NATIONAL NEWS

National Arogya Fair 2026 to be Inaugurated in Shegaon

• The National Arogya Fair 2026 will be inaugurated by Droupadi Murmu on February 25 in Shegaon, Maharashtra.

• The four-day fair will be held from February 25 to February 28 in Buldhana district.

• It is being organised by the Ministry of Ayush in partnership with the All India Ayurvedic Congress.

• The inauguration ceremony will take place at Visava Maidan of Sant Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan.

• The fair aims to promote the AYUSH system and raise public awareness about traditional healthcare practices.

• It will provide integrated health services including free check-ups, consultations and medicines.

• The initiative also promotes medicinal plant farming and agroforestry to generate livelihood opportunities for farmers.

• Various AYUSH streams — Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy — will be represented along with wellness companies showcasing research and quality standards.

India Expands Legislative Diplomacy Through Parliamentary Friendship Groups

• Om Birla has initiated Parliamentary Friendship Groups with more than 60 nations.

• The move aims to deepen India’s global engagement through legislative-level interaction.

• It complements conventional diplomacy by fostering direct ties between Parliament and foreign legislatures.

• These groups will encourage exchanges on lawmaking practices and governance models.

• Key areas of discussion include trade, technology, social policy, and cultural cooperation.

• Structured dialogue will help address shared international challenges.

• Participation from multiple political parties reflects a unified national outreach.

• Senior MPs will lead these groups to promote sustained democratic collaboration.

INTERNATIONAL APPOINTMENT

Rob Jetten Assumes Office as Netherlands Prime Minister

• Rob Jetten has taken oath as the new Prime Minister of the Netherlands.

• Narendra Modi extended congratulations following his appointment.

• The minority coalition government was sworn in at Huis ten Bosch Palace after the October 29 elections.

• The new cabinet includes 18 ministers and 10 state secretaries.

• It is formed by a coalition of Democrats 66, People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, and Christian Democratic Appeal.

• Together, these parties command 66 seats in the 150-member House of Representatives.

• India expressed confidence that bilateral ties will strengthen under the new leadership.

• The two nations share over 75 years of diplomatic cooperation spanning trade, technology, agriculture, defence, and water management.

AWARDS

Jessie Buckley Makes History with BAFTA 2026 Best Actress Win

• Jessie Buckley won the Best Actress award at the 2026 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards held in London.

• The ceremony took place at the iconic Royal Festival Hall, marking a career milestone for Buckley.

• She became the first Irish performer to receive the BAFTA Best Actress honour.

• The award was presented by fellow Irish actor Cillian Murphy.

• Buckley was recognised for her role as Agnes Shakespeare in Hamnet, directed by Chloé Zhao.

• The film is inspired by Hamnet written by Maggie O’Farrell.

• In her speech, Buckley dedicated the award to women who shaped her life and journey.

• The event also saw One Battle After Another emerge as a major winner of the night.

SPORTS

Delhi Open 2026: Stefanos Sakellaridis Clinches Men’s Singles Title

• Stefanos Sakellaridis of Greece won the men’s singles title at the Delhi Open 2026.

• He defeated Britain’s Oliver Crawford in a tightly fought final.

• The 21-year-old secured his maiden ATP Challenger Tour singles trophy.

• In doubles, India’s Siddhant Banthia and Bulgaria’s Alexander Donski lifted the title.

• They beat Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha and Thailand’s Pruchya Isaro in the final.

• This marks the third instance of an Indian player being part of a doubles-winning team at the tournament.

• Earlier winners include Saketh Myneni & Sanam Singh (2015), and Yuki Bhambri & Mahesh Bhupathi (2016).

• Somdev Devvarman remains the only Indian singles champion, having won consecutive titles in 2014 and 2015.

ECONOMY NEWS

₹10 Billion Handloom Export Target Announced by Giriraj Singh

• Union Minister Giriraj Singh set a target of achieving US$10 billion in handloom exports by 2031.

• The announcement was made during the 43rd Foundation Day celebration of the National Handloom Development Corporation in New Delhi.

• He highlighted the handloom sector’s crucial role in generating livelihoods across the country.

• The minister noted that the industry helps sustain traditional and indigenous production systems.

• Citizens were urged to promote and support Swadeshi textiles.

• A special handloom expo was inaugurated at the event, which will continue until March 2.

• He outlined NHDC’s future roadmap and appreciated its efforts in empowering the weaving community.

• Established on 22 February 1983, NHDC was created as a national-level agency to boost handloom sector growth and was later upgraded to a Schedule ‘B’ CPSE in 2010.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

Asia Economic Dialogue 2026 to be Held in Pune

• The seventh edition of the Asia Economic Dialogue 2026 will take place in Pune from February 26 to 28.

• The event is jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Pune International Centre.

• The theme for this year is “Geoeconomics Beyond Globalization: Tariffs, Technology, and Strategic Alignment.”

• The three-day international conference will feature 12 structured sessions.

• More than 45 speakers are expected to participate in the dialogue.

• Delegates will include policymakers, academicians and industry leaders.

• Representatives from nine countries — India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Singapore, Kenya, Australia, Israel and Norway — will attend.

• The discussions will focus on evolving global geo-economic trends and encourage the exchange of policy ideas and strategic perspectives.