National News

New Republic Day Pact Allows States One Tableau Every Three Years

• In a significant development, the Defence Ministry has put forth a novel proposal aimed at providing every State and Union Territory (UT) the opportunity to showcase their cultural richness through a tableau in the Republic Day parade.
• Facing the challenge of accommodating all states annually, the proposed plan suggests a three-year cycle for each state, ensuring equitable distribution and fair representation.
• To streamline the process, States and UTs were approached in advance for their willingness to participate in the Republic Day Parade for the years 2024, 2025, and 2026.
• The majority of States/UTs have shown enthusiasm for all three years, signaling a positive response to this inclusive initiative.

International News

Rajnath Singh Visits UK For Defense And Security Talks

• India's Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, is currently on a crucial three-day visit to London, emphasizing the multifaceted dimensions of the India-UK Defence Partnership.
• The visit seeks to foster high-level discussions covering defense, security, and industrial cooperation between the two nations.
• The anticipated discussions encompass a broad range of topics, including defense strategies, security challenges, and collaborative industrial ventures.
• This engagement aims to strengthen partnerships, encourage investments, and explore joint ventures between Indian and British companies.

South Korea Bans Trade Of Dog Meat In New Law

• South Korea has made history by passing a groundbreaking bill that bans the eating and selling of dog meat, putting an end to a centuries-old practice criticized for its impact on animal welfare.
• With rare bipartisan support, the bill passed with an overwhelming majority in the parliament. The legislation, aiming to "eradicate the consumption of dogs," will take effect after a three-year grace period.
• Breeding and slaughtering of dogs for human consumption will be punishable by up to three years in prison or a fine of 30 million won ($22,800).
• Notably, the bill does not stipulate penalties for individuals consuming dog meat.

State News

Chhattisgarh Launches “Ramlala Darshan” Scheme: Free Pilgrimage To Ayodhya Dham

• Chhattisgarh Government has introduced the "Ramlala Darshan" Scheme, offering a free pilgrimage to the newly built Ram Temple at Ayodhya.
• The decision, made during a state cabinet meeting in Raipur, aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to send around 20,000 Chhattisgarh residents to Ayodhya for darshan of Shri Ramlala every year.
• The scheme is open to Chhattisgarh residents aged 18-75 who pass a health exam, and disabled individuals can accompany one family member.
• The Chhattisgarh Tourism Board, funded by the Tourism Department, will manage the initiative, with district committees under District Collectors selecting beneficiaries.

Maharashtra Creates New Safe Haven For Endangered Canids And Diverse Wildlife

• In Maharashtra, the government has established the Atpadi Conservation Reserve, a critical wildlife habitat spanning 48 sq. km in Sangli district.
• Prioritizing the protection of the endangered 'canid' family, including wild dogs, wolves, jackals, and foxes, Atpadi strategically bridges the gap between the Maini Conservation Area and the Madhok Bird Sanctuary, fostering a safe wildlife corridor.
• The reserve boasts three distinct forest types – semi-evergreen, moist deciduous, and dry deciduous – with a rich flora and fauna composition, creating a vibrant ecological tapestry.

Important Days News

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day 2024

• National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, commemorated annually on January 11, stands as a poignant reminder urging global efforts to address the pervasive crisis of human trafficking.
• Falling on Thursday, January 11 this year, the day serves as a rallying point for collective action against this grave issue.
• Human trafficking encompasses forced labor, criminal activities, sexual exploitation, organ removal, and smuggling.
• Despite advancements, slavery persists, leading the United States Senate to declare January 11 as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day in 2007.
• President Barack Obama further dedicated the entire month of January 2010 to raise awareness about this deeply rooted issue.

DPIIT Organises Startup India Innovation Week 2024 From 10th-18th January 2024

• DPIIT, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, orchestrates the Startup India Innovation Week 2024 from January 10th to January 18th.
• This week-long initiative aims to unite stakeholders, including startups, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers, to celebrate and advance the Indian Startup Ecosystem.
• The National Startup Day on January 16th, 2024, marks the culmination of this event, with awards distributed to outstanding startups and ecosystem enablers, recognizing their potential for significant impact on employment generation, wealth creation, and societal progress.

