LAUNCH OF MISSILE CUM AMMUNITION (MCA) BARGE, LSAM 10 (YARD 78) ON 20 NOV 23 AT M/S SECON ENGINEERING PROJECTS PVT LTD, VISAKHAPATNAM!

The launch of ‘Missile Cum Ammunition Barge, LSAM 10 (Yard 78)’, the 4th Barge of 08 x Missile Cum Ammunition Barge project, built by MSME Shipyard, M/s SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd (SEPPL), Visakhapatnam for Indian Navy, was undertaken at Guttenadeevi, East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh (launch site of M/s SEPPL). The launching Ceremony was presided over by Cmde Shanmugam Sabesan, CRO (East). The contract for building 08 x Missile Cum Ammunition Barge was signed between MoD and M/s SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd, Visakhapatnam on 19 Feb 21. The availability of these Barges would provide impetus to operational commitments of IN by facilitating Transportation, Embarkation and Disembarkation of articles/ ammunition to IN Ships both alongside jetties and at outer harbours.

Govt to extend RoDTEP benefits to e-commerce exports!

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that the government has decided to extend the benefits of the export-boosting scheme Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) to e-commerce exports. The RoDTEP scheme, which came into effect three years ago, refunds the embedded non-creditable central, state, and local levies paid on inputs to exporters.

Uttar Pradesh now has more stock market investors than Gujarat, shows NSE data!

A retail trading boom is on in India. The frenzy is visible in the data put out by the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. — the world’s largest derivatives bourse by the number of contracts traded. The number of investors in India went past the 8 crore mark this year, registering a 22.4% jump from December 31, 2022.2023 was the year when the bourses were on a roll. The benchmark NSE Nifty 50 touched the milestones of 20,000 on September 11 and the 21,000-mark on December 8.

Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme, 3-yr Term Deposit, and more, Small savings schemes' interest rates hiked up to 20 bps for Q4FY24!

Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme: The Centre on Friday hiked the interest rates of some of the small savings schemes, such as Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme, 3-year Time Deposit, for the January-March 2024 quarter. In a notification, the Union finance ministry said that the interest rates of most schemes were at the same level, with minor tweaks for the Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme and 3-year time deposit.

HAL opens new design and test facility for the development of strategic engines!

A new state-of-the-art design and test facility at the Aero Engine Research and Development Centre (AERDC) of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru was laid open to facilitate the development of strategic engines for powering trainer aircrafts, drones, regional jets and light and medium helicopters.

Minister Bhupendra Yadav launches NTPS, a unified system for forest goods’ transport across India.

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupendra Yadav virtually flagged off a timber-laden truck from Gandhidham in Gujarat‘s Kutch district and another loaded with forest products from Jammu and Kashmir after QR-coded transit permits were generated for the twin cargos by NTPS.

Cabinet approves opening of Consulate General of India in Auckland, New Zealand.

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved the proposal to open of a Consulate General of India in Auckland, New Zealand.Opening of Consulate General of India in Auckland would help in increasing India’s diplomatic footprint and strengthen India’s diplomatic representation in view of India’s increasing global engagement. This will also help promote India’s strategic and commercial interests and better serve the welfare of Indian community in Auckland.The Consulate is likely to be opened and fully operationalized within a time frame of 12 months.

SBI, HDFC Bank will need to maintain higher capital from FY25, says RBI!

State Bank of India (SBI), HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank continue to be in the list of the domestic systemically important banks (D-SIBs) of the Reserve Bank of India, though the first two will require maintaining higher capital. While ICICI Bank continues to be in the same bucketing structure as last year, SBI and HDFC Bank move to higher buckets – SBI shifts from bucket 3 to bucket 4, and HDFC Bank shifts from bucket 1 to bucket 2.

Biden nominates Indian-American VC for key post.

In addition to his work at Insight and for the Development Finance Corporation, Parekh serves as a Board Member for the Council on Foreign Relations, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, NYU Langone, the Tisch New York MS Research Center, and the Economic Club of New York.

Hyundai Motor India ropes in Deepika Padukone as brand ambassador!

Talking about the appointment, Tarun Garg, COO, Hyundai Motor India, said, “We are happy to onboard actor Deepika Padukone as our brand ambassador. Her charm and career aligns with the Hyundai Motor brand. In this partnership, we envision Padukone as the perfect catalyst to bridge the gap between our cutting-edge automobiles and the aspirations of the young and dynamic demographic. We believe this collaboration will elevate our brand presence and create a profound connection with the energetic and forward-thinking audience we aim to reach.”

Russia, NASA agree to continue joint ISS flights until 2025?

The space sector -- including its so-called cross-flights that involve sending crews from different nationalities on one spacecraft -- is a rare area of cooperation remaining between Moscow and Washington since Russia sent troops to Ukraine.Russian and US space agencies have agreed to keep working together to deliver crews to the International Space Station (ISS) until at least 2025, Russian corporation Roscosmos said Thursday.

CBDT issues guidelines under section 194-O of the Income-tax Act, 1961!

Vide CBDT Circular No. 20/2023 dated 28.12.2023 guidelines have been issued for removal of difficulties and clarity has been provided on various issues pertaining to applicability of section 194-O of the Act in a multiple e-commerce operator model framework, such as the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). The Circular details several types of situations with examples & provides clarity on multiple issues. Having received representations from various quarters, the CBDT Circular incorporates FAQs on varied issues.

Navy unveils new Admirals’ epaulettes in ‘true reflection of Indian rich maritime heritage’!

The Indian Navy on Friday unveiled the new design of epaulettes that officers will wear, drawing inspiration from Rajmudra of Chhatrapati Shivaji. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the introduction of the new design during the Navy Day address on December 4 at Sindhudurg in Maharashtra. The current design has been released for the rank of Admiral, Vice Admiral and Rear Admiral – the top three positions in the naval forces.

Nina Singh, the first woman to be appointed as chief of CISF.

The Centre on Thursday appointed Nina Singh as the first woman Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). She will hold the top post till July 31, 2024."Nina Singh, IPS (RJ: 89) assumed the charge of DG #CISF engraving a historic milestone as the first woman to helm this esteemed position. Her visionary leadership will usher this multi-skilled and multi-dimensional force to greater heights.

India took over as the co-Chair of IONS Working Groups on Maritime Security and HADR.

During the Conclave, CNS, IN held fruitful interaction with the host, Adm Adoong Pan-Iam, Commander-in-Chief, Royal Thai Navy and complimented him for taking over Chairmanship of IONS. Both Leaders expressed commitment towards sustaining an upward trajectory of Bilateral Defence engagements including naming of IN - RTN Bilateral based on historical and cultural connect. Further, he also interacted with Heads of Delegation from Australia, Bangladesh, France, Iran, Italy, Malaysia, Maldives, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Spain, and discussed bilateral maritime issues. On the side-lines of Conclave, the CNS also visited Indian Naval Ship Kadmatt, at Bangkok, and interacted with the ship’s crew, commending them for successful long range deployment.

Sebi eases norms to encourage social stock exchanges and smaller REITs!

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has eased the norms for social stock exchanges and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) to attract more participants into the arena and, at the same time, make more instruments available for trading for retail investors.The board of the capital market watchdog, which met on Saturday, approved the reduction in minimum issue size public issuance of Zero Coupon Zero Principal Instruments (ZCZP) by not-for-profit entities from the current Rs 1 crore to Rs 50 lakh.

Reliance Jio has partnered with IIT Bombay to develop an indigenous GPT platform called Bharat GPT!

Reliance Jio is set to partner with IIT Bombay to carry out the central government’s initiative of establishing an indigenous GPT platform called Bharat GPT. Professor Ganesh Ramakrishnan from IIT’s department of computer science and engineering, is exploring GPT and Large Language Model (LLM) solutions for this. Akash Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Jio unveiled this collaboration at IIT-B’s Techfest.

Jacques Delors, Passionate Architect of European Unity, Dies at 98!

As president of the European Commission, the European Union’s executive body, from 1985 through 1994, Mr. Delors maintained a nearly religious faith in the principle of a federal and communal Europe, even as the eurozone debt crisis, a contentious debate over migration and the essential question of whether rich northern countries would keep providing funds to their near bankrupt neighbors in southern Europe threatened to rip this vision apart.

President Droupadi Murmu gives assent to the three Criminal Code bills.

President Draupadi Murmu on December 25 gave her assent to the three new criminal code bills, which were cleared by Parliament last week.These new laws — the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Act — will replace the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872.

CCI clears stake acquisition in RCap by IIHL, IIHL BFSI (I) Ltd, Aasia!

Fair trade regulator Competition Commission of India on Wednesday said it has cleared the proposed stake acquisition in Reliance Capital by IndusInd International Holdings Ltd, IIHL BFSI (India) Ltd, and Aasia Enterprises.Reliance Capital Ltd (RCL) is an RBI-registered non-banking, non-deposit-taking systemically important company (NBFC-CIC-ND-SI). It is engaged in the financial service sector.

Mutual Funds, demat accounts, Sebi extends deadline for nomination filing till June 2024!

Further, Sebi asked asset management companies (AMCs), depository participants and Registrar and Transfer Agents (RTAs) to encourage the demat account holders and mutual fund unit holders to fulfil the requirement for nomination/opting out of the nomination by sending a communication on fortnightly basis by way of emails and SMS to all such unit holders who are not in compliance with the requirement of nomination.

