NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. PM Modi inaugurates Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat RRTS line worth Rs 4,600 crore: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the 13-km additional section of Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor.With this inauguration, Delhi will get its first Namo Bharat connectivity. The corridor, worth Rs 4.600 crore, will include multiple stations, with key ones in Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Meerut.Notable stations include Sarai Kale Khan, Anand Vihar, Sahibabad, and Meerut South.The corridor will feature India’s fastest rapid transit trains, known as Namo Bharat, operating at speeds up to 160 km/h. These trains are designed to significantly reduce travel time between Delhi and Meerut to about an hour. The fare from New Ashok Nagar station to Meerut South is Rs 150 for a standard coach and Rs 225 for a premium coach.
2. Telangana farmers to receive ₹12,000 per acre annually under Rythu Bharosa scheme: Farmers in Telangana will receive ₹12,000 per acre annually under the Rythu Bharosa scheme, as the State government has increased the cash benefit under the scheme by ₹2,000.Further, families of landless farm labourers will receive a similar amount annually under the newly introduced Indiramma Atmeeya Bharosa scheme.The government decided to provide Rythu Bharosa to every acre of cultivable land owned by the farmers without any conditions.The Rythu Bharosa scheme is not applicable to non-agricultural lands (mining, hills, real estate ventures, roads, lands used for residential, industrial, and commercial purposes, lands converted as Nala and the lands acquired by the government for various projects).
3. Rajiv Ranjan Singh Launches India’s First Organic Fisheries Cluster in Sikkim: Union Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh has launched the country’s first organic fisheries cluster in Sikkim.The organic fish cluster in Soreng District of Sikkim will boost farmer incomes and promote sustainability in aquaculture. The project aims to sell antibiotic, chemical, and pesticide free organic fish in eco-conscious markets across the globe.Singh also inaugurated and laid the foundations for 50 key projects worth ₹50 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), covering all northeastern states except Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram in Guwahati.
4. Golden Jackals Resurface in Urban Mumbai: The golden jackal, a native species, has been increasingly spotted in urban areas of Mumbai, particularly in Navi Mumbai. Once thriving in mangroves and grasslands, these animals are now venturing into bustling neighbourhoods due to habitat loss caused by urban development. The Wildlife Conservation Society India conducted a survey revealing that golden jackals are predominantly nocturnal but are now seen more frequently during the day. This shift indicates their struggle to adapt to the pressures of urbanization.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention 2025 to kick off in Bhubaneswar: The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD Convention 2025), will be held at Bhubaneswar in Odisha from the 8th January.The theme of this three-day convention is “The Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat”.A large number of Indian diaspora members from over 50 different countries have registered to participate in the PBD Convention.Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the PBD Convention. It will feature a virtual address by the Chief Guest, the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Christine Carla Kangaloo.The Pravasi Bharatiya Express will be conducted under the Pravasi Teertha Darshan Yojana of the Ministry of External Affairs.
2. Bengaluru to host 15th Aero India 2025: The 15th edition of Asia’s biggest biennial air show and aviation exhibition – Aero India 2025 will be held at the Air Force Station, Yelahanka in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The 15th edition of the Aero India show will be held from 10-14 February 2025.The first edition of the Aero India show was organised in 1996 at the Yelahanka Air Force Station base and the last 14th edition was held in 2023 at the same venue.The Aero India show is organised by the Defence Exhibition Organisation, the Department of Defence Production, Union Ministry of Defence.The theme of the 15th Aero India is ‘The Runway to a Billion Opportunities’.
3. Polar Vortex Triggers Winter Storms in US: The United States is currently facing severe winter storms, impacting over 60 million people in the eastern regions. This cold spell is expected to bring temperatures as low as -50°C (-60°F). The cause is the polar vortex, a mass of extremely cold air that has expanded southwards from the Arctic. This phenomenon predominantly affects areas in the Northern Hemisphere, especially those at mid to high latitudes, leading to extreme cold weather events. The stratospheric polar vortex forms higher in the atmosphere, typically 10-30 miles (16-48 km) above the Earth’s surface. This vortex develops in autumn and dissipates in spring. When stable, it confines cold Arctic air to Polar Regions. However, if weakened, it allows frigid winds to extend southward, affecting areas as far as Florida.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Air Commodore Debakinandan Sahu Assumes Command of Base Repair Depot, Tughlakabad: Air Commodore Debakinandan Sahu assumed command of the Base Repair Depot (BRD) at Tughlakabad, succeeding Air Commodore Rishi Seth.Commissioned into the Aeronautical Engineering branch of the Indian Air Force on May 30, 1994, Air Commodore Sahu brings an illustrious career spanning over three decades to his new command.A graduate of the Air Force Technical College (AFTC), Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), and the College of Air Warfare, Secunderabad, he is recognized for his comprehensive expertise in aviation systems and Guided Weapon Missile technologies.
SPORTS
1. Varun Tomar Clinches National Shooting Championship Title in Men’s 10m Air Pistol: Varun Tomar from the Indian Army has become the national shooting champion after winning the Men’s 10-meter Air Pistol finals of the 67th National Shooting Championship 2024 at Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi.Varun’s teammate Pradhyumn Singh won Silver, while Rajasthan’s Aakash Bhardwaj bagged the bronze medal.Varun Tomar also won the Men’s Junior 10-meter Air Pistol event and his teammate Pradhyumn Singh won Bronze. While Nikhil from Uttar Pradesh won the Silver medal.Moreover, in the Men’s Youth 10-meter Air Pistol event, Chirag Sharma from Uttar Pradesh won Gold, teammate Dev Pratap won Silver and Mayank Choudhary of Rajasthan won Bronze.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. HDFC Bank to acquire up to 9.5% in Kotak Mahindra and AU, Capital SFBs: India’s largest private sector lender HDFC Bank has received the Reserve Bank of India’s approval to pick up an aggregate stake of up to 9.5% in Kotak Mahindra Bank, AU Small Finance Bank and Capital Small Finance Bank.In a regulatory filing, the apex bank, has given approval to HDFC Bank and its group companies— including HDFC Mutual Fund, HDFC Life Insurance, HDFC Pension Management, HDFC ERGO General Insurance, and others — to collectively acquire up to 9.5 per cent of paid-up share capital or voting rights in Kotak Mahindra Bank, AU Small Finance Bank and Capital Small Finance Bank.The approval is valid for a period of one year from the date of RBI’s letter, i.e., till January 2, 2026.
2. IndiaBonds.com Launches Digital Fixed Deposits, Expanding Fixed Income Investment Opportunities: com, a SEBI-registered Stock Broker (Debt Segment) and licensed Online Bond Platform Provider (OBPP), has introduced Digital Fixed Deposits (FDs) to its platform.This move enhances accessibility and convenience for individual investors, offering a unified solution for managing both bonds and fixed deposits seamlessly under one roof.The launch aligns with IndiaBonds.com’s vision of providing stable and rewarding investment options while simplifying portfolio management for retail investors. With fully digital and paperless onboarding, including quick KYC completion, the platform makes it easier for investors to start their fixed-income journey.Investors can earn up to 9.4% interest on their fixed deposit investments, supported by an integrated portfolio dashboard that tracks cash flows, returns, and allocations efficiently.
3. FIU-IND signs pact with IRDAI to share information: Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) have signed a MoU for sharing of intelligence and information to check money laundering.The MoU was signed as part of continued coordinated efforts to effectively implement the requirements of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and Rules. As per the agreement, FIU-IND and Irdai will cooperate in the areas of mutual interest, including sharing of relevant intelligence and information, available in their respective databases.
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