International Affairs
After nine years in Mali, France has announced its military pullout.Â
After more than nine years of waging a terrorist insurgency in Mali, French President Emmanuel Macron has declared that France and its European partners will begin the military withdrawal.
Under the socialist president François Hollande, France sent troops to Mali to fight militants for the first time in 2013. The decision was made as a result of a deterioration in France’s relations with the country’s ruling junta regime. The military operation’s focus will be switched from Mali to Niger.
National Affairs
The Government of India and the World Bank have signed a $115 million loan deal for the REWARD Project’s implementation.Â
The World Bank and the Indian government have inked a $115 million (INR 869 crore) Rejuvenating Watersheds for Agricultural Resilience through Innovative Development (REWARD) programme.
This programme will assist national and state institutions in adopting better watershed management methods to enable farmers become more resilient to climate change, enhance production, and earn more money.
Quick Fact: The loan was given by the World Bank’s International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).
Appointments
Emma Terho was re-elected as Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission.Â
The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Athletes’ Commission re-elected Finnish ice hockey player Emma Terho as Chair and Republic of Korea table tennis player Seung Min Ryu as First Vice-Chair. Sarah Walker of New Zealand, a cyclist, was elected as the commission’s second vice chairperson.
Quick Fact: Lausanne, Switzerland is the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee.
Sports
R Praggnanandhaa of India became the youngest player to defeat world number one Magnus Carlsen.
Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, an Indian teen chess Grandmaster, has made history by defeating world number one chess champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway in an online chess match.
The Airthings Masters is the first of nine Meltwater Champions Chess Tour events in 2022, which will run from February to November.
Science and technology
Amit Shah introduces the Delhi Police Department’s ‘Shastra App’ and ‘Smart Card Arms License.’Â
On the occasion of the Delhi Police’s 75th anniversary, Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched their ‘Smart Card Arms License’ and ‘Shastra App.’ To provide people of the nation’s capital with technologically friendly digital services.
The smart card is convenient to carry and manage, according to Delhi Police, and has built-in security measures. After the data of the holders of weapons licences is verified, the card will be printed on-site.
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