French President Emmanuel Macron announced a new government following the collapse of the previous Cabinet.
The newly appointed Prime Minister, François Bayrou, formed the government, which includes a mix of members from the previous conservative-led team and new figures from centrist and left-leaning backgrounds.
Eric Lombard, a banker, was named as the new Finance Minister. Bruno Retailleau will continue in his role as Interior Minister, while Sébastien Lecornu remains in charge of defence. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot also retains his position.
The reshuffle introduced two former Prime Ministers into the Cabinet. Manuel Valls was appointed minister for overseas affairs, and Élisabeth Borne took over the education portfolio. Additionally, former Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin was named Justice Minister.
Government of India and Asian Development Bank Sign $500 Million Loan
The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $500 million loan to support green and sustainable infrastructure projects aligned with the country's climate commitments on 20th December 2024. The ADB loan, with a sovereign guarantee, will be extended to the India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (IIFCL).
The signatories to the Financing Environmentally Sustainable Growth in Infrastructure Project were Juhi Mukherjee Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, for the Government of India, and Country Director Mio Oka for ADB.
ADB financing will help IIFCL provide long-term capital for infrastructure projects focusing on connectivity and energy transition as well as under-resourced sectors like urban projects, education, and health care.
PVR INOX Appoints Chief Sales Officer Sabharwal as Head
Cinema exhibitor PVR INOX Ltd announced a restructuring of its Rs. 600 crore media business, naming Chief Sales Officer Shalu Sabharwal as the leader of initiatives to focus on deepening market connections and driving growth across the country.
Sabharwal will take the lead in making strategic changes to bolster media business by leveraging a team of industry experts who will take charge of business development across India.
Indian Oil Board Approves Setting up of Yarn Project in Odisha
Indian Oil Corporation's board approved the investment for setting up a yarn project at Bhadrak, Odisha, in a 50:50 joint venture with MCPI Private Ltd.
The project entails the construction of a 900 TPD continuous polymerisation (CP) unit, along with downstream facilities for draw textured yarn (DTY), fully drawn yarn (FDY), polyester chips, and supporting infrastructure. Indian Oil's equity contribution to the joint venture is pegged at Rs. 657.33 crore.
Champions Trophy 2025: UAE to Host India's Matches as ICC Finalises Venue
The Champions Trophy 2025 got a new co-host as the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced UAE as part of the hybrid model. With India reluctant to play in Pakistan, the ICC was searching for a new co-host, with India's matches being scheduled at a neutral venue.
According to a report, the issue regarding the host was settled during a meeting between PCB Chairman Naqvi and UAE Cricket Board's head Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan in Ghotki.
Nitin Gadkari Inaugurates India's First Bio-Bitumen Stretch
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, inaugurated India's first bio-bitumen-based National Highway stretch on NH-44 in Mansar, Nagpur, Maharashtra. This stretch is a milestone in India's road development sector, being the first to employ lignin-based bio-bitumen technology. The technology, developed by Praj Industries, in collaboration with CSIR – Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and Oriental, represents a significant step forward in India's sustainability and self-reliance goals.
Govt. Shortlists Tableaux of 11 Ministries for R-Day Parade
The Centre shortlisted 11 tableaux of various Union Ministries and government departments ahead of the Republic Day Parade 2025 at Kartavya Path. While it will be the first time for the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying since a separate ministry was created, the Department of Rural Development will participate for the first time in 15 years.
The other ministries and departments which will participate are the Department of Financial Services; Department of Social Justice & Empowerment; Indian Coast Guard; Ministry of Culture; Ministry of Earth Sciences (IMD); Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (CPWD); Ministry of New and Renewable Energy; Ministry of Tribal Affairs; and Ministry of Women and Child Development.
Ex-SC Judge V. Ramasubramanian New NHRC Chairperson
Former Supreme Court judge V Ramasubramanian was appointed as the 9th Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) for a tenure of three years until December 2027.
Justice Ramasubramanian retired on June 29, 2023, after serving for over three years as a Supreme Court judge.
The National Human Rights Commission of India (abbreviated as NHRC) is a statutory body constituted on October 12, 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Ordinance of 28 September 1993.
