NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Meghalaya inaugurates first scientific coal mine after nearly a decade long ban: Meghalaya initiated the scientific mining of coal after almost a decade of ban on rat-hole coal mining imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma virtually inaugurated the first scientific coal mining block at Saryngkham-A block in the Byndihati area of East Jaintia Hills district.The NGT enforced the ban on rat-hole coal mining in 2014 after a series of coal mine tragedies in Meghalaya over the years. Later, the Supreme Court had upheld the ban order.
2. FM Nirmala Sitharaman Launches Mobile App for PM Internship Scheme: Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman has launched a dedicated mobile app for the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme in New Delhi.The App provides various facilities including intuitive interface with a clean design and effortless navigation, easy registration through Aadhaar face authentication and real time alerts to keep candidates abreast of new updates.The PM Internship Scheme has the potential to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry expectations, thereby enhancing youth employability.The Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme was announced in the Budget 2024-25. It aims to provide internship opportunities to one crore youth in top 500 companies in five years. As an initiation to this Scheme, the Pilot Project targeted at providing 1.25 lakh internship opportunities to the youth was launched in October last year.
3. Anupriya Patel inaugurates the India Innovation Summit: Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel has inaugurated the India Innovation Summit – Pioneering Solutions to End TB, at Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre.The Summit was organized jointly by the Department of Health Research-Indian Council of Medical Research (DHR-ICMR) and the Central TB Division (CTD), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The summit aims to accelerate India’s progress towards TB elimination by 2025.The Program is steadily progressing towards the goal of eliminating TB by 2025. The number of missing cases has been reduced from 15 lakh in 2015 to 2.5 lakhs in 2023.The programme was able to notify 25.5 lakh TB and 26.07 lakh cases in 2023 and 2024-the highest ever.
4. Vikas Kaushal takes charge as HPCL CMD : Vikas Kaushal has assumed charge as the Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL).A Chemical Engineering graduate from DCET, Panjab University, he holds an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.He started his career with ICICI Limited in Project Finance and Advisory Services before transitioning into global management consulting. Since 2000, he has been associated with A.T. Kearney.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India and New Zealand explore digital payments, trade, and investment ties: India and New Zealand have agreed to boost cooperation in digital payments and greater two-way trade and investment during the ongoing visit of New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.India’s merchandise exports to New Zealand stood at $535 million in 2023-24, while imports stood at $335.07 million, representing a total trade value of $873 million.The country is only the 59th largest source of historical foreign direct investment into India, accounting for $87.2 million of inward investments since 2000.Both leaders also welcomed the signing of the Authorised Economic Operators Mutual Recognition Arrangement under the aegis of the Customs Cooperation Arrangement signed in 2024, which would facilitate easier movement of goods between the two countries.After updating the bilateral air services agreement, both sides have also agreed to encourage their carriers to commence direct (non-stop) flight operations between the two countries.
2. Stuart Young to be sworn in as new Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago: During a ceremony at the President’s House in St. Ann’s, Stuart Young will be sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.Mr Young is currently serving as the Minister of Energy and Energy Industries. He will succeed the outgoing Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, who made his last public appearance, during the People’s National Movement (PNM)’s Special Convention.
3. TAFE appoints Lakshmi Venu as vice chairman: Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited (TAFE) has appointed Lakshmi Venu as Vice Chairman.Lakshmi has been a key member of our leadership team and a member of TAFE’s Board.Chairman & MD – Mallika Srinivasan
4. 15 March – International Day to Combat Islamophobia: The International Day to Combat Islamophobia is observed annually on March 15.This day was established by the United Nations (UN) in 2022 to address and raise awareness about Islamophobia, discrimination, and violence faced by Muslims worldwide.The UN General Assembly declared March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia in response to the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks in New Zealand, where 51 people were killed.The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution sponsored by 60 Member-States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which designated 15 March as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. India and France to Strengthen Naval Ties with VARUNA 2025 Exercise in Arabian Sea: The Indian and French Navies are set to strengthen their maritime partnership with the 23rd edition of their bilateral naval exercise, Varuna 2025, scheduled to take place from March 19 to 22, 2025.This long-standing exercise, which began in 2001, continues to serve as a cornerstone of cooperation between the two nations, showcasing their commitment to enhancing naval interoperability and operational synergy in the Indo-Pacific region.The exercise, to be conducted in the Arabian Sea, will feature an impressive lineup of naval assets, including the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and the French Navy’s nuclear-powered carrier Charles de Gaulle.VARUNA 2025 will feature advanced air defence drills and fighter exercises, including mock air-to-air combat between the French Rafale-M and Indian MiG-29K, designed to refine tactical and operational capabilities.
