The mines ministry will launch the first tranche of exploration license auctions in March 2025, Union Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy said on Friday.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, the minister highlighted key policy reforms and initiatives aimed at bolstering India’s mining sector.He noted that the provision for granting Exploration Licenses for critical and deep-seated minerals through auction was introduced via an amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act in 2023.

India is ramping up exploration, with the Geological Survey of India (GSI) undertaking 438 projects in 2024-25, including 195 for critical minerals, and planning 450 for 2025-26. MECL has increased drilling by 35%, while the National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) has approved 146 projects worth ₹712 crore. Private sector participation is expanding, with 28 Notified Private Exploration Agencies (NPEAs) and relaxed regulations for border-area exploration.

Rose Girone, who is believed to be the oldest surviving Holocaust survivor and an ardent believer in telling survivors' stories, died at 113. Girone spent the final decade of her life in an assisted living community in North Bellmore, Long Island, New York, Patch, a local news source, reported.

The Claims Conference, an organization in New York that assists Holocaust survivors, reported her death on Monday in New York.

"Rose was a symbol of strength, but now we are committed to continuing in her memory," declared Greg Schneider, executive vice president of the Claims Conference, in a statement on Thursday. "The Holocaust lessons must not perish with those who suffered the pain."

The Andhra Pradesh state government, on Friday (February 28, 2025), presented the annual budget for the financial year 2025-26 with a total outlay of ₹3,22,359 crore. Of this, revenue expenditure is estimated at ₹2,51,162 crore, and capital expenditure at ₹40,635 crore.

Talliki Vandanam, Annadata sukhibhava, the two promises made under Super Six, key electoral promises, found their way into the Budget. The government made a mention of Godavari-Banakacherla, an ambitious ‘intra-linking of rivers’ initiative. But, there was no specific mention of funds allocated to it. However, allocation of ₹6,705 crore for Polavaram irrigation project was made in the budget. The government for the first time announced ₹10 crore for Telugu language development and free power to schools. A viability gap funding (VGF) scheme for Capital expenditure was also announced in the budget.

Shaurya Bhattacharya capped his fabulous run with a six-under 63 in the fourth round and emerged the champion by a five-shot margin, with a 27-under 249 in the SECL Rs. 1 crore Chattisgarh Open golf championship at the Fairway Golf and Lake Resort in Naya Raipur on Friday.

The 22-year-old Chandigarh lad had a five-shot lead overnight following scores of 64, 61 and 61, in the picturesque par-69 course. It was the second title in the professional circuit for Shaurya, who had won his maiden crown in his rookie season last year.

“It was a solid week for me with just one bogey through the four rounds. It was all about focusing on my breathing and staying in the present,” said Shaurya, who received the winner’s purse of Rs. 15,00,000 from PGTI president Kapil Dev and the Dy. Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Arun Sao.

India lags in nine of the 16 United Nations-mandated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to the State of States report launched on February 27, 2025, at the ongoing Anil Agarwal Dialogue 2025.

All 36 Indian states and Union territories (UTs) have achieved at least half of the target in only four of the 15 SDGs, as per the report by Rajit Sengupta, Associate Editor, Down To Earth (DTE) and Kiran Pandey, Programme Director, Environmental Resources, Centre for Science and Environment.

These are SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). SDG 14 (Life Below Water) has been excluded as it applies only to coastal states.

SBI Life Insurance Company said that its board has approved the appointment of Dorababu Daparti as Deputy chief executive officer (CEO) with effect from 24 February 2025.

The firm added that this appointment is based on the recommendation of the nomination and remuneration committee.

Dorababu Daparti is a highly accomplished banking professional with over 29 years of experience in the financial industry. He holds a Masters degree in Sciences (M.Sc.) and is a Chartered Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers (CAIIB).

Daparti began his career with the State Bank of India (SBI) in 1995 and has since held various managerial and executive roles within the organization.

World Civil Defence Day, celebrated annually on 1 March, aims to raise awareness of civil defence strategies and the protection of people. The day highlights the importance of civil defence measures in protecting people and their property from accidents, natural disasters and other crises.

World Civil Defence Day was first observed in the 20th century, a time of profound social, technological and political upheaval around the world.

There were major concerns about the safety and health of the general public at the time due to the development of nuclear weapons.

Thus, the United Nations established the International Civil Defence Organisation—tasked with coordinating and advancing civil defence initiatives around the world.

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.