World Inequality Report 2026

Introduction

• The 3rd World Inequality Report 2026 (WIR 2026) highlights unprecedented global inequality across income, wealth, gender, climate responsibility, and territorial divides.
• It calls for urgent policy interventions to address these disparities.

Why in news?

• The latest edition, WIR 2026, has been released.
• It proposes progressive taxation, gender-equal policies, and global financial reform to promote equitable societies.

Background

• The World Inequality Report is a major global publication providing comprehensive data and analysis on the distribution of income and wealth across countries and over time.
• It is produced by the World Inequality Lab, a research centre based at the Paris School of Economics.
• Key features include a deeper assessment beyond GDP, using a multidimensional lens that covers gender inequality, climate impact, and access to public services.

Significance

• Inequalities are multidimensional and mutually reinforcing, compounding disadvantages across society.
• Those who emit the least are most exposed to climate shocks, while high emitters possess greater resources to adapt.
• Severe inequality within countries is underscored by stark gaps between the top 10% and the bottom 50% in income.

Facts/General knowledge

• Extreme wealth concentration: The top 10% own three-quarters of global wealth, while the bottom half holds only 2%.

• The wealthiest 0.001% (around 60,000 multi-millionaires) control three times more wealth than half of humanity; their share rose from 4% in 1995 to over 6% in 2025.
• Human capital inequality: Average education spending per child: Sub-Saharan Africa Euros 220 (PPP); Europe Euros 7,430; North America & Oceania Euros 9,020 — over 40 times lower in Sub-Saharan Africa.

• Climate inequality: The wealthiest 10% account for 77% of global emissions associated with private capital ownership; the poorest half accounts for 3%.

• Populations in low-income countries, who emit the least, face the greatest exposure to climate shocks; high emitters have more resources to adapt.
• Gender inequality: Women work 53 hours per week on average versus 43 for men (including domestic and care work).

• Excluding unpaid work, women earn 61% of men’s hourly income; including unpaid labour, this falls to 32%.
• Regional income inequality: Average daily income: North America & Oceania Euros 125 versus Sub-Saharan Africa Euros 10 — a 13-fold difference.

• The Top 10%/Bottom 50% income ratio reveals severe inequality within countries.

Alia Bhatt’s Golden Globe Horizon Award at the Red Sea International Film Festival

Introduction

• Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt was honoured with the Golden Globe Horizon Award at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia, recognising her journey in Indian cinema.
• The festival highlighted her achievement on its official Instagram page.

Why in news?

• The festival announced it was proud to honour Alia Bhatt with the Golden Globe Horizon Award on the sidelines of the 5th Red Sea International Film Festival.
• The post celebrated her alongside actor Hend Sabry and noted the award celebrates the brightest creative talents in the Middle East and North Africa.

Background

• A special tribute traced Alia’s rise from newcomer to one of India’s top actresses, featuring clips from Highway, Dear Zindagi, Gangubai Kathiawadi, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, and Brahmastra.
• The showcase highlighted her emotional range and versatility across romance, drama, biographical stories, and large-scale commercial films.
• At the festival, Alia shared exclusive visuals from her upcoming film Alpha and discussed its action-packed style.
• She explained Alpha is the first female-led action film from the YRF universe and acknowledged the risk, noting female-led action films have not historically performed the same as male-led films.
• Alpha stars Sharvari in a lead role, includes a special cameo by Hrithik Roshan, and is part of the YRF Spy Universe, which features Ek Tha Tiger, Tiger Zinda Hai, War, Pathaan, Tiger 3, and the upcoming War 2.
• Yash Raj Films moved Alpha’s release from Christmas 2025 to 17 April 2026 to allow more time for VFX and ensure the best visual experience.

Significance

• The honour marks a major milestone in Alia Bhatt’s career and reflects her growing international fame.
• Her versatility, hard work, and diverse roles have made her a global ambassador of Indian cinema.
• Alpha positions her at the forefront of a female-led action film within a major franchise, with the schedule shift aimed at elevating visual quality.

