• The 2025 FIDE World Chess Cup opened in Goa on Friday, marking a proud moment for Indian chess as the prestigious Viswanathan Anand Trophy was unveiled in honour of India’s first Grandmaster and five-time world champion. The event brings together 206 players from 80 countries, with the top three finishers earning spots in the 2026 Candidates Tournament, the final qualifier for the World Chess Championship.

• The Madras High Court has ordered an interim suspension of construction work on the Rs 2,000-crore Brigade Morgan Heights housing project near the Pallikaranai Marsh, one of Tamil Nadu’s most critical wetlands and a Ramsar-designated site. The decision came after a public interest litigation (PIL) raised concerns about ecological damage, flooding risks, and possible violations of environmental protection laws.

• The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has ended the acceptance of cheque and money order payments for all immigration-related filings. Starting in November 2025, applicants must now make payments electronically through Form G-1650, marking a major shift toward a digital and paperless immigration system.

• The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Adaptation Gap Report (AGR) 2025 warns of a growing global shortfall in climate adaptation finance amid worsening climate-related disasters. The report highlights that while adaptation needs are surging, funding commitments remain grossly inadequate, leaving developing nations increasingly vulnerable to floods, droughts, and rising sea levels.

India has earned global acclaim by achieving three Guinness World Records under the “Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan” (SNSPA), a nationwide initiative focused on women’s health and preventive care. Conducted between September 17 and October 2, 2025, the campaign marked a major milestone in India’s public health efforts, coinciding with Poshan Maah and reflecting a strong push for women-centric wellness programs.