Nepal, China Sign BRI Framework, Paves Way for Work on Projects
Nepal and China signed the execution framework for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Beijing, indicating that Nepal will soon decide on projects for implementation. The development came when Nepal PM K. P. Sharma Oli was on an official visit to China.
The framework agreement was signed by the acting foreign secretary and the vice chairman of China's National Development Reforms Commission, ending speculation triggered by the government's stance that it will accept only grants for projects under the BRI.
French Government Collapses in No-Confidence Vote
The French government collapsed after Prime Minister Michel Barnier was ousted in a no-confidence vote.
MPs voted overwhelmingly in support of the motion against him - just three months after he was appointed by President Emmanuel Macron.
Opposition parties had tabled the motion after the former Brexit negotiator controversially used special powers to force through his budget without a vote.
It marked the first time the country's government collapsed in a no-confidence vote since 1962.
Hyundai Motor Group Ties up with IITs to Advance Battery, Electrification Research
Hyundai Motor Group tied up with three IITs to establish a collaborative research system in the fields of batteries and electrification entailing an investment of USD 7 million over five years. The South Korean group, which has presence across multiple segments including mobility, tied up with IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay and IIT Madras.
As part of the collaboration, Hyundai Centre of Excellence (CoE), will be set up within IIT Delhi and would operate through sponsorships from Hyundai Motor Group.
Bharti Airtel Signs Multi-billion Deal with Ericsson for 4G, 5G Expansion
Bharti Airtel, India's second-largest telecom operator, signed a multi-year, multi-billion-dollar agreement with Swedish telecom equipment provider Ericsson to extend its 4G and 5G contracts.
As per the new contract, Ericsson will deploy centralised RAN and Open RAN-ready solutions for network transformation which will help customers with wider coverage and enhanced capacity on the network. Ericsson will also undertake the software upgradation of its currently deployed 4G radios thereby enhancing the customer experience.
RBI Increases UPI Lite Wallet and Transaction Limits
In a bid to enhance digital payments, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) raised the UPI Lite wallet limit to Rs. 5,000, with an increase in the per-transaction limit to Rs. 1,000. This adjustment aims to promote wider adoption of UPI Lite and ease offline transactions, providing a more seamless experience for users.
Per-Transaction Limit: The transaction limit for UPI Lite has been raised from Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,000, making it easier for users to conduct higher-value offline payments without the need for internet connectivity.
Total Wallet Limit: The total wallet limit for UPI Lite has been increased to Rs. 5,000 from Rs. 2,000. This change allows users to store more funds in their wallet for convenient small-value transactions.
Replenishment Process: The replenishment of the used limit will be allowed only in online mode, secured by Additional Factor Authentication (AFA), ensuring a higher level of security.
India Beat Pakistan and Record Third Consecutive Junior Asia Cup Title
The Indian hockey team beat Pakistan 5-3 in the final to secure a hat-trick of Men's Hockey Junior Asia Cup titles in Muscat. It was the 10th edition of the Men's Hockey Junior Asia Cup.
The triumph marked India's fifth title and a third in succession following the victories in 2004, 2008, 2015 and 2023. India and Pakistan had met in the previous final too, with the former emerging victorious by a 2-1 margin.
Japan finished in third place and Malaysia in fourth.
Devendra Fadnavis Becomes Maharashtra CM for the Third Term
Devendra Fadnavis, a prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was unanimously elected as the leader of the Maharashtra BJP legislature party. This development paved the way for his swearing-in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for a record third term. Alongside him, Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar are set to assume the roles of Deputy Chief Ministers.
The BJP secured a monumental victory in the Maharashtra assembly elections held in November 2024.
BJP won 132 out of 288 assembly seats, its best-ever performance in the state.
The Mahayuti coalition, comprising BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, secured a dominant 230 seats out of 288, ensuring a strong majority in the assembly.
The 16th GRIHA Summit 2024
The 16th GRIHA Summit, the annual flagship event organised by GRIHA Council, was held in New Delhi, with a focus on the theme 'Accelerating Climate Action in the Built Environment.' The Summit brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and sustainability experts to explore innovative approaches for sustainable urban development and climate resilience in the construction and infrastructure sectors, addressing the challenges of climate change.
This year's (2024) theme underscores the critical role of transitioning the built environment towards sustainability as a cornerstone of effective climate action. As the 2030 deadline for global climate commitments nears and the 2050 target for decarbonising the building and construction sector looms large, the summit provides a platform to explore opportunities for climate-resilient development, breaking the cycle of rising heat, energy demand, and carbon emissions.
SheSTEM 2024: Empowering Youth-Led Innovation for a Sustainable Future
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and the Swedish Embassy, in collaboration with Nordic partners like Innovation Norway, Innovation Centre Denmark, and Business Finland, successfully concluded SheSTEM 2024. This initiative, aimed at inspiring young innovators, celebrated the contributions of women in STEM fields and invited students from grades 6–12 across India to present innovative ideas on Battery Technology and Energy Storage (BEST) systems. The event was part of the India-Nordic BEST project, designed to foster sustainability through advancements in energy storage technologies.
The SheSTEM 2024 challenge encouraged students to create prototypes or concepts for energy storage solutions, submitted in a two-minute video format. Over 1,000 submissions were received, reflecting India's youth's creativity and problem-solving skills. These ideas showcased the future leaders of science, technology, and sustainability.
