National news:
1. “PM Modi Honored with Highest National Awards from 14 Countries Since 2014 for Global Leadership, Recognizing Statesmanship and Environmental Advocacy: Govt in RS”
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the highest national awards from 14 countries for his leadership.
- Awards acknowledge PM Modi’s statesmanship, global leadership, and commitment to environmental issues.
- Recognitions include the ‘UN Champion of the Earth Award’ in 2018 and prestigious honors from countries like Afghanistan, Palestine, UAE, Russia, and more.
- Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan highlights PM Modi’s role in representing the Global South on the world stage.
- Awards demonstrate international recognition of India’s diplomatic approach and dialogue under PM Modi’s leadership.
2. “India Introduces One-Year Multiple-Entry Film Visa and Enhanced Incentives to Boost International Film Production”
- Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur announces a film visa with multiple entries valid for one year to facilitate international filmmakers in India.
- The Film Facilitation Office (FFO), established in December 2015, integrates with government portals for streamlined approvals and shoots in historical sites.
- Ministry of Information and Broadcasting introduces incentive schemes to attract international film projects, including a 30% cash incentive on qualified expenditure.
- Revised incentive scheme, effective from the previous April, offers a 5% bonus for employing 15% or more Indian crew during live shoots of foreign films.
- Additional 5% incentive available for foreign films promoting Indian culture, talent, and tourist destinations during shooting and post-production.
- Maximum incentive limit increased from 2.5 crore rupees to 30 crore rupees, with the maximum percentage raised from 35% to 40%.
- In 2020, four foreign film projects received permission, followed by 11 in 2021, 28 in 2022, and 35 up to November 2023, showcasing growing international interest in filming in India.
3. “President Droupadi Murmu Commends Winners of National Energy Conservation Awards, Stresses Innovation for Sustainable Energy”
- President Droupadi Murmu honors recipients of National Energy Conservation Awards, Innovation Awards, and Painting Competition on Energy Conservation in New Delhi.
- The event coincides with National Energy Conservation Day, celebrated annually on December 14 to highlight energy conservation achievements.
- President Murmu advocates optimal use of natural resources, emphasizes the importance of energy efficiency, and calls for innovation in the 21st century.
- India recognized as a responsible leader in clean energy, promoting clean coal technologies for efficiency and environmental friendliness.
- India’s commitment to the environment reflected in its rise from 30th to 7th place in the ‘Climate Change Performance Index’ in a decade.
- President Murmu acknowledges initiatives like ‘Green Energy Open Access Rules, 2022’ and ‘Renewable Purchase Obligations’ to achieve ‘Nationally Determined Contributions’ by 2030.
- Introduction of ‘Green credit’ aligns with LiFE initiative, encouraging environmental practices rooted in traditions for clean energy and environment goals.
- Union Minister of Power R K Singh highlights India’s leadership in global energy transition, achieving targets ahead of schedule, including 40% non-fossil energy capacity and 33% emission intensity reduction.
- Minister of State for Power Krishan Pal also attends the event.
4. “Union Minister Smriti Irani Advocates Creating More Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs in Mobility Beyond Digital Empowerment”
- Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani emphasizes the need for increased opportunities for women entrepreneurs in the mobility sector, beyond digital empowerment.
- Addressing the ‘Women on the Move’ event in New Delhi, Irani highlights the significant digital presence of female enterprises, citing social media as a key driver for small businesses.
- Statistics reveal that 75% of business accounts on Instagram are owned by women, and 50% of business accounts on Facebook have female administrators.
- Irani addresses challenges faced by female entrepreneurs related to the costs of mobility for business purposes.
- Acknowledges achievements in the academic field, noting that, for the first time in the country’s history, 43% of STEM graduates are women.
- Highlights a 99% increase in the number of women pursuing Ph.D. degrees in the last five years, crediting improved mobility services for assisting women in completing their Ph.D. studies on time.
5. “Union Minister Arjun Munda Inaugurates ASEAN-India Millet Festival in New Delhi to Expand Millet Market”
- Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda inaugurates the ASEAN-India Millet Festival in New Delhi to raise awareness and create a larger market for millet and millet-based products.
