Current Affairs - February 26, 2025 Current Affairs

According to a recent study, Australia and New Zealand have the highest breast cancer incidence rates in the world. The study examined data from 185 countries and found that the incidence rate in these countries is significantly higher compared to other regions, with an age-standardized incidence rate of 100.3 cases per 100,000 people. The study also highlighted global disparities in risk, with developed nations experiencing higher incidence rates, while lower HDI countries face disproportionate mortality rates.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) decided not to approve a $40 million loan for waste-to-energy projects in Gujarat, India. The IFC is the private lending arm of the World Bank, established in 1956, and focuses on supporting economic development, particularly through financing and advisory services in developing nations. This particular loan was aimed at waste-to-energy projects in Gujarat but was not pursued.

The Central Board of Secondary Education has approved draft norms to conduct Class-10 board exams twice a year starting in 2026. This decision is in line with the recommendations of the new National Education Policy, which aims to eliminate the "high stakes" aspect of the board exam. The biannual exams are expected to reduce the pressure on students and provide them with more opportunities to improve their performance.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with IIT Madras to enhance audit skills and promote sustainable auditing practices. The key focus areas include data governance, AI-driven capacity building, environmental audits, and the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) framework. IIT Madras Director, V. Kamakoti, highlighted the importance of digital collaboration during the Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar lecture series at the CAG's office, underlining the significance of technological integration in auditing processes.

Dan Bongino, a conservative commentator and former Secret Service agent, was appointed by Donald Trump as the FBI Deputy Director under Kash Patel. Despite having no prior FBI experience, Bongino is a staunch Trump ally and was chosen to help restore "fairness, justice, law, and order" within the FBI. He also hosts The Dan Bongino Show and has publicly praised Kash Patel’s leadership efforts to reform the FBI, signalling his support for changes within the agency.

Tamal is set to become India's last imported warship, with its commissioning scheduled for early June 2025. The Indian Navy crew has already reached St. Petersburg, Russia, to prepare for the ship's trials. This marks a significant step in India's transition to self-reliance in warship design and construction. After the commissioning of Tamal, India will no longer rely on imported warships, as it focuses on developing indigenous naval vessels. This shift underscores India's growing capabilities in defence manufacturing.

The first-ever Global Hyperloop Competition in Asia was organized by IIT Madras, with Railway Minister Vaishnaw addressing the closing ceremony. The event highlighted the Modi government's commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration with educational institutions. In addition, Indian Railways and IIT Madras will collaborate to develop Vertical Take-Off and Landing Vehicle technology, supported by railway funding, marking a significant step forward in transportation and technology innovation.

Heart Lamp is a short story collection by Kannada author Banu Mushtaq, which has been longlisted for the prestigious International Booker Prize 2025. This is a historic achievement, as it is the first time that a Kannada work has made it to the long list. The collection contains 12 short stories set within Muslim communities in southern India, originally published between 1990 and 2023. The judges have praised the book’s storytelling, calling it “witty, vivid, colloquial, moving, and excoriating.” This marks a significant step for Kannada literature on the international stage, showcasing its depth and cultural richness.

The Athena mission, a robotic moon lander, is set to explore the Moon. It is equipped with scientific instruments designed to analyze the chemical composition of lunar soil and search for subsurface water, particularly in the Moon’s south polar region. This mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program and will be launched by SpaceX on a Falcon 9 rocket. The Athena mission marks the second lunar mission for Intuitive Machines and follows its first private moon landing in February 2024.

Punjab National Bank (PNB) partnered with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to offer specialized banking services and high-value insurance coverage for ITBP personnel, pensioners, and their families. This partnership aims to enhance financial security and provide extensive insurance benefits such as personal accidental insurance, air accidental insurance, and coverage for medical expenses. The MoU was signed on February 11, 2025, highlighting PNB's commitment to supporting the financial well-being of ITBP members.

Denmark launched the Green Transition Alliance India (GTAI) to strengthen its collaboration with India in the field of sustainable energy solutions. The initiative aims to fast-track both nations' efforts toward global carbon neutrality through cooperation in renewable energy, green fuels, and energy efficiency. The initiative is a part of the Green Strategic Partnership (GSP) between Denmark and India, focusing on accelerating the transition to net zero emissions, with Denmark aiming for net zero by 2045 and India by 2070. Various Danish companies and strategic partners will play crucial roles in the initiative.