Kuwait formed a government headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah, the country's first cabinet after the death of its previous ruler.
Sheikh Mohammed appointed new ministers for oil, finance and foreign affairs in the first cabinet formed under Kuwait's new Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, which would carry out reforms to comply with the emir's guidance.
The Prime Minister appointed Emad Mohammed al-Atiqi as Oil Minister, Anwar Ali al-Mudhaf as Finance Minister and Abdullah Ali al-Yahya as Foreign Minister.
UNDP and EU Allocate $420,000+ For Deforestation, Food Security, Climate Change to Papua New Guinea
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union (EU) allocated grants totalling over US$420,000 (approximately 1.6 million PGK) to support initiatives aimed at combating deforestation, improving food and nutrition security, and adapting to the impacts of climate change. These grants would benefit communities across six districts in Enga Province, Papua New Guinea.
The official handover of these grants took place during a workshop held at the Takeanda Museum in Wabag, Enga Province.
TCS, Macquarie University Jointly Launch New Australian Research Hub
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) partnered with Macquarie University to launch the TCS GoZero Hub, a research and innovation centre to guide Australian organisations in their journeys towards net zero carbon emissions.
This hub will focus on five core themes – energy transition, carbon management, nature positive future, circular economy and sustainable waste management, and climate adaptation and resilience – and how to limit and prepare for future climate change.
The collaboration was finalised with the aim of bringing together multi-disciplinary and multi-faceted approaches and ideas from across industry and academia to drive research and innovation that will help enterprises, governments, regulatory bodies, and communities across Australia develop pathways to accelerate the transition to a net-zero future and beyond, while focusing on nature and people.
DMI Group, a pan-India financial services platform, acquired the beleaguered 'buy now pay later' (BNPL) ZestMoney (Zest) platform. DMI, which raised over $1.5 billion of equity investment and is supported by global institutional investors and international banks.
This development came more than a month after Bengaluru-based ZestMoney, shut down amid an unsuccessful attempt to revive its business under new management and regulatory uncertainty.
DMI Finance, the NBFC arm of DMI, will be a preferred lender on the ZestMoney platform. Through this acquisition, DMI will have the exclusive right to the use of all ZestMoney brands.
PepsiCo India Appoints Jagrut Kotecha as New CEO
PepsiCo India appointed Jagrut Kotecha as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Kotecha took over from Ahmed El Sheikh, who held the position for seven years.
Kotecha was the company's chief marketing officer in Africa, Middle East, and South Asia (AMESA).
Coal India's Venture into Power Generation Gets Cabinet Approval
The Union Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the Rs. 22,000 crore two maiden thermal power generation units planned by Coal India Ltd (CIL) in collaboration with its subsidiaries.
These units, slated to come at pithead (in the vicinity of coal mines), are also part of the Centre's increased efforts to have more pithead units.
The CCEA approved 660 megawatt (Mw) Amarkantak supercritical coal-based thermal power plant (TPP) in Anuppur district of Madhya Pradesh, through a joint venture between CIL subsidiary South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) and Madhya Pradesh Power Generating Co Ltd (MPPGCL), owned by the state government.
The Cabinet also approved 1,600 Mw supercritical thermal power plant in Sundargarh district through Mahanadi Basin Power Ltd (MBPL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL), another arm of Coal India.
Mars once again stumped humans with yet another fascinating discovery. Latest research showed that the red planet is hiding giant slabs of ice at its equator. This ice runs several kilometres deep and if melted, is enough to cover the entire surface of Mars. The resulting ocean will likely be 1.5 to 2.7 metres (4.9 to 8.9 feet) deep.
The discovery of these slabs of ice was made at the Medusae Fossae Formation region on the Martian equator.
The latest discovery once again proves that life probably once existed on the red planet. Earlier, evidence has been found that rivers once flowed on Mars. But this is the first time that such a huge amount of water has been found on the Martian equator.
Carlos Sainz, at the age of 61, made history by winning the Dakar Rally for the fourth time. His latest victory in the 2024 rally marked him as the oldest winner of this gruelling race. Sainz, also known as 'El Matador', is renowned for his extraordinary skills and endurance in one of the most challenging motorsport events in the world.
This victory was not only a personal achievement for Sainz but also a significant milestone for Audi. It marked Audi's first title in the Dakar Rally's car category.
The Dakar Rally, a two-week-long race, is known for its rigorous demands, testing the limits of both drivers and their vehicles. Sainz completed the 12th and final stage in Yanbu, on the Red Sea coast, maintaining a lead of one hour 20 minutes and 25 seconds over his closest competitor, Belgian Guillaume de Mevius.
Sainz's Dakar journey is marked by diversity and adaptability, having won the rally with four different manufacturers: Volkswagen (2010), Peugeot (2018), Mini (2020), and now Audi (2024). His experience and skill have proven invaluable in navigating the varied and challenging terrains of the Dakar Rally.
Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Zaka Ashraf Steps Down
Zaka Ashraf, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), tendered his resignation after chairing a managing committee meeting in Lahore. This announcement came as a major blow to Pakistani cricket, as Ashraf had taken over the PCB chief role just last year (2023) from Najam Sethi. The sudden resignation left the cricketing fraternity in shock, with various reasons being attributed to Ashraf's departure.
India's Nuclear Power Corporation to Commission New Reactor Every Year
As per Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) Chairman and Managing Director B. C. Pathak, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) is on a mission to commission a nuclear power reactor every year.
In December 2023, the fourth unit of India's largest indigenous 700-MWe pressurised heavy water reactor (PHWR) in Kakrapar, Gujarat, achieved criticality, which marked a significant milestone. Pathak highlighted that NPCIL aims to continue this momentum, with another 700-MWe unit set to be commissioned in Rawatbhata, Rajasthan, in 2024.
Senior IPS officer Daljit Singh Chaudhary New Director General of Sashastra Seema Bal
Senior IPS officer Daljit Singh Chaudhary was appointed as the Director General of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
The Sashastra Seema Bal, one of India's central armed police forces, is primarily responsible for guarding the country's borders with Nepal and Bhutan. The appointment of Daljit Singh Chaudhary, an experienced officer, would bring in renewed vigour and strategic expertise in managing the crucial border areas, especially in the context of emerging security challenges in the region.
Daljit Singh Chaudhary, an officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS), has had a distinguished career with various critical responsibilities in the past. His experience and skills are deemed crucial for the role of Director General of SSB, where he will be leading the force in maintaining the security and integrity of India's borders.
Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) is one of the five Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Established in 1963, the SSB was originally set up to counter the activities of Chinese troops along the Indo-Nepal border following the Sino-Indian War.
Delhi Playschools Need to Register Themselves with WCD Department
In a new development, playschools operating in the national capital are set to undergo mandatory registration with the Delhi government's Department of Women and Child Development. This decision came after a meeting between the department, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), and the Delhi Education Department, where concerns about non-compliance with established norms by many playschools were raised.
IIT Gandhinagar, University of San Diego Collaborate for Academic Research
The Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) and the University of San Diego, USA, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for collaboration in various academic, research, capacity building, training, and faculty/staff development activities.
The MoU was signed and exchanged by Professor Chell Roberts, Dean, Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering (SMSE), University of San Diego, and Professor S P Mehrotra, Professor-in-Charge, External Relations, IIT Gandhinagar.
With this new partnership, both institutes, committed to the highest standards of global educational and research excellence, offer joint Double Master's Programmes, Dual Degree Programmes at BTech and Master's levels, including Master's in Engineering Management and Leadership; as well as joint Executive Education Programmes.
IGNOU Launches MA (Spanish)
The School of Foreign Languages at IGNOU announced the Master of Arts in Spanish (MASL) programme. This programme is designed to provide an in-depth knowledge of Hispanic culture, literature, and history, equipping students with the knowledge to comprehend contemporary developments in the region.
The curriculum, as per IGNOU, also includes practical modules such as translation studies, interpretation, and linguistics. Upon successful completion of the MASL program, learners will possess the proficiency to articulate and elucidate various facets of Hispanic cultures. The programme, exclusively conducted in Spanish by experts in diverse fields of specialisation, offers students the flexibility to exit after completing the first year.
Mamata Banerjee Inaugurates 47th Kolkata Book Fair, Featuring the UK as the Theme Country
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the 47th International Kolkata Book Fair, at the Boi Mela Prangan in Central Park, Salt Lake, marking an early start compared to the previous edition when the gates opened on January 30.
The United Kingdom (UK) held the spotlight as the theme country for this year's (2024) book fair.
Kerala Bets Big on Heli-tourism to Attract Visitors
Tourism Kerala is diversifying its tourism appeal by emphasising its heli-tourism initiative in hilly regions and positioning itself as a premier wedding destination with the aim to attract more tourists.
As per Kerala Tourism Director P. B. Nooh, Kerala has distinguished itself as a top responsible tourism destination. Kerala's commitment to responsible tourism ensures that travelers act responsibly, and a portion of the expenditure contributes to the improvement of local communities.
Nooh announced the introduction of the 'Sky Escapes' heli-tourism initiative, designed to boost tourism in hilly terrains through helicopter services. The state government will collaborate with private entities to promote this initiative.
Centre Notifies Appointment of Advocate as Gujarat High Court Judge
The President of India approved the appointment of Advocate Pranav Shailesh Trivedi as a Judge of the Gujarat High Court.
The Supreme Court collegium had recommended this appointment earlier in January. Although the Supreme Court collegium had initially decided to return the proposal regarding Trivedi to the Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court for being considered at the appropriate stage, the Centre referred the file back to the collegium requesting positive consideration.
With this appointment, the working strength of the Gujarat High Court rises to 30 judges, out of the sanctioned strength of 52.
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