- The festival aligns with the International Year of Millets and includes participation from India and ASEAN countries such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
- Minister Munda outlines government policies and market innovations to promote millet production and consumption, emphasizing the numerous benefits for farmers, consumers, and the environment.
- Millet contributes significantly to global food and nutrition security, addressing socio-economic, nutritional, and climate concerns.
- The festival reflects the vibrancy and transformative potential of millets in agriculture and nutrition.
- Munda highlights millets’ ability to support Sustainable Development Goals, including zero hunger, good health, sustainable consumption and production, and climate action.
- Millets, with their minimal resource requirements and maximum nutritional benefits, are positioned as crucial resources for developing countries.
- ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising ten countries in Southeast Asia.
- ASEAN holds regular meetings and summits to discuss regional issues, strengthen ties, and address common challenges. The organization has contributed to regional stability and economic development, making it a key player in the Asia-Pacific region.
- ASEAN was founded on August 8, 1967.
6.”4th India-Botswana Foreign Office Consultations Strengthen Bilateral Ties, Pledge to Enhance Cooperation”
- The fourth Foreign Office Consultations between India and Botswana took place in Gaborone, Botswana.
- Delegations from both countries assessed bilateral relations, covering political exchanges, development partnerships, trade, investments, and consular matters.
- Discussions included potential cooperation in sectors like agriculture, defence, health, arts and culture, and energy.
- The External Affairs Ministry reported an agreement to enhance bilateral cooperation for shared prosperity.
- Both sides exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues, expressing interest in increased cooperation in the UN.
- Commitment to continue high-level engagements at official and political levels, including joint institutional mechanisms, was affirmed to maintain a robust bilateral partnership.
- India extended an invitation to Botswana to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
- Capital of Botswana – Gabarone.
Currency – Pula.
Language – English. Tswana.
President – Mokgweetsi Masisi.
International news:
7. “Ninth Jaffna International Cinema Festival Commences at Jaffna Cultural Centre”
- The ninth edition of the Jaffna International Cinema Festival kicks off at the Jaffna Cultural Centre, featuring films from various countries with a focus on the subcontinent.
- The six-day festival will premiere debut and short films, along with a retrospective section dedicated to the works of renowned Indian filmmaker Mrinal Sen.
- The festival will include a screening of Indian films such as “Bhagwan Bharose,” “Whispers of Fire and Water,” “Faded Memories,” “Main Hoon Lallu Singh,” and “Chhaad.”
- The Director of the Cultural arm of the High Commission of India, Prof. Ankuran Dutta, will speak about Mrinal Sen’s contributions and the impact of the new wave in Indian Cinema during the festival.
8. “EU Parliament Legal Committee and Governments Reach Agreement on Corporate Sustainability Rules”
- The European Parliament Legal Committee and EU governments have reached an agreement on new rules for large companies, mandating them to assess and address negative social and environmental impacts in their operations.
- The rules will apply to around 13,000 large companies based in the EU, including approximately 4,000 international corporations with a significant presence in the EU.
- The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive requires EU-based companies of a certain size to be accountable for adverse human rights and environmental impacts throughout their value chain, addressing issues such as child labor, slavery, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
- The agreement is subject to confirmation by the European Parliament and EU member states
- The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of member states located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins to the aftermath of World War II when the idea of economic and political integration was proposed to prevent further conflicts in Europe. The EU has since evolved into a unique supranational entity with its own institutions, policies, and currency.
Appointments:
9. “I&B Minister Anurag Singh Thakur Congratulates Newly Elected Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh”
- Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur extends congratulations to the newly elected Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Vishnu Deo Sai, and Deputy Chief Ministers Arun Sao and Vijay Ratan.
- Thakur expresses confidence that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ample opportunities will open for the youth of Chhattisgarh.
- The minister envisions a corruption-free environment in the state, moving forward at double the speed on the path of progress.
- Capital of Chattisgarh – Raipur.
Chief Minister – Vishnu Deo Sai.
Governor – Justice (Retd) Biswa Bhusan Harichandan.
Important days:
10. “On National Energy Conservation Day, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari Urges Conscious Choices for a Brighter Future”
- Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, calls upon people to be conscious of their choices on National Energy Conservation Day.
