Daily Current Affairs and GK | 19 March 2025

Topic: MoUs and Agreements

1. Centre and WhatsApp join hands to curb digital frauds and cyber threats.

• On March 17, the Department of Telecommunications (DOT) collaborated with WhatsApp to extend Meta's safety campaign 'Scam Se Bachao' against online scams and spam.
• As part of the collaboration, the two will together educate citizens on how to identify and report suspected fraudulent communications to enhance digital safety and awareness.
• The initiative will include train-the-trainer workshops for DoT officials, Sanchar Mitras, Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), and field units.
• WhatsApp, in collaboration with the Department of Telecommunications, will explore ways to integrate citizen-centric services from the Sanchar Saathi initiative into the WhatsApp platform, thereby expanding its reach.
• WhatsApp is collaborating with the DoT's Digital Intelligence Unit and using DIP data to take action against telecom resource misuse for cybercrime and financial fraud.

(Source: DD News)

Topic: International News

2. On 17 March, Peru’s government declared a state of emergency in the capital, Lima.

• Soldiers have also been deployed to the streets to help control a surge of violence that resulted in the death of a popular singer.
• On March 16, the death of renowned cumbia musician Paul Flores sparked outrage when the bus he was traveling in was fired upon by unknown armed assailants.
• Flores died from the gunshot wounds.
• Additionally, the crime wave, including a rise in extortion rackets, also forced President Dina Boluarte to declare a state of emergency.
• The 30-day emergency order applies to Lima as well as neighboring Callao province and gives authorities additional powers to deploy the military to deal with chaos.
• The government's move comes amid weeks of escalating violence blamed on criminal groups.
• The groups often target businesses, including transport companies, though authorities have also claimed recent arrests of gangs.
• In recent years, authorities in Peru have repeatedly declared states of emergency when criminal activity or social unrest increases.
• Peru is located in the western part of South America. Its capital and largest city is Lima. Its currency is Sol.

Topic: Corporates/Companies

3. Government e-marketplace crossed Rs.5 lakh crore GMV.

• The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has crossed Rs.5 lakh crore in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) ahead of FY2024-25.
• This achievement marked rapid growth as a key platform for public procurement.
• GeM’s contributions to public savings have exceeded Rs.1,15,000 crore.
• With the help of this platform, registered buyers can facilitate ministries, departments, public sector enterprises, and local bodies.
• In FY 2024-25, GeM executed one of the largest cloud migrations by a government organization, enhancing scalability and improving the platform’s reliability.
• GeM has implemented key policy reforms to increase market accessibility and support a wide range of sellers, including Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), startups, and women-led businesses.
• More than 22 lakh sellers and service providers are registered on GeM.

Topic: International Appointments

4. Stuart Young sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.

• During a ceremony at the President’s House in St. Ann’s, Stuart Young took oath as the new Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.
• He is currently serving as the Minister of Energy and Energy Industries.
• He will succeed the outgoing Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley.
• In January, Dr. Rowley had announced to resign from office before the end of his term.
• Trinidad and Tobago is the southernmost island country in the Caribbean.
• Its capital city is Port of Spain and its largest and most populous municipality is Chaguanas.