NATIONAL NEWS
Aadhaar not mandatory for COVID-19.
Aadhaar card details are not mandatory for COVID-19 vaccination, the central government informed the Supreme Court on February 7, 2022. This came after the Supreme Court, while hearing a PIL, asked the authorities not to insist on asking for Aadhaar card details from people in order to get vaccinated.
Reimagining Museums Global Summit 2022
The first-of-its-kind Global Summit –‘Reimagining Museums in India’ will be held on February 15-16, 2022. The summit aims to bring together experts from across the world to share best global practices for museum development and management, understanding the current needs of Museums in India and developing a blueprint for renewal of Indian museums.
Gautam Adani to become Asia’s richest person
Gautam Adani is ranked 10th among the world’s richest people with a net worth of $88.5B in the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. He has overtaken Mukesh Ambani to become Asia’s richest person. The RIL Chairman is ranked 11th with $87.9B net worth.
BCCI launch women’s IPL in 2023
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah informed that the board plans to launch a full-fledged women’s Indian Premier League (IPL) in the next year. The women’s IPL will be on the same lines as men’s IPL. Currently, a three-team Women’s T20 Challenge is staged alongside men’s IPL. It will soon be expanded to include more teams and players.
Praveen Kumar Sobti passes away at 74
Praveen Kumar Sobti, popular for essaying the role of Bheem in BR Chopra’s Mahabharat, passed away on February 7, 2022. The 74-year-old was a four-time Asian Games medalist and he has also represented India in two Olympic Games. He was awarded the Arjuna Award for his accomplishments in hammer and discus throw.
RBI begins 3-day monetary policy meeting
The Reserve Bank of India has begun its three-day deliberations to decide the bank’s next monetary policy keeping in mind the Budget 2022-23 announcements and inflationary concerns and evolving geo-political situation. The six-member RBI Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) headed by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das will announce the policy resolution on February 10, 2022. The meeting was scheduled to start on February 7th but was postponed by a day in view with Maharashtra’s public holiday declaration on February 7 to mourn the death of legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar.
Scientists develop new technology to detect SARS-CoV-2
A team of scientists has developed a new technology platform to detect SARS-CoV-2 through fluorescent light. The technology can also be used to detect other DNA/RNA pathogens including Zika. HIV, Ebola, influenza, HCV, Zika, bacteria and other mutating/evolving pathogens. The technology platform will enable fluorometric detection of pathogens by measurement of fluorescent light emitted.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Dubai plans to cut carbon emissions 30 percent by 2030.
Dubai plans to cut carbon emissions by 30 percent by the end of year 2030. This was announced by the Emirate’s government on February 6, 2022. The plan is part of a broader strategy to achieve carbon emission neutrality by 2050. Dubai is a major regional business, financial and logistics hub. It is the second-largest and wealthiest Emirate, after oil-rich Abu Dhabi.
Sri Lankan fast bowler Suranga Lakmal announces retirement
Veteran Sri Lankan fast bowler Suranga Lakmal has announced to retire from international cricket, after Sri Lanka’s upcoming tour of India. The 34-year-old right-arm fast bowler and right-handed batsman aim to join the English county club Derbyshire after retirement. The Derbyshire County Cricket Club has signed up Lakmal on a two-year contract. Lakmal has represented Sri Lanka in 165 international matches across formats, in his international career spanning over 12 years.
NASA will retire International Space Station in 2031
According to NASA, the International Space Station will continue its operation until 2031 and then crash into an uninhabited area in the Pacific Ocean known as Point Nemo. It will be replaced with three free-flying space stations to continue the work after ISS’s retirement. NASA also selected Houston-based Axiom Space to provide the ISS’s first commercial module.
China wins AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 Football Tournament
China PR (People’s Republic) defeated South Korea (Korea Republic), 3-2, to win the AFC Women`s Asian Cup India 2022 final title at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. This is the record-extending 9th AFC Women`s Asian Cup title won by China. India is hosting the 20th edition of the football AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022 from January 20, 2022, to February 06, 2022. China now qualifying for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand.
