News February 8, 2025
News February 8, 2025
Global Politics and Economy
US-China Trade Tensions Escalate
The trade dispute between the United States and China has intensified. Following President Donald Trump's announcement of a 10% tariff on Chinese imports, China has retaliated by imposing tariffs ranging from 10% to 15% on $23.6 billion worth of U.S. exports, including coal, crude oil, vehicles, and agricultural machinery. These measures are set to take effect on February 10, 2025, and are expected to significantly impact U.S. exporters already facing declining trade values.
Donald Trump Inaugurated as 47th U.S. President
On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States, marking his return to the White House. In his inaugural address, President Trump emphasized a commitment to restoring common sense and addressing various national and international challenges.
Climate and Environment
COP29 Concludes with Contentious Agreement
The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) concluded in Baku with a hard-fought agreement on global climate finance. COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev highlighted the challenges in reaching a consensus, reflecting the growing complexities in international climate cooperation.
Natural Disasters
7.1 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Nepal
A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal, sending tremors across parts of North India, including Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim, and the Delhi-NCR region. The National Centre for Seismology reported significant shaking, prompting safety assessments and emergency responses in the affected areas.
Middle East Affairs
Israel and Hamas Ceasefire Negotiations
Israel is set to send a delegation to Qatar to discuss the second phase of the ceasefire with Hamas. The ongoing first phase aims to see a total of 33 Israeli hostages freed over six weeks. The fate of the remaining 65 hostages will be determined in upcoming negotiations.
Science and Technology
NASA's SPHEREx Mission Set for Launch
NASA's SPHEREx mission, an advanced infrared space telescope, is scheduled for launch in February 2025. With a budget of $488 million, SPHEREx aims to map the entire sky in 102 colors, providing valuable data for understanding the origins of the universe.
Sports
Manchester City Seeks to End Poor Run
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has called for complete commitment from his players as the team prepares to face Feyenoord in the Champions League. The club is looking to end a series of disappointing results and regain its competitive edge.
Chess: Ding Liren Defeats D. Gukesh
In the opening game of the World Chess Championship, China's reigning champion Ding Liren secured a victory against India's D. Gukesh, setting a strong tone for the tournament.
Cricket: India Dominates Australia
In a recent test match, India's Jasprit Bumrah delivered an exceptional performance, while Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli contributed significantly with the bat, leading India to a commanding position against Australia.
Legal Affairs
Salman Rushdie to Testify Against Attacker
Author Salman Rushdie is expected to testify in the trial of the individual charged with attacking him in 2022. The trial will revisit the events of the attack, with Rushdie providing his account of the incident.
Health
Tanzania Confirms New Marburg Virus Outbreak
Tanzania has confirmed a new outbreak of the Marburg virus, marking the second occurrence since 2023. Health authorities are implementing measures to contain the virus and prevent its spread.
Miscellaneous
Japanese Aquarium Uses Cutouts to Comfort Sunfish
An aquarium in Japan has introduced human-shaped cutouts to keep a lonely sunfish company during renovations. This creative approach aims to provide social stimulation for the fish in the absence of visitors.
Budget 2025-26: Government Focuses on Infrastructure, Healthcare, and Rural Development
The Union Budget 2025-26, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, emphasizes infrastructure development, healthcare, and rural welfare. The budget allocates ₹12 lakh crore for infrastructure projects, including roads, railways, and urban development. The healthcare sector receives ₹3.5 lakh crore, with a major focus on expanding Ayushman Bharat and increasing funding for medical research. The government has also announced a ₹2 lakh crore package for rural employment and agriculture support.
Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Aftermath: BJP Strengthens Position
Following its victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP-led NDA government has begun implementing key promises, including the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and electoral reforms. The Congress-led opposition has criticized the government’s economic policies, arguing that inflation and unemployment remain pressing issues.
Supreme Court Directs Action on Hate Speech Cases
The Supreme Court has directed all state governments to take strict action against those delivering hate speeches. The bench, headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, emphasized that failure to act against communal hate speech will be treated as contempt of court. The ruling comes amid rising concerns over communal tensions in various parts of the country.
State News
Delhi Air Pollution Crisis Continues
Delhi’s air quality remains in the ‘severe’ category, with AQI levels exceeding 450 in several areas. The Delhi government has announced an extension of the odd-even vehicle rule and has urged residents to avoid outdoor activities. The Supreme Court has asked the central and state governments to present a long-term plan to combat pollution.