- Gadkari emphasizes that every energy-saving effort contributes to weaving a sustainable future in the fabric of progress.
- In a social media post, he wishes for the ethos of conservation to illuminate every corner of India, fostering a greener legacy for future generations.
- National Energy Conservation Day, observed on December 14th annually, aims to promote the importance of conserving energy and showcase the nation’s achievements in energy efficiency and conservation.
Sports:
11. “Haryana Leads Medals Tally in Khelo India Para Games with 88 Medals, Including 34 Gold“
- Haryana maintains its lead in the Khelo India Para Games medals tally with a total of 88 medals, comprising 34 gold and 36 silver.
- Uttar Pradesh secures the second position with 24 gold medals, while Tamil Nadu is in the third position with 17 gold medals.
- Today’s competitions in Football, Shooting, Table Tennis, and Weightlifting contribute to the overall medal count.
- Kasthuri Rajamani from Tamil Nadu clinches gold in the elite 67 kg powerlifting event, showcasing an impressive effort of 100 kg.
- In the elite 73 kg category, Reshma Mogil from Gujarat emerges as the winner with a lift of 72 kg, securing the gold medal.
- Capital of Haryana – Chandigarh.
Chief Minister – Manohar Lal Khattar.
Governor – Bandaru Dattatreya.
12. “India Exits FIH Men’s Junior World Cup After 4-1 Defeat to Germany in Semifinals”
- In the FIH Men’s Junior World Cup 2023, India faces a semifinal exit after a 4-1 defeat against Germany in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Germany secures a place in the summit clash and will face either France or Spain in the final.
- Capital of Germany – Berlin.
Currency – Euro.
Language – German.
President – Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
13. “Pranav Soorma of Haryana Sets New Asia Para Games Mark, Wins Gold in F51 Men’s Club Throw”
- Pranav Soorma of Haryana clinches gold in the F51 category men’s club throw at the Khelo India Para Games 2023 in New Delhi, setting a new Asia Para Games mark with a throw of 33.54 meters.
- The previous Asian record of 31.09 meters was held by India’s Dharambir.
- In the same event, Ram Ratan Singh of Uttar Pradesh wins silver with a throw of 25.43 meters, and the bronze medal goes to Tamil Nadu’s Alexander M, who throws a distance of 25.28 meters.
- In shooting, Vijay Singh Kuntal of Rajasthan wins the 10 meters air rifle gold in the SH2 category with an aggregate score of 618.3.
- Three more gold medals are awarded in various shooting events, including 10 meters Air Rifle Standing Women SH-1, 10 meters air rifle for SH1 category, and Women’s 10 meters Air Pistol Standing SH-1.
- In the Para powerlifting events, Seema Rani of Punjab and Gadadhar Sahu of Odisha secure gold medals in the 61 kg and 59 kg elite categories, respectively.
- Haryana leads the medal tally with 84 medals, including 31 gold, 35 silver, and 18 bronze, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
Top of Form
Economy:
14. “US Federal Reserve Maintains Key Interest Rate Unchanged for Third Consecutive Time”
- The US Federal Reserve keeps its key interest rate unchanged for the third consecutive time, maintaining it at about 5.4 percent, the highest level in 22 years.
- The decision has resulted in increased costs for mortgages, auto loans, business borrowing, and various forms of credit, impacting home sales and purchases of expensive goods.
- Fed Chair Jerome H. Powell, in a news conference, indicates that officials expect to make three quarter-point cuts to the benchmark rate in the coming year.
- Despite inflation remaining above the Fed’s 2 percent target, it has decreased faster than anticipated, allowing the central bank to hold rates steady and monitor further developments.
Miscellaneous:
15. “Guinness World Record for Largest Reading Activity Achieved in Pune, PM Modi Commends Efforts”
- Pune achieves the Guinness World Record for the largest reading activity at SP College, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of India as a reading nation.
- Prime Minister Modi lauds the citizens of Pune for their commendable effort in spreading the joys of reading, expressing appreciation for those involved in the record-setting event.
- The initiative reflects a commitment to fostering a culture of reading and literacy across the country.