Facts/General knowledge

• Event: Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia; 5th edition referenced in the announcement.
• Award: Golden Globe Horizon Award, described as celebrating the brightest creative talents in the Middle East and North Africa.
• YRF Spy Universe titles mentioned: Ek Tha Tiger, Tiger Zinda Hai, War, Pathaan, Tiger 3, War 2 (upcoming).
• Alpha details: first female-led action film from the YRF universe; lead role by Sharvari; special cameo by Hrithik Roshan; new release date 17 April 2026; delay for VFX.

56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025

Introduction

• The 56th edition of the International Film Festival of India will be held in Goa from 20 to 28 November 2025.
• It continues as South Asia’s only FIAPF-accredited competitive film festival since 1952, promising a grand confluence of cultures, storytelling, innovation, and cinematic excellence.

Why in news?

• The edition deepens international collaboration with Japan as the Country of Focus (showcasing six contemporary Japanese films), Spain as the Partner Country, and Australia as the Spotlight Country.
• The Opening Film is The Blue Trail by Brazilian director Gabriel Mascaro.
• The Gala Premieres segment will host 18 exclusive red-carpet screenings with global filmmakers and stars.

Background

• Established in 1952, IFFI began in Mumbai and has evolved into a vibrant global platform, now hosted annually in Goa.
• Recognised as the oldest and most prestigious film festival in Asia.
• The first edition (24 January–1 February 1952) featured around 40 feature films and 100 short films, organised by the Films Division of the Government of India.
• It echoed ideals of justice, liberty, equality, non-violence, and unity in diversity, symbolising Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (“The world is one family”).
• The festival subsequently toured Madras (Chennai), Delhi, and Calcutta (Kolkata), integrating India into the global film circuit.
• Key milestones:1965: Became a competitive festival from the 3rd edition.

• 1975: Introduction of Filmotsav, a non-competitive festival in alternate years.
• 2004: Found a permanent home in Goa, jointly organised by NFDC, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, and the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG).

Significance

• Enhances cinema diplomacy through curated film packages, cultural programmes, and institutional tie-ups arising from global partnerships.
• Showcases world cinema alongside Indian talent, reinforcing inclusivity and support for new voices through debut works and women-led films.
• Honours cinematic legacies and milestones, underscoring IFFI’s role in celebrating excellence across generations.

Facts/General knowledge

• Scale and premieres: Total films: 240+

• Participating countries: 81 World premieres: 13

• International premieres: 5 Asian premieres: 44

• Competitions and curated segments: Three international competitions will screen 32 selected films from five continents, alongside entries from Cannes, TIFF, Berlinale, and Venice.

• Fifteen curated and competitive segments include: Docu-Montage; From the Festivals; Macabre Dreams; UNICEF Cinema; Restored Classics; Experimental Films; Best Debut Feature; ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal; and more.
• Tributes and honours: Centenary tributes: Guru Dutt; Raj Khosla; Ritwik Ghatak; P. Bhanumathi; Bhupen Hazarika; Salil Chowdhury.

• Rajinikanth’s Golden Jubilee: Honoured at the Closing Ceremony for 50 years of cinematic excellence.
• Indian Panorama and new voices: Indian Panorama 2025: 25 feature films; 20 non-feature films; 5 debut features.

• Opening Feature: Amaran (Tamil); Opening Non-Feature: Kakori.
• Over 50 debut works and women-led films will be showcased.
• Awards: ₹5 lakh for Best Debut Indian Director; ₹10 lakh for Best Web Series.
• CMOT and creative showcases: Creative Minds of Tomorrow (CMOT): 124 young professionals selected from 799 entries for workshops and competitions across 13 film-related crafts.

• The 48-hour ShortsTV filmmaking challenge returns as a marquee event.