Maharashtra Political Turmoil: Uddhav Thackeray Challenges Shinde-Led Shiv Sena in Supreme Court
The political battle in Maharashtra continues as Uddhav Thackeray moves the Supreme Court against the Election Commission’s decision to recognize Eknath Shinde’s faction as the official Shiv Sena. The case has significant implications for the upcoming state elections.
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar Focuses on Law and Order After Return to NDA
After rejoining the NDA, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a series of measures to improve law and order in the state. The government has deployed additional police forces in crime-prone areas and launched a new anti-corruption drive targeting government officials.
Economy and Business
Stock Market Sees Record Highs
The Sensex and Nifty hit record highs as investors responded positively to the Union Budget. The Sensex crossed the 75,000 mark, while Nifty touched 22,500. Sectors such as banking, IT, and infrastructure led the rally, with foreign institutional investors (FIIs) showing renewed interest in the Indian markets.
RBI Maintains Repo Rate at 6.5%
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 6.5% to balance economic growth with inflation control. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das stated that while inflation is moderating, global uncertainties necessitate a cautious approach.
Startups and Unicorns: India Adds 10 New Unicorns in 2025
India has added 10 new unicorns (startups valued at over $1 billion) in early 2025, primarily in fintech, AI, and renewable energy sectors. Bengaluru remains the top hub for startups, followed by Mumbai and Hyderabad.
International Relations
India-US Strengthen Defense and Trade Ties
During a recent visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, India and the U.S. signed multiple agreements to enhance defense cooperation and technology exchange. India is set to purchase advanced drones and fighter jet components under the agreements.
India-China Border Talks Show Limited Progress
The 21st round of India-China border talks in Ladakh concluded with limited progress. While both sides agreed to continue discussions, troop disengagement in certain disputed areas remains unresolved. The Indian government has reiterated its commitment to protecting its territorial integrity.
Science and Technology
ISRO Successfully Launches Chandrayaan-4 Mission
ISRO has successfully launched the Chandrayaan-4 mission, aiming to explore the Moon’s south pole further. The mission includes a lander, rover, and an orbiter equipped with advanced instruments to analyze lunar soil and search for water deposits.
India to Develop Indigenous AI Model to Compete with ChatGPT
The Indian government has announced plans to develop a large-scale AI language model similar to ChatGPT, focusing on Indian languages. The project will be led by IITs and other top research institutes, with funding of ₹5,000 crore from the Ministry of Electronics and IT.
Sports
India vs Australia Test Series: India Takes Lead
India dominated the second Test match against Australia, with star performances from Jasprit Bumrah and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Virat Kohli’s unbeaten century helped India secure a strong lead in the series.
Neeraj Chopra Wins Gold at Asian Athletics Championships
Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra clinched gold in the men’s javelin throw at the Asian Athletics Championships, setting a new tournament record. His throw of 89.5 meters reaffirmed his status as one of the best javelin throwers in the world.
Hockey: India Reaches Final of FIH Pro League
The Indian men’s hockey team secured a spot in the final of the FIH Pro League after defeating Belgium in a thrilling semi-final match. The final is set to take place in London on February 12.
Entertainment
Bollywood: Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Pathan 2’ Becomes a Box Office Hit
Shah Rukh Khan’s latest movie Pathan 2 has crossed ₹600 crore worldwide within the first week of its release. The action thriller, directed by Siddharth Anand, is receiving praise for its high-octane sequences and gripping storyline.
Oscars 2025: Indian Film ‘The Last Hope’ Nominated for Best Foreign Film
Indian director Anurag Kashyap’s film The Last Hope has been nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2025 Academy Awards. The movie, which explores themes of resilience and hope, has garnered international acclaim.
Health and Environment
COVID-19 Subvariant Detected in India
A new subvariant of COVID-19, named JN.5, has been detected in several states, including Maharashtra and Karnataka. The health ministry has urged citizens to take precautions, though experts say the variant is not as severe as previous strains.
Ganga River Clean-Up Sees Major Progress
Under the Namami Gange initiative, the government has reported significant improvements in the cleanliness of the Ganga River. Officials claim that over 75% of industrial pollution has been reduced due to stricter regulations and waste treatment measures.
Miscellaneous
Uttarakhand Introduces Strict Tourism Regulations for Char Dham Yatra
To control overcrowding and environmental damage, the Uttarakhand government has introduced new regulations for the Char Dham Yatra. Pilgrims will now have to pre-register online, and the number of daily visitors to Kedarnath and Badrinath will be limited.
Indian Railways to Introduce Hydrogen-Powered Trains
Indian Railways has announced plans to introduce hydrogen-powered trains on select routes by 2026. These eco-friendly trains aim to reduce carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels.
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