The head of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, advocates for discontinuing loans secured by Africa's oil or critical minerals. Adesina highlights challenges such as the difficulty in pricing underground assets and the potential for exploitation in loan negotiations. These loans often lead to financial crises and hinder sustainable debt management in African countries. Major stakeholders include China and Western commodity traders, with initiatives like the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa aiming to reduce reliance on problematic financing.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the successful maiden flight test of India's Agni-5 missile equipped with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology. Code-named "Mission Divyastra," the test signifies India's entry into an exclusive league of nations possessing MIRV missile systems. The test, conducted off the Odisha coast, showcased India's technological prowess and commitment to gender-inclusive projects, with women scientists leading the initiative. The Agni-5's MIRV system enhances India's strategic deterrence capability significantly. However, concerns arise over surveillance activities as Chinese research vessels operate in the Indian Ocean during the test, prompting collaborative diplomatic efforts among India, the US, and other Quad members to safeguard regional security interests.

In defiance of logistical challenges arising from the volatile situation in Ukraine, INS Tushil, a key vessel of the Indian Navy, has set sail for sea trials from a Russian naval base. The vessel's departure underscores the Navy's commitment to operational continuity despite obstacles. Amidst heightened tensions, the collaboration between India and Russia highlights the importance of international cooperation in maintaining maritime security. INS Tushil's journey symbolizes not only technological advancement but also the determination of those involved in its operations.

In a landmark gathering held in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, African health ministers, global malaria partners, and other stakeholders convened to address the pressing issue of malaria. The gathering resulted in the Yaoundé Declaration, wherein commitments were made to end malaria deaths, particularly in light of available tools and systems.

Indian Navy's INS Tir, the lead ship of First Training Squadron (1TS), actively participated in Exercise Cutlass Express - 24 (CE – 24) held at Port Victoria, Seychelles, from 26 Feb to 08 Mar 24. The exercise, inaugurated by the President of Seychelles, witnessed the involvement of dignitaries from India, USA, and African countries. Alongside theoretical and practical training sessions on Maritime Interdiction Operations and Visit Board Search and Seizure procedures, joint diving operations were conducted with participants from 16 friendly foreign countries. INS Tir also engaged in joint EEZ surveillance with the Seychelles Coast Guard, fostering interoperability and strengthening ties between regional navies. Additionally, cultural exchanges and philanthropic activities marked the ship's goodwill gesture, reinforcing the significance of maritime cooperation in the region.

China has recently disclosed a new baseline delineating its territorial claims in the northern part of the Gulf of Tonkin, an area shared with Vietnam. The announcement, comprising seven base points, aims to address ongoing maritime disputes and foster international maritime cooperation. Despite assurances from the Chinese Foreign Ministry that the new baseline will not adversely affect Vietnam's interests or those of other nations, concerns have been raised regarding its compliance with international maritime law and its potential impact on freedom of navigation and various maritime activities. This development highlights the complexities surrounding maritime territorial disputes and underscores the need for diplomatic efforts to manage tensions in the region.

India has recently revealed its Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet designed to bolster the nation's defense capabilities. Developed indigenously, the AMCA showcases India's prowess in aerospace engineering and marks a significant milestone in its quest for self-reliance in defense technology. With advanced features including stealth capabilities, state-of-the-art avionics, radar systems, and weaponry, the AMCA is poised to redefine India's defense strategy. Emphasizing indigenous development, the project aims to reduce dependency on foreign defense imports, fostering innovation and technological advancement within the country. Beyond national defense, the AMCA project highlights India's capabilities in high-tech manufacturing and engineering, positioning the country as a key player in the global aerospace industry. Additionally, it is expected to stimulate the Indian economy by generating job opportunities and driving growth in the defense manufacturing sector. Overall, the unveiling of the AMCA represents a significant achievement for India's aerospace industry and reinforces its commitment to self-reliance in defense technology.

