Pankaj Advani Wins 2025 Asian Snooker Championship
Indian cueist Pankaj Advani triumphed in the 2025 Asian Snooker Championship, defeating Amir Sarkosh of Iran in the final. This victory marks Advani’s 14th Asian title, showcasing his exceptional skill and precision. The final match featured impressive breaks of 93 and 66, highlighting Advani’s tactical brilliance. With this win, Advani edges closer to achieving the rare feat of winning the National, Asian, and World Snooker Championships in a single calendar year.
Vijender Gupta Elected as Speaker of Delhi Assembly
BJP leader Vijender Gupta has been elected as the Speaker of the Delhi Assembly. A three-time MLA from Rohini, Gupta’s election was proposed by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and supported by other BJP ministers during the first session of the eighth Delhi Assembly. Despite facing disruptions from AAP legislators, Gupta emphasized the need for order and smooth proceedings. Pro-tem Speaker Arvinder Singh Lovely oversaw the election process. Gupta’s election marks a significant political development for the BJP in Delhi.
Leadership Change at Unilever: Hein Schumacher Steps Down, Fernando Fernandez Steps Up
Unilever, a leading consumer goods company, announced a significant leadership change. CEO Hein Schumacher will step down on March 1, 2025, with his official departure set for May 31, 2025. Fernando Fernandez, currently CFO and Executive Director, will succeed Schumacher as CEO from March 1. Fernandez, who has led Unilever’s Beauty & Wellbeing division and held key roles in Latin America, Brazil, and the Philippines, will take on the new role. Unilever has initiated a search for a permanent CFO, with Srinivas Phatak serving as acting CFO in the interim.
Mahashivratri 2025: Date & Significance
Mahashivratri, a significant Hindu festival, will be celebrated on February 26, 2025. The festival honors Lord Shiva and commemorates his divine union with Parvati. Devotees observe fasting, night-long vigils, and perform rituals like Abhishekam, bathing the Shiva Lingam with milk, honey, and water. Maha Shivratri symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and ignorance. It is believed that on this night, Lord Shiva performed the cosmic dance of creation, preservation, and destruction. The festival is a time for spiritual awakening, self-discipline, and seeking blessings for inner peace and prosperity.
NITI Aayog’s Vision for Viksit Bharat by 2047
NITI Aayog, India’s policy think tank, is driving an initiative to shape the future of several states through state-specific vision documents aimed at achieving a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047. The annual report for 2024-25 outlines this visioning exercise, involving states like Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh. Dedicated teams within NITI Aayog assist these states in creating comprehensive strategies that align with national objectives. The initiative aims to ensure all states contribute effectively to the nation’s socio-economic progress and promote cooperative federalism.
Discovery of New Bat Coronavirus HKU5-CoV-2
Researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China have identified a new bat coronavirus named HKU5-CoV-2. This virus is part of the merbecovirus subgenus, which also includes the MERS virus. HKU5-CoV-2 shares similarities with SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, as it can bind to human ACE2 receptors. This suggests potential animal-to-human transmission. Although no human infections have been reported, continuous monitoring is essential to assess its pandemic potential.