Former NFL Player Confirmed as US Housing Secretary
The US Senate confirmed Donald Trump's pick to run the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Scott Turner, a former professional American football player, was confirmed 55-44 to run the agency tasked with addressing homelessness, providing assistance to renters and home owners, and preventing housing discrimination.
Turner is the Trump administration's lone black cabinet appointee.
RBI Approves Tata Communications' Rs. 330 Crore ATM Business Sale to Findi
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved Tata Communications' plan to sell its entire stake in Tata Communications Payment Solutions (TCPSL) to Transaction Solutions International (TSI), the Indian arm of Australian fintech company Findi. The deal, first announced in November 2024, is valued at Rs. 330 crore, with an additional Rs. 75 crore based on interchange rate adjustments.
This acquisition will help Findi grow in India's financial services sector, especially in underbanked areas. The company aims to leverage its ATM network and digital payment services to eventually become a full-fledged payments bank.
IOB Joins Global Partnership for Carbon Accounting
Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) took a significant step towards sustainability by becoming a signatory of the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF). This move reflects the bank's commitment to measuring and disclosing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with financed activities. With this initiative, IOB is not only aligning itself with international best practices in the financial sector but also reinforcing its role in India's journey towards a net-zero future.
PCAF is a global initiative that helps financial institutions measure and disclose the carbon emissions associated with their financing activities. The partnership aims to create a standardized method for banks and other financial institutions to track and report their carbon footprints. By joining PCAF, IOB is adopting a globally recognised methodology for GHG accounting, ensuring transparency and contributing to the fight against climate change.
South Indian Bank Unveils Start-up Current Accounts for Entrepreneurs
South Indian Bank (SIB) introduced two specialised start-up current account products, namely the SIB Business Start-up Current Account and SIB Corporate Start-up Current Account, both designed to cater to the unique needs of entrepreneurs. These accounts offer a range of benefits that aim to simplify banking for start-ups and help them focus on scaling their businesses.
The introduction of these accounts reflects SIB's commitment to empowering entrepreneurs with banking solutions that align with their needs.
Scientists Produce First Kangaroo Embryo Using IVF
Scientists in Australia successfully produced the world's first kangaroo embryo through in vitro fertilisation, or IVF, a feat they hailed as a "ground-breaking achievement" that could one day help save endangered species.
The research could be pivotal for Australia's conservation efforts, given the country's urgent need to protect its endemic species after having one of the world's worst extinction records.
India's Only ICC Elite Umpire Opts out of Champions Trophy in Pakistan
The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced a list of 15 match officials, including three match referees and 12 umpires for the Champions Trophy 2025.
However, the tournament will have no Indian match official. India pace great Javagal Srinath was the only Indian in the ICC Elite panel of match referees, while Nitin Menon was the lone Indian in the ICC Elite panel of umpires.
The ICC wanted to put him (Menon) on the Champions Trophy roster. But he decided against travelling to Pakistan due to personal reasons.
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia Inaugurates North East Investment Roadshow in Chennai
The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) hosted the North East Trade and Investment Roadshow in Chennai. The roadshow evoked strong interest from potential investors who are eager to explore opportunities in the North Eastern States. The event was attended by Minister, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region & Ministry of Communications, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, along with Lalnghinglova Hmar, Minister of Sports & Youth Services, Government of Mizoram, senior officials from MDoNER, North Eastern Council and North Eastern States.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan Launches Watershed Yatra
Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched a national-level mass outreach campaign 'Watershed Yatra'.
Chouhan launched the yatra to generate people's participation and create awareness about the watershed development activities carried out under Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY 2.0).
A total of about 800 gram panchayats and more than 1 lakh people participated in the launch programme held in a hybrid mode.
UN President's 4-day Visit to India
United Nations General Assembly President Philemon Yang was in India for a 4-day visit from February 4 to 8 on his first official visit to the country.
During the four-day visit, the UNGA President held deliberations with the External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar discussing key multilateral issues and regional interests.
Yang also visited Infosys and The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru.
India and Israel Hold 13th Round of Staff Talks, Focus on Improving Defence Cooperation
India and Israel successfully held the 13th round of Staff Talks in New Delhi, which focused upon improving several areas of defence cooperation such as joint training, technology sharing, and regional security.
According to the Indian Army, this strategic dialogue reaffirmed the commitment to mutual growth in defence capabilities, fostering deeper bilateral ties between the two nations united by shared interests and trust.
World Interfaith Harmony Week observed from February 1 to 7 by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), serves as a global initiative to promote mutual understanding, interfaith dialogue, and cooperation among different religious communities.
The concept of World Interfaith Harmony Week was first introduced by King Abdullah II of Jordan at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 23, 2010. Recognising the need for enhanced interfaith dialogue, King Abdullah II proposed this initiative as a means to foster peaceful coexistence among diverse religious communities.
Following the proposal, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) unanimously adopted the resolution on October 20, 2010, declaring that the first week of February each year would be observed as World Interfaith Harmony Week. The first World Interfaith Harmony Week was celebrated in 2011.
Chaman Arora Gets Sahitya Akademi Award 2024 in Dogri for his book "Ik Hor Ashwthama"
The government named late Chaman Arora for the Sahitya Akademi Award 2024 in Dogri for his book 'Ik Hor Ashwthama'.
The Ministry of Culture said that the book was selected on the basis of recommendation made by the jury comprising three members in accordance with the rules and procedures laid down for the purpose.
The award in the form of a casket containing an engraved copper plaque and a payment of Rs. 1 lakh will be presented to the family member or nominee of the awardee at a special function to be held on March 8 in New Delhi.
SC Collegium Approves Appointment of five Additional Judges as Permanent
The Supreme Court collegium approved the proposal for appointment of five additional judges of the High Courts of Madras and Telangana as permanent judges.
the following additional judges were appointed as permanent judges in the Madras High Court -- Justice Venkatachari Lakshminarayanan and Justice Periyasamy Vadamalai.
The collegium also approved the proposal for appointment of additional judges -- Justice Laxmi Narayana Alishetty, Justice Anil Kumar Jukanti and Justice Sujana Kalasikam -- as permanent judges in the Telangana High Court.
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