HDFC Bank gets board approval for 3 years extension to Atanu Chakraborty as chairman!

Countrys biggest private sector lender HDFC Bank on Wednesday said its board has approved three years extension to Atanu Chakraborty as non-executive chairman.The board has recommended the re-appointment of Chakraborty as the part-time non-executive chairman and independent director of the bank to the Reserve Bank of India RBI, for a second term of three years with effect from May 5, 2024 to May 4, 2027, HDFC Bank said in a regulatory filing.The re-appointment will be subject to the approval of the RBI and the shareholders of the bank, it said.He was appointed chairman of the bank in May 2024.

the Union Sports Ministry had asked the WFI to suspend its activities following some arbitrary decisions taken by its newly-elected president and requested the IOA to form a panel to run the WFI!

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Wednesday announced a three-member ad-hoc committee, headed by its Executive Committee member Bhupinder Singh Bajwa, to run the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) following the newly-elected federation’s suspension.Two days ago, the Union Sports Ministry had asked the WFI to suspend its activities following some arbitrary decisions taken by its newly-elected president and requested the IOA to form a panel to run the WFI.

As part of the composite scheme of amalgamation, IDFC FHCL would first merge with IDFC and then IDFC into IDFC First Bank Ltd!

IDFC Limited and IDFC Financial Holding Company (IDFC FHCL) have received letters dated December 26, 2023 from RBI whereby RBI has conveyed its 'No Objection' to the composite scheme of amalgamation, subject to compliance with the terms specified therein," IDFC Ltd said in a regulatory filing.As part of the composite scheme of amalgamation, IDFC FHCL would first merge with IDFC and then IDFC into IDFC First Bank Ltd.

Amit Shah launched the “Tiranga Anthem” and released a commemorative postage stamp during the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign.

Mr. Shah launched the “Tiranga Anthem” and released a commemorative postage stamp to mark the birth anniversary of Pingali Venkayya, who designed the Tricolour, as a part of the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign organised by the Culture Ministry. The campaign promotes the hoisting of the national flag in all households from August 13 to August 15, to mark 75 years of Independence.

Justice Shree Chandrashekhar Appointed As Acting Chief Justice Of Jharkhand High Court.

The notification has been issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice has appointment of Justice Shree Chandrashekhar as the Acting Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court. The Notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice stated that in exercise of the powers conferred by Article 223 of the Constitution of India the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Shree Chandrashekhar, the Judge of the Jharkhand High Court, to perform the duties of the office of the Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court with effect from December 29, 2023, which being consequent upon the retirement of Shree Justice Sanjaya Kumar Mishra, Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court on December 28, 2023. The appointment made follows the retirement of Chief Justice Sanjaya Kumar Mishra, who will be serving as the Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court until December 28, 2023.

Ministry of commerce-backed e-commerce protocol Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).

With Google Maps, ONDC is onboarding the Kochi Metro as a mobility service on its platform. Users can make ticket bookings for the metro service directly in Google Maps, through the ONDC framework. For Meta, ONDC is being integrated into WhatsApp, where small businesses will be able to streamline their onboarding process on the framework. The move will also form a key part of Meta’s focus on monetizing its India market in 2024, said India head Sandhya Devanathan in an interview on Tuesday.

Pakistan test fires indigenously developed weapons rocket system.

Pakistan on Thursday successfully conducted the test-flight of an indigenously developed Guided Multi Launch Rocket System, capable of delivering conventional warheads, with a maximum range of 140 km.According to Director General of Army, Media Wing, Major General Babar Iftikhar, Fatah-1 weapon system can hit targets up to a range of 140 km.

Indian Navy's stealth guided missile destroyer INS Imphal commissioned!

Enhancing maritime capabilities in response to China's growing presence in the Indian Ocean region, the Indian Navy commissioned its newest domestically constructed stealth-guided missile destroyer, INS Imphal, at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on Tuesday. The commissioning ceremony was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde.

Angola was for days at the center of a spat over production quotas that delayed November’s OPEC meeting.

Africa’s second biggest oil producer, Angola has said that it is leaving OPEC after disagreements over its production targets, in a blow to the oil cartel chaired by Saudi Arabia. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting and approved by President João Lourenço. The decision comes after the producer group lowered Angola’s oil output target last month as part of a series of cuts led by Saudi Arabia to help prop up prices.

NHAI Revolutionising Road Travel, Nationwide GPS-based toll collection to be rolled out by March 2024!

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari recently announced that the government is planning to implement new technologies, including GPS-based toll collection systems, to replace existing highway toll plazas. The initiative aims to alleviate traffic congestion and ensure motorists are charged accurately for the distance traveled on highways. The rollout of new GPS satellite-based toll collection is scheduled to commence nationwide by March next year.

SEBI approves appointment of ex-IAS Pramod Agrawal as BSE Chairman, Pramod Agrawal, a former IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, has served as Coal India Chairman from February 2020 to June 2023!

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has approved the appointment of former Coal India chief Pramod Agrawal as the chairman of the BSE. The appointment will be effective from January 17, 2024. Agrawal holds a BTech degree in Civil Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mumbai and an MTech in Design Engineering from IIT Delhi. Agrawal, a former IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, served as Coal India Chairman from February 2020 to June 2023. Prior to joining Coal India, he was Principal Secretary of the Department of Technical Education, Skill Development & Employment and the Department of Labor, Government of Madhya Pradesh.

SBI to sign $165 million LoC with World Bank for rooftop solar projects!

In September, SBI said that it plans to make home loans with rooftop solar installations mandatory for residential projects funded from the bank's long-term climate action funds drawn down from multilateral agencies. The lender has outstanding forex loans of $2.3 billion from multilateral agencies, including the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and KfW of Germany.

Sahitya Akademi Awards 2023, Rajasekaran, E.V. Ramakrishnan, Patanjali Sastry Among Recipients!

The awards, spanning 24 languages, were recommended by a distinguished jury and approved by the Executive Board of the Sahitya Akademi. The selection criteria included books first published between January 2017 and December 31, 2021.Among the notable awardees, Rajasekaran received recognition for his novel Neervazhi Paduvum, Sastry for his Telugu short story collection Rameshwaram Kaakulu Marikonni Kathalu, and Ramakrishnan for his literary study Malayala Novelinte Deshakalangal.

Partnership to promote innovation and upskilling in Indian leather sector!

Solidaridad Regional Expertise Centre (SREC) and the Council for Leather Exports (CLE)have forged a strategic partnership to further strengthen the performance of the Indian leather industry in domestic and international markets. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which was signed in Delhi today,marks an important milestone for theIndian leather industry. The MoU, effective from 1 January 2024till 31December 2028, initiates a pivotal five-year partnership between SREC, a prominentnot-for-profit organization established in the year 2008, and CLE, operating under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India

RBI releases draft licensing framework for authorised persons under forex law!

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on December 26 released a draft 'Licensing Framework for Authorised Persons (APs)' under Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999.The focus of the draft norms is on rationalising the authorisation framework for money changers in view of the widespread availability of banking services to public, to look at alternate models for facilitating foreign exchange related services and improve the scope of services being offered by AD-Category II entities, a release stated.

IndusInd Bank launches ‘eSvarna’, first RuPay corporate credit card, Cardholders can avail complimentary lounge access and fuel surcharge waiver!

IndusInd Bank has launched ‘eSvarna’, the country’s first corporate credit card on the RuPay network, enabling the private sector lender to become the first to integrate UPI functionality with a corporate credit card.The card facilitates smooth transactions at merchant outlets and allows users the flexibility to make UPI payments by linking the card with UPI-enabled apps. It also comes with an array of exclusive perks and rewards, the release said.

A total of 400 scientists, including 250-300 from ISRO, and 1500 students, took part in NAFED 2018 along with entrepreneurs and scholars.

Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre unveiled ‘Feast’ software, a finite element analysis tool at Panimalar Engineering College’s Third National Finite Element Developers’ session on Sunday, a college release said.The Indian made Feast Software is utilised in the country’s rockets. A total of 400 scientists, including 250-300 from ISRO, and 1500 students, took part in NAFED 2018 along with entrepreneurs and scholars.

Veer Bal Diwas 2023

Today is 26th December and today is celebrated as Brave Children's Day in India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday participated in a program organized on the occasion of 'Veer Bal Diwas' at Bharat Mandapam in the capital and flagged off a march past of youth.Last year, on January 9, the day of Prakash Parv of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the Prime Minister had announced that December 26 would be 'Veer Bal Diwas' in memory of the martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh's sons - Sahibzade Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji. Will be celebrated. So let us know what is Veer Bal Diwas, what is its history and what is its importance?

Tansen Music Festival 2023

Set in the humble village of Behat in Gwalior, the Tansen Music Festival or the Tansen Sangeet Sammelan/ Tansen Utsav is an alluring display of the art of music. The Tansen Music Festival, is a unique four-five day festival, dedicated to the pillar of Indian music, the great Tansen, and it is held at his tomb in Gwalior every year. Celebrated musicians come together and perform for sessions that go on all night. The prestigious festival was started by the Academy of Department of Culture and the Government of Madhya Pradesh to pay tribute to one of the biggest legends of Indian classical music, Mian Tansen.

