Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun's Regular Press Conference on February 21, 2025

  • No description.

UPSC Quiz – 2025 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 22nd February 2025

  • For Previous Daily Quiz (ARCHIVES) – CLICK HERE The Current Affairs questions are based on sources like ‘The Hindu’, ‘Indian Express’ and ‘PIB’, which are very important sources for UPSC Prelims Exam. The questions are focused on both the concepts and facts. ….

IIT Madras’ global hyperloop competition 2025 kicks off

  • ‘This event is not only a celebration of innovation but also a testament to how India is emerging as a leader in transportation technology’.

Reliance Consumer opens new beverages bottling plant in Guwahati

  • Guwahati plant to manufacture Reliance Consumer’s beverage portfolio, including Campa Cola, Campa Orange, Campa Lemon, Power Up, and packaged drinking water under the Independence and Sure Water brands.

Trump says he will impose retaliatory tariffs for digital taxes

  • The memo directs the US Trade Representative's office to renew digital service taxes investigations that were initiated during Trump's first term, and investigate any additional countries that use a digital tax "to discriminate against U.S. companies.

Google to Open Its First Offline Store Outside US, in India

  • Google is finalizing a location for its first international offline store in India, highlighting its focus on the country as a key growth market. The store (expected to be 15,000 sq. ft.) is part of Google’s $10 billion investment in India. However, legal and….

Rethinking metrics for long-term investment success

  • Investment horizons typically focus on a short-term period, lasting several weeks up to three years, and include assets such as cash equivalents, bonds, and other fixed-income instruments. Relying solely on conventional financial metrics like quarterly EPS an….

Sovereign Gold Bond 2025: RBI announces SGB premature redemption dates from April – September 2025; Check details

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced the premature redemption schedule for Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) between April and September 2025. Investors willing to redeem before maturity can submit requests within specified periods. These bonds provide a s….

Australia looks at improving air connectivity with South India to boost business

  • Increased air connectivity between South India and Australia to boost business and investment opportunities, with potential for Australian universities in Kerala..

The role of government policies in promoting solar adoption among farmers

  • Government support and financial incentives drive solar energy adoption in agriculture, promoting sustainability and energy security for farmers worldwide..

India mulling lower duties for low-volume US imports

  • India is considering reducing duties on certain US products that pose no significant threat to local industries under a proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement. Discussions have begun with stakeholders in sectors like auto and auto components. The government aims ….

India's GDP growth likely to improve to 6.2 pc in Q3FY25 from 5.4 pc in Q2FY25: Union Bank of India

  • India's GDP growth is projected to rise to 6.2% in Q3FY25 from 5.4% in Q2FY25, as the negative gap between GDP and GVA growth neutralizes. Despite potential risks from fiscal data, Union Bank of India maintains its full-year GDP forecast at 6.4%..

More interest rate cuts on way, signal MPC minutes

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is expected to implement more interest rate cuts in the coming months to boost economic growth. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has shifted its immediate focus from controlling inflation to fostering growth. The recent 25 b….

Champions Trophy: PCB writes to ICC after host Pakistan's name omitted from India-Bangladesh broadcast

  • The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed displeasure to the ICC over Pakistan's name being omitted from the tournament logo during the India-Bangladesh Champions Trophy match in Dubai. The ICC confirmed it was a technical error and assured PCB the correct l….

Virat Kohli getting out to same type of bowling is a concern: Sunil Gavaskar

  • Sunil Gavaskar highlighted concerns over Virat Kohli's recurring dismissals due to an open-faced bat as India aims to reclaim the Champions Trophy. Kohli's recent struggles against spin and the fast bowlers have been evident, with a poor run of form this year….

Indian army contingent departs for India-Japan joint military exercise Dharma Guardian

  • The Indian Army contingent, consisting of 120 personnel, has departed for the 6th edition of Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN with Japan, scheduled from February 24 to March 9, 2025. The exercise aims to improve interoperability in urban warfare and counter-terrorism….

