Conservative Leader Friedrich Merz Wins German Election
Germany's conservative opposition leader, Friedrich Merz, won the national election, but the outcome was far from resounding. The projected results indicated that his Union bloc garnered around 28.5% of the vote, a modest lead that leaves uncertainty about his ability to form a stable government.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz conceded defeat as his centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) faced their worst post-war election result, receiving just over 16% of the vote.
Trump Names Dan Bongino as Deputy FBI Director
US President Donald Trump appointed right-wing commentator Dan Bongino as deputy director of the FBI.
Bongino is former NYPD and Secret Service and worked as part of the protection detail for two Presidents - George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
India Assumes Chairmanship of Bay of Bengal Fisheries Organisation
India assumed Chairmanship of Bay of Bengal Inter-Governmental Organisation from Bangladesh at the 13th Governing Council Meeting at Malé, Maldives.
The BOB-IGO, set up in 2003, is a regional fisheries body, specifically mandated to assist the member countries in increasing the livelihood opportunities and improving the quality of life of the small-scale/ artisanal fisher folk in the Bay of Bengal region.
The current members of the organisation are Bangladesh, India, Maldives and Sri Lanka while Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand are cooperating non-contracting parties.
The Indian delegation, led by Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Government of India, assumed the Chair during the event.
Coal India Forms Joint Venture with French Subsidiary Company for Renewable Energy Projects
Coal India Limited signed an agreement with EDF India Private Limited to form a joint venture.
The joint venture will undertake PSP projects along with other renewable energy projects in India and neighbouring countries.
EDF India Private Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Electricite de France SA (EDF). Electricite de France SA is an energy solutions providing company.
Invest MP Global Investor Summit 2025 in Bhopal
Madhya Pradesh capital, Bhopal, hosted the "Invest MP Global Investor Summit" (GIS) 2025.
The summit aimed to showcase the state's vast investment potential and bring together global and domestic investors.
The state government invited entrepreneurs from 60 countries to explore investment opportunities in Madhya Pradesh.
The summit witnessed the participation of ambassadors, High Commissioners, and several Consul Generals from key strategic nations, further strengthening international business ties.
Manu Bhaker to Lead 35-member Shooting Team to World Cups in South America
Ace pistol shooter Manu Bhaker is set to lead a 35-member Indian contingent at the ISSF World Cups in South America, starting April 1, 2025 and concluding on 22, marking the beginning of the international shooting season. The squad comprises nearly all the shooters who participated in the Paris Olympics, ensuring a strong representation on the global stage.
Almost all the shooters who featured in the Paris Olympics made the cut. A notable member of the team is air pistol ace Saurabh Chaudhary, who returns to the national side after more than three years.
Dalibor Svrcina Wins Maha Open ATP Challenger 100 Men's Championship
Czech Republic's Dalibor Svrcina beat USA's Brandon Holt and won the men's singles title in the Maha Open ATP Challenger 100 men's tennis championship.
It has been a solid run for Dalibor Svrcina in the three ATP Challenger events in India. He made the semi-finals in Chennai and the second round in Delhi.
The Maha Open 2025 was an ATP Challenger 100 tennis tournament played on hard courts.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, attends 'Unity Utsav - One Voice, One Nation' Festival
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, attended the 'Unity Utsav - One Voice, One Nation' event organised by Assam Rifles in New Delhi as the chief guest. Many dignitaries including the Director General of Assam Rifles were present on the occasion.
In his address, Amit Shah emphasised the significance of unity for the North-East, noting that for years after independence, the region felt physically and emotionally distant from Delhi. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with bridging this gap through enhanced connectivity, stating that the North-East now belongs to all of India, and vice versa.
Reflecting on the event's theme, "One Voice, One Nation," Shah praised India's unity in diversity as its greatest strength.
Indian Army Contingent Participates in India-Japan Joint Military Exercise Dharma Guardian
The Indian Army contingent is participating in the 6th edition of India- Japan joint military exercise Dharma Guardian. The exercise is being conducted in East Fuji Manoeuvre Training area of Japan from February 24 to March 9, 2025.
Exercise Dharma Guardian is an annual event conducted alternatively in India and Japan. Last edition of the same exercise was conducted in Rajasthan in February- March 2024. Notably, the Indian contingent comprising 120 personnel is represented mainly by troops from a battalion of the MADRAS Regiment along with troops from others arms and services. The Japan Ground Self Defence Force (JGSDF) contingent, also comprising similar strength, is represented by 34th Infantry Regiment.
