Galápagos tortoise Gramma, the oldest resident of the San Diego Zoo, has died.
Gramma was born in her native habitat and was estimated to be about 141 years old, zoo officials said. She died Nov. 20.
Galapagos tortoises can live for over 100 years in the wild, and close to double that in captivity.
The oldest known Galapagos tortoise was named Harriet, who lived at the Australia Zoo until the age of 175. She was collected from the Galapagos Islands in 1835, when she was just the size of a dinner plate, according to the zoo. This means that she hatched somewhere around 1830, and she died in 2006.
The 53rd International Emmy Awards were held on November 24, 2025, at the New York Hilton Midtown, presented by the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The ceremony honored outstanding television made outside the U.S., with winners across 16 categories from 26 countries.
India's "Amar Singh Chamkila" earned two nominations, with Diljit Dosanjh nominated for Best Actor, marking a watershed moment for Indian storytelling on global television's biggest stage.
The President of India has nominated Supreme Court judge Justice Vikram Nath as the new executive chairperson of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), with the appointment taking effect from November 24. A notification issued by the ministry of law and justice on November 19 said the nomination was made under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
As per convention, the post goes to the second senior-most judge of the Supreme Court. Justice Nath, currently next in line after Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, succeeds him in this key administrative role.
He will now helm the country’s top legal aid institution, which is tasked with ensuring free and competent legal services for marginalised and economically weaker citizens. Justice Nath is also in line to serve as the CJI for seven months between February 10 and September 24, 2027.
Fair trade regulator CCI cleared the proposal of ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company to acquire certain businesses from ICICI Venture Funds Management Company.
ICICI AMC is involved in managing mutual funds, providing portfolio management services, managing alternative investment funds, and providing advisory services to offshore clients.
ICICI AMC is involved in managing mutual funds, providing portfolio management services, managing alternative investment funds, and providing advisory services to offshore clients.
The asset management company is a joint venture between ICICI Bank Ltd and Prudential Corporation Holdings Ltd, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Prudential Plc.
As part of the deal, the acquirer will take over two key business components: the investment management business that comprises managing and/or sponsoring five Sebi-registered alternative investment funds, and the business of providing non-exclusive, non-binding advice to an identified offshore investment fund.
In a separate release, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) granted its nod for the acquisition of Toyota Industries Corporation by Toyota Asset Preparatory Co, Ltd.
Toyota Asset Preparatory Co, Ltd will eventually be held to the extent of 99 per cent by Toyota Fudosan Co, Ltd.
In another release, the antitrust regulator approved the proposed acquisition of 100 per cent shareholding of Jhajjar Power Ltd by Jindal Jhajjar Power Ltd.
Jindal Jhajjar Power Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jindal Power Limited (JPL). JPL is engaged in power (including thermal power) production, while Jhajjar Power is engaged in thermal power production.
The 19th edition of Joint Military exercise “Exercise SURYAKIRAN XIX - 2025” commenced today at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. The exercise is being conducted from 25 November to 08 December 2025.
The Indian contingent, of 334 personnels, is being represented mainly by troops from the ASSAM Regiment.
The Nepal side is being represented by 334 personnels represented mainly by troops from DEVI DATTA Regiment.
The aim of the exercise is to jointly rehearse conduct of Sub Conventional operations under Chapter VII of United Nations Mandate.
This edition of Exercise SURYAKIRAN–XIX will focus on incorporating niche and emerging technologies, including Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), drone-based ISR, AI-enabled decision support tools, unmanned logistic vehicles and armoured protection platforms, enabling both armies to refine and adapt Tactics, Techniques and Procedures for operating in counter terrorism.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is organizing two days ‘Shatabdi Sammelan’ as a part of its centenary year celebrations. The Sammelan is scheduled for 26th and 27th November 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Shri Om Birla, Hon’ble Speaker of the Lok Sabha, will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest, and Dr. Jitendra Singh.
Two-days Shatabdi Sammelan will include a Conference ‘Chintan’ on the occasion of Constitution Day on 26th November 2025 to commemorate the Constitutional legacy of public service commissions in the country.
The event will serve as a forum for reflection and dialogue on the role of the UPSC and State PSCs in nation-building, fostering discussions on reforms, inclusivity, and technological transformation in public recruitment.
Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol, fondly known as the 'He-Man' of Indian cinema, died in Mumbai. He was 89.