Bank of Maharashtra unveils Comprehensive Suite of New Products and Services

Asheesh Pandey, Executive Director, Bank of Maharashtra said," With the launch of more than 100 innovative products and services across diverse platforms such as Mobile Banking, Internet Banking, WhatsApp Banking, Credit Card services, and a spectrum of Digital Products, coupled with Operational upgradations and targeted initiatives for the MSME & Retail segment, the Bank is moving forward with its vision to pioneer innovations that resonates with the evolving needs of our customers. In today's age of rapid digital advancements, data analytics coupled with customer centricity are the keys that can beat any competition."

Adani Total Gas and Flipkart sign MoU for supply chain decarbonisation!

Adani Total Gas Ltd (ATGL) and Flipkart entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on decarbonising Flipkart’s supply chain. The initiative aims to reduce Flipkart’s carbon footprint in the primary, secondary, and tertiary movements of goods across sourcing locations, warehouses, and customer deliveries.

OYO partners with Khelo India and others to support differently-abled talent across India!

Global online hospitality firm OYO announced on Tuesday that they have partnered with Khelo India Para Games and Divyang Kala Mela to provide specialised and accessible accommodation for differently abled players across India. This step is taken to promote inclusivity by focusing on providing equitable access to quality accommodation for differently abled individuals, which is a focus area for the firm in 2024.

International Day of Epidemic Preparedness 2023!

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of investing in systems to prevent, detect and respond to infectious disease outbreaks. The first ever International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, being held on 27 December 2020, was called for by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate the importance of the prevention of, preparedness for and partnership against epidemics.

Aujas Cybersecurity Receives DSCI Excellence Award 2022!

Aujas Cybersecurity - An NSEIT Group Company and a leader in cybersecurity transformation services and solutions was awarded with the Data Security Council of India (DSCI) Excellence Award 2022 as the 'Cybersecurity Services Company of the Year' India geography for its strategic, proactive, and innovative security and privacy efforts.

Adani Green inks 1,799 MW solar power deal with SECI, completes 8,000 MW commitment!

Adani Green Energy Ltd finalised a power purchase agreement with the Solar Energy Corporation of India to deliver 1,799 MW of solar power. This agreement marks the completion of AGEL’s power offtake commitments for the 8,000 MW manufacturing-linked solar tender awarded by SECI in June 2020

Noting India's medtech sector is import-dependent, with imports accounting for up to 80% in some cases, Mandaviya said the govt had taken steps to ensure medical devices were supplied within India

Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday launched MedTech Mitra, an online portal that aims to assist medtech innovators in clinical evaluation, regulatory facilitation, and uptake of new products.The portal will be coordinated collaboratively by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), under the guidance of NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission.

Merger-bound North East SFB appoints Satish Kumar Kalra as interim MD & CEO!

Kalra was earlier MD, CEO (in-charge), and Executive Director at Andhra Bank, which was later merged with Union Bank of India. He has expertise in Treasury Management, NPA Credit Management, and Risk Management and has worked as an independent director on the boards of PNB GILTS, Ind Bank Merchant Services, JK Cement Limited, and CanFin Homes.

PwC Survey Reveals Cyber Risks As Top Threat For Indian Organisations!

According to PwC, the survey's final results are based on 3,910 responses from Business and Risk Management leaders (including CEOs, board members, risk management experts, operations managers, technology professionals, finance managers, and auditors) across 67 territories.The survey aimed to gather the opinions of these leaders on the status and direction of risk within their organisation. Out of the total participants, 163 Indian organisations took part in the survey. The survey also revealed that digital and technology risks are the top concerns for business leaders in India, accounting for 35 per cent of the total response

Bajaj Finance had in a filing last month said that the RBI in its order dated November 15 directed the NBFC to stop sanction and disbursal of loans under its two lending products!

Shares of RBL Bank Ltd and Bajaj Finance Ltd took a beating in Tuesday's trade amid a media report that suggested that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted a one-year extension for their co-branded cards, less than what the two had requested for.The apex bank has granted an extension until December 21, 2024, as per CNBC TV-18 sources. Bajaj Finance had on October 27 sought a longer extension for its credit card ties with RBL Bank, the report suggested.

Reliance signs non-binding pact with Walt Disney for merger of India business!

As per the report, valuation exercise by independent valuers will officially begin soon. The plan is to create a step-down subsidiary of RIL’s Viacom18 that will absorb Star India via a stock swap, the report added.Reliance is expected to be the larger shareholder with at least 51 per cent, while Disney will own 49 per cent in the merged company. JioCinema will also be part of the deal. RIL is likely to pay cash for the controlling stake, the report stated.

China blasted Mengtian into space on Monday afternoon from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on the southern island province of Hainan!

Mengtian was blasted into space on Monday afternoon from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on the southern island province of Hainan. It was expected to take about 13 hours to complete the flight and docking mission. A large crowd of amateur photographers, space enthusiasts and others watched the lift-off from an adjoining beach.Many waved Chinese flags and wore T-shirts emblazoned with the characters for China, reflecting the deep national pride invested in the space program and the technological progress it represents.

The bilingual (English and Hindi) work in 11 volumes, spread across about 4,000 pages, is a collection of the writings and speeches of Malaviya.

Merger-bound North East Small Finance Bank has appointed Satish Kumar Kalra as interim MD and CEO, following the approval of the bank's board and the Reserve Bank of India. Kalra was earlier MD, CEO (in-charge), and Executive Director at Andhra Bank, which was later merged with Union Bank of India.

All-in-one insurance product, Bima Vistaar, to be rolled out in Q1 of FY25!

Bima Vistaar, the first of its kind all-in-one affordable insurance product for life, health, and property cover, is set to be rolled out in the first quarter of the next financial year.“The product design and other key aspects for rolling out Bima Vistaar have almost been completed. We need a technology platform to launch the product, which is being looked into by the Life and General Insurance Councils,’‘ a senior official of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) told businessline on Friday.

Himachal Pradesh CM Launches Shimla Winter Carnival, Aims to Boost Tourism

Akashwani Correspondent reports that The tourist destinations of Himachal Pradesh are fully prepared to welcome tourists and the state government is also leaving no stone unturned to attract visitors. The Winter Carnival is being organized in Shimla till January 5. Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu flagged off the cultural parade at the beginning of the carnival today. On this occasion, he said that 30 thousand tourist vehicles have arrived in Himachal Pradesh in the last two days, which is a good sign as the tourism industry is once again on its feet after the disaster.

India, Oman adopt vision document to expand bilateral cooperation.

In a significant development in the India-Oman economic partnership, the third tranche of the Oman-India Joint Investment Fund has been announced, marking a major milestone in trade and capital cooperation between the two nations.Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, in a special briefing at the Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday, highlighted the importance of this achievement during the State Visit of the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tarik, to India.

India’s coking coal imports at 5-year high; Russia now among top three suppliers.

India’s coking coal imports are at a five-year high for the April-November period (11 months) of this fiscal at 38.14 million tonnes (mt). Imports were slightly higher on a Y-o-Y basis with nearly 38.12 mt of shipments coming in for the comparative period last year.

India, Bangladesh agree to extend crucial Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route

According to the statement, three high-level talks between India and Bangladesh, including shipping secretary-level talks, 22nd meeting of standing committee under PIWT&T and the 3rd meeting of inter-governmental committee on use of Chattogram and Mongla Ports for to-and-fro movement of goods, successfully concluded in Dhaka.

Good Governance Day 2023!

December 25, 2023, is celebrated as Good Governance Day 2023 in honor of the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. This day pays tribute to Vajpayee's leadership and contributions to society, marked by his three terms as the Prime Minister of India.

World Bank and Department of Economic Affairs launch PPP Beginner’s e-course to foster collaboration between public and private sectors in infrastructure capacity-building!

In a significant step towards fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors in infrastructure capacity-building, Shri Ajay Banga, President, World Bank Group, launched the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Beginner’s e-Course in the presence of Shri Ajay Seth, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance, Government of India; Dr. V. Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Advisor, Ministry of Finance, Government of India and Shri Parameswaran Iyer, Executive Director, World Bank Group, on 20th December 2023 at New Delhi.

Govt, ADB Sign USD 100 Mn Loan Agreement To Improve Urban Services, Tourism Facilities In Tripura!

The signatories of the loan agreement for the Tripura Urban and Tourism Development Project were Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary Department of Economic Affairs for the Government of India, and Nilaya Mitash, Officer-in-Charge of ADB's India Resident Mission, an official statement said.After signing the loan agreement, Mukherjee said the project will improve the municipal infrastructure and public services in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), along the main national highways in Tripura, besides upgrading key tourism sites.

India Skills Report finds Kerala the most preferred State to work.

Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram have come second and fourth respectively among cities where both men and women prefer to work regardless of their age, according to the report published by talent assessment agency Wheebox in association with various agencies including All India Council for Technical Education, Confederation of Indian Industry and Association of Indian Universities.

National Consumer Day 2023!

In 1986, the Consumer Protection Act was passed and it received the assent of the President on December 24. Since then, National Consumer Rights Day has been celebrated on this day to commemorate the occasion. The Consumer Protection Act acts to protect consumers from defective goods, negligent services, and unfair trade practices. The six fundamental rights of the Consumer Protection Act are the Right to safety, Right to choose, Right to be informed, Right to be heard, Right to seek redressal, and Right to consumer education.

