuva.
The Holy Relics exposition, a first in the Russian Republic, is being organised by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), the National Museum, and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA). It is being held in the capital city of Elista from October 11-18, 2025.
Sherry Singh Wins India's First Mrs Universe Crown
In a shining moment of glory for the nation, India etched its name in global pageantry history as Sherry Singh was crowned Mrs Universe 2025 at the prestigious finale held in Manila, Philippines. Competing against 120 accomplished women from across the world, Sherry brought home India's first-ever Mrs Universe crown. Her victory represents not only personal achievement but also a celebration of Indian womanhood, resilience, and grace on the world stage.
Delhi Government Launches Online First Aid Training Programme for Teachers
The Delhi government announced a new online training programme aimed at equipping teachers with essential first aid knowledge and skills to handle health emergencies.
According to a circular issued by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), the course, conducted under the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) format, began on October 9 and concludes on October 19.
The training, titled "First Aid – To Improve Human Reaction in Challenging Health Situations," is mandatory for all teachers and is hosted on an online platform.
Yaanam 2025: Kerala Tourism to Host India's First Travel Literary Festival
Kerala Tourism will host India's first travel literary festival, 'Yaanam 2025: Tales, Trails & Journeys', from October 17 to 19 2025 at Ranga Kala Kendram, Varkala, Kerala.
The three-day festival will bring together travellers, writers, artists and adventurers to share stories and experiences through panels, trails and performances. Designed to spotlight Varkala as an experiential destination, Yaanam also fosters cultural exchange, narrative tourism and sustainable travel. The festival complements Kerala Tourism's innovative initiatives, strengthening the state's global tourism appeal.
Travel and Food Network Launches India's First AI-Powered Trip Planner
Travel and Food Network (TFN), a global digital media and entertainment brand headquartered in India, announced the launch of its AI Trip Planner, the country's first AI-driven holiday planning platform by any Indian publisher.
The platform, live on www.tfninternational.com, combines advanced artificial intelligence with TFN's editorial expertise to generate hyper-personalized itineraries, and closing the loop by providing expert assistance to complete the booking of the personalised itinerary, through a curated network of travel partners.
The launch aligned with World Tourism Day's call for a Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism. Marking a pivotal step where AI becomes the traveler's compass, making journeys smarter, more personal, and future-ready.
Former President Ram Nath Kovind Inaugurates Tribal Art Exhibition at India Habitat Centre
Former President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated a tribal art exhibition titled 'Silent Conversation- From Margins to the Centre' at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. Former President took a tour of the exhibition and interacted with artists. Over 250 paintings and crafts of more than 50 tribal artists from 17 states were showcased The exhibition in its fourth edition, aims to spread awareness about the conservation ethos of tribal communities and other forest-dwellers residing in and around forests, particularly India's tiger reserves.
The event was organised by an NGO with support from the National Tiger Conservation Authority, a body under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change and the International Big Cat Alliance.
Bar Council of England and Wales Hosts Family Law Symposium
The Bar Council of England and Wales, in collaboration with leading members of the Indian Bar, hosted a Family Law Symposium 2025 – Bridging Perspectives between England and Wales and India at Casuarina Hall, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi.
The Symposium brought together senior advocates, barristers, academics, and mediators from both jurisdictions to exchanged expertise and strengthen professional cooperation. Key discussion themes included:
- Cross-border family disputes: Children, custody, and jurisdictional challenges
- Financial remedies and enforcement: Asset sharing across jurisdictions
- Non-court dispute resolution: Family arbitration and mediation practices