Table of Contents
National News
Lok Sabha Passes Railways (Amendment) Bill 2024 Amid Disruptions
The Lok Sabha passed the Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024 during the Winter Session despite disruptions, with Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw addressing concerns over potential privatisation. The bill aims to subsume the Railway Board Act, 1905, into the Railways Act, 1989, simplifying the legal framework while empowering the Railway Board with statutory powers. Opposition leaders raised concerns over privatisation, centralisation of authority, and representation of marginalised communities, which the minister dismissed as unfounded.
India to Triple Atomic Power Capacity by 2031
India’s atomic power capacity has seen remarkable growth, nearly doubling from 4,780 MW in 2014 to 8,081 MW in 2024. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, in a statement to the Lok Sabha, highlighted that this progress was achieved in just a decade, a milestone that traditionally took over 60 years. The government’s push for political leadership and technical expertise has enabled these strides. By 2031-32, India’s atomic power capacity is projected to triple to 22,480 MW, further solidifying the nation’s leadership in nuclear energy.
State News
Bhopal and Kurukshetra Set Historic Records on Gita Jayanti 2024
On Gita Jayanti 2024, Bhopal and Kurukshetra achieved remarkable milestones, making the event unforgettable in the annals of religious and cultural history. Bhopal set a Guinness World Record with over 5,000 Acharyas collectively reciting verses from the Bhagavad Gita, while Kurukshetra witnessed the participation of 1.5 crore people globally through a virtual platform.
Economy News
ADB Revises India’s GDP Growth Forecast to 6.5% for FY25, 7% for FY26
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has downgraded India’s GDP growth forecast for FY25 to 6.5% from 7% and for FY26 to 7% from 7.2%, citing weaker-than-expected industrial output, subdued public capital spending, and tight monetary policies.
Schemes News
Centre to Incubate 8 New Smart Cities Under New Cities Scheme
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has launched a new scheme extending the Smart City Mission, with an allocation of Rs 8,000 crore as a performance-based challenge fund for incubating 8 new cities. This initiative aims to manage the rapid urbanization pressures following the success of the Smart Cities Mission. Under this scheme, each state can have only one new city through the allocated fund.
Business News
Coca-Cola Sells 40% Stake in India Bottling Business to Jubilant Bhartia Group
Coca-Cola has announced a strategic partnership with Jubilant Bhartia Group, selling a 40% stake in Hindustan Coca-Cola Holdings (HCCH) for ₹12,500 crore. This move is in line with Coca-Cola’s global refranchising strategy and strengthens its presence in India, its fifth-largest market. The deal marks a major entry into the bottling sector for Jubilant Bhartia Group, which will leverage its operational expertise from businesses like Domino’s and Dunkin’ to boost the growth of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB), Coca-Cola’s largest bottler in India.
Science and Technology News
OpenAI Launches Sora Turbo for AI Video Generation
OpenAI has officially launched its much-anticipated AI video generation model, Sora, for paid subscribers. The model, introduced as Sora Turbo, allows users to generate up to 20-second-long videos in 1080p resolution. Initially announced earlier this year, its release was delayed for nine months as OpenAI worked to enhance privacy and safety features. Sora is now available as a standalone platform for ChatGPT Plus and ChatGPT Pro users, offering a range of capabilities for creating AI-generated videos from text prompts and storyboards.
What is ‘Disease X’?
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is facing a critical health crisis as a new and deadly illness, Disease X, emerges. With flu-like symptoms and a high mortality rate, the outbreak has captured the attention of global health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO), which is actively working to contain its spread and understand its origins.
Google’s Quantum Leap: Unveiling the Revolutionary ‘Willow’ Chip
Google has introduced Willow, a groundbreaking quantum chip poised to revolutionize computing and scientific discovery. This chip achieves two significant milestones: exponential error reduction with more qubits and completing a computation in five minutes that would take current supercomputers 10 septillion years—exceeding the universe’s age. Willow marks a major advance in Google’s decade-long pursuit of a scalable quantum computer capable of addressing complex global challenges.
