Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said barring queer couples from adopting children amounts to discrimination. Delivering the judgment on same-sex marriages, CJI observed that the law cannot assume only heterosexual couples can be good parents. He ruled unmarried couples including queer couples can jointly adopt children. Referring to CARA guidelines, CJI said the Act does not stop unmarried couples from adopting and differentiation between married and unmarried couples has no reasonable nexus. Stating unmarried couples can provide stability, CJI said CARA circular allowing only individuals to adopt reinforces discrimination against the queer community.

While delivering the landmark same-sex marriage verdict, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud directed the central government to constitute a committee to decide the rights and entitlements of queer persons. As per the CJI, the committee should consider recognizing queer couples as 'family' for ration cards, joint bank accounts, pension and other benefits. The recommendations of the panel will be examined at the Union government level. The CJI stated that anti-discrimination laws are needed to protect the rights of the queer community in India.

The Supreme Court has issued directives to end discrimination against the queer community in India. A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud ordered the central, state and union territory governments to ensure queer people can access goods and services without facing harassment. The court said public awareness campaigns should be conducted to sensitise people about queer rights. It directed setting up of hotlines and safe houses for the queer community. The bench also said intersex children should not be forced to undergo surgical procedures. The police were directed to not harass queer persons or forcibly separate queer couples without preliminary inquiry.

Over 30 Oxford University student groups issued a joint statement condemning Israel's actions in the Israel-Palestine conflict. The statement blamed Israel's "illegal occupation" and "apartheid" as the "root cause" of the violence, without mentioning Hamas. Some groups signing the statement were the Oxford Palestine Society and Oxford South Asian Society. This follows a similar statement by Harvard student groups earlier. The Oxford University spokesperson said the university is focused on supporting impacted students and staff. The statement has drawn criticism for singling out Israel while ignoring Hamas' role. Some unregistered student groups also signed the petition in violation of university policy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a virtual interaction with Google CEO Sundar Pichai today. They discussed Google's initiatives in India including efforts to expand access to AI tools in Indian languages. PM appreciated Google's plans to manufacture devices in India and open a fintech centre in Gujarat. He invited Google to contribute to the upcoming Global Partnership on AI Summit in Delhi. PM encouraged Google to leverage GPay and UPI for greater financial inclusion. The leaders agreed on the importance of digital inclusion and using technology ethically for social empowerment.

Ronen Bar, the head of Israel's internal security service Shin Bet, admitted responsibility for an intelligence lapse that led to the deadly Hamas attack on October 7. Bar acknowledged that despite efforts, his organization failed to provide sufficient warning to prevent the attack, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 Shin Bet members. The attack, involving infiltrations and rocket strikes, claimed numerous lives and prompted Israel's retaliation. Bar emphasized that Israel is engaged in a war, emphasizing the need for decisive victory. The conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in over 4,000 casualties on both sides.

The tallest statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar outside India was unveiled in Maryland, US. The 19-foot tall "Statue of Equality" was formally inaugurated amid chants of "Jai Bhim." Over 500 Indian-Americans attended, some travelling 10 hours. Sculpted by Ram Sutar, the statue is at the Ambedkar International Center, which will also have a library and Buddha Garden. Earlier seen as a Dalit leader, Ambedkar is now recognized for empowering marginalized sections andcontribution as architect of India's constitution. His ideology of nation's prosperity through empowering all citizens is inspiring developed and underdeveloped nations alike.

India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, has been named as the country's next permanent representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva. Bagchi, an experienced diplomat, is expected to take up the assignment soon. Meanwhile, four diplomats are being considered to replace him as the foreign ministry’s spokesperson, including Nagaraj Naidu Kakanur and K Nandini Singla. If appointed, Singla would be the first woman diplomat to hold the post after Nirupama Rao. Bagchi's appointment comes amid a reshuffle in key diplomatic positions, signaling India's focus on multilateral engagements and global affairs.

The Allahabad High Court has strongly condemned the handling of the Nithari case, describing it as a "betrayal of public trust." The court criticized the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Noida Police, stating that the investigation into the serial killings of children in Noida was "botched" and lacked proper evidence collection. Main accused Surinder Koli was acquitted in 12 cases, and his employer Moninder Singh Pandher was cleared in two cases, with their death sentences canceled. The court highlighted flaws in the investigation process, including the failure to explore angles such as organized organ trading, raising questions about the prosecution's approach.

LinkedIn, owned by Microsoft, revealed plans to lay off 668 employees from its engineering, talent, and finance teams, constituting over 3% of its 20,000-strong workforce. This marks the second round of job cuts this year for the professional social network, reflecting the technology sector's broader trend. LinkedIn's revenue growth has slowed, with a 5% increase in Q4 of fiscal 2023, compared to 10% in the previous quarter. Microsoft attributes this decline to reduced hiring and advertising spending, prompting the company to streamline operations and remove layers for faster decision-making.