International News

Felix Tshisekedi's Resounding Victory in the Democratic Republic of Congo:

• The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) witnessed a significant political event as President Felix Tshisekedi secured a commanding victory in the December 20 election, claiming approximately 73% of the vote.
• His closest rival, Moise Katumbi, trailed with 18%. Tshisekedi, son of the esteemed opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi, had previously clinched his first term in 2019.
• Despite being rich in natural resources, the DRC has a tumultuous history marked by political instability and conflicts leading to humanitarian crises.

BRICS Expands: Saudi Arabia, Iran, UAE, Egypt, and Ethiopia Join:

• The BRICS group, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is set to double its membership on January 1 with the inclusion of Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
• These additions aim to create a synergy between leading energy producers and major consumers among developing countries.
• The recent sherpa meeting in Durban, South Africa, saw the new invitees expressing their acceptance, with the next meeting scheduled in Moscow on January 30.

State News

Surat Hosts the 12th Divya Kala Mela 2023:

• The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment organized the 'Divya Kala Mela' in Surat, Gujarat, from December 29, 2023, to January 7, 2024.
• This event showcased the products and craftsmanship of Divyang entrepreneurs, contributing to the economic empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (PwD)/Divyangjan.
• This marks the 12th edition in a series that commenced in 2022, with previous editions held in various cities across India.

Gujarat Sets Guinness Record in Mass Surya Namaskar:

• Gujarat made a remarkable entry into the Guinness Book of World Records on New Year's morning by hosting the largest simultaneous Surya Namaskar performance.
• Involving over 4,000 participants across 108 locations, the event held special significance in Indian culture, with venues including the iconic Modhera Sun Temple.

Defence News.

India-UAE Joint Exercise 'Desert Cyclone 2024' in Rajasthan:

• The collaborative military exercise 'Desert Cyclone 2024' between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to take place in Rajasthan from January 2 to January 15.
• Focused on enhancing interoperability, particularly in urban operations, this joint manoeuvre underlines the growing defence collaboration between the two nations.
• The deep-rooted cultural, religious, and economic ties form the foundation of this robust friendship.

DRDO Celebrates 66th Foundation Day:

• India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) marked its 66th Foundation Day on January 1, 2024, with a renewed commitment to bolstering the country's defence capabilities.
• Emphasizing self-reliance in defence production, DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat highlighted the significant AoN accorded in 2023 for DRDO-developed systems worth over Rs. 1.42 lakh crore.
• The day also saw the launch of the Quantity-Distance Software developed by HEMRL Pune.

Important Days News.

Global Family Day 2024 - Embracing Diversity, Strengthening Families:

• January 1 annually marks Global Family Day, also known as World Peace Day. The theme for 2024, "Embracing Diversity, Strengthening Families," calls for celebrating differences while acknowledging the fundamental bonds that connect us globally.
• It serves as a reminder to raise awareness of global issues, promote peace, and foster a sense of unity amidst a world often divided by conflicts.

Agreements News.

ITC, Microsoft, and Skymet Alliance to Protect Tobacco Farmers:

• In a pioneering collaboration, ITC, a leading Indian conglomerate, has partnered with Microsoft and Skymet to address the pressing challenges faced by tobacco farmers in India due to climate change.
• The adverse effects of climate change have resulted in estimated losses of ₹800-900 crore in export revenues for the tobacco sector.
• The collaborative program aims to enhance the climate resilience of tobacco crops, utilizing technology and strategic partnerships to empower farmers and mitigate the impact of extreme weather events on tobacco cultivation.

Appointments News.

Vivek Srivastava Assumes Role of DG of Fire Service, Civil Defence & Home Guards:

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has recently approved the appointment of Vivek Srivastava as the Director General of Fire Service, Civil Defence & Home Guards under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• A seasoned 1989-batch IPS officer of Gujarat cadre, Srivastava brings over three decades of experience, showcasing leadership skills and dedication to public service.
• His appointment reflects a commitment to effective law enforcement and strategic decision-making in crucial public service domains.

Rashmi Govil Set to Lead HR at Indian Oil Corporation:

• With nearly three decades of experience at Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Rashmi Govil is set to step into the role of Director (Human Resources) at the state-owned firm.
• Currently serving as Executive Director (HRD & ER) at IOC, Govil's extensive experience in various HR segments positions her well for this key leadership role.
• Her contributions to industrial relations, compensation management, and other HR aspects underscore her suitability for steering IOC's human resources strategy.

Arvind Panagariya Heads the Sixteenth Finance Commission:

• The government has appointed Arvind Panagariya, former Niti Aayog vice chairman and Columbia University professor, as the chairman of the Sixteenth Finance Commission.
• Tasked with recommending the tax revenue sharing formula between the Centre and the States for the upcoming five-year period starting from April 2026, Panagariya's expertise as a distinguished trade economist adds significant value.
• His prior role as the first vice chairman of the Niti Aayog further strengthens his position in formulating crucial economic policies.

Dong Jun Takes Helm as China’s New Defense Minister:

• China has announced Dong Jun as its new defense minister, succeeding Li Shangfu.
• A former navy commander with extensive military experience, Dong Jun's appointment emphasizes the strategic importance of this decision.
• Having served as the deputy commander of the Chinese military’s Southern Theatre Command, his leadership is crucial in the context of the contested South China Sea region.

Sports News.

Koneru Humpy's Silver at World Rapid Chess C’ship:

• India's Koneru Humpy demonstrated her chess prowess by securing the women’s individual silver medal at the 2023 World Rapid Chess Championships in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
• Despite a fierce competition, Humpy's achievement adds to her list of accolades, having previously won bronze in 2012 and being crowned the world champion in 2019.
• Her consistent success reflects India's strength in international chess competitions.

Anahat Singh Clinches Girls’ U-19 2023 Scottish Junior Open Title:

• Indian squash prodigy Anahat Singh triumphed in the girls’ under-19 category at the 2023 Scottish Junior Open squash in Edinburgh.
• With a commanding performance in the final, Singh secured victory with a decisive scoreline, showcasing her dominance on the squash court.
• Her win adds to India's growing prominence in squash, highlighting the emergence of young talents on the global stage.

Science & Technology News

ISRO Launches XPoSat India First X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite:

• On January 1, ISRO marked a significant milestone with the successful launch of XPoSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite) using the reliable PSLV-C58 rocket.
• XPoSat, India’s first X-ray satellite, aims to investigate the polarization of intense X-ray sources in space, focusing on objects like neutron stars and black holes.
• This mission, crucial for scientific exploration, underscores India's capabilities in space technology.
• The PSLV-C58 Mission's success propels XPoSat into an orbit that facilitates 3-axis stabilization for orbital experiments, showcasing ISRO's commitment to cutting-edge research and advancements.