NEWS 25-02-2021. NEWS FOR 26th FEB (FRIDAY) 1) The north-eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram observed their statehood day on 20th Feb. Both of the states received their statehood on February 20, 1987. 2) The Indian and the Indonesian navies held the PASSEX military exercise in the Arabian sea on February 18, 2021. This military exercise was organised in order to enhance the operational interoperability and the overall cooperation. 3) On February 18, 2021, NASA successfully landed its Perseverance rover on the Red planet. Perseverance is the largest, most advanced rover NASA has sent to another world. Perseverance set down in Jezero Crater, just north of Mars’ equator. 4) The Foreign Ministers of India, Australia, Japan and the USA held the 3rd Quadrilateral security dialogue meeting on 18th of Feb. The ministers discussed cooperation in countering disinformation, counterterrorism, maritime security and the urgent need to restore the democratically elected government in Myanmar. 5) India and Mauritius have signed a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement. CECPA provides for an institutional mechanism to encourage and improve trade between the two countries. 6) China has again become India's top trading partner for the year 2020. The provisional data from the trade between both the countries in the year 2020 stood at $77.7 billion. The figure was lower than that was recorded in 2019, but it was enough to make China India's largest commercial partner, displacing the US. 7)The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) have signed an MoU to promote the Export-Oriented Marine Products. 8) The finance ministry has allowed all private sector banks to participate in government related businesses like collection of taxes, pension payments and small savings schemes. 9) The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal to impose President’s Rule in Puducherry. This proposal was approved days after the Congress-led government in the union territory lost power after a vote of confidence. 10) The existing 'disturbed area' status of Assam was extended for another six months from February 27 under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), ahead of the Assembly elections to be held in the state in April-May. 11) The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved the acquisition of 118 Arjun Mark 1A tanks on February 23, 2021.The approval was given for the Indian Army at a cost of Rs.6,000 crores. 118 tanks would join the fleet of first batch of 124 Arjun tanks. 12) The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the world’s largest Stadium at Motera, in Gujarat on February 24, 2021. It will be hosting the remaining 2 test matches & the T20 series in the ongoing Ind-Eng series. < < Back