Sports News
Khelo India Winter Games 2025 Leh and Gulmarg Announced as Hosts
The Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) have emerged as a premier event in India’s sporting calendar, promoting winter sports and identifying talent for international competitions. The 2025 edition promises to continue this tradition with thrilling ice and snow events hosted in the Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir. With a strong emphasis on fostering young talent and promoting winter sports culture, the KIWG serves as a vital platform for aspiring athletes, especially from remote Himalayan regions.
Afridi Becomes Youngest to Achieve 100 Wickets in All Formats
Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has cemented his place in cricket history by becoming the youngest bowler to take 100 wickets in all three formats of the game. He achieved this remarkable milestone during the first T20I against South Africa, making him the first Pakistani bowler to reach this feat. Despite Pakistan’s loss in the match, Afridi’s performance stood out as he claimed three wickets for 22 runs, leading his team in the bowling department.
Haris and Wyatt-Hodge Shine as ICC Players of the Month
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced Pakistan’s Haris Rauf and England’s Danni Wyatt-Hodge as the ICC Players of the Month for November 2024. Both players showcased exceptional performances in their respective formats, securing their maiden Player of the Month awards. Haris’ destructive bowling in Australia marked Pakistan’s first ODI series victory in the country since 2002, while Wyatt-Hodge’s explosive batting guided England to a dominant T20I series win over South Africa.
FIFA World Cup Hosts Unveiled for 2030, 2034
FIFA has officially announced the hosts for the 2030 and 2034 Men’s Football World Cups. Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will jointly host the 2030 tournament, with additional matches in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay to commemorate the centenary of the competition. Saudi Arabia has been chosen to host the 2034 tournament. These decisions were confirmed during an Extraordinary FIFA Congress meeting, with votes cast by FIFA’s 211 member associations. The process has sparked mixed reactions, including support, abstentions, and criticisms of the bidding process.
Awards News
National Panchayat Awards 2024: Celebrating Rural Governance and Sustainable Development
The National Panchayat Awards 2024 marked a significant moment in India’s rural development landscape, honoring 45 exceptional Panchayats for their remarkable contributions to sustainable and inclusive growth. Held on December 11, 2024, at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, the prestigious event was graced by the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, and the Union Minister of Panchayati Raj, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh.
Indian Heritage Conservation Projects Shine at UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards 2024
Two Indian heritage conservation projects—the Abathsahayeswarar Temple Conservation Project in Tamil Nadu and the BJPCI Conservation Project in Maharashtra—have garnered global recognition by winning the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation 2024. These projects, celebrated for their commitment to preserving India’s cultural legacy, were among the eight winners selected from the Asia-Pacific region.
Ang Lee to Receive DGA Lifetime Achievement Award
Ang Lee, the celebrated Taiwanese American filmmaker, has been named the recipient of the Directors Guild of America (DGA) 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious honor recognizes Lee’s remarkable contributions to cinema, spanning over three decades. Known for his versatility and innovative storytelling, Lee’s work cuts across a wide range of genres. He has gained international acclaim, including two Academy Awards and multiple other accolades. Lee’s influence extends beyond filmmaking, as he continues to inspire audiences and filmmakers alike.
Obituaries News
Legendary Gujarati Singer Purushottam Upadhyay Dies at 90
Purushottam Upadhyay, the celebrated Gujarati singer and composer, passed away at the age of 90, leaving behind an unmatched legacy in the world of music. Known for his melodious voice and timeless compositions, he contributed significantly to Gujarati music over the years. His work, which resonated deeply with the Gujarati community and diaspora worldwide, has left an indelible mark on the industry. Upadhyay’s death marks the end of an era, and his contributions are cherished by millions.
Nikki Giovanni, Black Arts Icon, Dies at 81
Nikki Giovanni, a celebrated poet and prominent figure of the Black Arts movement, passed away at the age of 81. Her literary works and activism made a lasting impact on American culture, particularly within the African American community. Giovanni’s poetry, which touched on themes of Black liberation, love, and social justice, continues to resonate across generations. She played a significant role in shaping the artistic and political landscape of the 1960s and beyond.
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