Table of Contents
National News
Aero India Show 2025- Check Dates, Venue
Aero India is India’s largest aerospace and defence exhibition, attracting global aviation enthusiasts, industry leaders, and defence experts. Organized biennially by the Ministry of Defence, the event serves as a dynamic platform for showcasing military and commercial aviation advancements.
Aero India 2025 is set to take place from February 10–14, 2025, at the Air Force Station Yelahanka, Bengaluru. This five-day event will feature breathtaking aerobatic displays, technology demonstrations, exhibitions, and business networking opportunities.
India’s First AI University to Open in Maharashtra
Maharashtra is set to establish India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) university, marking a significant step in advancing AI education, research, and innovation. A task force has been formed to plan and implement the project, bringing together experts from academia, industry, and government. The university aims to promote research and development, enhance technological innovation, support skill development, and shape AI policies, making Maharashtra a global hub for AI education and innovation.
International News
Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso Break Ties with ECOWAS
The West African regional bloc ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) officially recognized the withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso. This decision comes after a year of diplomatic tensions, particularly due to military coups and disagreements with ECOWAS’ stance on regional governance and external alliances. The development represents a shift in the regional political landscape and highlights growing differences between the three countries and ECOWAS.
Bart De Wever Sworn in as Belgium’s New Prime Minister
On February 3, 2025, Belgium saw a significant political shift as Bart De Wever, leader of the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), was sworn in as the country’s new Prime Minister. This marks the first time a Flemish nationalist has ascended to the highest office in Belgium. After more than eight months of tough coalition talks, a new government was formed with five political parties: N-VA, Christian Democrats (CD&V), socialists (Vooruit), liberals (MR), and centrists (Les Engagés). This newly formed coalition, called “Arizona,” now holds a majority in Belgium’s 150-seat federal parliament. The appointment signals a new chapter in Belgium’s politics with De Wever’s focus on various key policies that could reshape the country.
Defence News
Army Partners with IIT Guwahati for Bamboo Bunkers
The Indian Army has partnered with IIT Guwahati to develop bamboo-based composite bunkers as an alternative to traditional construction materials. The project aims to enhance sustainability, reduce weight, and improve deployability in high-altitude regions like Arunachal Pradesh. The agreement aligns with the Army’s ‘Decade of Transformation’ vision and represents a significant step toward military-educational collaboration.
State News
Gujarat’s Guneri Village: First Biodiversity Heritage Site
In a landmark decision to conserve unique ecosystems, the Gujarat government has officially declared the inland mangrove in Guneri village, located in Kutch district, as the state’s first Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS). This move highlights the importance of preserving rare and fragile ecosystems that play a critical role in maintaining the region’s biodiversity. Guneri’s inland mangrove is one of the last remaining of its kind in India and is globally significant, found in only eight locations worldwide.
Banking News
Ujjivan Small Finance Bank Seeks Universal Banking Licence
Ujjivan Small Finance Bank (USFB) has applied for a universal banking licence, a major milestone in its journey from a small finance bank to a full-fledged commercial bank. This move aligns with the bank’s strategy to expand its financial services, increase regulatory flexibility, and strengthen its position in the banking sector. The bank’s decision follows a growing trend of small finance banks transitioning to universal banks for broader operational capabilities.
L&T Finance Unveils AI-Powered Home Loan Advisor ‘KAI’
In a significant move towards improving customer experience, L&T Finance Limited (LTF), a leading Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) in India, has launched ‘Knowledgeable AI’ (KAI), an AI-powered virtual home loan advisor on its newly redesigned corporate website. This new feature marks a major step in LTF’s ongoing efforts to combine cutting-edge technology with customer service, offering an innovative solution to simplify and personalize the home loan process.
Airtel Payments Bank Partners with Karnataka Bulldozers for CCL 2025
Airtel Payments Bank has announced its partnership with the Karnataka Bulldozers for the Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) 2025, set to begin on February 8, 2025. The collaboration makes Airtel Payments Bank a co-sponsor of the team, aiming to promote safe digital banking among cricket fans across India. This initiative aligns with the bank’s ongoing commitment to strengthening digital security and financial awareness through popular platforms like cricket, which has a vast and engaged audience.
SEBI Proposes Secure UPI Payment Mechanism for Market Intermediaries
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is working on a secure Unified Payments Interface (UPI) mechanism for registered market intermediaries. This move aims to improve investor security, prevent fraudulent transactions, and ensure that payments are directed only to legitimate intermediaries. SEBI’s proposal comes as unregistered entities increasingly mislead investors and collect funds fraudulently.
Schemes News
Centre Unveils New Agri-Tech Schemes for Higher Productivity
The Centre has launched several key schemes to upgrade agricultural technology, focusing on improving productivity, sustainability, and farmers’ income. These initiatives incorporate digital technologies, modern farming techniques, and efficient resource management to enhance agricultural output while ensuring environmental sustainability.
Govt. Enhances Haj Experience with ‘Haj Suvidha App’ & Healthcare Support
The Government of India has introduced the ‘Haj Suvidha App’ to improve the pilgrimage experience for Indian Haj pilgrims. This app is designed to assist pilgrims throughout their journey, offering them essential services and ensuring they have a smooth and fulfilling experience while performing the sacred rituals. The government’s continued efforts to modernize the pilgrimage experience highlight their commitment to enhancing accessibility, support, and convenience for all Indian pilgrims.
Ranks & Reports News
India Tops Global Domestic Flight Load Rankings
India has emerged as the global leader in passenger load factor (PLF) for domestic flights, recording an impressive 86.4% in 2024, surpassing the US (84.1%) and China (83.2%), according to the latest International Air Transport Association (IATA) report. India’s booming aviation sector carried 16.3 crore domestic passengers in 2024, highlighting its rapid growth and efficiency.
Science and Technology News
BHU Discovers New Phytopathogenic Fungus, Epicoccum indicum
Researchers at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi have made a significant discovery in plant pathology. They have identified a new species of phytopathogenic fungus, Epicoccum indicum, which causes leaf spot disease in Chrysopogon zizanioides (vetiver). This finding is crucial for agricultural research, as vetiver is widely used for medicinal and environmental purposes.
What is Chain of Thought (CoT) in AI?
Chain of Thought (CoT) in AI refers to a reasoning technique where an AI model breaks down complex problems into intermediate, logical steps before arriving at the final answer. Inspired by human problem-solving, CoT enables AI to “think aloud” by generating a sequence of thoughts or reasoning steps, which improves its ability to handle tasks requiring deeper analysis, such as math problems, logical puzzles, or multi-step reasoning.
Obituaries News
The Aga Khan, Spiritual Leader of Ismaili Muslims and Renowned Philanthropist, Dies at 88
The Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of millions of Ismaili Muslims worldwide and a prominent philanthropist, passed away at the age of 88. Known for his vast material empire built on billions of dollars in tithes, he dedicated his life to improving the lives of people in developing countries through the construction of homes, hospitals, and schools. His death marks the end of an era for the Ismaili Muslim community and the global philanthropic world.
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