The NHRC consists of the chairperson and five members (excluding the ex-officio members).
Shyam Benegal, who heralded the Indian parallel cinema movement in the 1970s and 1980s with a body of work known for its realism and social commentary, breaking away from the conventions of mainstream Indian cinema, died at the age of 90.
In his prolific career, Shyam Benegal made films on diverse issues, documentaries and television serials.
Shyam Benegal started his career as a copywriter, and made his first documentary film in Gujarati, 'Gher Betha Ganga' in 1962. His first four feature films 'Ankur' (1973), 'Nishant' (1975), 'Manthan' (1976) and 'Bhumika' (1977) made him a pioneer of the new wave film movement of that period.
He also served as the Director of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) from 1980 to 1986.
In 1976, he was honoured by the Government of India with the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian honour of the country, and in 1991, he was awarded Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian honour for his contributions in the field of arts.
In 2005, he was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest award in the field of cinema.
Every year on December 24, Bharatiya Grahak Diwas, also known as National Consumer Day, is observed to raise awareness about consumer rights. In India, the Consumer Protection Act 1986, grants every citizen the rights to protect their interest and take remedial steps against any kind of exploitation by sellers, traders and big brands.
The Consumer Protection Bill got the President's assent on December 24, 1986. To recognise the significance of the day, December 24 is being celebrated as the National Consumer Day every year.
The theme for National Consumer Day 2024 is 'Virtual Hearings & Digital Access to Consumer Justice.'
Government Schools can Now Fail Classes 5, 8 Students as 'No-detention Policy' Ends
The central government made a major change in education policy, ending the 'no-detention policy' for fifth and eighth graders. This means that students in these classes who fail their year-end exams can now be held back and must repeat the grade.
Failed students will have a chance to retake the test within two months, but if they fail again, they will not be promoted. The school will not expel a student until the 8th grade. Central Government has taken this decision intending to improve the learning outcome among children.
This new rule applies to over 3,000 central government-run schools, including Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, and Sainik Schools, as per senior education ministry officials. The decision, announced through an official notification, reverses the 2019 amendment to the Right to Education Act.
IIT Madras Opens Research Hub for Advanced AMOLED Technology
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) launched the AMOLED Research Centre (ARC), a National Centre of Excellence, to develop next-generation AMOLED displays for digital devices such as smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. The Centre is supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and Tata Sons.
The new facility aims to advance India's display manufacturing capabilities and reduce dependency on imports. Researchers at the ARC will work on innovative techniques to create cost-effective AMOLED displays, focusing on small-sized screens for consumer devices.
Kejriwal Launches Dr Ambedkar Scholarship for Dalit Students Abroad
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal launched a new scholarship programme aimed at Dalit students in Delhi. The scheme, named the Dr Ambedkar Samman Scholarship, will cover all expenses for Dalit students wishing to pursue higher education abroad.
Kejriwal emphasised that the Delhi government would bear the entire cost of tuition, travel, and accommodation for those Dalit students who are accepted into foreign universities.
Indore's Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport Becomes Country's First Zero-Waste Airport
In yet another achievement for Indore, the country's cleanest city in Madhya Pradesh, the Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport in the city officially became the first zero-waste airport in the country as Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu inaugurated the massive 3000 sq ft material recovery facility.
Naidu, who inaugurated the waste segregation facility at the airport, also inaugurated the new air traffic control tower which has been built at a cost of Rs. 55 crore.
The material recovery facility boasts of a comprehensive waste management system which will recycle garbage from both the aircraft and the airport with the wet waste converted into fertilizer. The airport's zero-waste initiative is based on the 4R concept: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Restore.
Centre Clears Appointment of Justice G.S. Sandhawalia as Himachal Pradesh High Court Chief Justice
The Central government cleared the appointment of Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia as the Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court.
In July, the Supreme Court collegium had recommended the appointment of Justice Sandhawalia of the Punjab and Haryana High Court as Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court.
G. Narendar New Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court
The Central government notified the appointment of Andhra Pradesh High Court judge Justice G. Narendar as the Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court.
Justice Narendar was appointed as a jujdge of the Karnataka High Court in January 2015. He was transferred to the Andhra Pradesh High Court in October 2023.
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