NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. PM Modi Unveils World’s Tallest 77-Foot Bronze Statue
of Lord Ram in Goa: Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled
a 77-feet-tall bronze statue of Lord Ram at the historic Shree
Samsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math in Goa during the Math’s 550th
anniversary celebrations.The Math, one of India’s oldest Dvaita Vaishnava
institutions, marked a major milestone as PM Modi also inaugurated the Ramayana
Theme Park, and released a special postal stamp and commemorative coin.The
statue, crafted by renowned sculptor Ram V. Sutar (designer of the Statue of
Unity), has been presented as the world’s tallest statue of Lord Ram,
symbolizing unity, devotion, and India’s cultural continuity.
2. Arunachal Dao Receives GI Tag, Preserving
Centuries-Old Tribal Metalcraft Tradition:
The Arunachal Dao, a hand-forged tribal blade, has received the GI
tag, recognising it as a unique craft rooted in Arunachal Pradesh’s
cultural heritage.The recognition protects centuries-old metalworking
traditions and supports blacksmithing clans who create daos in distinct designs
associated with various tribes.Several unique items from Arunachal Pradesh with
GI status include:
· Wakro Orange
· Idu Mishmi textiles
· Khamti Rice
· Yak Churpi
· Wancho wooden craft
3. DP World Signs Abhishek Sharma as Brand Ambassador: United Arab Emirates (NewsVoir) DP World, a leading provider of global
smart logistics solutions, signs Indian cricket star Abhishek Sharma as its
new brand ambassador, joining Sachin Tendulkar and Tommy Fleetwood in the
company’s growing sports portfolio.Sharma had a record-breaking 2025 DP World
Asia Cup, scoring 314 runs in seven innings, earning Player of the Tournament,
and reaching No.1 in the ICC Men’s T20I Batter Rankings with the highest rating
ever.Under this long-term partnership, Sharma will represent DP World in brand
initiatives, media appearances, and digital storytelling, showcasing the
company’s values of performance and innovation.
4. Odisha
to Host Global Energy Leaders’ Summit 2025 in Puri: The Odisha government will convene the
Global Energy Leaders’ Summit (GELS) 2025 in Puri from December 5 to 7,
bringing national and international stakeholders together to deliberate on India’s
evolving energy landscape. The event aims to shape strategies to meet rising
demand while aligning growth with sustainability and technological innovation.
The summit is themed “Powering India: Sufficiency, Balance, Innovation,”
reflecting its focus on three key priorities: ensuring adequate and efficient
power supply, achieving equilibrium between ecological and economic needs, and
fostering innovation across the sector. These pillars will guide discussions
throughout the event. Delegates will explore solutions to India’s expanding
energy requirements, with sessions centred on improving supply reliability and
resilience. Panels will examine pathways for reducing environmental impact,
strengthening energy security, and enhancing operational efficiency through
digital tools and frontier technologies.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Riyadh Metro Becomes World’s Longest Driverless
Network: Riyadh Metro has been
officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s
longest fully driverless metro network, covering 176 km, operating across 6
lines and 85 stations, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s growing leadership in
advanced urban mobility.The metro forms a key part of the King Abdulaziz
Project for Riyadh Public Transport, a major initiative of the Royal Commission
for Riyadh City (RCRC), aimed at transforming urban transportation with
cutting-edge automation and centralized real-time control (GoA4 driverless
model).Riyadh Metro’s fleet includes 190 fully automated trains from
world-renowned manufacturers like Siemens, Bombardier (Innovia Series), and
Alstom (Metropolis Series), offering high comfort, energy efficiency, and
advanced safety features.Construction of the metro began after contracts were
awarded in 2013, with inauguration completed in November 2024; the project,
costing $22.5–25 billion, has become the backbone of Riyadh’s transport network
and the largest driverless metro system globally.
2. 2 December – World Computer Literacy Day: World Computer Literacy Day is observed on 2nd December every
year to raise awareness about the importance of computer education and
digital skills worldwide.The day aims to bridge the digital divide, encouraging
people, especially those in underserved communities, to learn basic computing
and digital literacy.
3. 3 December – World Day of the Handicapped /
International Day of Persons with Disabilities:
World Day of the Handicapped, also known as the International Day of
Persons with Disabilities, is observed on 3rd December each year to
promote awareness, rights, and inclusion of people with disabilities
globally.The day emphasizes accessibility, equal opportunities, and
empowerment, encouraging governments, organizations, and communities to remove
barriers and support the participation of persons with disabilities in all
aspects of life.
