International News
- Felix Tshisekedi Wins DRC Presidential Election: In the Democratic Republic of Congo, President Felix Tshisekedi secured a landslide victory in the December 20 election, achieving about 73% of the votes. His main opponent, Moise Katumbi, garnered 18%. Tshisekedi, who initially became president in 2019, is the son of the late opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi. Despite its potential wealth and resources, DRC continues to face political instability and humanitarian crises.
- BRICS Expansion with Five New Members: The BRICS group, initially consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is set to double its membership with the addition of Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, and Egypt. This expansion follows invitations sent in August, aiming to create a powerful bloc of leading energy producers and consumers. Argentina, initially invited, declined to join under its new president Javier Milei.
International news
- Felix Tshisekedi wins DRC presidential election: In the Democratic Republic of Congo, President Félix Tshisekedi won a landslide victory in the December 20 election with nearly 73% of the vote. His main opponent, Moise Katumbi, received 18% of the vote. Tshisekedi, who first became president in 2019, is the son of late opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi. Despite its potential prosperity and resources, the DRC faces political instability and humanitarian crises.
- BRICS expands with five new members: BRICS, the grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is set to double its membership with the addition of Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, and Egypt. The expansion follows invitations sent in August, with the aim of creating a powerful bloc that brings together major energy producers and consumers. Argentina, which was initially invited, declined to attend under its new president, Javier Mieli.
State News
- Divya Kala Mela in Surat, Gujarat: The 12th edition of the 'Divya Kala Mela' was organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, showcasing products and crafts by Divyang (differently-abled) entrepreneurs. Running from December 29, 2023, to January 7, 2024, the event aims to economically empower Persons with Disabilities.
- Gujarat Achieves Guinness Record: Gujarat set a Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous performance of Surya Namaskar, involving over 4,000 participants across 108 locations. The event, highlighting the cultural and health heritage of Gujarat, was held on New Year's morning.
state news
- Divine Art Fair in Surat, Gujarat: The 12th edition of 'Divya Kala Mela' was organized to showcase products and crafts by handicapped (Divyang) entrepreneurs. The program runs from December 29, 2023, to January 7, 2024, and aims to economically empower persons with disabilities.
- Gujarat achieves Guinness World Record: Gujarat set a Guinness World Record by organizing the largest contemporary Surya Namaskar demonstration with over 4,000 participants across 108 locations on New Year morning.
Defense News
- India-UAE Joint Military Exercise 'Desert Cyclone': The exercise, taking place in Rajasthan, focuses on enhancing interoperability and exchanging knowledge, especially in urban operations. It signifies the deepening defense ties between India and the UAE.
- DRDO's 66th Anniversary: The Defense Research and Development Organization celebrated its foundation day, focusing on achievements in self-reliance in defense technology. Chairman Dr. Kamat emphasized the importance of self-reliance and launched a new software for explosives management.
defense news
- India-UAE joint military exercise 'Desert Cyclone': This exercise is taking place in Rajasthan, with the objective of increasing interoperability and exchange of knowledge especially in urban operations. This is a symbol of the deepening defense ties between India and UAE.
- 66th anniversary of DRDO:The Defense Research and Development Organization celebrated its foundation day, focusing on achievements of self-reliance in defense technology. Chairman Dr. Kamat stressed the importance of self-reliance and launched a new software for explosives management.
Economy News
- Surge in GST Collections: Goods and Services Tax collections for December 2023 rose by 10.28% compared to the previous year, indicating a consistent upward trend in the fiscal year's revenues.
- Record UPI Transactions in 2023: Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions saw a significant increase, with a total transaction value of ₹18-lakh crore in December, marking a 42% year-over-year growth.
economy news
- Increase in GST collection: GST collections in December 2023 increased by 10.28% compared to the previous year, showing a continued upward trend in revenues for the financial year.
- Record growth in UPI transactions in 2023: Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions crossed ₹18-lakh crore total transaction value in December with 42% YoY growth.
Banking News
- Sale of 30th Tranche of Electoral Bonds: The Indian government authorized the 30th tranche of electoral bonds, available from January 2 to January 11, 2024, to enhance transparency in political funding.
- Growth in Mudra Loans: Disbursements under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) reached a record ₹3-lakh crore in December 2023, indicating significant support for small businesses.