ETO Motors gets Rs 12.45 crore grant from SIDBI to deploy 300 electric three-wheelers in Delhi and Hyderabad, build charging ecosystem too

The financial support to ETO Motors is under SIDBI’s Mission 50K-EV4ECO which aims at strengthening the EV ecosystem in India, including uptake for two-, three- and four-wheelers through direct and indirect lending. The objective of this scheme is to provide access to affordable financing for electric vehicles and to develop charging infrastructure, including battery swapping.

Iran’s navy adds ‘fully smart’ cruise missiles with 1,000-km range to its armory

The report said both Talaeieh and Nasir cruise missiles had arrived at a naval base near the Indian Ocean in the southern Iranian port of Konarak, some 1,400 kilometers (850 miles) southeast of the capital, Tehran.Navy chief Adm. Shahram Irani said the Talaeieh has a range of more than 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) and called it “fully smart.” Irani said the cruise missile is capable of changing targets during travel.

For tourists in Uttarakhand, gyrocopter rides will soon offer a view from above

The Uttarakhand government is all set to revolutionise tourism with the launch of India’s first-ever Himalayan AirSafari using compact, agile aircraft known as gyrocopters. The first gyrocopter trial flight was successfully completed at Bairagi Camp, Haridwar on Saturday.The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, in collaboration with Rajas Aerosports and Adventures Pvt Ltd, is introducing gyrocopters as a novel way to explore its stunning landscapes.

Manchester City have won the FIFA Club World Cup for the first time after beating Fluminense 4-0 in the 2023 final in Jeddah!

Goals from Julian Alvraez and Phil Foden either side of an own goal from Fluminense’s Nino put City three goals ahead, before Alvarez's late strike secured a historic victory as City took apart the Copa Libertadores winners in an entertaining final at the King Abdullah Sport City.The win sets the seal on a remarkable 2023 for City, a year which has seen Pep Guardiola’s rampant side become the first in the history of English football to hold the Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup simultaneously.

NABARD to tap global climate capital for Indian agri sector, NABARD signs pact with ADB, Gates foundation to mobilise global finance for climate-resilient agriculture

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has teamed up with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to help the farming sector tackle the adverse impact of climate change.The two organisations, in association with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will tap climate capital to fund agricultural, natural resources and rural development (ANR) initiatives.

A group of rising stars is narrowing the gap with Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams, with eight women earning at least $10 million apiece for the first time!

By the time Serena Williams announced in August that she was ready to hang up her racket after 27 years in professional tennis, she had built an estimated fortune of $260 million. That made her one of only two athletes, along with her old rival Maria Sharapova, on the list of America’s richest self-made women.

ICICI Pru AMC changes the minimum application amount for Nifty Bank Index Fund!

Accordingly, changes in Scheme Information Document (SID) and Key Information Memorandum (KIM) of ICICI Prudential Nifty Bank Index Fund have been made by the fund house. This notice by the AMC forms an integral part of the Scheme Information Document (SID) and Key Information Memorandum (KIM) of the sheme as amended from time to time. All the other provisions of the SIDs/KIMs/SAI/addenda of the schemes above remain unchanged.

Asian Youth Chess Championships 2023

Every Asian National Chess Federation can register only one Official Player in each category (maximum of 12 official players). No replacement from other categories can be made in case there is no Official Player in one category.Playing in a higher age category for an official place shall be treated as an additional player. All Champions in Standard chess in last year’s edition are entitled with personalrights to play in this year’s event according to their eligible category as Official Players if the stipulation of article 2.1 is met. One Head of Delegation (HOD) isaccommodated at the expense of the Organizing Committee (OC).

Ministry of Textiles launches “Paat-Mitro” application to facilitate jute farmers.

The application can be freely downloaded from Google Play Store and all the functionalities are made available to the users free of cost. In addition to, the latest agronomic practices and Minimum Support Prices (MSP); Jute Gradation Parameters, Farmer-centric schemes like ‘Jute-ICARE’, weather forecasts, JCI’s Purchase Centers’ locations, Procurement Policies are also made available in the app. Farmers will also be able to track status of their payments for the raw jute sold to JCI under MSP Operation. Latest technology feature like Chatbot is included for their queries through this mobile application “Paat-Mitro”.

Gen Z Superstar Kartik Aaryan, Onboard as the ‘Brand Ambassador for Football on Sony Sports Network’!

Sony Sports Network, the premier destination for football in India, has joined hands with Bollywood’s Gen Z superstar and youth icon - Kartik Aaryan, who is known to be a die-hard football fan, to become their Brand Ambassador for football. During his partnership with Sony Sports Network, Kartik will be seen promoting LIVE football action on Sony Sports Network around the year with 900+ matches from marquee football tournaments and leagues which include UEFA EURO 2024, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, UEFA Nations League, Bundesliga, Emirates FA Cup, Durand Cup and Roshn Saudi League amongst others.

States' gross fiscal deficit below Budget Estimate for a 2nd yr, The implementation of goods and services tax (GST) has led to increased tax buoyancy for the states

States have sustained improvement in their finances — which was achieved in the financial year 2021-22 — even during 2022-23 with a combined gross fiscal deficit (GFD) at 2.8 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP). This is below the Budget Estimates for the second consecutive year, Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI’s) report on state finances said.

The cumulative Roof Top Solar (RTS) installed capacity increased to 10.4 GW as of November 30, 2023, from 1.8 GW as of March 31, 2019!

The Programme envisaged the installation of 4 GW of RTS capacity in the residential sector by providing CFA. It has been extended till 31.03.2026 without a change in the financial outlay initially approved.Total CFA/subsidy released under Phase-II of the Rooftop Solar Program stood at about ₹2900 crore as of November 30, 2023.

Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports announces National Sports Awards 2023

The applications were invited online and sportspersons/coaches/entities were permitted to self-apply through a dedicated Online Portal. A large number of applications/nominations were received for these awards this year, which were considered by the Selection Committee headed by Justice A. M. Khanwilkar, Retd. Judge, Supreme Court of India and consisting members from eminent sportspersons, persons having experience in sports journalism and sports administrators.

Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has received orders of ₹2,673 crore from Goa Shipyard Ltd for ₹1,701 crore and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers for ₹972 crore.

According to the PSU, this will require the participation of electronics and associated industries, including MSMEs, which are sub-vendors of BEL. Moreover, the equipment manufactured by BEL is part of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ programme.The company has also received additional orders worth ₹86.15 crore since the last disclosure on December 15, and the said orders pertain to miscellaneous spares and services.

HDFC Life and NKGSB Co-operative Bank Ltd have entered into a Corporate Agency tie-up enabling NKGSB Co-operative Bank customers to avail life insurance products of HDFC Life.

NKGSB Co-operative Bank is a leading multi-state co-operative bank and has always been at the forefront of adding value to its products by establishing correspondent relationships and strategic alliances. Keeping pace with changing times and changing customer habits, the bank offers digital banking solutions such as mobile banking, internet banking and SMS banking to its customer base.India remains vastly under-insured, both in terms of penetration and density. Such tie-ups are good for the consumers, as access to life insurance products improves. This distribution creates an opportunity to penetrate the underserviced segments. NGKSB customers will be able to avail a bouquet of traditional, term, pensions and annuity products of HDFC Life.

National Farmers Day 2023?

This special day is all about giving a big shout-out to our farmers, the real heroes behind our country’s growth. National Farmers’ Day is also known as Rashtriya Kisan Diwas and is popular across India’s agricultural and farming states, including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh, among others. Farmers’ Day is also observed in other parts of the world. It is celebrated on the first Friday of December in Ghana, USA celebrates it on 12 October, in Zambia it is observed on the first Monday of August and Pakistan started celebrating the day on 18 December 2019.

Sports Minister Anurag Thakur launches logo, jersey, and mascot of 6th Khelo India Youth Games in Chennai

Describing Khelo India as the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Minister told that it has become a movement now. The Minister told that this edition of the Khelo India Youth Games will introduce squash. Mr.Thakur told that to make India great in 2047, there should be collaboration in Sports with all the states. The Minister asserted that India has heaped medals in international sports events and for the first time it has also won the Thomas Cup. We are building a great future for the talented sports persons, he added. While mentioning Sheetal Devi, the para champion in archery, he asked the sports people to push the limits and be an inspiration for future generations. He told that region and religion do not matter, only performance matters. The minister said India will be bidding for 2036 Olympics and India will be among the ten top sporting nations.

Robert Solow, Nobelist who tied technology to economic growth, dies at 99

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded Solow the 1987 Nobel in economics for developing a mathematical model for expanding production, part of a field that became known as growth accounting. “Solow’s growth model constitutes a framework within which modern macroeconomic theory can be structured,” the Nobel organization said in announcing his award.

World Bank provides $300 million loan to Tamil Nadu to help 21 Urban Local Bodies!

The World Bank has approved a $300 million loan to help the cash-strapped Pakistan address issues of climate change, health emergency and manage solid waste to reduce flooding chances in the country’s financial capital Karachi, a media report said on Thursday.The Washington-based lender approved $200 million for the Sindh Resilience project and USD 100 million for the Solid Waste Emergency and Efficiency project, The Express Tribune newspaper reported, citing an official statement issued by the bank’s local office.

NQSTS aims to galvanise the Quantum Eco-System in the country and develop synergies to leverage the Quantum Technology to solve real-life problems!

