National

Garba: UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed happiness that Garba’s global popularity is on the rise.
• UNESCO approved the inclusion of Gujarat's traditional Garba dance in its `Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity' in December 2023.
• Garba is a ritualistic and devotional dance that is performed on the occasion of the Hindu festival of Navaratri to worship the Hindu goddess Durga.

AFSPA extended in Nagaland

• Central government has extended Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, in eight districts and 21 police stations in five districts of Nagaland, declaring them as 'disturbed area' for a period of six months with effect from April 1 this year, unless withdrawn earlier.

International

1.1 billion dollars in the Amazon

• Brazilian and French presidents have announced a plan to invest 1.1 billion dollars in the Amazon, including parts of the rainforest in neighbouring French Guiana.

Thailand recognises Marriage Equality

• Thailand has become the first Southeast Asian nation to recognise marriage equality after Thailand’s parliament passed a same-sex marriage bill.

Economy

₹500 crore for Bhutan infra work

• India has released the second tranche of ₹500 crore to Bhutan for the development of infrastructure related to the GyalSung Project.

Defence

Army Commanders’ Conference 2024

• Army Commanders’ Conference 2024 will start in hybrid mode in New Delhi.
• The Army Commanders’ Conference serves as a pivotal forum for apex leadership of the Indian Army to brainstorm conceptual issues, review and assess the overall security situation.

Sports

Latin American Club 

• Indian defender Bijay Chhetri has become the first Indian footballer to sign for a Latin American club.
• He has joined Uruguayan football club Colon FC on loan until the year-end.

Person in News

Dmytro Kuleba

• Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba will arrive in New Delhi at the invitation of External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar.
• This is the first visit by a Ukrainian Foreign Minister to the country in seven years.

Anwar Ibrahim

• External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar called on Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur.

Costin Mandrea

• SLMG Beverages, the largest independent bottler of Coca-Cola in India, has appointed Costin Mandrea as its CEO.

Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi

• Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi sworn in as judicial member, Lokpal.
• The oath was administered by Justice A. M. Khanwilkar, Chairperson, Lokpal of India.

Miscellaneous

G20 2nd EWG Meeting

• The two day 2nd Employment Working Group (EWG) meeting under the Brazilian Presidency commenced in Brasilia.
• India is co-chairing the 2nd EWG meeting along with Brazil and South Africa.

India Employment Report 2024

• According to the India Employment Report 2024 jointly published by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Institute of Human Development (IHD), in 2022, India's youth accounted for 83% of the country's total unemployed population.