- RBI Increases Bulk Deposit Limit for UCBs: The Reserve Bank of India raised the bulk deposit limit for large urban co-operative banks from ₹15 lakh to ₹1 crore, focusing on Tier 3 and Tier 4 banks.
banking news
- Sale of 30th tranche of electoral bonds: The Government of India approved the sale of the 30th tranche of electoral bonds from January 2 to January 11, 2024, aimed at increasing transparency in political funding.
- Record increase in Mudra loans: Loans worth ₹3-lakh crore disbursed in December 2023 under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), showing significant support for small businesses.
- RBI increases bulk deposit limit for UCBs: The Reserve Bank of India has increased the bulk deposit limit for large urban co-operative banks from ₹15 lakh to ₹1 crore, focusing on Tier 3 and Tier 4 banks.
Important Days News
- Global Family Day 2024 Celebrated: Observed on January 1, the day focuses on promoting peace, unity, and the value of family, with the 2024 theme being “Embracing Diversity, Strengthening Families”.
important day news
- Celebrating Global Family Day 2024: Celebrated on January 1, the day emphasizes the value of peace, unity and family, with the theme for 2024 being “Embracing Diversity, Strengthening Families”.
Agreements News
- ITC, Microsoft, and Skymet Partnership:This collaboration aims to mitigate the impact of climate change on tobacco farming in India, particularly addressing the challenges posed by extreme weather.
agreement news
- ITC, Microsoft and Skymet partnership: This collaboration aims to address the challenges of extreme weather by protecting tobacco farmers in India from the challenges of climate change.
Appointments News
- Vivek Srivastava as New DG: Appointed as the Director General of Fire Service, Civil Defense & Home Guards, Srivastava brings extensive experience from his service in the Indian Police Service.
- Rashmi Govil to Lead HR at IOC: With her vast experience at Indian Oil Corporation, Govil is set to become the Director of Human Resources.
- Arvind Panagariya to Lead Sixteenth Finance Commission: The former Niti Aayog vice-chairman and noted economist will helm the Commission, which decides the tax-sharing formula between the central and state governments.
- Dong Jun as China's Defense Minister: Former navy commander Dong Jun takes over as China's defense minister, bringing extensive military experience to the role.
appointment news
- Vivek Srivastava as the new DG: Vivek Srivastava has been appointed as Director General of Fire Services, Civil Defense and Home Guards, who has extensive experience in the Indian Police Service.
- Rashmi Govil will lead HR at IOC: With her vast experience, Govil will take over as Director of Human Resources at Indian Oil Corporation.
- Arvind Panagariya appointed head of Sixteenth Finance Commission: Former NITI Aayog vice-chairman and renowned economist Arvind Panagariya has been appointed as the chairman of the commission to recommend the tax revenue sharing formula between the Center and states for the upcoming five-year period starting April 2026.
- Dong Jun appointed as China's new Defense Minister: Former Navy Commander Dong Jun has been made the new Defense Minister of China. His appointment comes two months after his predecessor Li Shangfu stepped down from the post in August.
Sports News
- David Warner Retires from ODIs: Australian cricketer David Warner announced his retirement from one-day cricket, just before his final Test match against Pakistan.
- Koneru Humpy Wins Silver at World Rapid Chess Championship: Indian Grandmaster Humpy earned a silver medal in the women's event, adding to her impressive collection of international medals.
- Anahat Singh's Squash Victory: Young Indian squash player Anahat Singh won the girls' under-19 category at the 2023 Scottish Junior Open in Edinburgh.
sports news
- David Warner's retirement from ODI cricket: Australian cricket legend David Warner announced his retirement from ODI cricket ahead of his final Test match against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
- Koneru Humpy wins silver medal in World Rapid Chess Championship: India's Koneru Humpy won the silver medal in the women's individual category at the 2023 World Rapid Chess Championship held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
- Indian teenager Anahat Singh wins Girls Under-19 2023 Scottish Junior Open title in Edinburgh: Indian squash player Anahat Singh won the girls' under-19 category at the 2023 Scottish Junior Open Squash held in Edinburgh.
Science & Technology News
- ISRO's XPoSat Satellite Launch: The Indian Space Research Organization successfully launched XPoSat, India's first X-ray Polarimeter satellite, to study X-ray sources in space.