2. Recent Exercise: 12th edition of Exercise KHANJAR-XII between India and Kyrgyzstan – Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan7th edition of Security Belt-2025 between Russia, China and Iran – Iranian port of Chabahar near Indian OceanExercise Desert Hunt 2025 between Indian Navy, Indian Army and India Air Force – Indian Air Force at Air Force Station Jodhpur.6th edition of Exercise Dharma Guardian between Indian Army and Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF) – Mount Fuji, Japan.3rd edition of military exercise “Cyclone 2025” between India and Egypt – Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan.EX Winged Raiders between Indian Army and the Indian Air Force – Eastern Theater.
SPORTS
1. IOC Board approves boxing for inclusion in 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has approved the inclusion of boxing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics games.The decision follows the IOC’s granting of provisional recognition to World Boxing last month (February), effectively sidelining the International Boxing Association (IBA) and transferring authority to the new governing body.World Boxing President Boris van der Vorst, said this is a significant decision for Olympic boxing and takes the sport one step closer to being restored to the Olympic programme.The IOC Executive Board on February 26 decided to provisionally recognise World Boxing, which is currently composed of 84 national federations over the five continents.
2. India secures 33 medals at Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025: India clinched 12 medals in four events on the final day, concluding their campaign at the Special Olympics World Winter Games with a total of 33 medals in Turin, Italy.India’s medal tally included 8 gold, 18 silver, and 7 bronze medals.This was the 12th edition of the Special Olympics Winter Games, happening after a long wait of 8 years. This was also the first time that Italy hosted the Special Olympics World Games.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Allianz exits Bajaj Insurance JVs after 24 years in €2.6 billion sale: German insurer Allianz SE has announced the sale of its 26% stake in two joint ventures with India’s Bajaj Finserv for approximately €2.6 billion ($2.84 billion).The agreement will see Bajaj Group gain complete ownership of Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company (BAGIC) and Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company (BALIC), marking the end of a 24-year-old partnership.The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals from the Competition Commission of India and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).Once the transaction is completed, Bajaj Group will increase its ownership in BAGIC and BALIC from 74% to 100%. The deal will be executed in tranches, with at least 6.1% being acquired in the first phase, which will also see Allianz reclassified from “Promoter” to “Investor.”
2. Muthoot Microfin wins Double Gold at SKOCH Awards 2025 : Muthoot Microfin, a leading microfinance institution committed to empowering women entrepreneurs, has achieved a remarkable double victory at the SKOCH Awards 2025, securing two prestigious Gold Awards.The accolades were presented to Sadaf Sayeed, CEO of Muthoot Microfin, by Sameer Kochhar, Chairman of SKOCH Group, and Gursharan Dhanjal, Vice-Chairman of SKOCH Group, at a distinguished ceremony in New Delhi.The company was recognized for its excellence in digital financial inclusion and insurance solutions, winning:– Corporate Excellence – “Best Customer Application on Digital Financial Inclusion” for its groundbreaking Mahila Mitra initiative.– BFSI Award – “Best Insurance Scheme” for its Griha Raksha Insurance Scheme, which has provided coverage to 2.66 million beneficiaries, reinforcing Muthoot Microfin’s commitment to financial security and social empowerment.
3. Canara Bank becomes the first bank to introduce Online Digital Balance Confirmation Certificate: In a significant step toward digitisation and operational efficiency, Canara Bank has become the first bank in India to introduce an Online Digital Balance Confirmation Certificate through the PSB Alliance Pvt. Ltd portal.This initiative reduces the time required for auditors to complete the auditing process by replacing the traditional manual approach with a seamless digital solution.Previously, auditors had to approach banks individually with authority letters to obtain Balance Confirmation Certificates, a time-consuming process. With this digital service, confirmation will flow directly to auditors through the online portal after obtaining online consent from the customer, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Bengaluru Airport wins air service quality award for third year running: Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIAB) has been honored with the Air Service Quality (ASQ) award for the third consecutive year.KIAB’s sustained commitment to delivering superior passenger experiences has been recognized through this consecutive accolade.The ASQ award is a testament to KIAB’s dedication to maintaining high service standards, reinforcing its position as a leading airport on the international stage.
No comments:
Post a Comment