NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Announces of NIXI for Internet Governance Internship & Capacity Building Scheme: The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) has launched the Internet Governance Internship and Capacity Building Scheme. The program aims to build awareness and develop expertise in internet governance (IG) among Indian citizens.The program aims to equip participants with the knowledge to effectively engage in global internet governance processes with I-Star organisations like Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), Internet Society or Information Security Operations Center (ISOC), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and collaborate closely with leading experts in the field.The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) announced the launch of its Internet Governance Internship and Capacity Building Scheme. This programme aims to build awareness and develop expertise in internet governance (IG) among Indian citizens.
2. Uttar Pradesh govt approves solar power projects worth Rs 10,000 crore: Uttar Pradesh has approved solar power projects worth around Rs 10,000 crore to achieve the state’s renewable energy capacity of 22,000 megawatt (Mw).Under the roadmap, three solar power projects of 2,000 Mw would be set up in Jhansi, Lalitpur, and Chitrakoot districts, which fall under the Bundelkhand region.While NTPC Green Energy will develop 800 Mw and 600 Mw solar power plants in Chitrakoot and Lalitpur, respectively, Hinduja Group has been chosen to develop a 600 Mw unit in Jhansi.The UPNEDA has floated bidding documents for another 1,200 Mw solar power plant at Jalaun, Bundelkhand. Similar projects have been proposed in other places, including Mirzapur, Kanpur, and Prayagraj.
3. Union Cabinet approves ₹11,440 crore revival package for Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited: The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹11,440 crore revival plan for Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), the state-owned company operating the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw detailed the plan, which includes an equity infusion of ₹10,300 crore and the conversion of ₹1,140 crore in working capital loans into preferred share capital.The equity infusion of ₹10,300 crore into RINL will help it overcome the operational problems related to raising working capital and start Blast furnace operations in the most productive way. The revival plan envisages that RINL will start full production with two blast furnaces in January 2025 and with three blast furnaces August 2025.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. US Senate confirms Marco Rubio as 72nd Secretary of State: The US Senate has confirmed the appointment of Marco Rubio as the 72nd US Secretary of State in the Trump Administration.Rubio won the vote by 99-0 during the 1st session of the 119th Congress.
2. As 47th President of United States Takes Oath by Donald Trump: Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, taking the oath of office for his second term.Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath at the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC.JD Vance took the oath as Vice President, administered by Justice Brett Kavanaugh. At 40, Vance became the 50th vice president and the third youngest in US history.External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar represented India at the event, which was attended by several foreign leaders, including Argentina’s President Javier Milei, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa, El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, and former Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.President Trump, at 78, is the oldest person ever inaugurated as president, surpassing Joe Biden, who was five months younger when he took the oath earlier.
3. Policybazaar.ae Unveils ‘PB Advantage’: A Game-Changer in UAE Health Insurance: ae, the UAE’s leading online insurance marketplace, has launched PB Advantage, a transformative initiative designed to redefine the health insurance experience in the UAE.With its innovative features and exclusive benefits, PB Advantage promises a seamless and enriched journey for customers, from purchasing policies to making claims.PB Advantage introduces cutting-edge services that simplify and enhance the health insurance process:30-Minute Claims Assistance: A dedicated claims desk ensures quicker resolutions.Auto Recharge of Sum Insured: Automatically restores the full coverage amount after the first claim, providing additional coverage for unrelated illnesses or conditions. For instance, an AED 1 million policy used for surgery is recharged with another AED 1 million for future claims.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Indian Naval Ship Mumbai participates in multinational La Perouse exercise: Indigenously designed and built guided missile destroyer Indian Naval Ship (INS) Mumbai is participating in the fourth edition of the multinational naval exercise La Perouse in the eastern Indian Ocean.The 2025 edition of the La Perouse exercise is being headed by France with eight other countries – India, the US, Canada, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, the UK and Singapore- participating as well.
The exercise aims to develop common situational awareness by enhancing cooperation in the field of maritime surveillance, maritime interdiction operations and air operations, along with the conduct of progressive training and information sharing. The indigenously designed and built guided missile destroyer INS Mumbai is participating in the fourth edition of the Multinational Exercise LA PEROUSE. This visit is in consonance with India’s vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) to enhance maritime cooperation and collaboration for safer and secure Indo-Pacific Region.
