International News

1. Global Celebrations of the Jewish Festival of Hanukkah

• Widely recognized as the Jewish Christmas, the festival of Hanukkah, or Chanukah, spans eight days, typically occurring in December and renowned as the "festival of lights."
• Commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem around 200 BC, it traces its origins to the Maccabean Revolt, where Jews revolted against Greek-Syrian oppressors, leading to the term "rededication."
• Forbidden under Greek rule to practice their religion, the recapture of Jerusalem in 164 BC marked the liberation, coupled with the miraculous discovery of oil lasting eight days instead of one.

National News

2. Tribute to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar at Jaipur Wax Museum

• A substantial homage to B.R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, unfolds at the Jaipur Wax Museum in Nahargarh Fort.
• The meticulously crafted wax statue, standing at an imposing 5 feet 11 inches and weighing 38 kg, faithfully replicates the iconic image of Baba Saheb, holding the Constitution book and dressed in his signature blue suit.
• With this addition, the museum now proudly showcases 43 wax figures of eminent personalities, solidifying its distinction as the only wax museum within a "heritage site" – the historic Nahargarh Fort.

State News

3. Celebrating the 5th Nagaland Honey Bee Day in Kisama Village

• The 5th Nagaland Honey Bee Day unfolded with great enthusiasm at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, under the theme "Bee & Honey Trials."
• Deputy Chief Minister R. Zeliang lauded the accomplishments of Honey Bee farmers, revealing that Nagaland boasts over 1 lakh beekeepers.
• He highlighted the unique quality of Nagaland's honey, attributing its health benefits to the absence of artificial fertilizers. The state aims to achieve a honey production target of 2000 MT by 2030.

Banking News

4. RBI MPC 2023: Repo Rate Unchanged Amidst Growth Forecast Upgrade

• In a 5:1 majority decision, the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) maintains the Repo rate at 6.5%, aligning with the 'withdrawal of accommodation'
• Despite a recent surge in vegetable prices, the RBI revises the FY 2024 growth estimate upward to 7%, citing a robust second-quarter GDP print of 7.6%.
• Inflation estimates remain steady at 5.4%, with concerns over potential inflationary pressures, particularly from a spike in vegetable prices.

5. Highlights from the December 2023 RBI Monetary Policy Committee Meeting

• The recent RBI MPC meeting sustains the repo rate at 6.5%, marking the fifth consecutive meeting maintaining the status quo.
• GDP growth is projected at 7% for FY 2023-24, with inflation anticipated at 5.4%.
• The RBI introduces a regulatory framework for web aggregation of loan products, emphasizing the importance of digital lending to enhance customer-centricity and transparency.

6. RBI Revokes License of UP Based Urban Co-Operative Bank

• In a significant move, the RBI cancels the license of the Urban Co-operative Bank (UCB) in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, effective from December 07, 2023.
• Citing the bank's cessation of banking business and concerns over its financial health, the RBI emphasizes inadequate capital and earning prospects, expressing worry about the bank's ability to pay depositors in full.

Business News

7. Indian Oil and EKI Energy Collaborate to Promote 'Surya Nutan'

• In a substantial step towards sustainability, Indian Oil Corp. Ltd (IndianOil) and EKI Energy Services collaborate to promote "Surya Nutan," an innovative indoor solar cooking system.
• The collaboration aims to advance the production and distribution of the Surya Nutan system, representing a sustainable approach to cooking, aligned with global efforts to reduce carbon footprints and embrace renewable energy solutions.

Important Days News

8. Celebrating 39 Years of Regional Cooperation on SAARC Charter Day

• SAARC Charter Day, observed annually on December 8th, commemorates the signing of the SAARC Charter in 1985 during the First SAARC Summit in Dhaka.
• Celebrating its 39th Anniversary, SAARC emphasizes collaborative efforts among South Asian nations in economic, social, cultural, technical, and scientific domains.
• The foundation of this cooperation rests on principles such as sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, and non-interference in internal affairs.

Summits & Conferences News

9. PM Modi Headlining Infinity Forum 2.0 on December 9

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is gearing up to deliver a keynote address at the second edition of the Infinity Forum, a leading Financial Technology event scheduled for December 9, 2023.
• Organized by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) and GIFT City under the aegis of the Government of India, the first edition in 2021 drew over 95,000 registrations from 80+ countries.
• The event, designed in a hybrid format anticipating the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024, combines an in-person gathering at GIFT City with virtual participation globally, ensuring inclusivity and diverse engagement.

Appointments News

10. Rajiv Anand Takes Helm at Max Life Insurance

• In a significant leadership transition, Max Life Insurance, a key player in the insurance sector and a material subsidiary of Max Financial Services, witnessed Analjit Singh stepping down as Chairman.
• The Board approved the appointment of Rajiv Anand as the new Chairman, marking a pivotal moment.
• Max New York Life (MNYL), established in 2000, holds the distinction of being India's first private sector insurance company. This change aligns with the company's commitment to effective leadership and governance.

11. Anand Kripalu Assumes Role at Swiggy

• In a strategic move, Swiggy, a major player in online food ordering, appointed Anand Kripalu as the Chairperson and Independent Director of its Board.
• With a distinguished career in the FMCG industry spanning over 40 years, Anand Kripalu's wealth of experience enhances Swiggy's leadership.
• His prior roles, including Managing Director and Global CEO at EPL Ltd, bring valuable insights to guide Swiggy's strategic direction and governance.

Awards News

12. Prashant Agrawal Honored with National Award

• Prashant Agrawal, President of Narayan Seva Sansthan, received the prestigious National Award for 'Best Personality - Empowerment of Differently-abled' in a ceremony organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
• The award recognizes Agrawal's commitment to disability empowerment through initiatives like establishing schools, vocational rehabilitation centers, and providing assistive devices.
• Narayan Seva Sansthan, under Agrawal's guidance, goes beyond medical interventions, offering comprehensive training and facilitating mass marriages for differently-abled individuals.

Agreements News

13. Union Bank of India Collaborates with Accenture for Digital Transformation

• Union Bank of India has embarked on a digital transformation journey through a collaboration with Accenture, a global professional services company.
• The partnership aims to position the bank as an industry innovator by implementing advanced analytics and cutting-edge technologies.
• Focused on enhancing operational efficiency, customer-centric banking services, and fortifying risk management, this strategic alliance emphasizes data-driven insights for informed decision-making.

Sports News

14. ICC Unveils Dynamic Logo for T20 World Cup 2024

• The ICC T20 World Cup undergoes a vibrant transformation with the launch of its new brand identity, revealed on December 7.
• The logo creatively incorporates iconic cricket symbols, showcasing a batting stance within a kinetic sphere.
• The design mirrors the excitement and energy of T20 cricket games, capturing the suspense and adrenaline-charged moments that define this exhilarating format.

Science & Technology News

15. IBM Introduces Quantum Chip 'Condor' with 1,000+ Qubits

• IBM reaches a significant milestone in quantum computing with the unveiling of Condor, a quantum processor boasting an impressive 1,121 qubits.
• Following a roadmap of doubling qubit numbers annually, IBM's Condor features a distinctive honeycomb pattern.
• Quantum computers leverage unique quantum mechanics principles, enabling computations beyond classical computers' capabilities through phenomena like entanglement and superposition.