Introduction

The Supreme Court of India in an important decision in Shivangi Bansal vs Sahib Bansal (2025) has affirmed the guidelines laid down by the Allahabad High Court to deal with the perceived abuse of Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The rules recommend two months of cooling off period prior to coercive action and provide for referrals of the complaints to Family Welfare Committees (FWCs). The ruling has once again sparked the controversies concerning the balancing of the rights of women and protection against false arrests.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a mutual defence agreement that broadens the strategic relationship of the two countries during the state visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Riyadh. The agreement contains a huge point which states that any aggression to either of the countries would be regarded as aggression to both.

The Diving Support Vessel (DSV) of the Indian Navy, INS Nistar, is participating in the Exercise Pacific Reach 2025, which is a major multinational submarine rescue exercise and maritime safety exercise taking place in Singapore. Having more than 40 countries involved, this exercise on a bi-annual basis demonstrates the value of global cooperation in the case of underwater emergencies and enhancing naval interoperability.

On 15 September 2025, the Freedom Edge trilateral military exercise will start in which the armed forces of South Korea, the United States, and Japan participate in a five-day military operation at international waters off Jeju Island. It is the third round of the exercise after previous exercises in June and November 24, and indicates an increase in strategic collaboration between the three allies.

India Muzaffarpur district in Bihar has made a phenomenal breakthrough on student innovativeness by leading in the INSPIRE Award Standard Scheme 2025. The district recorded the highest number of submissions of 7,403 among school students, out-of-state education centers like Bengaluru Urban (7,306) and Bagalkot (6,826). This success underscores the increased contribution of this district in instilling a scientific creativity in the minds of young learners.