A recent aerial survey conducted by the Reef Authority and the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) revealed alarming levels of coral bleaching covering over two-thirds of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) Marine Park. Experts confirmed that more than 300 reefs, extending from Cape Melville to Bundaberg, are experiencing bleaching, with some corals already dying. Reef Authority Chief Scientist Roger Beeden correlated the bleaching with prolonged periods of elevated sea surface temperatures, pointing to climate change as the primary driver. Local observations from scientists at James Cook University corroborated these findings, highlighting the urgency of addressing climate change to protect coral reef ecosystems. Globally, the frequency and severity of coral bleaching events are increasing, with warnings of an impending fourth global mass bleaching event. The resilience of the GBR, despite past bleaching events, faces a significant challenge amid escalating climate impacts.

The Blue Leaders High-Level Event on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction convened in Belgium on March 7, 2024, to advocate for the ratification of the BBNJ Treaty, aimed at protecting marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Despite significant support from various countries, only two out of 88 signatories have ratified the treaty so far. Challenges include potential delays in ratification and concerns about the effectiveness of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA). However, efforts are ongoing to expedite the ratification process and strengthen scientific support for the treaty's objectives. Additionally, countries are working towards protecting 30% of marine life by 2030, highlighting the critical role of the high seas in achieving this goal.

A newly released UNICEF report sheds light on the concerning prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) globally. With over 230 million girls and women affected, representing a 15% increase from data released eight years ago, the report underscores the slow progress in ending this harmful practice. While African countries bear the highest burden, cases are also significant in Asia and the Middle East, with smaller numbers in other regions. Fragile and conflict-affected settings present particular challenges in addressing FGM effectively. However, some countries, such as Kenya, Sierra Leone, and Egypt, have shown promising progress in reducing prevalence. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasizes the urgent need to strengthen efforts to combat FGM, given its detrimental impact on girls' physical, psychological, and social well-being.

The Sela Tunnel, located amidst the rugged expanse of Arunachal Pradesh, stands as a testament to India's commitment to infrastructural development and national security. Constructed at an altitude exceeding 13,000 feet, this engineering marvel not only reduces travel time and enhances connectivity but also plays a crucial role in facilitating troop movement along the sensitive Indo-China border. Furthermore, it serves as a catalyst for socio-economic development by stimulating trade and tourism, thereby empowering local communities. Despite facing challenges such as harsh terrain and environmental concerns, the Sela Tunnel promises to be a conduit for prosperity and resilience in the Himalayan heartland with prudent management and strategic planning.

Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Shri Arjun Munda and Union Minister for Rural Development Shri Giriraj Singh jointly inaugurated four significant initiatives in the agriculture sector. These initiatives aim to enhance soil health, empower farmers, and promote sustainable agricultural practices. The initiatives include a revamped Soil Health Card Portal & Mobile Application, School Soil Health Programme, Krishi Sakhi Convergence Programme, and the Central Fertilizer Quality Control and Training Institutes’ (CFQCTI’s) Portal. The ministers emphasized the importance of soil health, education, and real-time data availability in achieving the objectives of these initiatives. These efforts signify a step towards empowering rural communities and fostering sustainable agricultural development.

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) are set to conduct a joint exercise named 'Sea Defenders-2024' in Port Blair. This exercise marks a significant advancement in bilateral cooperation between the two coast guard forces. The USCGC Bertholf, equipped with advanced technology and weaponry, has arrived from California to participate in the exercise. Scheduled for March 9-10, the exercise will focus on combating maritime piracy and asymmetric threats, including simulated drone attacks and emergency readiness exercises. The visit of USCGC Bertholf reflects a shared commitment to upholding maritime norms in the Indo-Pacific region. Past engagements between the two Coast Guards have included training, exercises, and cooperative measures, further strengthening their partnership.

A recent study delved into the mysteries of star dunes, focusing on Lala Lallia, a remarkable sand formation in eastern Morocco's Sahara Desert. These pyramid-shaped dunes, towering up to 1,000 feet tall, exhibit a unique star-like appearance from above. Utilizing ground-penetrating radar and luminescence dating, researchers uncovered Lala Lallia's internal structure and estimated its formation time to be around 900 years. The findings shed light on the complex formation process of star dunes, contributing to our understanding of desert landscapes and geological history.

The Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) has joined forces with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore to establish the International Centre of Excellence for Dams (ICED). This collaboration aims to elevate the expertise of national institutions to a global level, thereby supporting the 'Make in India' initiative, particularly in the domain of dam safety. ICED will serve as a technological hub, providing specialized technical support, conducting advanced research, offering training programs for dam engineers, and modernizing infrastructure. With a grant of 118.05 crore rupees from the Ministry, ICED is poised to become a cornerstone in ensuring the safety of dams, not only in India but also in disseminating knowledge to other nations.

