Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will inaugurate the first-ever Regional Dialogue on Social Justice, which is set to take place on February 24-25 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. This event is being organized by the Ministry of Labour & Employment in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Employers’ Federation of India (EFI), and marks a significant step in contributing to the Global Coalition for Social Justice, which was launched by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 2023.

The Global Coalition for Social Justice brings together governments, employers, workers’ organisations, international and regional organisations, financial institutions, development banks, and other stakeholders to address social justice challenges collectively. As a member of the Asia Pacific Coordinating Group, India is leading this first regional dialogue, promoting the initiative “Responsible Businesses for Inclusive and Sustainable Societies,” focusing on expanding access to productive employment and sustainable enterprises.

World Number one tennis player Jannik Sinner has accepted a three-month suspension after a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) over two positive doping tests. Announcing this today, WADA said now Sinner will serve the suspension from February 9 to May 4th. The International Tennis Integrity Agency had initially cleared him, but WADA appealed for a one-year ban.

Sinner tested positive for trace amounts of Clostebol last March, which he attributed to accidental contamination from a trainer’s treatment.

The Italian, who won the Australian Open in January, will now return for the Italian Open on May 7th and the French Open on May 25th.

The Aadi Mahotsav 2025, a grand festival celebrating India’s rich tribal heritage, will be held from February 16-24, 2025, at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi. Organized by the Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED) under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the event will showcase the vibrant culture, heritage, and economic potential of India’s tribal communities.

The Hon’ble President of India, Droupadi Murmu, will inaugurate the festival as the Chief Guest. More than 600 tribal artisans, 500 performing artists, and 25 food stalls will participate, representing the diverse traditions of over 30 states and Union Territories. The festival aims to empower tribal communities by providing them with an extensive marketplace to promote their products and reach modern consumers.

Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo broke the half marathon world record on Sunday, becoming the first athlete to register a sub-57 minutes timing.

The 24-year-old Kiplimo, a two-time world cross country champion, finished the Barcelona Half Marathon in 56 minutes and 42 seconds to break the previous record of 57 minutes and 30 seconds set by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha in Valencia last year.

Kiplimo’s timing is subject to the usual ratification procedure.

Kiplimo held the world record between 2021 and 2024 before Kejelcha’s run in Spain. However, the Ugandan reclaimed the same in Spain itself with a spectacular performance.

Joaquin Niemann hit a stunning seven-under par final round of 65 to claim the LIV Golf Adelaide title on Sunday, finishing on 13-under par to win by three shots as Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs quartet claimed victory in the team event.

The Chilean trailed a trio of players that included Abraham Ancer by three shots at the start of the day’s play at the Grange Golf Club, prevailing in a battle with the 33-year-old down the back nine to win his third LIV Golf event.

“I’m starting to feel the chills now because I didn’t want to get out of the game rhythm because you never know what could happen, but now I feel that relief and it feels awesome,” Niemann said.

Niemann started the day on six-under par but had pulled himself into contention by the time he reached the turn, picking up four shots to put pressure on Ancer, who had been flawless after birdying the first two holes to take a clear lead.

The Indian Army is gearing up to conduct the sixth edition of Exercise Dharma Guardian with the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF) at Mount Fuji, Japan, from February 25 to March 9. The announcement follows the Indian General Upendra Dwivedi’s visit to Japan in October 2024, where both nations reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing defence cooperation.

The exercise's primary objective is to improve interoperability between the two forces through joint urban warfare and counter-terrorism drills conducted under a United Nations mandate. By honing tactics in these specialised areas, both armies aim to strengthen their operational readiness for a wide range of security challenges.

Veteran Telugu actor-producer C Krishnaveni died in Hyderabad on Sunday, February 16 at the age of 102. Movie Artistes Association (MAA) Vice-President Madala Ravi confirmed the news and stated that she died due to age-related ailments.

The legendary icon played a pivotal role in introducing former Chief Minister and legendary actor NT Rama Rao to the film industry through Mana Desam, a film in which she also starred.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that his government and student body All Assam Students Union (AASU) have reached an agreement on implementing 38 of the 52 recommendations of a high-level committee on Clause 6 of the Assam Accord of 1985.

“Among all recommendations of the committee, 52 come under purview of the Assam government. Today, AASU and the state government reached an agreement on implementing 38 of those recommendations," he said following a meeting with representatives of AASU.

He also said that the 38 recommendations will be implemented in a time-bound manner through provisions in the upcoming budget of the state as well as various legislations and ordinances in the future.

To cater for the industrialisation efforts, the Assam cabinet approved a mega industrial park over a land of more than 138 acres. Addressing a press conference after chairing a cabinet meeting, Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam, said the state government has resolved to allot 569 bighas of land (over 188 acres) in Morigaon district for a mega industrial park.

Besides this, the cabinet also approved the Assam Integrated Clean Energy Policy, 2025, to promote solar, wind, mini and small hydro, hydrogen, and other green energy projects in the state.

The Cabinet has approved the Assam Power Distribution Company (APDCL) Board's decision to issue the ‘Letter of Acceptance’ to the successful bidders for the 250 MW Solar Plant and Solar Park Common Infrastructure under the ‘Mukhya Mantri Sauro Shakti Prokolpo’ scheme.

The Governor of Tamil Nadu, Thiru R.N. Ravi, flagged off the train carrying the first batch of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 3.0 delegates—including students, teachers, and writers—today at Dr. MGR Central Railway Station, Chennai. This 10-day-long event is scheduled to take place from 15th to 24th February 2025. Director of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Prof. V. Kamakoti and other dignitaries were also present at the event.

The Union Minister for Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, in a social media message, welcomed everyone to embrace the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ at Kashi Tamil Sangamam 3.0. He emphasized that the event serves to cherish, celebrate, and strengthen the deep-rooted bonds between Kashi and Tamil Nadu—two enduring centers of culture, civilization, and knowledge.

The central theme of this edition of KTS will be Maharishi Agasthyar and Mahakumbh and Shri Ayodhya Dham will be the backdrop. The event will offer a divine experience and bring Tamil Nadu and Kashi—the two timeless centres of our civilisation and culture, more closer.