Daily Current Affairs- 20th February 2025

Daily Current Affairs 20^th February 2025

INTERNATIONAL

India & Qatar sign 5 MoUs & 2 Agreement during Al Thani’s visit

• The India-Qatar Joint Business Forum meeting was held in New Delhi on 18 February 2025 on the sidelines of the Emir’s visit to India. The meeting explored opportunities to increase business ties between the two countries.
• India and Qatar signed five Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) and two agreements during the state visit of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, to India on 17 & 18 February 2025.
• Both countries agreed to elevate their relationship to a ‘Strategic Level’. Qatar is the fifth country in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). 

India and Argentina Strengthen Cooperation in Lithium Exploration and Mining

• Union Minister for Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, along with the Secretary, Ministry of Mines, and senior officials of the Ministry of Mines, held a meeting with H.E. Raúl Alejandro Jalil, Governor of Catamarca, Argentina, in New Delhi.
• A key highlight of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL), a PSU under the Ministry of Mines, and the Provincial Government of Catamarca, Argentina, which will pave the way for deeper collaboration in exploration and resource development of critical minerals. 

India Elected Vice President of the International Association of Aids to Marine Navigation

• India has been elected to the Vice Presidency of the International Association of Aids to Marine Navigation (IALA) at the ongoing first General Assembly of IALA in Singapore. The Indian delegation is being led by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Secretary, T.K. Ramachandran. 

NATIONAL

Google unveils ‘Ananta,’ its largest campus in India

• Google has made a significant leap in its commitment to India’s digital landscape by unveiling Ananta, its largest campus in the country. Named after the Sanskrit word meaning “infinite” or “limitless”, Ananta is not just a workplace but a hub of innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. Located in Mahadevapura, Bengaluru, this campus is among Google’s largest in the world, reinforcing India’s role as a key player in global technology and AI advancements. 

SPORTS

Shooter Manu Bhaker named BBC Indian Sportswomen of the Year 2024

• Double Olympic medal winner shooter Manu Bhaker has been named the 2024 Indian Sportwomen of the Year by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) of the United Kingdom. In 2020, Manu Bhaker won the BBC's Emerging Athlete of the Year award. 

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY   

Zomato Introduces AI-Powered Customer Support Platform, Nugget

• Zomato has introduced ‘Nugget,’ a no-code AI-powered customer support platform designed to help businesses automate and streamline customer service. Developed over three years, the platform currently handles over 15 million monthly interactions across Zomato’s ecosystem, including Blinkit and Hyperpure. This move highlights Zomato’s focus on AI-driven solutions to improve customer experience and operational efficiency. 

OBITUARY

Milind Rege: Mumbai Cricket’s Encyclopedia Passed Away

• Milind Rege, former Mumbai cricket captain and a revered figure in Indian domestic cricket, passed away on February 19, 2025, at the age of 76 due to cardiac arrest. Known for his deep knowledge of the game, he played a pivotal role in Mumbai’s cricketing legacy both as a player and an administrator. 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Rekha Gupta new Chief Minister of Delhi

• Rekha Gupta, a first-time Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), Took oath as Delhi's new chief minister at a grand ceremony at Ramlila Maidan on Thursday (February 20) where more than 25,000 security personnel were deployed.
• The 50-year-old MLA was selected as the Leader of the House during a BJP legislature party meeting on Wednesday, signalling the party's return to power in the national capital after a 26-year. 

PayU appoints new risk officer in a streak of new leadership hires

• Fintech firm PayU appointed Pramod Rao as its new Chief Risk Officer (CRO) amid a series of new hires at the senior management level, He has previously worked with Axis Bank, Vodafone Idea, Citibank, IDBI Bank, ICICI Bank, and HSBC. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Day of Social Justice

• World Day of Social Justice, observed annually on February 20th by the United Nations, serves as a global call to action for addressing poverty, exclusion, and unemployment while promoting solidarity, harmony, and equality of opportunity within and between societies.
• Theme; Global Coalition for Social Justice: Bridging Gaps, Building Alliances. Strengthening a just transition for a sustainable future means making sure our move toward low-carbon economies benefits everyone, especially the most vulnerable. 

RANKING

Reliance beats Apple, and Nike in FutureBrand Index 2024

• Reliance Industries has been ranked the second-best brand globally on the FutureBrand Index for 2024, ahead of brands like Apple and Nike, Reliance jumped 11 places in the latest ranking, according to the ranking released by FutureBrand. Note: Samsung tops the list.
• The ranking highlights brands that continuously evolve strategies to deliver on both brand purpose and experience, staying ahead of market shifts.