Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau looked set to lose power early next year (2025) after a key ally said that he would move to bring down the minority Liberal government and trigger an election.
New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh, who has been helping keep Trudeau in office, would present a formal motion of no-confidence after the House of Commons elected chamber returns from a winter break on January. 27.
If all the opposition parties back the motion, Trudeau will be out of office after more than nine years as Prime Minister and an election will take place.
24th BIMSTEC Senior Officials Meeting (SOM)
India participated in the 24th BIMSTEC Senior Officials Meeting (SOM), hosted virtually by Thailand on December 20, 2024. Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East) from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), represented India during this important session. The meeting reviewed the progress made by BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) since the last SOM in March 2023 and discussed key areas of regional cooperation. Various documents and new mechanisms of cooperation were finalised, and preparations for the upcoming 6th BIMSTEC Summit were also discussed.
The discussions focussed on priority areas including sustainable development, regional connectivity, security, and people-to-people exchanges.
Masali, a village in Gujarat's Banaskantha district, became India's first 'solar village' located near the border, marking a significant achievement in the country's renewable energy initiatives. Situated 40 kilometres from the Pakistan border, this milestone follows India's broader efforts to make border areas more energy-efficient and self-sustaining. The project, with an investment of Rs. 1.16 crore, involves the installation of solar panels on 199 rooftops, ensuring 100% solar power generation for the village. The development highlights India's commitment to renewable energy and rural electrification.
Bank of Baroda Unveils Phygital Branches to Transform Customer Banking Experience
Bank of Baroda (Bank), one of India's leading public sector banks, is launching Phygital branches to redefine the customer experience. These Phygital branches seamlessly integrate physical and digital banking services for customers with self-service kiosks that provide 24/7 Banking, a Video Contact Centre for non-financial services and Universal Service Desks for in-person customer service.
By seamlessly integrating self-service and assisted service models, Bank of Baroda's Phygital branch is a unique banking concept that meets the diverse requirements of customers. The Phygital branches merge the familiarity of brick and mortar establishments with the efficiency of cutting-edge technology.
Federal Bank Partners with Ecofy to Accelerate Rooftop Solar Financing for MSMEs
Federal Bank, a leading private sector bank in India, announced a strategic partnership with Ecofy, the country's first green-only NBFC backed by Eversource Capital, to empower MSMEs with innovative financing solutions for commercial rooftop solar installations. This collaboration is among the first comprehensive co-lending initiatives aimed at addressing the solar financing needs of the MSME sector.
The program aims to finance 3,600 kW of rooftop solar installations annually, enabling MSMEs to significantly reduce electricity costs while cutting over 2,500 tons of CO2 emissions each year. This initiative supports India's decarbonisation goals and fosters sustainable business practices.
Riya Shirish Thatte Clinches Gold Medal in Women's 25m Pistol Final of 67th National Shooting Championship Competitions
In shooting, Riya Shirish Thatte of Aurangabad clinched the gold medal in the women's 25m pistol final of the 67th National Shooting Championship Competitions in New Delhi.
She defeated Punjab's Simranpreet Kaur Brar 7-2 in a shoot-off after both had tied at 31 hits in the eight series of five-shots decider. This is Riya's first senior national title. Olympian and former Asian Games champion Rahi Sarnobat was third with 25 hits.
38th National Games 2025 Unveiled in Dehradun
Uttarakhand marked a significant milestone in sports as it unveiled the mascot, logo, jersey, anthem, and tagline for the 38th National Games 2025 at Maharana Pratap Sports College, Dehradun. With the Games scheduled from January 28 to February 14, 2025, the event symbolizes a blend of tradition, athleticism, and the state's rich heritage. Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President P. T. Usha and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami led the unveiling ceremony, which also included announcements of traditional sports like yoga and mallakhamb being part of the competition.
Mascot "Mauli"
Inspired by the Monal, the state bird of Uttarakhand, symbolises the region's uniqueness and encourages young athletes to aim high.
The logo reflects the beauty and biodiversity of Uttarakhand, incorporating the Monal's vibrant imagery.
The tagline "Sankalp Se Shikhar Tak" (From Resolve to Zenith), representing determination and ambition.
The 38th Annual General Meeting of NWDA Society and 22nd Meeting of Special Committee for Interlinking of Rivers
The 38th Annual General Meeting of NWDA Society and 22nd Meeting of Special Committee for Interlinking of Rivers (SCILR) were held under the chairmanship of C. R. Patil, Minister for Jal Shakti. C. R. Patil mentioned about the recent progress made upon MPKC (Modified Parbati Kalisindh Chambal) and Ken Betwa Link Project. He also apprised about recent program organized in Jaipur for the inauguration of various projects of Rajasthan along with declaration of signing of the MoA upon MPKC link project by Prime Minister of India. At the same time, he requested other States to make consensus upon their respective link projects for further progress in the development of our country.