NQSTS aims to galvanise the Quantum Eco-System in the country and develop synergies to leverage the Quantum Technology to solve real-life problems which is designed to break boundaries, spark innovation and unite visionaries to envision and explore the disruptive use of quantum technology with shared global learning, according to the statement. To forge strategic partnerships to accelerate research and adoption of Quantum Technology a MoU was signed between QETCI and BeST Cluster to support the Bangalore Quantum Ecosystem, in the Research to Commercialisation, Startups and Market Opportunity Creation. A Quantum Security Centre was also launched and the logo was unveiled.

Govt notifies rules for leasing of seabed to offshore wind power developers

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday notified rules for leasing the sea bed for offshore wind power projects with the lease being valid for 3 years for resource measurement, which can be further extended by an additional period for two years.For the construction and operation of offshore wind energy farms, the lease period will be for 35 years, which can be extended further on a case-to-case basis.

Shri Piyush Goyal releases the “Logistics Ease Across Different State (LEADS) 2023”

Speaking on the occasion, Sh. Piyush Goyal said that LEADS is giving insights to States and UTs for further revolutionary reform in logistics sector, taking us towards our vision of Viksit Bharat. The report serves as a guide for stakeholders in the Logistics Sector by providing strategic insights, he added. He hoped that it will play a pivotal role in instilling healthy competition among States/UTs to enhance logistics performance. It also underscores notable initiatives like planning infrastructure on PM GatiShakti, ‘industry’ status for logistics, multimodal connectivity, digital initiatives in logistics, City Logistics Plans, Multimodal Logistics Parks, etc, he said, adding that States/UTs need to emphasise skill development, capacity building, and the formalization of logistics policies, implementation of monitoring frameworks, and the promotion of green logistics. He said that Logistics sector will be a cornerstone in our endeavour to take India to a 10 fold growth from a USD 3.5 trillion to USD 35 trillion by 2047.

Devender Singh Kadian, who runs a chain of food joints on National Highways and is considered to be close to protesting wrestlers, claimed the senior vice president's post.

The much-delayed elections to the Wrestling Federation of India were finally held on Thursday with little surprise and the results and responses on expected lines as the supporters of former president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh swept into power with a thumping majority.

Hopes for Gelephu mega-project, economic revival dominate voters in Bhutan ahead of January 9 elections

The Gelephu “mindfulness” mega-city project or Special Administrative Region (SAR) announced by Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on Sunday, as well as fixing the economy and reversing youth migration trends, will be the major tasks for the future Prime Minister, whichever party wins the January 9 elections, both the contenders for the position told The Hindu.

The Government of India and JICA sign Loan Agreements on Japan’s Official Development Assistance Loan to India

The Loan Agreements were signed here today in New Delhi between the Government of India and JICA, New Delhi under Japanese Official Development Assistance Loan Program. The Loan Agreements were signed by Dr. C.S. Mohapatra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India and Mr. Katsuo Matsumoto, Chief Representative, JICA, New Delhi on Japanese Official Development Assistance Loan for the (i) Project for the Construction of Chennai Peripheral Ring Road (Phase 1) for JPY 40.074 billion (Rs.2470 Crore approx.), and (ii) Program for Japan-India Cooperative Actions towards Sustainable Development Goals in India for JPY 15.000 billion (Rs.950 Crore approx.).

Bisleri Ropes in Iconic Star Deepika Padukone as it's Global Brand Ambassador.

Bisleri, India's leading mineral water brand has roped in Global Indian Icon Deepika Padukone as its first-ever global brand ambassador in the new campaign Bisleri #DrinkItUp. The campaign is a fresh and never seen before take on hydration infusing excitement and fun. The ad film showcases Padukone grooving to a snappy and modern take on the iconic song 'Jhoom Jhoom Jhoom Baba' while relishing the pure refreshment of the original beverage, 'water'.

National Mathematics Day 2023

on December 22, India observes its National Mathematics Day in honour of Srinivasa Ramanujan, regarded as one of the greatest mathematicians to ever grace the planet. December 22, the birth anniversary of legendary mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887-1920), is celebrated as National Mathematics Day.

PRAYAS is one of the first attempts to consolidate all the state-level initiatives for safe, orderly, and well-managed international migration, said IOM

PRAYAS is one of the first attempts to consolidate all the state-level initiatives for safe, orderly, and well-managed international migration, said IOM.“IOM intends to develop a roadmap for improved coordination between state and central governments that would encourage the sharing of good practices between states and enhanced engagement with the MEA on matters related to the international migration cycle," the IOM said.

Kempegowda International Airport T2, one of the world’s most beautiful airports, wins special prize at UNESCO’s 2023 Prix Versailles

Terminal 2 (T2) of Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru has been recognised as one of the world’s most beautiful airports and awarded the world special prize for interiors at the UNESCO’s 2023 Prix Versailles.The World Judges Panel for the Prix Versailles 2023, chaired by renowned fashion designer Elie Saab, announced the latest architectural projects to win a World Title, according to Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), which operates KIA.

Passengers got a feel of the Kempegowda International Airport’s (KIA) Terminal 2 (T2) as operations began this January after being officially inaugurated in November 2022.

Referred to as ‘Terminal in a Garden’, T2 initially catered to domestic operations of a few airlines as Terminal 1 handled the bulk of domestic and international flights. Gradually, some more domestic carriers moved to T2.Passengers got a feel of the Kempegowda International Airport’s (KIA) Terminal 2 (T2) as operations began this January after being officially inaugurated in November 2022.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has given its nod for acquisition of majority shareholding of Glenmark Life Sciences Limited by Nirma Ltd.

CCI approves acquisition of majority shareholding of the Glenmark Life Sciences Ltd by the Nirma Ltd”, said a CCI post in platform ‘X’, which was formerly known as Twitter. In September this year, Nirma had announced that it would acquire 75 per cent stake in Glenmark Life Sciences for ₹7,500 crore. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals had decided to sell the 75 per cent stake to retire outstanding debt of ₹4,340 crore.

The United Nations declares 2023 the International Year of Millets

These are the international years currently observed by the United Nations. The United Nations designates specific days, weeks, years and decades as occasions to mark particular events or topics in order to promote, through awareness and action, the objectives of the Organization. Usually, it is one or more Member States that propose these observances and the General Assembly establishes them with a resolution. On occasion, these celebrations are declared by the specialized agencies of the United Nations, such as UNESCO, UNICEF, FAO, etc., when they concern issues that fall within the scope of their competencies. Some of them may be later adopted by the General Assembly.

Shri Narayan Rane launches three sub-schemes under the RAMP programme- MSME Green Investment and Financing for Transformation Scheme (MSE GIFT Scheme), MSE Scheme for Promotion and Investment in Circular Economy (MSE SPICE Scheme) MSE Scheme on Online Dis

The MSE Scheme on Online Dispute Resolution for Delayed Payments is a first of its kind scheme to synergise legal support with modern IT tools and Artificial Intelligence to address the incidences of delayed payments for Micro and Small Enterprises.The Ministry is also taking new initiatives under the existing schemes to provide enhanced support to the MSMEs. The Support for Commercialisation of IP Programme (MSME – SCIP Programme) will enable the innovators in the MSME sector to commercialize their IPR. In addition, the ZED Scheme of the Ministry has now been made completely free for women led MSMEs. The government guarantees payment of 100 percent financial support for the certification cost. These two interventions were also launched by the Union Minister .The Ministry exchanged Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with the implementing agencies SIDBI (for MSME GIFT and MSME SPICE schemes) and with National Informatics Centre Services Inc. (for NICSI) for MSE ODR scheme.

Zerodha's Nithin Kamath joins Centre's reconstituted startup advisory panel, Kamath said that he was excited to join the council and that India needs to unlock its domestic capital to nurture startups

More Indians today than ever before are aspiring to be entrepreneurs thanks to government initiatives and messaging, the media coverage of the startup ecosystem, founder success stories, and more. The one thing we need to work on as a nation is to unlock domestic capital for startups/MSMEs. Reduce the dependence on foreign capital and get Indians to back Indian startups. Reduce the dependence on foreign capital and get Indians to back Indian start-ups," he wrote in a post.

In a stock exchange filing, LIC said the Department of Economic Affairs has decided to grant a "one-time exemption to LIC to achieve 25 per cent MPS within 10 years from the date of listing i.E., till May 2032".

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) informed on Thursday that the government has granted it a one-time exemption to achieve 25 per cent Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) within 10 years. LIC — the country's largest insurer — was listed in May 2022 where the government had sold over 22.13 crore shares, or a 3.5 per cent stake in the insurance behemoth, through an Initial Public Offering (IPO).

Axis Bank users can now enjoy benefits of the American Express Network, On reaching annual spends of Rs.2.5 lakh, the annual fee for the next year is reversed.

The Axis Bank Privilege Credit Card on American Express network is packed with a host of attractive benefits such as activation benefit worth Rs 5000 and two complimentary domestic lounge access per calendar quarter. To be eligible for the card, you must be a resident of India with an annual net income of at least Rs 600,000. The joining fee is Rs 1500, but it is free for priority customers. The annual fee of Rs 1500 is reversed on achieving spends of Rs 2.5 lakh in the previous year

Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance Launches New Term Plan With Ulip Benefits

Named T.U.L.I.P (term and Ulip), it offers life cover up to 100 times the annual premium while giving the policy buyer the opportunity to earn returns like a Ulip. In addition, the policy also offers loyalty addition up to 30 per cent of the fund value as part of the maturity benefits, Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance announced in a press statement.