Schemes News

Street Vendors Get A Boost: PAiSA Dashboard & PM SVANidhi Portal Launched

• Union Minister Hardeep S. Puri, emphasizing the crucial role of grievance redressal committees under the Street Vendors Act 2014, launched two key initiatives to empower street vendors.
• The PAiSA Dashboard, an online platform, offers real-time updates on the PM SVANidhi Mission scheme, enabling vendors to track loan applications, disbursements, and repayments, fostering transparency.
• The PM SVANidhi Mission Monitoring Portal provides comprehensive data and insights on the scheme’s nationwide implementation, facilitating stakeholders to monitor progress and ensure effective execution.

Ranks & Reports News

Global Job Market Faces Headwinds As Unemployment Expected To Rise In 2024

• The International Labour Organization (ILO) issues a warning about a slight increase in global unemployment in 2024, projecting a rate of 5.2%, up from 5.1% in 2023.
• The ILO’s “World Employment and Social Outlook Trends: 2024” report attributes this rise to job losses in advanced economies.
• Despite an initial post-pandemic growth spurt, labor productivity growth has stagnated at pre-pandemic levels, revealing vulnerabilities and threatening social justice.

Six Nations Top Global Passport Ranking, With Access To 194 Destinations

• In the realm of global passports, six nations – France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and Spain – claim the top spot in the quarterly ranking of the world’s most powerful passports.
• Enjoying visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to an impressive 194 destinations, this marks a historic high since the inception of the Henley Passport Index 19 years ago.
• Japan and Singapore, holding the top position for the past five years, now see a triumphant rise for Europe. Finland and Sweden, tied with South Korea, secure the second spot with easy access to 193 destinations.
• The third position is collectively held by Austria, Denmark, Ireland, and the Netherlands, providing access to 192 destinations. The fourth position is shared by Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, and the United Kingdom, with access to 193 destinations. Greece, Malta, and Switzerland secure the fifth spot.

Agreements News

Maldives And China Sign 20 Agreements For Diverse Cooperation

• Chinese President Xi Jinping and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu recently engaged in significant talks, leading to the signing of 20 key agreements between the two nations.
• These agreements, spanning diverse areas of cooperation, reflect the commitment to elevate bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership.
• The sectors covered include tourism cooperation, disaster risk reduction, blue economy, and investments in the digital economy.
• The agreement also outlines China's commitment to providing grant assistance to the Maldives, with specific details yet to be disclosed.
• This collaboration emphasizes the mutual dedication to enhancing diplomatic relations and fostering meaningful partnerships.

Scientists From Mauritius And Bangladesh Join India’s 43rd Antarctic Expedition

• India's 43rd Antarctic expedition, led by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, witnessed an important collaboration as scientists from Mauritius and Bangladesh joined the initiative.
• This move signifies a significant step in international polar research collaboration, originating from the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) Oceanographers and Hydrographers conference held in 2022.
• The participating scientists are set to actively engage in collaborative research across various polar science disciplines for 3-4 months, focusing on gaining insights into polar logistics and addressing the unique challenges posed by the harsh Antarctic environment.

Appointments News

Senthil Pandian C Appointed As India’s WTO Ambassador

• In a strategic move, the Indian government has appointed IAS officer Senthil Pandian C as the ambassador to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva.
• This decision follows the conclusion of Brajendra Navnit’s term as India’s WTO ambassador on March 31, 2024.
• Currently serving as the commissioner of excise in Uttar Pradesh, Senthil Pandian C's extensive administrative experience positions him well to represent India’s interests on the global trade stage.

Tshering Tobgay Re-Elected As Bhutan’s Prime Minister

• Bhutanese voters have re-elected Tshering Tobgay as their Prime Minister for a second term. Leading the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to a landslide victory, securing nearly two-thirds of the seats in the recent election, Tobgay promises to strengthen ties with India, Bhutan’s key trading partner.
• A former civil servant and a passionate conservation advocate, Tshering Tobgay, with degrees in mechanical engineering and public administration, played a pivotal role as the leader of the Opposition when Bhutan’s first parliament was established in 2008.

Sports News

Divyakriti Singh Becomes 1st Indian Woman Arjuna Awardee For Equestrian Sports

• A historic moment unfolds in Indian sports as Divyakriti Singh becomes the first woman from Rajasthan to be honored with the prestigious Arjuna Award for her accomplishments in equestrian sports.
• Singh played a pivotal role in securing the Gold Medal for the Indian Dressage team at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, last September.
• This recognition holds special significance for Rajasthan, ending a five-year hiatus in receiving the Arjuna Award.
• As the sole representative from the state to be honored this year, Divyakriti Singh not only brings glory to herself but also puts Rajasthan back on the map of sporting achievements.