More than just a competition, SheSTEM 2024 provided a platform for students to engage with critical STEM topics and contribute to global sustainability efforts. The event highlighted the importance of collaboration and teamwork, underscoring the power of collective innovation in addressing today's challenges.
The Indian squash community mourned the loss of Brigadier Raj Manchanda, a legendary figure affectionately known as the 'Old Fox,' passed away at the age of 80. Manchanda has left behind an inspiring legacy marked by unparalleled achievements, resilience, and contributions to the sport.
Brigadier Raj Manchanda's journey in squash is nothing short of extraordinary. Despite starting the sport in his 30s, Manchanda rose to dominate the national squash circuit. He achieved the distinction of being a six-time National Champion, winning consecutive titles between 1977 and 1982. His dedication and resilience on the court earned him the prestigious Arjuna Award, solidifying his place as a legend in Indian squash.
On the international stage, one of his most notable achievements was securing fourth place at the 1984 Asian Championships held in Jordan.
International Volunteer Day, commonly known as IVD, is celebrated on December 5 every year.
In December 1985, the United Nations General Assembly first approved and started the celebration of International Volunteer Day every year on December 5. This day celebration helps many volunteers to get mobilised and work in association with the partners and government organisations to set a framework for the program to promote and carry on domestic volunteerism in all the nations.
World Soil Day
World Soil Day is celebrated annually on December 5 to highlight the importance of healthy soil. The day serves as a reminder of the critical role soils play in our ecosystem and the need to protect and conserve this invaluable resource for future generations.
The day was first recommended by the International Union of Soil Sciences in 2002, which was supported by the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United States (FAO). The day was then established under the leadership of the Kingdom of Thailand within the framework of the Global Soil Partnership.
Later in 2013, the FAO Conference endorsed the day and urged that World Soil Day be formally adopted at the 68th United Nations General Assembly. The UNGA designated December 5, 2014, as the first World Soil Day.
Every year, World Soil Day is given a special theme that focuses on a particular aspect of soil health and protection. The theme for World Soil Day 2024 is 'Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage.' It emphasises the need for accurate soil data and information to support sustainable soil management.
Indian Changemakers Award 2024 held in New Delhi felicitated the hidden talents and achievements of distinguished authors, writers, book publishers, schools, educators, businesses, brands, and individual personalities. Esteemed Chief Guest Ravinder Singh (National Best-Selling Author) graced the event and presented the award and certificate of achievement to all the nominated awardees. The event, attended by industry leaders and distinguished guests, was a grand success, thanks to the efforts of organisers Susmita Gupta, Sagar Azad, and Sougat Dasgupta, who expressed their gratitude for their contributions.
Some of the awardees of the Indian Changemakers Award 2024 are: Masarrat A. Shah - For the Book "Unleashing Your Radiant Self - Self Help Book of the year 2024", The CorporateSpirituality.com - "Empowering and nurturing the Spirituality in Organisation's mainstream Management (Founder – Dr. Anshul Gupta)", Earthingkart Solutions Pvt. Ltd. - Top Advance earthing and lighting protection system manufacturers of the Indian earthing market (Chairman - Natwar Loyalka), Vishal Bhanti - Debut Author 2024 (Author of Be your own stress buster), Snehasish Banik - Innovative Interior Designer of North East - 2024 (Founder of Innodecor), The Rajini In Me by Author Ambiga K. S. - Autobiography and Memoir Book of the Year 2024, Devika Das - Novelist of the Year 2024 for her Hindi Novella ''Meghna", Fungki by Lalrinfela- Iconic Fashion Brand celebrating the rich heritage of Mizo Culture and C. A. Vineeta Singh - Medical Admission Expert of the Year (Founder of Edu-Vinn Admission Consultants).
RS Clears Bill for Regulating Boilers, Safety of Life, Property
The Rajya Sabha cleared a bill with provisions for regulation of boilers, safety of life and property from explosions, and uniformity in registrations.
The Boilers Bill, 2024, which seeks to repeal the century-old Boilers Act, 1923, was cleared in the Upper House by a voice vote. The bill has provisions to ensure the safety of people working inside a boiler apart from repair of boilers to be undertaken by qualified and competent persons.
CBSE to Hold Special Exams for Student Athletes, Olympiad Participants in 2025
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will conduct special exams in 2025 for students participating in national and international sports events, including recognised Olympiads. This initiative, started in 2018, aims to support students in balancing academics and extracurricular excellence.
Students whose CBSE board exam dates overlap with sports events recognised by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) or the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) can benefit from this provision. It also covers journey dates required for these events.
UK's Coventry University Group Launches New India Hub to Boost Partnerships
Coventry University Group launched a new India Hub in New Delhi to strengthen partnerships and enrich deeper connections between India and the UK. The hub is designed to support the university's efforts in admissions, recruitment, and collaboration across India and the surrounding region.
To mark the launch, a special event was held at the British Council, attended by senior university leaders, including Vice-Chancellor and Group CEO Professor John Latham CBE, along with Indian and UK government officials.
Justice Vibhu Bakhru Acting Chief Justice of Delhi High Court
The Central Government notified the appointment of Justice Vibhu Bakhru as the acting Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court.
Justice Bakhru took over from Chief Justice Manmohan whose elevation to the Supreme Court was cleared.
In 1990 he enrolled with the Bar Council of Delhi. Justice Bakhru built a legal practice before various forums, including the Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, Company Law Board and other tribunals.
He was designated a Senior Advocate in July 2011.
In April 2013, he was appointed as an additional judge of the Delhi High Court before being made a permanent judge in March 2015.
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