The World Bank has set up a task force to study the recommendations for strengthening multilateral development banks.

he World Bank has set up a task force to study the recommendations for strengthening multilateral development banks (MDBs) laid out by an independent experts’ group formed during India’s G20 presidency. (MDBs) laid out by an independent experts’ group formed during India’s G20 presidency.

Padma Bhushan awardee Mohini Giri passes away

Former chair of the National Commission for Women and Padma Bhushan awardee Dr. V Mohini Giri passed away after a period of brief illness. The iconic women’s rights activist founded the Guild of Service in 1979, which was dedicated to empowering women, underprivileged children and war widows.

Annu Rani wins bronze, becomes first Indian female javelin thrower to win medal!

Annu Rani scripted history as she became the first Indian female javelin thrower to win a medal, a bronze, in the Commonwealth Games on the penultimate day in Birmingham on August 7, 2022. Rani sent the spear to a distance of 60m in her fourth attempt to finish third. Annu Rani sent the spear to a distance of 60m in her fourth attempt to finish third.

Razorpay, Cashfree receive final RBI nod for payment aggregator biz Other players such as PayU, Paytm, JusPay, among others are yet to receive a nod from the regulator to onboard new merchants

The embargo to onboard new merchants has been lifted today. The company has received the Payment Aggregator (PA) license from the RBI. It will now onboard new merchants on its payment gateway,” a Cashfree Payments’ spokesperson told Business Standard.In December last year, the RBI had asked Razorpay and Cashfree to stop onboarding new merchants.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global extinction risk status of animal, fungus and plant species.

The IUCN Red List is a critical indicator of the health of the world’s biodiversity. It is a powerful tool to inform conservation action and policy. It provides information about species’ range, population size, habitats and ecology, use and trade, threats, and conservation actions that help inform conservation decisions.Species are classified into one of nine Red List Categories: Extinct, Extinct in the Wild, Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Near Threatened, Least Concern, Data Deficient and Not Evaluated. Vulnerable, Endangered and Critically Endangered species are considered to be threatened with extinction.

Tata Boeing Aerospace has achieved a major milestone by delivering 250 made-in-India AH-64 Apache fuselages, for costumers like IAF and US Army.

Achieving a major milestone in the defence manufacturing sector, Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited has successfully delivered the 250th fuselage for the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter. The same was manufactured in TBAL's state-of-the-art facility in Hyderabad, Telangana.

IndusInd Bank sold its entire 2.86 per cent stake in Nippon Life India Asset Management for Rs 795 crore through open market transactions.

Hinduja-promoted IndusInd Bank on Wednesday sold its entire 2.86 per cent stake in Nippon Life India Asset Management for Rs 795 crore through open market transactions.SBI Mutual Fund (MF), ICICI Prudential MF, Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance, ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company, Societe Generale and Morgan Stanley Asia Singapore, were among the buyers.

FIBA proud to celebrate a very special first 'World Basketball Day'

FIBA is excited and proud to celebrate a historic first-ever World Basketball Day after it became the first team sport to receive such a global recognition and prestigious honor.Arising from the United Nations (UN) General Assembly and its plenary meeting that was held during August, on the eve of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, a resolution was adopted that established the inaugural World Basketball Day on December 21.There is no better day to celebrate basketball than the day it was invented by Dr. James Naismith. It was on December 21 in 1891 that the first game of basketball famously took place in Springfield, Massachusetts.

6th Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize Celebrates Literary Excellence and Social Achievement

The 6th Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize reached its pinnacle today, honoring exceptional achievements in both literary and social spheres. The esteemed ceremony, attended by Copenhagen-based Peter Bundalo, the revered Founder of the Tagore Literary Prize, commemorated the outstanding contributions of Abhijit Banerjee, the Nobel Prize laureate for Economics, recipient of the Tagore Prize for Social Achievement 2023, and Sukrita Paul Kumar, Poet, Critic and Translator wins the Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize.

ISRO has been awarded the 2023 Leif Erikson Lunar Prize by the Exploration Museum in Iceland's Husavik for its successful Chandrayaan-3 mission.

India's space endeavours have been lauded on the global stage as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) clinched the prestigious 2023 Leif Erikson Lunar Prize, a testament to its unwavering dedication to lunar exploration. Bestowed by the Husavik Museum, this accolade stands as a recognition of ISRO's significant strides in advancing our comprehension of celestial mysteries through the triumphant Chandrayaan-3 mission.

Govt inks ₹1614-crore pact with Mazagon Dockyard Shipbuilders for 6 offshore patrol vessels!

The acquisition of vessels, stated the Ministry, is aimed to boost the ICG’s capability and reinforces the increased focus of the government towards maritime security. “These modern and high-tech Ships will play a critical role in enhancing surveillance, Law enforcement, Search and Rescue, Maritime Pollution Response, and other important capabilities including humanitarian assistance by the ICG,” it pointed out.

Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi & MoS Shri Raosaheb Patil Danve launched National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR) Portal.

Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi mentioned that 20 Mineral Blocks have already been put on auction in the first tranche and many more are on the pipeline. The success of the auction would be crucial in the revenue generation for the state, creation of jobs, welfare of local communities and indigenous people, fostering collaboration among industry, academia, and government to strengthen supply chain of critical minerals. MoS Shri Raosaheb Patil Danve addressed the gathering after the launch and emphasized that the launch of the National Geoscience Data Repository will mark a significant milestone on the exploration journey of India.

In a groundbreaking moment for beauty pageants, the fifth season of Miss Continental International 2023 took centre stage in India for the first time, shattering the tradition of hosting the event in the Philippines or Malaysia

n a groundbreaking moment for beauty pageants, the fifth season of Miss Continental International 2023 took centre stage in India for the first time, shattering the tradition of hosting the event in the Philippines or Malaysia. The pinnacle of this historic occasion was reached when the radiant Aastha Rawal, an accomplished actress, was crowned Miss Continental International 2023.

Union Ayush Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal Releases Commemorative Postal Stamp on First Foundation Day of AIIA Goa.

Among the distinguished guests present at the program were AIIA Director Prof Tanuja Manoj Nesari, AIIA Goa Dean Prof Sujata Kadam, Indian Post DG Smita Kumar name and Shri RS Manku, CMD, Andrew Yule and other distinguish along with other dignitaries, underscoring the significance of this momentous occasion. The satellite centre in Goa was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi last year.On this occasion, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said “I want to congratulate the All India Institute of Ayurveda team as yesterday to mark the first foundation day of the All India Institute of Ayurveda’s Goa we are releasing a commemorative postal stamp. The release of the commemorative postal stamp of AIIA Goa is a proud moment for us. The step taken will give global recognition to Ayurveda.

RBL Bank launches Electronic Bank Guarantee on NeSL Platform, RBL Bank customers can obtain e-BGs through different channels across the bank’s digital platforms and branch network.

RBL Bank customers can obtain e-BGs through different channels across the bank’s digital platforms and branch network.Rajesh Lahori, Head – Transaction Banking, RBL Bank, said, “Strengthening our capacity to structure solutions, the swift and completely paperless multi-channel issuance model improves the TAT and offers an enhanced value proposition for RBL Bank’s client base.

International Human Solidarity Day 2023

International Human Solidarity Day, observed on December 20. International Human Solidarity Day is an annual occasion marked by countries across the globe. On this Human Solidarity Day, the international community comes together to pledge to adopt ways to promote the well-being of the global community and eradicate poverty, hunger, and diseases. The day is centred around people, the planet, and human rights. Governments around the globe are reminded on this day of their commitments to international agreements on the need for human solidarity to fight poverty.

Indian men's hockey team midfielder Hardik Singh and women's side captain Savita on Tuesday won the FIH Player of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year (women) awards respectively.

The awardees were determined through a voting process involving a panel of experts, national associations represented by their team captains and coaches, as well as fans and media. Dutch player Xan de Waard, meanwhile, won the FIH Women's Player of the Year honour.Hardik Singh was part of India’s Tokyo 2020 bronze medal-winning team. The midfielder was the standout player for India in the opening couple of matches of the 2023 FIH Hockey World Cup but was later ruled out due to a hamstring injury.

Rajiv Gandhi Swarojgar Startup Yojana: Boosting Self-Employment in Himachal

In the first phase, 500 permits for E-taxis will be issued, with the possibility of increasing this number based on demand. The state government aims to provide E-taxis to unemployed youth, offering a 50% subsidy on their purchase. Additionally, the scheme includes relaxed conditions for loans, ensuring accessibility to financial support.Chairman Bali highlighted that the government is extending the subsidy to the purchase of E-buses and E-trucks as part of this initiative. Private bus operators have also been issued 24 permits for E-buses. The state is actively establishing 17 charging stations for E-vehicles in the next two months, supporting the integration of electric transport.

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday said the country needs 1,000 vehicle scrapping centres and 400 automated fitness test centres.

We need 1,000 vehicle scrapping centres in the country and at least 400 automated fitness test centres," he said.DigiELV is a trading platform for End of Life Vehicle Certificate of Deposit. Anyone who currently owns a Certificate of Deposit (CD) can sell the CD through the platform. A CD is issued when a user submits a vehicle for scrapping at an RVSF.