A total solar eclipse is set to mesmerize the world on April 8, 2024, offering a rare spectacle as the Sun disappears from view, plunging areas within the path of totality into darkness akin to nightfall. Viewers are advised to exercise caution, removing eclipse glasses only during the brief period of totality when the Moon fully obstructs the Sun. This celestial event presents a unique opportunity to witness the Sun's corona and possibly the chromosphere, accompanied by a noticeable drop in air temperatures. The eclipse marks the final chance to experience a total solar eclipse from the contiguous United States until 2044.

NASA's recent satellite imagery has brought to light a fascinating atmospheric phenomenon known as "hole-punch clouds" or "odd holes." Initially sparking speculation ranging from natural occurrences to extraterrestrial interventions, further investigation has revealed a correlation between these distinctive cloud formations and aeroplane activity. Dr. Emily Park, a meteorologist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, elucidates the mechanism behind these phenomena, attributing them to aeroplanes passing through clouds of supercooled water droplets, inducing a rapid freezing process termed "cloud seeding." The unprecedented clarity and scale provided by satellite imagery have enabled researchers to refine atmospheric models and better comprehend the interplay between aviation and cloud dynamics. This discovery holds significant implications for aviation safety, weather forecasting, and climate studies, prompting collaboration between NASA, meteorological agencies, and aviation authorities to navigate the complexities of Earth's atmosphere.

India has witnessed a notable improvement in its ranking in the World Bank’s Women, Business and Law (WBL) index, reaching 113 out of 190 countries in the latest edition. The WBL index serves as a crucial indicator of the disparities in legal rights between men and women globally. According to the recent report, Indian women are found to enjoy 60% of the legal rights afforded to men, although this figure falls below the global average of 64.2%. This underscores the ongoing efforts needed to bridge the gender gap in legal frameworks and promote greater gender equality in India and around the world.

General Arjun Singh, India's Chief of Defence Staff, recently addressed the significance of comprehending and preparing for grey zone warfare in today's security landscape. Grey zone warfare involves adversaries utilizing unconventional tactics and ambiguous methods to achieve their goals, operating below the threshold of traditional armed conflict. Unlike conventional warfare, grey zone warfare operates in the shadows, leveraging cyber attacks, disinformation campaigns, economic coercion, and proxy forces to blur the lines between war and peace. General Singh emphasized the challenges posed by grey zone warfare to traditional military doctrines and strategies, particularly in India's complex security environment marked by threats from state and non-state actors. He stressed the need for a comprehensive approach, including enhancing intelligence capabilities, bolstering cyber defenses, fostering strategic partnerships, and promoting societal resilience. Proactive measures and strategic foresight are essential to counter grey zone aggression before it escalates into full-blown conflict. As nations worldwide reassess their defense strategies to confront these elusive threats, informed analysis and proactive measures are crucial for navigating the complexities of grey zone conflict.

Around 170 individuals were "executed" in a series of attacks targeting three villages in northern Burkina Faso on February 25. The villages of Komsilga, Nodin, and Soroe in Yatenga province were affected, with survivors reporting that women and young children were among the victims. The regional public prosecutor, Aly Benjamin Coulibaly, initiated a provisional death count and ordered an investigation into the attacks, appealing to the public for any relevant information. These attacks are separate from other deadly incidents in the region, as Burkina Faso continues to grapple with a jihadist insurgency led by groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.

Moscow, Riyadh, and several other OPEC+ members have announced an extension of oil production cuts initially introduced in 2023 to stabilize oil prices amidst economic uncertainties. The extension, effective until mid-2024, involves significant cuts by Saudi Arabia and Russia for the second quarter of the year. These additional cuts will be gradually restored based on market conditions after the second quarter. Other OPEC+ members, including UAE, Kuwait, Iraq, and Kazakhstan, have also committed to extending their voluntary cuts until the end of June. Despite historical efforts to stabilize prices, challenges to the cohesion of OPEC+ have emerged due to disagreements among members, with Angola exiting the alliance in December over a production cut dispute.