NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Ayushman Bharat scheme expands to Delhi, millions to get Rs 5 lakh cover: The Delhi government has signed an MoU with the National Health Authority (NHA) to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).With this move, Delhi became the 35th state/UT to adopt the flagship healthcare scheme. West Bengal is the only state yet to implement AB-PMJAY.
2. What is AB-PMJAY?: The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is the world’s largest government-funded health insurance scheme.It provides Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospital care to nearly 550 million beneficiaries from 123.7 million economically weaker families, covering the bottom 40 per cent of India’s population.
3. Arun Mammen elected as new ATMA chairman: Arun Mammen, Vice Chairman & Managing Director of MRF Ltd, has been elected as the new Chairman of Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA), the national industry body for the automotive tyre sector in India.Hiroshi Yoshizane, Managing Director of Bridgestone India, is the new Vice Chairman of ATMA.Founded in 1975, ATMA represents India’s ₹90,000 crore (approximately US$11 billion) automotive tyre industry.Its members include six leading tyre manufacturers—Apollo, Bridgestone India, Ceat, Goodyear India, JK Tyre, and MRF—who collectively account for over 90% of the country’s tyre production.
4. N G Subramaniam appointed as chairman of Tata Communications board: Tata Communications has appointed N Ganapathy Subramaniam as the chairman of the board of directors of the company.NGS has been part of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the IT major, for 40 years. He stepped down from TCS in May 2024 as the chief operating officer and executive director.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India signs MoU with Armenia for cooperation in field of medical products regulation: India has signed an MoU with Armenia for cooperation in the field of medical products regulation.The MoU was signed in the presence of External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar and Foreign Minister of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan in Delhi.The two ministers agreed to explore cooperation in digital technologies and pharmaceuticals. They also reviewed the whole range of growing India-Armenia bilateral cooperation including in the areas of political exchanges, trade, economics, connectivity, education, culture, and people-to-people contacts.The two nations also signed an MoU on Cooperation between the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service and the Diplomatic School of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia.
2. Recently India signed MoUs with others countries: India and Nepal Sign MoU to Strengthen Cooperation in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) SectorIndia and Spain have signed two MoUs on cooperation in sports and sustainable urban development.India and Kuwait signed an MoU to establish a Joint Commission for Cooperation at the Foreign Minister level to strengthen bilateral ties.India UK sign agreement on Electric Propulsion System for Indian Navy India, Algeria sign MoU on bilateral defence cooperation
3. ICC takes custody of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in crimes against humanity case: Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was turned over to the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC), following his arrest on a warrant accusing him of crimes against humanity over deadly anti-drugs crackdowns he oversaw while in office.The 79-year-old former president arrived in the Netherlands on a flight from Manila, where he was arrested on an ICC request.
4. UN chief launched ‘UN80 Initiative’ to improve efficiencies amid shrinking resources, uncertainty: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres launched the ‘UN80 Initiative’ to enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness within the 80-year-old organization, addressing concerns over dwindling resources and a liquidity crisis in an uncertain global environment.The initiative will focus on identifying quick efficiency improvements, reviewing the growing number of mandates from member states, and conducting a strategic assessment of structural changes and program realignment across the UN system.Guterres has appointed a dedicated internal task force led by Under-Secretary-General Guy Ryder and composed of principals representing the entire UN system.The UN General Assembly approved a USD 3.72 billion budget for the United Nations for 2025. The US is the single largest financial contributor to the UN, paying 22% of the regular budget and 27% of the peacekeeping budget.The approved budget for UN Peacekeeping operations for the fiscal year 1 July 2024 – 30 June 2025 is USD 5.6 billion and at 26.95%, the US is the largest contributor to United Nations peacekeeping operations.
5. 15 March – World Consumer Rights Day: World Consumer Rights Day is observed annually on March 15 to raise awareness about consumer rights and protection.Theme 2025 – A Just Transition to Sustainable LifestylesIt was inspired by former U.S. President John F. Kennedy’s speech on consumer rights in 1962, where he outlined four fundamental rights: the right to safety, the right to be informed, the right to choose, and the right to be heard.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. Mumbai Indians clinch second Women’s Premier League title: In the Women’s Premier League cricket summit clash, Mumbai Indians clinched their second title as Delhi Capitals choked for the third time in succession.In the summit clash played at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai, Harmanpreet Kaur’s scintillating 44-ball 66 powered Mumbai Indians to a fighting 149 for the loss of 7 wickets.In reply, Delhi Capitals batters put undue pressure on themselves to finish at 141 for 9 despite late surge from Marizanne Kapp and teenager Niki Prasad.Harmanpreet Kaur was awarded player of the match for her knock. Nat Sciver-Brunt was chosen as the Most Valuable Player of the tournament. She also won the Orange Cap for her 523 runs this season.Amelia Kerr won the Purple Cap for her 18 wickets this season while Amanjot Kaur won the Emerging Player of the Season award. This match was a rematch of the inaugural WPL final in 2023, where Mumbai Indians emerged victorious by seven wickets.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Jio Partners with SpaceX to Bring Starlink Internet to India: Mukesh Ambani-led Jio Platforms Limited signed a deal with SpaceX to bring Starlink’s internet services to India, a day after rival Bharti Airtel inked a similar pact.This agreement, which is subject to SpaceX receiving its own authorisations to sell Starlink in India, enables Jio and SpaceX to explore how Starlink can extend Jio’s offerings and how Jio can complement SpaceX’s direct offerings to consumers and businesses.Under this partnership, Jio’s extensive presence as the world’s largest mobile operator by data traffic and Starlink’s leadership in low Earth orbit satellite technology will be utilized to provide reliable broadband connectivity across India, including its most remote and rural areas.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Bharti Airtel transfers 69.94% stake in Airtel Payments bank to Airtel: Bharti Airtel has transferred its entire 69.94 per cent stake in Airtel Payments Bank to wholly-owned subsidiary Airtel Limited.The shareholding of 69.94 per cent, held by Bharti Airtel Limited in Airtel Payments Bank Limited, is being transferred to the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary (i.e. Airtel Limited), post receiving requisite regulatory and corporate approvals.
2. RBI to issue ₹100 and ₹200 banknotes with new Governor’s signature: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will soon issue ₹100 and ₹200 denomination banknotes in the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series bearing the signature of Shri Sanjay Malhotra, the newly appointed Governor.The design of these new banknotes will remain unchanged and will be identical to the existing ₹100 and ₹200 notes in the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series. The introduction of these banknotes is a routine process following the appointment of a new RBI Governor.The central bank has also confirmed that all previously issued ₹100 and ₹200 denomination banknotes will continue to be legal tender. There is no impact on the validity of older banknotes in circulation.
No comments:
Post a Comment