NATIONAL NEWS

ZSI Reports Discovery of Two New Jumping Spiders in Meghalaya

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) scientists discovered two new jumping spider species—Asemonea dentis and Colyttus nongwar—in Meghalaya, highlighting the region’s importance as part of the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot.

The findings were published in Zootaxa, a leading international animal taxonomy journal by Magnolia Press, Auckland (New Zealand).

Both newly discovered species belong to the Salticidae family, known for stalking and pouncing rather than web-spinning.

Asemonea dentis is only the third species of Asemonea genus reported in India.

The name dentis (Latin: tooth) refers to a tooth-like projection on the male’s palpal femur, which is a key identification feature.

Male Asemonea dentis are greenish-brown with a V-shaped pale-yellow abdominal mark, while females are creamy-white with black patterns.

Colyttus nongwar is only the second Indian species of the Oriental genus Colyttus.

The species Colyttus nongwar is named after Nongwar village in the Khasi Hills, where it was discovered.

Both sexes of Colyttus nongwar have an oval reddish-brown carapace, a light-brown abdomen, a creamy band, and five chevron-shaped patches.

Meghalaya has seen multiple recent spider discoveries, including Irura meghalaya (new species, May 2025) and India’s first record of Thiania abdominalis, showing that arachnid diversity in the region remains under-documented.

 

BANKING

IndusInd Bank Partners with Jio-bp to Launch Mobility+ Card

IndusInd Bank and Jio-bp have launched the ‘IndusInd Bank Jio-bp Mobility+ Credit Card’, a co-branded fuel and lifestyle credit card on the RuPay network.

This is IndusInd Bank’s first fuel-centric credit card and Jio-bp’s first co-branded card, designed for digitally savvy consumers.

The card enables UPI-based credit card payments, offering ease of payments on UPI platforms.

Customers can earn up to 60 litres of free fuel annually through the rewards programme.

The card provides 4.25% value back on fuel purchases at Jio-bp Mobility Stations, enhancing benefits for frequent vehicle users.

Users earn Smiles reward points on fuel, dining, groceries, convenience store purchases, and Wildbean Café

The card offers additional perks such as a 1% fuel surcharge waiver, 24×7 roadside assistance, and monthly/annual milestone rewards.

It carries a joining fee of ₹499 + GST, which is waived if the customer spends ₹10,000 within the first 30 days.

The foreign currency markup on international usage is 3.5%.

Ageas Federal Life Insurance Launches New Brand Identity with Refreshed Logo

Ageas Federal Life Insurance unveiled a new brand identity, introducing a refreshed logo and the brand promise “Har Wada Mumkin – Promises Made Possible.”

The new logo features two arcs symbolising protection and guidance, with orange and violet colours representing optimism and trust.

MD and CEO Jude Gomes launched the rebranding in Mumbai along with brand ambassador Sachin Tendulkar.

Ageas Federal Life Insurance is a joint venture between Belgium-based Ageas and Federal Bank.

The rebranding reflects the company’s commitment to simplifying insurance and making financial protection more accessible across India.

Ageas Federal ranks fourth in solvency among private life insurers with a 270% solvency ratio as of March 2025.

The company achieved 13% year-on-year growth in Individual Annual Premium Equivalent for the period ending October 30, 2025, outpacing the industry’s projected 9% growth.

It maintained a 100% Individual Claim Settlement Ratio for FY25, demonstrating strong operational performance.

SalarySe and CUB Launch India’s First Credit Card Exclusively for Salaried Individuals

SalarySe partnered with City Union Bank (CUB) to launch India’s first salary-exclusive credit card, the Level Up RuPay Credit Card, designed specifically for salaried individuals.

The card is powered by the RuPay Credit Card on UPI framework, supporting the RBI’s push for a cashless economy.

The card introduces a first-of-its-kind “Salary Day Bonus” offering up to 37.5% rewards on spending made on salary credit days.

The Level Up Card rewards routine spending such as UPI payments, bill payments, online shopping, and in-store purchases.

It leverages NPCI’s Credit on UPI system, enabling secure and transparent revolving credit through daily UPI transactions without separate loan applications.

Launched in Chennai, the product is tailored around the spending behaviour of working professionals, replacing traditional travel- or luxury-focused benefits.

Employer-linked salary verification backs the card issuance, promoting disciplined borrowing and controlled credit exposure.

Users can apply for the card and access curated financial services through the SalarySe mobile app.