2. T-72 Bridge Laying Tanks (BLT): The T-72 Bridge Laying Tank (BLT) is asset for the Indian Army, enhancing its operational capabilities. Recently, the Ministry of Defence signed a contract for the procurement of 47 units, emphasising India’s focus on self-reliance in defence manufacturing. This acquisition is part of the Make-in-India initiative, aimed at boosting the economy and creating jobs. A contract worth Rs 1,560.52 crore was signed between the Ministry of Defence and Heavy Vehicles Factory. The agreement was formalised in Delhi, denoting the commitment to indigenously developed defence systems. The BLT can deploy bridges over natural and man-made obstacles, allowing tank columns to advance swiftly. It can recover bridges after use, ensuring continuous movement of forces. The vehicle can also be based on various other tank models.
SPORTS
1. Kho Kho World Cup: India clinches historic double victory in men’s and women’s titles: The inaugural Kho Kho World Cup in New Delhi ended on a historic note as India secured both the men’s and women’s titles in thrilling fashion.The Indian women’s kho kho team claimed the 2025 title at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, defeating Nepal 78-40. Meanwhile, the men’s team followed suit with a 54-36 victory over Nepal in their final.India’s Women Team Captain – Priyanka IngleIndia’s Men Team Captain – Pratik Waik
2. Karnataka Clinch Vijay Hazare Trophy For Record 5th time: Karnataka emerged triumphant against Vidarbha by 36 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2024-25 final played at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. This marks Karnataka’s fifth Vijay Hazare Trophy title win.Karnataka first won the tournament in the 2013-14 season and successfully defended their title the following year. Their third title came in the 2017-18 season, with Agarwal leading the batting charts, while Padikkal emerged as the top run-scorer during Karnataka’s fourth triumph in the 2019-20 season, defeating Tamil Nadu.Alongside Karnataka, only Tamil Nadu (3), Mumbai (2), and Saurashtra (2) have claimed multiple titles during this period.
· Captain of Karnataka Team – Mayank Agarwal
· Captain of Vidarbha Team – Karun Nair
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Oysters Combatting Antibiotic Resistance: Antimicrobial resistance is a rising global health crisis, with millions of deaths attributed to resistant infections annually. Researchers are exploring innovative solutions, including the use of oyster-derived antimicrobial proteins, which show promise in enhancing the effectiveness of existing antibiotics and combating resistant bacterial strains. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) leads to nearly five million deaths yearly. Projections suggest a 70% increase in deaths by 2050, reaching 40 million. Common infections like pneumonia and skin infections are exacerbated by resistant bacteria, complicating treatment.
2. Qartemi: India’s First Internationally Licensed CAR-T Therapy for B-NHL: Recently, India witnessed the launch of Qartemi, the country’s first internationally licensed CAR-T cell therapy for adult B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (B-NHL). This groundbreaking therapy offers new hope for patients suffering from aggressive blood cancers. India faces a rising burden of blood cancers, with approximately 120,000 new cases annually. Qartemi aims to address this issue by providing an effective treatment option for patients with relapsed or refractory B-NHL. The launch of Qartemi is seen as a transformative step in personalised medicine. It combines advanced research with indigenous manufacturing, aiming to redefine cancer treatment standards in India.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. RBI revises FEMA guidelines to boost cross-border transactions in rupee and local currencies: The Reserve Bank of India, in consultation with the Government, has made changes certain changes in the extant Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) regulations to promote cross-border transactions in Indian rupee (INR) and local / national currencies.This move comes in the backdrop of the rupee coming under pressure amid a strengthening dollar, weakening Chinese currencyAs per the changes in FEMA, overseas branches of banks, which are authorised to deal in foreign exchange (Authorised Dealer), will be able to open INR accounts for a resident outside India for settlement of all permissible current account and capital account transactions with a resident in India.Persons resident outside India will be able to use their balances held in repatriable INR accounts for foreign investment, including FDI, in non-debt instruments, per the FEMA changes.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Gates-Cambridge Impact Prize 2025 wins by Urbasi Sinha: Prof Urbasi Sinha, a faculty member in the Light and Matter Physics team at the Raman Research Institute (RRI) in Bengaluru, was awarded the Gates-Cambridge Impact Prize 2025.Professor Sinha plays a pivotal role in India’s ‘National Quantum Mission,’ an initiative aimed at propelling the country to the forefront of global quantum innovation. Her leadership is instrumental in fostering research and development in quantum technologies, aligning with national objectives to enhance technological competitiveness. The award ceremony took place in Cambridge, UK, and was hosted by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The Gates-Cambridge Impact Prize was established to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Gates-Cambridge Scholarship programme.
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