March 1 marks Zero Discrimination Day, a global initiative championing equality, inclusivity and diversity. It serves as a powerful reminder that everyone, irrespective of age, gender, nationality, ethnicity, skin tone, profession, educational background, beliefs, or any other distinguishing factor, has the right to live a life of dignity and fulfilment.

This annual observance sheds light on discrimination in various forms, encouraging a more just and equitable society. Each year, the day adopts a unique theme to address pressing issues where discrimination persists.

Births in Japan hit another record low in 2024, falling for the ninth-straight year as young people delay marriage while the elderly population rises, government data showed Thursday (February 27, 2025).

The numbers highlight the dramatic demographic challenges facing the world's fourth-biggest economy, where a shrinking workforce is having to shoulder the costs of caring for a ballooning elderly population.

In 2024, 720,988 babies were born in Japan, including to foreign nationals, down five percent from 758,631 in 2023, according to preliminary health ministry data.

Last year, half of the world’s population participated in elections, resulting in changes of power in some countries while others chose continuity over change.

It is noteworthy that recently elected or re-elected leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum, and America’s Donald Trump, are among the most favoured leaders, according to Morning Consult, which offers insights into the political atmosphere across different countries.

Modi was re-elected for a third term as India’s prime minister in May 2024, and Sheinbaum became Mexico’s (and North America’s) first woman president in October, while Trump was recently sworn in as the US president for his second term.

Madhya Pradesh made a remarkable mark at the Global Investors Summit (GIS) 2025, setting new benchmarks for investment and industrial growth. Held in Bhopal and inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 24th February, the summit became a pivotal moment in the state's journey toward becoming a global investment hub. Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, the event shattered records, with MoUs worth Rs30.77 Lakh Crore signed, underscoring the growing appeal of Madhya Pradesh to both national and international investors. The Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. (MPIDC) has also played a pivotal role in shaping the state's infrastructure and facilitating investment opportunities.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy on Wednesday successfully conducted flight trials of the first-of-its-kind Naval Anti-Ship Missile (NASM-SR) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur.

The missile, launched from an Indian Navy Sea King helicopter, demonstrated its capability against ship targets, marking a significant advancement in India’s defense technology, said the Ministry of Defence in a statement.

During the trial, the missile engaged a small ship target in sea-skimming mode at its maximum range, successfully validating its Man-in-Loop feature. This capability enables real-time target selection and in-flight retargeting, enhancing operational flexibility. The missile is equipped with an indigenous Imaging Infra-Red Seeker for terminal guidance, ensuring high-accuracy strikes.

The Recruits Training Centre (RTC) of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in Arakkonam has been renamed Rajaditya Cholan (RTC), Thakkolam, in memory of the Chola prince. Rajwinder Singh Bhatti, Director General of the CISF, issued the order for the change of name on February 24

The battle at Thakkolam took place in 949 CE between the Cholas and Rashtrakutas. Rajaditya, the son of Parantaka I, was killed by an arrow of the Ganga prince Butuga, an ally of the Rashtrakutas. Rajaditya earned the title ‘Yanaimel Thunjiya Devar’ (The king who died on the back of an elephant) in the Chola inscriptions at Kumbakonam and Thirunageswaram. Kalki, the author of Ponniyin Selvam, which was made into a film, also makes a reference to Yanaimel Thunjiya Devar.

K.A. Nilakanta Sastri, the author of Chola, says that there was much hard fighting, and the Chola army lost the battle mainly on account of a well-aimed arrow of Butuga having fatally wounded Rajaditya.

Ground-penetrating radar data obtained by China's Zhurong rover has revealed buried beneath the Martian surface evidence of what look like sandy beaches from the shoreline of a large ocean that may have existed long ago on the northern plains of Mars.

The findings are the latest evidence indicating the existence of this hypothesized ocean, called Deuteronilus, roughly 3.5 to 4 billion years ago, a time when Mars - now cold and desolate - possessed a thicker atmosphere and warmer climate. An ocean of liquid water on the Martian surface, according to scientists, potentially could have harbored living organisms, much like the primordial seas of early Earth.

The rover, which operated from May 2021 to May 2022, journeyed about 1.2 miles (1.9 km) in an area that exhibits surface features suggestive of an ancient shoreline. Its ground-penetrating radar, which transmitted high-frequency radio waves into the ground that reflected off subsurface features, probed up to 80 meters (260 feet) beneath the surface.

The Union ministry of ports, shipping and waterways (MoPSW) on Thursday announced a series of initiatives, including ‘One Nation: One Port Process (ONOP)’, aimed at modernizing India’s maritime infrastructure, strengthening its global trade presence and promoting sustainability.

Ports, shipping and waterways minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched the initiatives during a stakeholders' meeting to discuss various possibilities from the major announcements made in the Union Budget 2025-26 for the maritime sector.

The minister launched the ONOP initiative to standardize and streamline operations across India’s major ports. The step aims at removing inconsistencies in documentation and processes that led to inefficiencies, increased costs, and operational delays.

The Indian Express Chief Editor and Author Raj Kamal Jha won the 'Banaras Lit Fest Award' in 'Ruskin Bond Fiction Book Award Category' for his Novel "The Patient in Bed Number 12' at Banaras Lit Fest Book Awards in Delhi.

Raj Kamal Jha's "The Patient in Bed Number 12" features a searing investigation of the pulse of today's India: a billion-plus young people, restless and ambitious, trying to shed the burdens of their past--and yet haunted by ghosts of mistrust and hate.

The award was announced during the curtain raiser event of Banaras Lit Fest on February 23.

Vantara, a large-scale animal (wildlife) rescue centre led by Anant Ambani, son of Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, has won the Prani Mitra National Award from the Government of India.

“Anant Ambani’s Vantara has been conferred with the prestigious ‘Prani Mitra’ National Award, India’s highest honour in animal welfare, by the Government of India under the 'Corporate' category,” Reliance Industries said in a statement.

The award specifically recognised the contributions of Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust (RKTEWT), an organization under Vantara that aims to rescue, treat, and provide lifelong care for elephants.