 

ECONOMY

Asian Development Bank Ups India’s FY26 Growth Projection to 7.2%

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) released the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) December 2025 titled “Growth Steadies But Uncertainty Lingers”, updating economic projections for India and developing Asia.

ADB raised India’s GDP growth forecast for FY26 to 7.2% (up by 70 bps from 6.5%), citing strong domestic consumption boosted by recent tax cuts and GST reforms.

India recorded GDP growth of 8.2% in Q2 FY26, the highest in six quarters, compared to 7.8% in Q1, reflecting robust recovery momentum.

Despite the FY26 upgrade, ADB retained India’s GDP growth projection for FY27 at 6.5%, showing stable long-term expectations.

ADB revised India’s inflation outlook downward to 2.6% for FY26 (earlier 3.1%) due to GST reductions, easing food price inflation, strong agricultural output, and favourable weather conditions.

Inflation in India is projected to rise to 4.2% in FY27, aligning closer to the RBI’s inflation target, reflecting normalising price trends.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) also increased its FY26 GDP growth estimate to 7.3%, up from 6.8%, after strong economic performance during July–September.

For developing Asia, ADB upgraded the CY25 growth forecast by 30 bps to 5.1%, up from 4.8% projected in ADO September 2025.

ADB also raised the CY26 growth outlook for developing Asia by 10 bps to 4.6%, signalling sustained regional recovery.

Inflation in developing Asia is expected to fall to 1.6% in CY25, down from 1.7%, mainly due to lower food inflation in India.

The CY26 inflation forecast for developing Asia remains unchanged at 2.1%, indicating stable price expectations.

 

FINANCE

Amazon to Invest Over $35 Billion in India Across All Business Verticals by 2030

Amazon announced an investment of over USD 35 billion in India by 2030 during the Amazon Smbhav Summit in New Delhi, covering all business verticals.

The investment focuses on AI-driven digitisation, export growth, job creation, and business expansion, aligned with India’s national priorities.

Amazon signed an MoU with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) under the Ministry of Railways (MoR) to collaborate on education, research, and skill development.

Amazon aims to democratise AI access for 14 million small businesses and provide AI education to 4 million government school students.

Amazon plans to create 1 million new jobs, contributing to a total of 3.8 million jobs generated in India.

A new programme, ‘Accelerate Exports’, was launched to boost export-led growth by connecting digital entrepreneurs with manufacturers.

Amazon will expand logistics, data, and digital infrastructure, and strengthen AI-enabled marketplace and shopping features.

Since 2010, Amazon has invested USD 40 billion, digitised 12 million small businesses, enabled USD 20 billion in exports, and supported 2.8 million jobs in India.

Under the MoU, Amazon will co-develop courses on AI, automation, and logistics, and support research in transportation, digital freight, drone operations, and sustainable mobility.

 

AWARDS & PRIZES

A’ja Wilson Named TIME’s Athlete of the Year 2025

TIME magazine has honoured A’ja Wilson, superstar forward of the Las Vegas Aces, as the 2025 Athlete of the Year for delivering one of the most dominant and historic seasons in professional basketball history.

Wilson led the Las Vegas Aces to their third WNBA Championship in four years, while collecting an unprecedented series of major individual awards.

Her iconic parade outfit featuring a gold Thanos gauntlet symbolised the completeness of her achievements.

Wilson’s rise began in South Carolina, where she overcame challenges including dyslexia and grew into the nation’s No. 1 high school recruit.

At the University of South Carolina, under coach Dawn Staley, she led the Gamecocks to their first-ever national championship in 2017.

During the Aces’ early struggles in 2025 — including a 53-point loss — Wilson’s leadership transformed the team.

She introduced player-created scouting reports, accountability checklists, team bonding activities, and direct communication, helping rebuild discipline and chemistry.

TIME recognised Wilson not only for her historic season but also for her cultural impact, influence on women’s sports, and her advocacy for representation, equity, and inclusion.

Her impact now places her alongside transformative sporting icons like Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, and Muhammad Ali.

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

First Chief of Defence Forces for a Five-Year Term

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari approved the appointment of Field Marshal Asim Munir as the country’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) for a five-year term.

The CDF post was created through the 27th Constitutional Amendment, aimed at establishing unity of command and ensuring faster decision-making during critical situations.

The new CDF role replaces the earlier position of Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), which has now been abolished.

President Zardari granted a two-year service extension to Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, effective from 19 March 2026.

Asim Munir, who has served as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) since November 2022, had already received a five-year extension to his COAS tenure in 2024.