 "FirstUp: Mark Carney to be sworn in as Canada’s prime minister and other big news today")
Happy Holi! Today is expected to be a busy day, not just because of the festivities and celebrations.
Several important events are scheduled for today.
Mark Carney is set to take the oath as Canada’s 24th prime minister.
ALSO READ | Will Mark Carney be able to restore India-Canada ties?
Meanwhile, China will hold a meeting with Russia and Iran regarding nuclear energy.
In Mexico City, the Global Conference of Women Parliamentarians will take place.
A rare total lunar eclipse, commonly known as Chandra Grahan or the Blood Moon, will cast a red hue over the moon.
The Tamil Nadu government will present its budget for the financial year 2025-26.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will begin a three-day visit to Assam.
Let’s take a look at these events:
Mark Carney to be sworn as Canada PM
**Mark Carney** is set to take the oath as Canada’s next prime minister today, bringing an end to Justin Trudeau’s tenure of over nine years.
Canada’s Governor General Mary Simon’s office confirmed that the swearing-in ceremony for the prime minister and his cabinet will be held at 11 am local time (around 8:30 pm IST).
**Carney** , a former central banker who previously led both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, was elected as the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada on Sunday.
He takes charge at a challenging time as Canada faces a trade conflict with its longstanding ally, the United States led by Donald Trump, and the need to hold a general election soon.
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More ShortsChina, Russia, Iran to hold key meeting
China host discussions in Beijing today with Russia and Iran concerning “nuclear energy and **imposed sanctions** .”
According to China’s foreign ministry, the country’s Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu will lead the meeting, with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi in attendance.
This meeting follows a recent initiative by Trump to revive **negotiations with Iran** , as the US president sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last week and proposed discussions on a revised nuclear agreement.
Since the Ukraine war began in 2022, Iran and Russia have strengthened their ties, culminating in a strategic cooperation treaty signed in January. Both nations also maintain strong relations with China.
Global conference of women parliamentarians in Mexico
Jointly organised by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Senate of Mexico, the Global Conference of Women Parliamentarians is set to take place today in Mexico City.
The event’s theme is ‘From Mexico to the World: Let’s mobilise for gender parity!’
In June 2024, Mexico made history after electing **Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo** as its first female President. She is set to inaugurate the conference.
Notably, Mexico is among just six nations worldwide that have successfully attained gender parity in parliament.
“This conference will provide an exciting new platform for women members of parliament to come together, exchange experiences, learn from each other, and define common and innovative strategies to advance gender equality and women’s rights and empowerment,” the website reads.
A blood moon will appear
A rare total lunar eclipse, commonly referred to as Chandra Grahan or the Blood Moon, will turn the moon a deep red hue today.
The eclipse will occur in the afternoon, with the total phase starting at 11:57 AM, peaking at 12:29 PM, and concluding by 01:01 PM.
This astronomical event will coincide with Holi festivities in India.
A lunar eclipse takes place when the moon, Earth, and sun align in a way that causes the Earth to cast a shadow, either partially or completely obscuring the moon.
During a **partial eclipse** , Earth’s shadow appears to take a portion of the moon. In a total eclipse, the moon is completely covered and glows a reddish hue due to sunlight filtering through Earth’s atmosphere.
Tamil Nadu to present its budget
The Tamil Nadu government will present its budget for the financial year 2025-26 today. State Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu will deliver the Budget speech when the Assembly begins at 9:30 am.
Even before its presentation, a controversy erupted over the MK Stalin-led government’s decision to **replace the rupee** symbol ‘₹’ with the Tamil letter ‘Ru’ in the state Budget logo. This comes amid an ongoing language dispute between the State and the Central government.
At the centre of the issue is the National Education Policy’s three-language formula, which Tamil Nadu fears will impose Hindi on the state. Stalin has argued that the policy places greater emphasis on Hindi over regional languages.
ALSO READ | Why is Tamil Nadu at row with Centre over NEP’s three-language formula?
Amit Shah to begin 3-day Assam visit
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will begin a three-day visit to Assam today, during which he will attend the annual conference of the All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) in Kokrajhar and inaugurate the Lachit Borphukan Police Academy in Dergaon.
He is scheduled to inaugurate the police academy on March 15 before travelling to Mizoram. He will then return to Guwahati for an overnight stay.
On the following day, Shah will address the 57th annual conference of ABSU before flying back to Delhi, officials said.
With inputs from agencies
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