Affairs:
- The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) has officially been established as an intergovernmental organization dedicated to conserving big cats around the world. Many countries have joined together to form an organization that will work to protect the world's big cats. They will share information, provide funding, and work to stop threats like illegal hunting and habitat loss. The organization is based in India and hopes to make a big difference in big cat conservation.
- The US government considered creating a special fund to invest money, and there was talk of using this fund to buy TikTok. Sovereign wealth funds are government-owned investment funds that can be used for various purposes, and the potential acquisition of TikTok highlights the growing importance of digital assets in government investment strategies.
- Scientists in India have developed a new material, a high-entropy alloy (HEA), that could make hydrogen production cheaper and cleaner. (HEA catalyst called PtPdCoNiMn.) Scientists in India have created a new material that can be used to produce hydrogen more efficiently and cheaply. This material could be a big help in the search for cleaner energy sources. It uses much less of the expensive metal platinum.
- Panama decided to leave China's big infrastructure project amid worries about who controls the Panama Canal. Panama insists it has full control, and this decision follows concerns raised by the US about Chinese influence. The canal is very important for Panama's economy, and the situation is complex, involving Panama, China, and the US.
- Indian Railways has an ambitious plan called "Mission 3000" to significantly increase the amount of cargo it transports. They have a plan to do this, but they face challenges, including competition from road transport and the need to invest heavily in improvements. They need to significantly increase their growth rate to meet their ambitious target. If they succeed, it will be good for the economy and the environment.
- Telangana recently conducted a large-scale socio-economic survey, providing valuable data about the state's population. The Telangana government conducted a big survey to learn more about its people, especially focusing on caste. The results show that Backward Classes are the largest group in the state. The government will use this data to make better policies and programs to help those who are less fortunate. The survey faced some difficulties, but it still gathered a lot of important information.
A series of small earthquakes, known as an earthquake swarm, recently occurred in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, India. This has caused concern because the area is in a seismically active zone. A bunch of small earthquakes has shaken Uttarkashi. This area is already prone to earthquakes, so this swarm is worrying. Experts say that even though the earthquakes are small, they don't mean a bigger one won't happen. They can also cause other problems, like landslides.
- Overall, the text explains how the UK is trying to build a better working relationship with the EU after Brexit by focusing on important areas like defence, trade, and economic cooperation—all while dealing with internal political debates and external challenges like the war in Ukraine.
- NASA is getting ready to launch a new space telescope called SPHEREx, which is designed to create a complete map of the sky and help us understand the early universe. NASA is launching a telescope that will take a giant picture of the entire sky. This picture will help scientists learn about how the universe began and how galaxies formed, and it might even give us clues about the origin of life. It's a much cheaper mission than JWST but could be just as important for our understanding of the cosmos.
- OPEC+, a group of major oil-producing countries, has decided to stick with its plan to gradually increase oil production, even though there are a lot of things happening in the world that could affect oil prices. The countries that produce a lot of the world's oil have decided to keep increasing production slowly. This is happening at a time when there's a lot of uncertainty in the oil market due to various global events. They've also changed how they get information about oil production. Oil prices have been changing a lot recently because of all these factors.
- The military government in Myanmar is keeping the country under strict control by extending the state of emergency. They argue that more time is needed to create a safe and stable environment for elections. However, many inside and outside Myanmar see this as a way for the military to hold on to power and postpone true democratic elections until conditions (like peace and order) improve.
- The US is withdrawing its funding from the WHO—a move that will take effect in 2026. Since the US provides a large part of the WHO’s budget, this withdrawal could mean a $400 million cut. This will likely affect the organization’s global health projects and emergency responses, create uncertainty about its leadership role, and might shift influence toward other countries like China. Additionally, legal questions about whether the US can make this decision on its own may add to the challenges ahead
- On February 3, 2025, the Indian rupee fell to a record low of 87.29 against the US dollar. In simple terms, this means you now need 87.29 rupees to buy one US dollar.
- Eurasian otters, once thought nearly extinct in Kashmir's Gurez Valley, have been spotted again after decades. In January 2025, a video showed these otters hunting fish in the Kishanganga River, marking the first live documentation in over 25 years.
- IIT Madras has launched the Bharat Cancer Genome Atlas (BCGA) project to improve cancer research in India. This project collects genetic information specifically from Indian cancer patients, filling a gap in global research.
- The bill is designed to stop forced or deceptive religious conversions in Rajasthan. It aims to prevent people from being converted to another religion by using force, fraud, or coercion. Some supporters call this practice "love jihad" when it happens through marriage. The government says the law will protect vulnerable groups.
- The Indian government has launched SWAMIH Fund 2.0 to help complete stalled housing projects. They've allocated ₹15,000 crore to finish one lakh (100,000) homes. The Indian government has created a fund to help finish housing projects that have been delayed because of lack of money. This helps both the developers and the people who were supposed to buy the homes. They've now launched a second version of this fund with even more money. They are also working on making land records digital to make buying and selling property easier and safer.
- The Indian Navy held a big military exercise called TROPEX-25. It involved the Navy, Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard working together. The exercise aimed to show India's military might, especially in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific, and to improve coordination between the different branches of the military. It also sends a message to other countries in the region about India's capabilities and commitment to security.
- The Golden-headed Cisticola, a small bird, has been spotted in Mathikettan Shola National Park in Idukki, Kerala, after a long time. This is an exciting discovery for bird watchers and highlights the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats.