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Surat Set to Become India’s First Slum-Free City Through Inclusive Urban Planning

January 03, 2026

Surat’s Slum-Free Vision and Urban Strategy

Surat, popularly known as India’s Diamond Capital, is on the verge of achieving a landmark urban milestone by becoming the country’s first fully slum-free city. Officials from the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) have stated that the city is close to ensuring permanent, safe housing for every family, effectively eliminating the need for informal slum settlements. The city’s strategy has centred on large-scale in-situ redevelopment, under which existing slum clusters are replaced with planned multi-storey housing at the same location. This ensures that residents are not displaced far from workplaces, schools, and social networks.

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Turkmenistan Legalises Cryptocurrency Mining and Exchanges Under New Civil Law Framework

January 03, 2026

Landmark Policy Shift in a Closed Economy

In a notable departure from its traditionally restrictive economic model, Turkmenistan has formally legalised cryptocurrency mining and exchange operations. The new legislation, signed on January 1, 2026 by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, provides official legal recognition to crypto-related activities and places virtual assets within the country’s civil law framework. The move represents one of the most significant financial policy changes in the gas-rich Central Asian nation in recent decades.

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Delhi Police Trace Over 1,300 Missing Persons in Southwest District Under Operation Milap

January 03, 2026

Over 1,300 Missing Persons Traced in a Year

The Delhi Police have traced as many as 1,303 missing persons in the southwest district over the past year under Operation Milap. The traced individuals include 434 children and 869 adults, reflecting sustained district-level efforts to reunite families and reinforce public confidence in law enforcement. Focused action continued through December 2025, adding to the overall success of the initiative.

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Draft Social Security Code Rules Propose New Eligibility Norms for Gig and Platform Workers

January 03, 2026

Centre Unveils Draft Social Security Code Rules

The Ministry of Labour and Employment has released draft rules under the Social Security Code that could significantly reshape welfare coverage for gig and platform workers across India. Issued for public consultation, the proposal seeks to operationalise social security provisions for workers engaged with food delivery, quick commerce and ride-hailing platforms, while also defining compliance responsibilities for aggregators.

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India–Bangladesh Begin Talks to Renew Ganga Water Sharing Treaty Ahead of 2026 Expiry

January 03, 2026

India–Bangladesh Reopen Dialogue on Ganga Waters

India and Bangladesh have formally initiated discussions to renew the Ganga Water Sharing Treaty, which is set to expire in December 2026, thirty years after it was signed. The renewed engagement marks a sensitive phase in bilateral relations as both countries reassess hydrological realities, climate pressures and political considerations linked to one of South Asia’s most critical transboundary river agreements.

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