As per the Ministry of Defence, the aim of the exercise is to enhance interoperability between the two forces while undertaking joint urban warfare and counter-terrorism operations under UN mandate. The exercise focuses on high degree of physical fitness, joint planning and joint tactical drills.
India Hosts First-ever Conference on Women Peacekeepers
A two-day conference on women peacekeepers deployed in UN missions was held in New Delhi.
Titled "Women in Peacekeeping: A Global South Perspective," this first-of-its-kind event wasa organised by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping.
According to the MEA, women peacekeepers from 35 Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) across the Global South participated. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered the keynote address.
The United Nations was represented at the conference by Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under-Secretary-General for the Department of Peace Operations, and Christian Saunders, UN Special Coordinator.
In addition, the participating women peacekeepers met President Droupadi Murmu.
Ian Chappel Announces Retirement from Journalism after Five Decades
Former Australia captain Ian Chappell drew curtains on his five-decade-old journalistic career, having written his final column in ESPNcricinfo on February 23, 2025. He reckoned it was the right time to move away from his second innings and put down the pen and pack away the computer.
He last pulled on the pads in 1980, but following his retirement from professional cricket he established himself as one of the sport's most iconic broadcasters and writers.
Shaktikanta Das Appointed Principal Secretary-2 to PM Modi
Former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Shaktikanta Das was appointed as "Principal Secretary-2" to the Prime Minister. This is the first time the PM has two principal secretaries, with P. K. Mishra occupying one of the positions since 2019.
PK Mishra (76) was the additional principal secretary to the Prime Minister in the first Narendra Modi government when Nripendra Misra was the principal secretary.
Every year on February 24, India observes Central Excise Day, which has great administrative and historical significance. On this day in 1944, the Central Excise and Salt Act was established and put into force. The purpose of the day is to honour the Central Excise and Customs officials' relentless efforts to protect the country's economy.
The Central Excise and Salt Act was established on February 24, 1944. It is believed that this cleared the path for the nation's excise agency to be established.
To remember the Central Excise and Salt Act, which was passed to regulate and oversee the manufacturing of salt and other manufactured goods, people observe this day.
The Act, which was passed to amend the law about salt and central duties, was a combination of eleven Acts on excise duties. This Act was subsequently renamed the Central Excise Act, 1944 in 1966.
The Haryana Government rolled out 'Haryana Witness Protection Scheme 2025' to ensure the safety and security of witnesses who play a crucial role in the justice system. The primary aim of the scheme is to protect witnesses from threats, harassment, or intimidation that may arise during the course of judicial proceedings. By providing legal protection, including the possibility of relocating, changing identities, or offering other safeguards, the government seeks to strengthen the rule of law, encourage witnesses to testify without fear, and improve the overall functioning of the criminal justice system. This initiative is part of a broader effort to promote transparency, accountability, and fairness within the legal process.
The scheme will be applicable to witnesses of offences punishable with death, life imprisonment, or imprisonment of seven years or more. Additionally, it will cover punishments under Sections 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, and 79 of the BNS, as well as under Sections 8, 10, 12, 14, and 15 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.
Indian Vishvaa Rajakumar Prodigy Wins Global Memory Championship
In a remarkable feat of cognitive excellence, Vishvaa Rajakumar from India was crowned the winner of the Memory League World Championship. This prestigious competition challenged participants to memorise and recall sequences of numbers, images, and words in record time. Rajakumar's record-breaking performance saw him recalling 80 digits in just 13.5 seconds, demonstrating his extraordinary mental agility.
Art lovers in Hyderabad are in for a visual treat as Srishti Art Gallery and Goethe-Zentrum Hyderabad came together presenting an international art exhibition titled "Topographies of Tents, Terracotta, and Time." This unique cross-cultural exhibition showcases the works of renowned international and national artists exploring deep themes of identity, displacement, and transformation.
Curated by Matthew Partridge, the event features three distinguished artists: Arnaldo Drés González (Venezuela/Germany), Sudhakar Chippa (India) and Swen Kählert (Germany).
These artists have created a fusion of materials, styles, and interpretations that reflect their personal journeys and societal themes. The exhibition highlights the ever-changing relationship between place and identity.
The exhibition is open from February 23 to March 2, 2025.
+91-85588-96644