4. EU
Sets 2027 Deadline to End Russian Gas Imports: The European Union has
confirmed a phased plan to eliminate all Russian natural gas imports by 2027,
signalling a major geopolitical and energy market shift. The decision follows
years of tension arising from Russia’s use of energy supplies as political
leverage. The ban represents a negotiated compromise between EU member states
and the European Parliament. Lawmakers had pushed for an earlier cutoff, but
the final timeline balances political urgency with the bloc’s energy security
needs. A provisional agreement announced by the European Council formalised the
phase-out schedule. Long-term contracts for pipeline-delivered gas will be
prohibited from 1 November 2027. For liquefied natural gas (LNG), the long-term
ban will start on 1 January 2027. Short-term contracts face earlier deadlines:
25 April 2026 for LNG and 17 June 2026 for pipeline gas. All dates remain
subject to final approval from both the European Parliament and the Council.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Leonardo Unveils AI-Powered “Michelangelo Dome”
Multi-Layered Air Defense System for Europe: Italian
aerospace and defence giant Leonardo has unveiled the “Michelangelo
Dome,” an AI-powered multi-layered air defence system designed
to protect cities and critical infrastructure from threats like missile attacks
and drone swarms.The system integrates space, air, land, and sea defence
platforms, enabling real-time detection, tracking, interception, and neutralisation
of diverse aerial threats, strengthening Europe’s overall defence
readiness.Leonardo’s CEO announced that the system uses an “open architecture”
model, allowing seamless integration with NATO allies’ existing defense
systems, promoting collaborative and interoperable security operations.
2. India Signs ₹7,995-Crore U.S. Support Deal to Sustain
Navy’s MH-60R Seahawk Helicopter Fleet:
India signed a ₹7,995-crore follow-on support deal with the U.S. to
sustain the Indian Navy’s fleet of 24 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters for five
years, covering spares, training, repairs, and component replenishment.The
agreement, signed under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme, will
establish in-country repair and maintenance facilities, boosting long-term
self-reliance and supporting the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision through MSME
participation.The sustainment package will enhance the operational availability
of MH-60R helicopters—advanced, all-weather, multi-mission choppers with
anti-submarine warfare capability—allowing effective deployment from ships and
dispersed bases.
3. India–US
$946 Million MH-60R Seahawk Deal: India has finalised a $946 million sustainment
agreement with the United States to support its fleet of 24 MH-60R
Seahawk naval helicopters. The package strengthens India’s maritime
preparedness, boosts naval aviation support systems, and deepens defence
cooperation with Washington at a time of heightened strategic activity in the
region. The deal comes just ahead of the India–Russia Annual Summit, drawing
global attention to New Delhi’s balanced defence engagements with major powers.
Observers note that the announcement underscores India’s focus on maintaining
readiness in the Indo-Pacific while diversifying defence partnerships. The
agreement, concluded under the US Foreign Military Sales framework through
Letters of Offer and Acceptance, covers a five-year sustainment cycle. It
includes spare parts, support equipment, training modules, technical assistance,
and component repair facilities within India. These measures ensure operational
availability for missions from shore bases and frontline warships.
SPORTS
1. Bisleri Becomes Official Beverage Partner of Tata
Women’s Premier League for 2026 & 2027 Seasons: Bisleri International has been announced as the Official
Beverage Partner for the Tata Women’s Premier League (WPL) for the next two
seasons, starting in 2026, supporting and promoting the rapid rise of women’s
cricket in India.The partnership will include limited-edition packs, strong
on-ground branding through visicoolers and iceboxes in team dugouts, plus
in-stadium hydration support and digital fan-engagement initiatives to enhance
the overall WPL experience.Bisleri, already holding 60+ sports associations
across India and the UAE, aims to further strengthen its presence in the sports
ecosystem through this collaboration, reinforcing its commitment to fitness,
hydration excellence, and athlete support.