DRDO, IIT Delhi & the Industry Sign 10 Tripartite Agreements
The DRDO, IIT Delhi and the industry signed ten tripartite agreements for development and manufacturing among others of light weight bullet proof jacket ABHED, and indigenous polymeric ballistic material.
This happened at an event titled 'DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE) organised at IIT Delhi.
Transfer of Technology (TOT) of light weight bullet resistant jacket (ABHED- Advanced Ballistic High Energy Defeat) was handed over to defence PSU MIDHANI (Mishra Dhatu Nigam), and private firms, SMPP Pvt Ltd, AR Polymers and MKU.
Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for development of indigenous ballistic material was signed with Reliance Industries Ltd. Additional MoA for limited series production of extreme cold weather clothing was inked with Aeronav Industrial Safety Appliance, Arnaf Industries Ltd, and Arrow Garments.
Defence Ministry Signs Contract with L&T for Self-propelled Tracked Artillery Guns
Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Larsen & Toubro Limited for procurement of 155 mm/52 calibre K9 VAJRA-T Self-Propelled Tracked Artillery Guns for the Indian Army under Buy (Indian) category at a total cost of Rs. 7,628.70 crore.
The contract was signed by senior officials of the Ministry and representatives of L&T in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in South Block, New Delhi.
India Pavilion at Vietnam Defence Expo 2024
The India Pavilion at the Vietnam International Defence Expo 2024 was inaugurated, marking a significant moment for Indo-Vietnamese defense cooperation. The event saw the presence of high-profile dignitaries including Vietnam's Minister of Public Security, General Luong Tam Quang, alongside India's Secretary for Defence Production, Sanjeev Kumar, and the Indian Ambassador to Vietnam, Sandeep Arya.
The inauguration of the India Pavilion is a testament to the growing strategic partnership between India and Vietnam, focusing on defense and security.
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) acted as the nodal agency for the India Pavilion, showcasing an array of their latest defense products including the Akash Missile System, Weapon Locating Radar (WLR), Gun Fire Control Radar, Counter Drone System, 3D Radar, and the Arudhra Radar. This display underscores BEL's commitment to innovation in defense electronics.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) presented its advancements in aerospace technology, emphasizing its role in enhancing India's air defense capabilities.
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) exhibited its prowess in shipbuilding, highlighting naval defense equipment and technologies.
Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) brought to the expo its expertise in missile systems, showcasing their contribution to India's missile defense strategy.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) demonstrated India's ongoing research and development efforts in defense technology, focusing on cutting-edge solutions that could be of interest to international partners.
Om Prakash Chautala Passes Away at 89: Tributes pour in for former Haryana CM
Former Haryana Chief Minister and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) supremo Om Prakash Chautala passed away at the age of 89.
Chautala, son of Chaudhary Devi Lal, who served as the 6th Deputy Prime Minister of India, served as the Chief Minister of Haryana for a record four terms, starting in December 1989, with his final term between 1999 and 2005.
Chennai-Born Caitlin Sandra Neil Crowned Miss India USA 2024
Chennai-born Indian American Caitlin Sandra Neil was crowned Miss India USA 2024 at the annual pageant held in New Jersey. The 19-year-old is a second year student at University of California, Davis.
Nirali Desia of Illinois and Manini Patel of New Jersey were declared first runner-up and second runner-up in the Miss India USA competition.
Meanwhile, Sanskriti Sharma from Illinois was crowned Mrs India USA and Arshita Kathpalia from Washington won the Miss Teen India USA in the pageant organised by the India Festival Committee (IFC).
World Basketball Day is an annual celebration held on December 21, commemorating the invention of basketball by Dr. James Naismith in 1891.
On August 25, 2023, the General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/77/324 proclaiming December 21 as World Basketball Day.
World Meditation Day
The world marked December 21 2024 as the first-ever World Meditation Day, following a resolution passed by the United Nations General Assembly in November 2024.This marks a significant moment in global recognition of meditation's value. This historic event will establish an annual global celebration of meditation, highlighting its transformative benefits for mental and physical health and its potential to foster peace and unity.
To celebrate this day, the Permanent Mission of India hosted a special event at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The event was themed as "Meditation for Global Peace and Harmony."
The 100th edition of the Tansen Sangeet Samaroh, one of India's most celebrated classical music festivals, concluded with grandeur in Gwalior. Organised by Madhya Pradesh's Culture Department, the festival honoured eminent tabla maestro Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri with the Rashtriya Tansen Samman 2023 and Indore-based Sanand Nyas Sanstha with the Raja Mansingh Tomar Samman 2023.
Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri, a Padma Shri recipient and tabla virtuoso from Kolkata, received the festival's highest honour. Instituted in 1980, the award includes a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh and a citation plaque.
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