Born on December 8, 1935, in Punjab's Nasrali, he was regarded as one of Hindi cinema's most enduring actors. With a career spanning over six decades, Dharmendra built an on-screen legacy defined by action, charm, and remarkable versatility.
The actor was known for his iconic roles in movies like Sholay, Phool Aur Patthar, and Chupke Chupke.
Dharmendra made his acting debut in 1960 with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere. Through the 1960s, he transitioned from romantic leads to more varied roles, displaying a physicality and emotional range that set him apart.
The Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) app on Tuesday launched a full delegation feature for UPI Circle, aiming to net new users on the real-time payments rails.
The feature will allow primary users to authorise their trusted secondary contacts to make UPI payments from their account, subject to a maximum monthly limit of ₹15,000.
A primary account can delegate UPI payments to up to five secondary users, but each secondary user can be linked to only one primary account for payments. A secondary user may or may not have a bank account.
However, they should be registered on the BHIM app with a valid virtual payments address (VPA).
At present, Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has over 450 million registered users. It is run by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
UPI Circle was launched in 2024. It comes with a feature to partially and fully delegate payments.
Unlike full delegation, partial delegation requires approval from the primary user for every transaction.
NPCI BHIM Services (NBSL) was incorporated in 2024, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the NPCI.
To set up full delegated UPI payments, one needs to go to the BHIM App, head to UPI Circle and invite the person using their contact or UPI ID.
Lalitha Nataraj- managing director and chief executive officer (CEO), BHIM.
Recognizing the important role of safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all in supporting sustainable economic growth, improving the social welfare of people and enhancing international cooperation and trade among countries, the General Assembly decided to declare 26 November as World Sustainable Transport Day.
Transport is vital for promoting connectivity, trade, economic growth and employment. Yet it is also implicated as a significant source of green-house gas emissions. Resolving these trade-offs is essential to achieving sustainable transport and, through that, sustainable development.
Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh and Secretary General, Ministry of Defence, Oman Dr Mohammed Bin Naseer Bin Ali Al Zaabi co-chaired the 13th Joint Military Cooperation Committee meeting in New Delhi on November 24, 2025.
Both officials reviewed & appreciated the robust defence cooperation between the two countries and discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral engagements in various areas. They also shared perspectives on regional and international security developments, particularly relating to the Indian Ocean Region.
India and Oman have a strategic partnership built on strong political, defence, economic, and cultural ties. Key strategic points include, economic collaboration and energy security through oil and gas trade; and shared interests in regional stability, counter-terrorism, and maritime security.
In a landmark initiative to strengthen India’s cybersecurity ecosystem, S Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched the Cyber Security Innovation Challenge (CSIC) 1.0 under the Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) Project of MeitY. The launch event was held at Electronics Niketan, MeitY, New Delhi on 24.11.2025.
CSIC 1.0 is strategically designed to foster indigenous, research-driven cyber security solutions from the academic ecosystem and is open to students and researchers.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, today announced the establishment of four state-of-the-art Quantum Fabrication and Central Facilities worth ₹720 crore across IIT Bombay, IISc Bengaluru, IIT Kanpur and IIT Delhi under the National Quantum Mission (NQM).
Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Minister of State (I/C) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and Minister of State for Education, Shri Jayant Chaudhary inaugurated and flagged off two new Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) train services between Delhi and Shamli,
(Delhi Junction–Shamli–Delhi Junction and Delhi Shahdara–Shamli–Delhi Shahdara) at Baraut railway station.
The Union Minister said that in the period after 2014, Uttar Pradesh has seen the construction of 5,272 kilometres of new tracks—equivalent to the entire rail network of Switzerland.
The state’s railway lines have also achieved 100% electrification. After 2014, in Uttar Pradesh, 1,460 flyovers and road underbridges were built across the state. For passenger convenience, 154 lifts and 156 escalators have been installed at various stations, and Wi-Fi facilities are now available at 771 stations.
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE), through the Development and Welfare Board for De‑Notified, Nomadic and Semi‑Nomadic Communities (DWBDNC), and the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), through the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY‑NRLM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU),
to advance inclusive development and social justice for historically marginalized communities.
Over the next three years, more than 5,000 DNT SHGs formed under DWBDNC will be assimilated into the DAY‑NRLM framework, gaining access to its full range of services. A unique feature of this collaboration is the introduction of a dedicated cadre — DNT Sakhi.
