# India – US

• The US on Friday signalled that it will closely work with Trusted partner India to help it produce and supply electronic goods for global market.
• India and US signed an MOU on semiconductor supply chain and partnership seeking to boost India’s bid to attract investment into chip making here.
• The move, seen as critical for products from mobiles to cars came amid a signal from the biden regime that the US will block access to tech put to military use by China.
• The joint statement after commerce and industry minister piyush goyal met US commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said the two nations will look to collaborate on next generation telecommunications, including 6G.

# H3N2

• Two persons, from Haryana and Karnataka, have died due to infection caused by H3N2.
• H3N2 is a subtype of influenza A virus that is known to cause several flu.
• The predominance of H3N2, which causes more hospitalisations than other subtypes, is one of the reasons behind the increased virulence of the seasonal flu this year.

# Agniveers

• The home ministry on Thursday introduced 10% reservation for ex agniveers in vacancies within the border security force, apart from notifying relaxation in their upper age limit depending on whether they are part of the first batch or subsequent batches.
• Central government amended the border security force, General duty cadre recruitment rules, 2015, with effect from march 9.
• Another amendment provides for exemption of ex agniveers from taking the physical proficiency test.

# Factory output

• Industrial output growth remained healthy in January on the back of robust performance in electricity, mining, capital goods, infrastructure, and gathering strength in the manufacturing sector.
• Data released by the National statistical office on Friday showed the index of industrial production rose an annual 5.2% in January compared to the upwardly revised 4.7% in December.