NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Reliance to buy 13% of Paramount’s stake in Viacom18
for Rs 4,286 crore: India’s largest private company Reliance
Industries has entered in a binding agreement to buy Paramount
Global’s entire 13.01% stake in Viacom 18 Media for Rs 4,286 crore ($517
million). The stake in Viacom18 was held by Paramount Global through its two subsidiaries.
Viacom18 is a subsidiary of TV18 Broadcast, which holds preferencial shares
worth 57.48% in the company. Post the transaction, TV18 Broadcast’s stake in
Viacom18 will increase to 70.49%. Viacom18 has 40 television channels,
including Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and MTV.
2. India ranked 134 out of 193 countries on UN Human
Development Index 2022: India’s ranking on the United Nations Human Development
Index improved by one position in 2022 to 134 out of 193
countries ranked compared to 135 out of 192 countries ranked in 2021 on
the back of a marginal increase in its HDI value to 0.644 compared to 0.633 in
2021. India, Bhutan and Bangladesh are all in the Medium Human Development
category. Switzerland has been ranked number one. Nepal (146) and Pakistan
(164) have been ranked lower than India. The HDI is a composite index computed
based on three parameters – life expectancy, mean years of schooling and
average incomes – in contrast to gross domestic product (GDP), which is a gauge
only of incomes or output in an economy.
3. India, ADB sign $23 million loan for Fintech Ecosystem
Development: The Government of
India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $23 million loan
agreement to enhance access to quality fintech education, research, and
innovation at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT-City). GIFT City
is an initiative of the Government of India and the State Government of Gujarat
to foster India’s financial services and fintech ecosystem. The project is
expected to establish an International Fintech Institute (IFI) to strengthen
fintech education, boost start-up success rates, and drive fintech research and
innovation.
4. Parshottam Rupala release Book on Sagar Parikrama: Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal
Husbandry Dairying Parshottam Rupala has release Book and Video
on “Sagar Parikrama” at Rajkot, Gujarat. The object of the book is to
chronicle the Sagar Parikrama Yatra, encompassing content on diverse elements,
such as the Maritime route, cultural and geographical explorations, and notable
impacts from all 12 phases of Sagar Parikrama. The Book on Sagar Parikrama
contains 7 chapters covering genesis of Sagar Parikrama, Overview and detailed
coverage of the journey of West coast, East coast and the key take away.
5. 16 March – National Vaccination
Day: National Vaccination Day or
National Immunization Day is celebrated in India on 16 March every
year to raise awareness about the significance of vaccines in the human
body. Vaccinations are a cornerstone of modern medicine, and they have played a
significant role in improving public health and well-being worldwide. In 1988,
the World Health Organization (WHO) started the Global Polio Eradication
Initiative to get rid of polio from the world. In 1995, the government of India
began the Pulse Polio Immunization Programme to eliminate polio from the
country. Since then, March 16th has been celebrated as National Vaccination
Day.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Mohammad Mustafa elected as new PM of Palestinian: President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority (PA) has appointed Mohammad Mustafa as the new Prime Minister.
Mustafa, a U.S.-educated economist, is one of the leading Palestinian business
figures with a track record of overseeing Gaza’s reconstruction efforts under
Hamas’ rule. The previous prime minister, Mohammad Shtayyeh, resigned along
with his government last month.
2. 15 March – World Consumer Rights Day: World Consumer
Rights Day is celebrated annually on March 15 across the globe. Objective –
To raise awareness about the rights and responsibilities of consumers in the
marketplace. Theme 2024 – Fair and responsible AI for consumers. On March 15,
1962, President John F. Kennedy spoke before the US Congress and addressed
consumer rights. This incident marked the first time that a world leader spoke
of consumer rights. In 1983, the first World Consumer Rights Day was observed.
Since then, the United Nations has recognized the special day.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. Max Verstappen triumphs
at Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen clinched victory at
the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, starting
from pole position. It marked Red Bull’s second consecutive one-two finish in
the 2024 Formula One season. It was the first time Verstappen, winner of a
record 19 of 22 races last year, has won the first two races of a season. Sergio
Perez (Red Bull) finished at second and Charles Leclerc finished third for
Ferrari. The victory was a ninth in a row for Verstappen, dating back to Japan
last September, and the 56th of the 26-year-old Dutch driver’s career.
2. Mumbai Wins Ranji Trophy
2024 after beating Vidarbha: Mumbai has won the Ranji Trophy 2024 after beating Vidarbha by 169 runs at the Wankhede
Stadium in Mumbai. It also happened to be their 42nd title for Mumbai,
which showed why they are deemed as a brute force in Indian domestic cricket. Mumbai
also ended their 8-year-long wait to win the championship after they last got
their hands on the title back in the 2015-16 edition.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Greeshma and Ritika jointly won Chameli Devi Jain Award 2024: Chameli Devi Jain Award 2024 for Outstanding Woman Media Person of the Year has been given jointly to independent journalist Greeshma Kuthar, and Ritika Chopra of the Indian Express. The Chameli Devi Jain Award 2024 honours the exceptional work and contributions of Greeshma Kuthar and Ritika Chopra in the field of journalism. According to The Media Foundation, an independent jury comprising senior journalist and columnist Radhika Ramaseshan (Chair), award-winning journalist and author Mariyam Alavi, and Down to Earth managing editor Richard Mahapatra, selected the winners from more than 65 entries of women journalists.
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