2. Max Verstappen Wins Qatar GP, Setting Up Dramatic F1
Title Decider in Abu Dhabi: Max Verstappen
won the Qatar Grand Prix 2025, keeping the Formula 1 championship
battle alive and pushing the title fight to the final race in Abu Dhabi next
weekend.Championship leader Lando Norris, who could have secured his first F1
title with a win, finished fourth, while his McLaren teammate and title rival
Oscar Piastri secured second place.All three contenders — Verstappen, Norris,
and Piastri — now have seven wins each this season, with Norris’ championship lead
reduced to 12 points over Verstappen and 16 over Piastri heading into the
title-deciding finale
3. Rohit Rajpal Reappointed India’s Davis Cup Captain: Rohit Rajpal has been reappointed as captain of the Indian Davis Cup team until December 31, 2026, ensuring continuity in leadership as India prepares for a crucial home Qualifier against the Netherlands in early 2026. The All-India Tennis Association (AITA) has also retained Ashutosh Singh as the team’s coach. The decision comes as India gears up to host the Netherlands in the 2026 Davis Cup World Group Qualifiers. Rajpal’s experience in navigating tight fixtures and managing squad transitions is expected to provide strategic stability ahead of the high-stakes February tie. AITA’s move to retain both captain and coach underscores a preference for continuity in a period when India aims to strengthen its global standing. Rajpal’s tenure will cover all Davis Cup fixtures through 2026, offering the team a consistent leadership environment as it targets qualification for the Finals.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Amazon and Google Launch New Multicloud Service for
Faster, High-Speed Connectivity: Amazon
and Google have jointly launched a new multicloud networking
service that allows customers to create private, high-speed
connections between AWS and Google Cloud within minutes instead of weeks.The
service merges AWS Interconnect–multicloud with Google Cloud’s Cross-Cloud
Interconnect, significantly improving network interoperability and multicloud
performance.AWS and Google Cloud leaders described the collaboration as a major
shift in multicloud connectivity, offering faster, more reliable infrastructure
for businesses using multiple cloud platforms.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. RBI Imposes ₹3.10 Lakh Penalty on Mannakrishna
Investments for Governance Violations: The Reserve
Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a ₹3.10 lakh penalty on Kolkata-based
Mannakrishna Investments Pvt Ltd, an NBFC, for failing to comply with
the RBI’s NBFC Scale-Based Regulation, 2023, particularly regarding
governance norms.RBI’s inspection found that the company had appointed a
director without obtaining prior written approval, resulting in a management
change where over 30% of directors (excluding independent directors) were
replaced, violating regulatory provisions.
2. India, ADB Sign $800 Million+ Loans for Power, Metro,
and Skills Development Projects:
The Government of India and Asian Development Bank
(ADB) signed three loan agreements worth over $800 million for
projects in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, led by the
Department of Economic Affairs.The Maharashtra Power Distribution Enhancement
Programme ($500 million) will modernize rural power infrastructure, integrate
renewable energy, and provide daytime solar electricity to 900,000 agricultural
consumers by 2028, including upgrading substations, lines, transformers, and
500 MWh of battery storage.The Indore Metro Rail Project (¥27,147,200,000 /
$190.6 million) will construct an 8.62 km underground metro line with seven
stations, improving connectivity between congested areas and the airport, with
multimodal integration and operations expected by January 2030.The Gujarat
Skills Development Programme ($109.97 million) will equip the workforce with
industry-aligned advanced skills across sectors like logistics, IT,
manufacturing, healthcare, renewable energy, and agri-tech, upgrading 11 mega
ITIs, establishing centres of excellence, and collaborating closely with
private training providers and industry.
3. Centre to Invest Rs 4,500 Crore to Modernise Mohali
Semiconductor Laboratory, Boost India’s Chip Manufacturing: Centre to invest Rs 4,500 crore in Semiconductor Laboratory
(SCL), Mohali, to modernise it into one of the world’s most advanced
small-node semiconductor centres, boosting wafer production nearly 100 times
and supporting students, researchers, and startups.India’s unified national
chip roadmap will involve C-DAC, DRDO, top research institutes, and industry
experts to develop cutting-edge fabrication technologies, defence-grade
semiconductors, advanced EDA tools, and high-reliability packaging solutions,
moving beyond the 90 nm technology node.Chips to Start-up (C2S) initiative has
seen 28 student-developed chips fabricated at SCL, with 113 institutions
provided Process Design Kits and 231 silicon numbers allocated; the expanded
SCL facility will support AI, defence electronics, medical tech, automation,
and next-gen smart devices, making it a core driver of India’s deep-tech and
startup ecosystem.
4. UPI Transactions Surge 32% YoY in November, Reinforcing Digital Payments Dominance: UPI transactions grew 32% year-on-year in November, crossing 19 billion transactions, with a 22% annual rise in transaction value; average daily transaction amount reached ₹87,721 crore.November recorded 682 million average daily transactions, higher than 668 million in October, showing consistent month-on-month growth.In the first half of 2025, UPI continued to lead India’s digital payments ecosystem with transactions rising 35% YoY to 106.36 billion.
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