Every year on February 2, World Wetlands Day (WWD) highlights the crucial role these ecosystems play in our lives and the health of our planet. This year’s theme, “Wetlands and Human Wellbeing,” underscores the deep connection between the well-being of wetlands and our own. These vital freshwater havens support over 100,000 species, forming the foundation for our existence. They provide sustenance for billions, with rice grown in wetland paddies forming a staple food for 3 billion people and contributing 20% of global food production.

Beyond food, wetlands act as nature’s shock absorbers, softening the impact of rainfall and reducing the risk of floods and storm surges.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath underscored the historical challenge faced by farmers under previous administrations, "where fair compensation for their produce was elusive" and the "haunting specter of farmers' suicides pervaded" parliamentary discussions, an official statement said.

The remarks came during the inauguration of the 'Kisan Mela' organised by the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) on Picnic Spot Road, Lucknow, on Wednesday,

Surat Airport in Gujarat has been officially designated as an ‘International Airport’ by the Indian government, according to a ministry of civil aviation statement shared by news agency ANI.

“It is hereby declared that Surat Airport in Gujarat as an International Airport with immediate effect,” the ministry said in its statement.

This decision follows the Union Cabinet's approval in December, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to designate Surat Airport as International Airport.

The Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), a leading institution for journalism and mass communication, has been granted deemed university status by the Ministry of Education.

With this new status, IIMC is now authorised to offer degrees, including doctoral.

The UGC had demanded the deemed university status under a distinct category.

The status extends to IIMC New Delhi and its five regional campuses located in Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir), Amravati (Maharashtra), Aizawl (Mizoram), Kottayam (Kerala), and Dhenkanal (Odisha).

"A big thanks to the Ministry of Education for declaring IIMC New Delhi and its five regional centres as a Deemed to be University. IIMC is committed to giving its best to promote education, training, and research in mass communication," the institute stated in a post on its social media handle X, formerly Twitter.

The Uttar Pradesh Government headed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, as part of its mission to eradicate filariasis from the state, is all set to launch the Annual Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Campaign from February 5 to 15. The campaign will be conducted in 17 districts of Uttar Pradesh.

"During this campaign, proficient health workers will conduct door-to-door visits, administering filariasis prevention medication to the entire population, with the exclusion of children under two years of age, pregnant women, and those facing serious illnesses," as per a press release from the Chief Minister's Office.

It's noteworthy that the central government has set a targeted deadline of 2027 for the complete elimination of filariasis from the country.

India and Oman on Wednesday signed an agreement that would provide a framework for collaboration in new areas of defence engagement including procurement of military equipment. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was firmed up at a meeting of India-Oman joint military cooperation committee (JMCC) in Muscat.

In the talks, the two sides also carried out a comprehensive review of their defence cooperation and explored ways to boost it in line with their shared strategic interests.

The two sides specifically focused on possible collaboration in the defence industrial sector at the meeting. The Indian delegation at the talks was led by Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane.

India picked up their first gold of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun stage in Cairo, Egypt, when Rhythm Sangwan and Ujjwal Malik combined to defeat the Armenian pair of Elmira Karapetyan and Benik Khlghatyan 17-7 in the 10m air pistol mixed team gold medal match on Day Two of competitions, at the Egypt International Olympic City Shooting range on Saturday.

Earlier, Arjun Babuta and Sonam Uttam Maskar won silver in the 10m air rifle mixed team event as India ended the day with one gold and two silver medals to their kitty. Anuradha Devi had opened the team’s account with a silver in the women’s 10m air pistol on Friday evening.

10m Air Pistol Mixed Team of Rhythm Sangwan & Ujjwal Malik won Gold at ISSF World Cup in Cairo????????

WHO has awarded its first-ever certificates validating progress in eliminating industrially produced trans fatty-acids to five countries. Denmark, Lithuania, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand have each demonstrated they have a best practice policy for industrially produced trans-fatty acids (iTFA) elimination in effect, supported by adequate monitoring and enforcement systems. WHO also released results from the first five years of its REPLACE initiative to eliminate iTFA.

While the ambitious target set by WHO in 2018—to fully eliminate iTFA from the global food supply by the end of 2023—was not met, there has been remarkable progress made towards this goal in every region of the world. In 2023 alone, new best-practice policies became effective in 7 countries (Egypt, Mexico, Moldova, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Philippines, and Ukraine).

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on January 31 imposed major business restrictions on Paytm Payments Bank including accepting fresh deposits and doing credit transactions after February 29.

On March 11, the RBI barred Paytm Payments Bank from onboarding new customers.

The central bank said a Comprehensive System Audit report and subsequent compliance validation report of the external auditors revealed persistent non-compliances and continued material supervisory concerns in the bank, warranting further supervisory action.

No further deposits or credit transactions or top ups shall be allowed in any customer accounts, prepaid instruments, wallets, FASTags, NCMC cards, etc. after February 29, 2024, other than any interest, cashbacks, or refunds which may be credited anytime, RBI said.

Every year on February 1, India commemorates Indian Coast Guard Day, recognizing the vital role this maritime force plays in securing our vast coastline and enforcing regulations in our exclusive economic zone. This year marks the 48th anniversary of the Coast Guard’s establishment, which boasts a dedicated and highly skilled team of personnel.

The Coast Guard shoulders several crucial responsibilities. They conduct search and rescue operations, safeguard against maritime smuggling, and diligently patrol our borders. They work closely with various agencies like the Navy, Customs, Fisheries department, and state police to ensure comprehensive maritime security.