Current Affairs - February 7, 2025 Current Affairs

Zomato has rebranded itself as "Eternal" to reflect its broader business scope beyond food delivery. The company now integrates four key verticals: Zomato (food delivery), Blinkit (quick commerce), District (live events), and Hyperpure (kitchen supplies). Founder Deepinder Goyal emphasized Blinkit's rapid growth as a major factor behind the rebranding. The move signifies Zomato’s strategic shift towards quick commerce and diversification, aligning with market trends and investor interests in expanding beyond traditional food delivery services.

The 38th Surajkund International Crafts Fair was inaugurated in Faridabad by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. This annual event, known for promoting handicrafts and handlooms, features nearly 600 participants from 42 countries. The fair highlights India’s rich cultural heritage and craftsmanship, with Madhya Pradesh and Odisha as the partner states for this edition. Running until February 23rd, it serves as a global platform for artisans to showcase their work and attract visitors from around the world.

Iran has introduced Shahid Beheshti, its first drone and helicopter-launching ship, into the Revolutionary Guards' fleet. The vessel, originally a commercial ship, has been modified to feature a 180-meter runway and can operate for up to a year without refuelling. This addition strengthens Iran’s naval capabilities, particularly for long-range operations, and supports the launch of larger drones such as the Qaher and Mohajer-6. The move highlights Iran’s focus on expanding its military presence in distant waters.

Uganda, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and global partners, has initiated the first-ever clinical trial for a vaccine targeting the Sudan species of the Ebola virus. The trial was launched just four days after the outbreak was confirmed on January 30, marking an unprecedented speed for a randomized vaccine trial in an emergency setting. Led by Makerere University and the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), the trial follows a ring vaccination strategy and is supported by organizations like CEPI, Canada’s IDRC, and Africa CDC. If successful, this vaccine could play a crucial role in future outbreak control.

Zepto, India's quick commerce startup, secured the second position globally in the food and drink app category, surpassing major brands like KFC and Domino’s, according to Sensor Tower. McDonald’s ranked first, while Zepto’s competitors, Blinkit, Zomato, and Swiggy, also made it into the top 10. Zepto experienced a 300% growth in downloads in the latter half of 2024, driven by strategic innovations such as the "Buy Now, Pay Later" feature. This milestone highlights the rapid expansion of India’s quick commerce sector, with increasing consumer adoption of fast delivery services.

Odisha has introduced key initiatives under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme to support adolescent girls' welfare. Programs like "Nirbhaya Kadhi," "Mo Gelha Jiya," and "Veerangana Yojana" focus on preventing child marriages, addressing gender-based discrimination, and enhancing self-confidence among young girls. These schemes also provide self-defence training and legal rights awareness, ensuring better protection and empowerment for girls in the state. The initiatives have already shown positive impacts in curbing child marriages and promoting gender equality in Odisha.

The 10th Arunachal Film Festival was inaugurated at TNZ Cinema in Itanagar by Minister PD Sona. This three-day festival is part of the Arunachal Government’s ‘Year of Youth’ initiative for 2024-2025, aiming to celebrate and promote young talent in the film industry. A special short documentary on pioneering filmmaker Taro Chatung was screened during the event’s opening ceremony. The festival serves as a platform for local filmmakers to showcase their work and contributes to the growth of Arunachal Pradesh’s film culture.

Niraj Kumar, representing Services, secured the gold medal in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions (Men) event at the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand. Aishwarya Pratap Singh Tomar from Madhya Pradesh won the silver, while Swapnil Suresh Kusale from Maharashtra claimed the bronze. The event saw strong competition among top marksmen. Meanwhile, Haryana's Suruchi and Pramod won gold in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event. Karnataka led the medal tally with 29 golds, followed closely by Services with 28 golds.

Australia has enacted strict hate crime laws, introducing a minimum 12-month jail sentence for public Nazi salutes and harsher penalties for terror-related hate crimes, with sentences of up to six years. New South Wales, the most affected state, is aligning its laws with Victoria and Western Australia to address rising antisemitic incidents. Premier Chris Minns emphasized the importance of these reforms following an increase in synagogue vandalism and targeted violence. These measures aim to curb extremist behaviour and reinforce Australia's commitment to combating hate crimes.

PM Modi is set to co-chair the AI Action Summit in Paris on February 11th alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and other global leaders, including the US Vice President and China’s Vice PM. Additionally, he will engage in bilateral discussions with President Macron in Marseille to strengthen India-France relations. As part of this visit, India will open a new Consulate in Marseille to enhance diplomatic, trade, and cultural cooperation. This move underscores the growing partnership between India and France in technology, trade, and global policy discussions.

K Balasubramanian has been appointed as the new India Subcontinent Sub-Cluster and Banking Head for Citibank, replacing Ashu Khullar, pending approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). He will report to Amol Gupte, Head of Asia South and Banking Head. This leadership transition comes at a time when Citibank India has experienced strong growth under Khullar’s leadership. Meanwhile, Ashu Khullar will take on a new role as Co-Head of Global Asset Managers (GAM) alongside Anthony Diamandakis and will also be part of Citibank’s Investment Banking Global Operating Committee.