ICFT–UNESCO Gandhi Medal at IFFI 2025

Introduction

• The ICFT–UNESCO Gandhi Medal is an IFFI honour recognising cinema aligned with Mahatma Gandhi’s values.
• It highlights peace, non-violence, and inter-cultural dialogue through the medium of film.

Why in news?

• At the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), 2025, the ICFT–UNESCO Gandhi Medal continues to honour cinematic works that embody Mahatma Gandhi’s values of peace, non-violence, and inter-cultural dialogue.

Background

• Instituted at the 46th edition of IFFI (2015) in collaboration with the International Council for Film, Television and Audiovisual Communication (ICFT), Paris, under UNESCO.
• Recognises films of high artistic and cinematic standards that encourage ethical reflection on society’s most pressing issues.
• Created to foster a deeper understanding of humanity’s shared values through the transformative power of cinema.

Significance

• Cultural diplomacy tool: Aligns with India’s soft power strategy by promoting non-violence, tolerance, and peace through cinema.
• Global recognition: Awarded to a film that best reflects Gandhian ideals, selected by an international jury of experts in cinema and communication from UNESCO-affiliated institutions.
• UNESCO partnership: Enhances India’s role in global cultural governance, working alongside UN bodies on promoting ethical storytelling.
• Subtopic: Facts/General knowledge
• ICFT was established at the General Conference of UNESCO held in New Delhi in 1956 to encourage intercultural dialogue and peace through film, television, and digital media.
• IFFI is Asia’s oldest and most significant film festival, established in 1952.
• Since 2004, IFFI has been permanently hosted in Goa, jointly organised by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, and the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), Government of Goa.

World Athletics Awards 2025 – Athletes of the Year

Introduction

• World Athletics honoured Armand Duplantis (Sweden) and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (United States) as World Athletes of the Year for 2025.
• The recognition followed undefeated seasons and groundbreaking performances at the World Championships in Tokyo.
• The award is among the sport’s most prestigious, celebrating competitive excellence and elevating the global profile of track and field.

Why in news?

• Duplantis and McLaughlin-Levrone received top honours after dominant, unbeaten campaigns.
• Their standout moments came at the Tokyo World Championships, where they set championship-defining marks.

Background

• The World Athletics Awards are presented annually by World Athletics to recognise athletes who achieve excellence and enhance the sport’s global reach.
• Both recipients, aged 26, excelled across major competitions throughout 2025.

Significance

• Duplantis’ record-breaking season and first-ever 6.30-metre clearance reinforced his status as a central figure in modern athletics and highlighted the rising prominence of field events.
• McLaughlin-Levrone’s shift from the 400m hurdles to flat sprinting revitalised the women’s 400m and demonstrated exceptional versatility and resilience.
• The broader set of awardees showcased the depth of global talent, spanning technical field events, middle-distance track, race walking, and marathon running.

Facts/General knowledge

• Armand Duplantis: Broke his own world record four times in 2025.

• First athlete to clear 6.30 metres, achieved at the World Championships in Tokyo.
• Unbeaten in all 16 competitions entered in 2025.
• Won indoor and outdoor world titles.
• Secured a fifth straight Diamond League championship.
• Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone:Undefeated in both the 400m and 400m hurdles throughout 2025.

• Clocked 47.78 seconds to win the 400m at the Tokyo World Championships—the second fastest time ever and a new championship record, breaking a 42-year-old mark.
• Her focus on open sprints cemented her status among sprinting greats.
• Other award winners: Nicola Olyslagers (Australia): Women’s Field Athlete of the Year; world titles in both indoor and outdoor high jump.

• Emmanuel Wanyonyi (Kenya): Men’s Track Athlete of the Year; 800m world title.
• Maria Perez (Spain): Double gold in the 20km and 35km race walk.

Sabastian Sawe (Kenya): Recognised for victories in the London and Berlin Marathons.