Isn't this cheating?: Shivraj Singh Chouhan complains of broken seat on Air India, calls service 'unethical'

  • Senior BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed concerns about Air India's services after experiencing faulty seating and passenger inconvenience on a flight from Bhopal to Delhi. Chouhan criticized the airline for selling tickets for damaged seats despite ….

IND vs PAK Champions Trophy: Pakistan is preparing with a 'special coach' for its do-or-die clash with India

  • A large crowd gathered to support the Pakistan cricket team during their first training session in Dubai. Former cricketer Mudassar Nazar offered valuable insights to the team, who are keen on defeating India to boost their tournament chances. Babar Azam and ….

TMC's Derek O'Brien, Mahua Moitra meet IUML supremo Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal

  • AITC leaders Derek O'Brien and Mahua Moitra met IUML supremo Panakkad Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal in Kerala during a two-day visit. The focus was on strengthening alliances within the INDIA bloc ahead of upcoming elections. Thangal mentioned that internal UDF di….

Zacks Research Has Pessimistic View of Xerox Q1 Earnings

  • Xerox Holdings Co. (NYSE:XRX – Free Report) – Equities researchers at Zacks Research lowered their Q1 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Xerox in a report issued on Tuesday, February 18th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects th….

Q3 EPS Estimate for Ceragon Networks Decreased by Analyst

  • Ceragon Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ:CRNT – Free Report) – Equities researchers at Litchfield Hills Research reduced their Q3 2025 earnings estimates for shares of Ceragon Networks in a research note issued on Wednesday, February 19th. Litchfield Hills Research anal….

Toast (NYSE:TOST) Given New $50.00 Price Target at Morgan Stanley

  • Toast (NYSE:TOST – Get Free Report) had its price target raised by Morgan Stanley from $46.00 to $50.00 in a report released on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an “overweight” rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley’s target price indicates a po….

Army plans to boost air defence capabilities with new guns, potent radars

  • The Army Air Defence plans to modernize by replacing outdated platforms, introducing new fragmentation ammunition, and deploying advanced radars. The army aims to secure a contract for the indigenously developed Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile system so….

GCCs evolve beyond IT, ramp up hiring for specialised tech

  • Global Capability Centers (GCCs) are evolving beyond IT functions, prioritizing innovation and domain expertise. Hiring for specialised tech roles in BFSI, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing is rising, with a focus on AI, cloud, and automation-driven solut….

Donald Trump signs memo to impose retaliatory tariffs for digital taxes

  • Another official, providing details of the order, said Trump was directing his administration to consider responsive actions like tariffs "to combat the digital service taxes (DSTs), fines, practices, and policies that foreign governments levy on American com….

Even if India cuts duty, Tesla's cheapest car would still be beyond most Indians' budgets

  • With the anticipated decrease in import duties to 15-20 per cent in India, along with other expenses such as road tax and insurance, the expected on-road price would still approximate $40,000, equating to about Rs 35-40 lakh, CLSA said..

RailTel awarded Rs 288 crore Kavach tender

  • RailTel Corporation of India Ltd. has secured a Rs 288 crore contract to implement Kavach anti-collision technology over 71 stations and 502 route km of tracks. This project aims to enhance safety and operational efficiency in the East Central Railway. Kavach….

Trade isn’t all about Trump

  • World business and commerce are changing in ways that have nothing to do with the US president’s tariff threats.

The New Nuclear Age by Ankit Panda: Could ‘growing loose talk’ lead to the ultimate disaster?

  • The author is concerned about a potential three-way arms race between the US, Russia and China and a greater willingness to consider a ‘limited’ use of nuclear weapons.

Jobs Offshoring and Work Visas Are Means of Enriching Corporate Executives With ‘Performance Bonuses’

  • From The Failure of Laissez Faire Capitalism and Economic Dissolution the West (Clarity Press, 2013) “The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and immigration advocates, such as the American Immigration Lawyers Association, immediately went to work to defeat or to water ….

[Vantage Point] Understanding Trump’s reciprocal tariff on the Philippines

  • Donald Trump’s imposition of reciprocal tariffs presents an opportunity for the Philippines to negotiate a more sustainable and mutually beneficial economic partnership with the US.