HDFC Life Enters into a Corporate Agency Tie-up with Karur Vysya Bank (KVB) to Offer Life Insurance Solutions to its Customers

India is largely under-insured. The protection gap in India is higher than that of most developed markets. For every individual with responsibilities, it is necessary to secure themselves and their families financially. Life insurance is a product that not only provides financial security but also enables individuals to save over the long term in a disciplined manner thus fulfilling their long-term financial goals.

ACG has joined the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Lighthouse Network, following the certification of its capsule manufacturing facility in Pithampur, India.

The country’s largest capsules maker and integrated supplier and service provider to the pharmaceutical industry, ACG said the certification followed robust audits of 25-plus use cases for the facility that had led to manufacturing of superior quality products and transformed operations, creating new benchmarks for timely production.Indian drugmakers Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and Cipla are also part of this network. “ACG’s Pithampur factory exemplifies accelerated deployment of GenAI, addressing the evolving skill sets of employees in manufacturing through a remarkable standard operating procedure (SOP) and policy interfacing with Gen AI,” the company said.

Aditya Birla Sun Life, IDFC First Bank in pact to collaborate on financial solutions

Aditya Birla Sun Life will offer products and services, including those that focus on retirement planning, ensuring a steady source of second income and tax-free returns tailored to their life stages. This collaboration will go a long way in enhancing accessibility, as well as making financial protection and planning easily available to a wider segment of customers served by IDFC FIRST Bank’s extensive distribution network.

Ugro Capital has raised ₹250 crore through Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs) from FMO, the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank

Shachindra Nath, Founder and Managing Director of Ugro Capital, commented on the collaboration, saying, “This transaction is proof of Ugro Capital’s ability to forge partnerships with and attract funding from reputed global DFIs. We share a common vision of financial inclusion with impact funding organizations and are excited to collaborate with FMO to meet the diverse financial needs of India’s underserved MSMEs.”

Built on National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) specifications with offline enabled, these cards will advance the Government of India's vision of One Nation One Card, the company said

The One Nation Corporate Card will be offered to the Indian customers pan-India from June end. We aim to service a million customers both corporates and SME employees pan-India within 24 months of our launch," said Ambarish Parekh, CEO of PayCraft.Built on National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) specifications with offline enabled, these cards will advance the Government of India's vision of One Nation One Card, the company said.It also offers a solution for digitising business expenses for corporates and SMEs across the country.NSDL Payments Bank said the One Nation Corporate Card facilitates transactions seamlessly across four channels -- ATM, POS, e-commerce websites, and metro stations.

$40 million European Investment Bank (EIB) backing for Acre Impact Capital’s innovative private debt fund to accelerate climate infrastructure investment across Africa

Export finance delivers long-term debt financing guaranteed by official export credit agencies (“ECAs”). Export finance allows project sponsors to significantly reduce the cost of debt by both obtaining very attractive funding on the ECA backed financing and obtaining long-term financing of up to 22 years. In doing so, ECAs can significantly enhance project affordability for the project sponsor and crowd-in private capital.

Children of Nobody from Israel, directed by Erez Tadmor, won Rs 51 lakh prize money along with the Golden Royal Bengal trophy at KIFF 2023.

The gala closing ceremony, with a special dance performance on the theme song at Rabindra Sadan witnessed a star-studded event with Aditi Rao Hydari as the chief guest. The team of eminent filmmakers from various corners of the world chose Carlos Daniel Malave from Venezuela as ‘The Best Director’ for the Golden Royal Bengal Tiger Award’ under the category of ‘Innovation In Moving Images’ in international competition.

Unemployment rate among graduates declines to 13.4% between July 2022 and June 2023

As per the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), conducted by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation, the lowest unemployment rate among graduates aged 15 years and above witnessed in Chandigarh at 5.6%, which was followed by Delhi with 5.7 percent during 2022-23. The data showed the highest unemployment in Andaman & Nicobar Island at 33%, followed by Ladakh at 26.5% and Andhra Pradesh at 24%.

Mitchell Starc hits ₹24.75 crore KKR jackpot as IPL auction's costliest buy, Pat Cummins' record barely lasts an hour

Pat Cummins had set the record for being the most expensive player in the history of the Indian Premier League when Sunrisers Hyderabad had shelled out a whopping ₹20.5 crore for the Australia captain at the IPL auction 2024 in Dubai. But little did Cummins know that his accomplishment would barely last an hour as he was beaten by none other than his Australia teammate Mitchell Starc. Mitchell Starc beat Pat Cummins' record to become the most expensive player in IPL auction history at ₹24.75 crore. He will play for Kolkata Knight Riders.

Retired Punjab cadre IAS officer of 1975 batch and WHO South-East Asia regional director Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh has been awarded Bhutan’s prestigious National Order of Merit Gold Medal for her distinguished services to the country.

“Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, the first woman regional director of WHO South-East Asia Region, played a pivotal role in supporting transformative healthcare leadership in Bhutan from 2014 to 2024. Her tenure witnessed remarkable strides, including Bhutan becoming one of the first countries to eliminate measles and rubella ahead of schedule. She made significant contributions to help Bhutan excel in Covid-19 vaccination.

World Health Organization officially recognizes noma as a neglected tropical disease

In a pivotal move towards addressing one of the world’s most underrecognized health challenges, the World Health Organization (WHO) today announced the inclusion of noma (cancrum oris or gangrenous stomatitis) in its official list of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). This decision, which was recommended by the 17th meeting of the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group for Neglected Tropical Diseases (STAG-NTD), underscores WHO’s commitment to expanding health services to the world’s most vulnerable populations.

Indian Oil, Kotak Mahindra Bank partner for co-branded credit card, The card offers rewards on fuel and non-fuel spends

Kotak Mahindra Bank and Indian Oil Corporation on Friday announced a strategic partnership to launch the Indian Oil Kotak co-branded fuel credit card. The collaboration will offer more value to customers in the form of an enhanced rewards programme giving customers value on fuel spends and on special non-fuel and frequent-spend categories, such as dining and groceries.

RBI had revised upwards its GDP estimate to 7 percent from 6.5 percent, calling the revised number a "conservative".

Domestic rating agency Icra on Monday revised its FY24 GDP growth forecast to 6.5 per cent from 6.2 per cent earlier.However, the revised forecast is still much lower than the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) 7 per cent real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth estimate for the ongoing fiscal.Earlier this month, the RBI had revised upwards its GDP estimate to 7 per cent from 6.5 per cent, calling the revised number a "conservative" one.

Apart from Vohra, Alakh Pandey, who is popularly known as ‘Physicswallah’ and is the co-founder of the newly turned unicorn by the same name, debuted on the list ranking at 399 with a total wealth of Rs 4,000 crore.

Aadit Palicha and Vohra, who co-founded Mumbai-based Zepto in 2020, are also the youngest start-up founders in Hurun India’s Hurun India Future Unicorn Index 2022 list. The Stanford dropouts started the company after they failed to get groceries in their area during the COVID-19 pandemic-induced lockdown. Vohra’s wealth stands at Rs 1,000 crore. Formerly known as Kiranakart, Zepto’s unique selling point became its quick and contactless delivery of groceries in just 10 minutes. In the same list, billionaire Gautam Adani has topped the list with a net-worth of Rs 10,94,400 crore beating Reliance's Mukesh Ambani. This list contains individuals residing or born and bred in India. This is the 11th annual ranking of the richest individuals in India. The wealth calculations are a snapshot as of August 30, 2022.

IndusInd Bank Ltd. has announced the launch of its ‘Indus Solitaire Program’, a new community banking initiative specifically tailored for the diamond industry.

IndusInd Bank Ltd. has announced the launch of its ‘Indus Solitaire Program’, a new community banking initiative specifically tailored for the diamond industry. This comprehensive program is set to offer a range of exclusive benefits and features, including 24/7 locker access at certain branches, family account add-ons, and specialized debit and credit cards offering perks such as complimentary golf lessons, movie tickets, and no foreign exchange fees.

CASHe, a leading credit-led AI-driven financial wellness platform, has unveiled its super app with the tagline - 'Bharat Ka Money App.'

This strategic repositioning underscores the brand's commitment to establishing itself as a premier credit-centric financial platform, meeting the diverse financial needs of young working millennials in urban hubs and tier 2+ cities across Bharat. The new tagline captures the company's steadfast focus on providing comprehensive financial solutions, seamlessly integrating credit, investment, and insurance - all customized to conveniently address the diverse financial needs of users on one unified platform.

The Khelo India Para Games 2023 wrapped up in New Delhi on December 17 with Haryana winning the inaugural title by securing 105 medals: 40 gold, 39 silver and 26 bronze.

KIPG 2023 began on December 10 and witnessed the participation of around 1,450 para athletes from across the country. Uttar Pradesh came second on the KIPG 2023 medal tally with 62 medals: 25 gold, 23 silver and 14 bronze while Tamil Nadu finished third with 20 gold, eight silver and 14 bronze medals. Athletes represented 32 states and Union Territories at the inaugural Khelo India Para Games.

Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has swept to a third, six-year term as Egypt's president, winning 89.6% of votes in an election.

Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has swept to a third, six-year term as Egypt's president, winning 89.6% of votes in an election in which he faced no serious challengers, the National Election Authority announced on December 18.The election took place as Egypt struggles with a slow-burning economic crisis and tries to manage the risk of spillover from the war in Gaza, which borders Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.

TSPCB is also upgrading and shifting the existing zonal laboratory located at Vaddepally (V) to the new building under construction adjacent to KUDA office complex

TSPCB being the chief regulator for implementation environmental protection and pollution control laws in the State, plays an important role in enforcing various laws, rules, regulations notifications etc. pertaining to prevention and control of pollution. TSPCB also carry out monitoring of pollution sources and initiates preventive and corrective action.Primary role of TSPCB is that of a regulator. However, TSPCB also conducts awareness programs on the laws and their provisions and advises all stake-holders involved in environmental management and pollution control for compliance of the laws and to provide adequate control systems.

Government of India and ADB sign 37 billion Japanese Yen loan for Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System Corridor.

The Government of India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) on 15th December 2023 signed agreement for a 37 billion Japanese Yen ($250 million) loan that will continue financing the construction of the 82-kilometre Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor.The signatories to the loan agreement were Ms. Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, for the Government of India, and Mr. Hoe Yun Jeong, Deputy Country Director, and Officer-in-Charge of the India Resident Mission, for ADB.Earlier, ADB had approved a $1,049 million Multi-tranche Financing Facility (MFF) for the project in 2020 to support construction of RRTS, the first of three priority rail corridors planned under the NCR Regional Plan 2021, to connect Delhi to other cities in adjoining states. The RRTS will have multi-modal hubs to ensure smooth interchange with other transport modes. The first tranche of the ADB loan amounted to $500 million with another $500 million co-financed by AIIB.

Eighteenth session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

The eighteenth session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage took place at the Cresta Mowana Resort in Kasane, Republic of Botswana from Tuesday 5 to Friday 8 December 2023. The session was chaired by H.E. Mr Mustaq Moorad, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of the Republic of Botswana to UNESCO.

Max Life Launches Smart Total Elite Protection Term Plan' a Comprehensive Solution to Align with the Evolving Lifestyle Preferences of Modern Consumers

Max Life Insurance Company Ltd. ("Max Life" / "Company"), has announced the launch of Smart Total Elite Protection Plan (UIN – 104N125V01), a comprehensive life insurance term plan crafted for today's lifestyles, providing comprehensive coverage, tailored to evolving consumer preferences. A non-linked, non-participating, individual pure-risk premium life insurance plan, Max Life Smart Total Elite Protection Term Plan ("STEP") offers policyholders multiple enhanced benefits like Instant Payment on Claim Intimation, Cover Continuance Benefit and Special Exit Value. This plan aims to enhance financial security in today's landscape, addressing the modern consumer's need for increased protection through higher coverage solutions.

The World Bank's latest Migration and Development Brief reveals a continuing growth in remittance flows to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in 2023, albeit at a slower pace compared to previous years.

According to the World Bank, the report highlights India's significant position as the top remittance recipient, drawing attention to the evolving dynamics in the remittance landscape.Remittances to LMICs grew by an estimated 3.8 per cent in 2023, reaching a total of USD669 billion. Resilient labour markets in advanced economies and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries played a pivotal role in supporting migrants' ability to send money home.

Union minister of earth sciences Kiren Rijiju said India’s winter expeditions to the Arctic will now be regularly undertaken annually.

“The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) will make necessary budgetary and other allocations, provide administrative support for the winter expeditions to the Arctic, which will now be regularly undertaken annually,” the minister said.Rijiju added, “The Arctic and the Antarctic are very crucial from the point of view of climate study. Since Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi’s aim is to provide a great push in the field of science, our ministry has decided to make Himadri—India’s station in the Arctic—fully functional throughout the year. By the time this team returns, the next team will be ready for their journey ahead.”

International Migrants Day, 18 December

Through UNESCO's International Coalition of Inclusive and Sustainable Cities, we promote a welcoming approach towards migrants at the local level. We are bolstering the capacities of journalists to address negative narratives and bring the stories of migrants to the fore. UNESCO is engaged with UN partners through the Global Migration Group, to shape a global compact for safer, orderly and regular migration.

National Skill Development Corporation signs MoU with Saudi government to protect rights of skilled labourers from India.

The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Saudi Arabia to protect the rights of skilled labourers from India."Skilled labourers in India can register themselves at NSDC... after which we will come to know where they are going, for which work and with whom they will be working," NSDC CEO Ved Mani Tiwari said.

Rocket Lab returned the Electron vehicle to flight on Friday with a successful mission for Japanese company Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc.

Rocket Lab returned the Electron vehicle to flight on Friday with a successful mission for Japanese company Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc., known as iQPS. This was Rocket Lab’s first mission after resolving an issue that caused the September launch failure. This was Rocket Lab’s 10th mission in 2023. While the gap in launches due to the failure kept Rocket Lab from hitting its target of 15 missions this year, it still reached a new annual record for launches, beating last year’s nine missions.

Presence of Indian banks via subsidiaries increased to 417 in FY23

Shifting of retail business of a major foreign bank in India to a domestic private sector bank led to decline in aggregate deposits and credit of foreign banks, whereas their capital and investments increased during 2022-23. The consolidated balance sheet of foreign banks in India increased 5.7 per cent in US dollar terms. The tightening global monetary policy cycle during the year led to a substantial rise in interest income and expenses across bank groups. On the other hand, the number of branches and employees of foreign banks in India contracted during 2022-23 to 774 from 858 in 2021-22. Presence of Indian banks via subsidiaries increased to 417 in FY23.

The United Arab Emirates planned to use its role as the host of UN climate talks as an opportunity to strike oil and gas deals, the BBC has learned.

Leaked briefing documents reveal plans to discuss fossil fuel deals with 15 nations.The UN body responsible for the COP28 summit told the BBC hosts were expected to act without bias or self-interest.The UAE team did not deny using COP28 meetings for business talks, and said "private meetings are private".It declined to comment on what was discussed in the meetings and said its work has been focused on "meaningful climate action".

Cabinet approves Memorandum of Understanding between India and Italy on Cooperation in the field of Industrial Property Rights!

The Union Cabinet has given its approval for signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce & Industry of the Republic of India and the Directorate General for the Protection of Industrial Property-Italian Patent. The MoU will promote between the Participants the establishment of a mechanism that allows them to develop cooperation activities in the field of IP and information technology services related to this field. The activities under the MoU will provide an opportunity for exchange and dissemination of best practices, experiences and knowledge in the field of IPRs through the participation in programs and events, organized singly or jointly by the Partic.

LIC had recently diluted its shareholding in Hero MotoCorp Ltd from 11.252 per cent to 9.246 per cent.

LIC had recently diluted its shareholding in Hero MotoCorp Ltd from 11.252 per cent to 9.246 per cent. LIC stock inched up by 0.71 per cent on the NSE, trading at ₹801.80, while Dixon Technologies stock declined by 0.46 per cent on the NSE, trading at ₹6,288.Life Insurance Corporation of India has informed the exchanges that its shareholding in Dixon Technologies (India) Ltd has decreased from 5.012 per cent to three per cent of the paid-up capital of the said company, ie from 29,97,913 to 17,94,395 equity shares.

Exercise Astrashakti, Indian Akash air defence missile system destroys 4 targets simultaneously

Looking to export its indigenous weapon systems, India has strongly demonstrated the firepower of its Akash surface-to-air (SAM) weapon system, where a single firing unit simultaneously engaged and destroyed four unmanned targets during the recent Exercise Astrashakti 2023.With this demonstration during the Air Force Exercise Astrashakti-2023, India has become the first to demonstrate the capability of engaging four targets simultaneously at such ranges by command guidance using a single firing unit, defence officials told ANI.

Infibeam Avenues picks up 49% stake in Ahmedabad-based Pirimid Fintech

Leveraging the expertise and technological foundation provided by Infibeam Avenues, Pirimid Fintech is poised to develop innovative digital lending solutions to streamline the lending process, offering faster and more efficient credit disbursement, enhanced customer experience, and improved risk management through advanced data analytics and AI algorithms.

Reliance General launches healthcare policy to make global healthcare accessible to Indians!

According to the company, Reliance Health Global has a host of unparalleled features, redefining the landscape of health insurance offerings. Beyond its comprehensive coverage for overseas treatment, including critical illnesses like Cancer and Bypass Surgery, this policy stands out for its exceptional domestic coverage. With unlimited sum insured within India, it redefines the paradigm of health insurance, offering unparalleled security and peace of mind for policyholders.

National Minorities Rights Day, December 18

Designated as National Minorities Rights Day, December 18 carries significant importance in India. It serves as a poignant reminder of the dedication to safeguarding the rights of religious, ethnic, racial, and linguistic minorities within the nation. With each annual observance, India seeks to raise awareness, promote understanding, and actively champion the rights of minority communities.

International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers is observed annually on December 17 by sex workers, their advocates, friends, families and allies.

Originally conceived as a memorial and vigil for the victims of the Green River Killer in Seattle, Washington, US, it has evolved into an annual international event. The day calls attention to hate crimes committed against sex workers worldwide, as well as the need to remove the social stigma and discrimination that have contributed to violence against sex workers and indifference from the communities they are part of. Sex worker activists also state that custom and prohibitionist laws perpetuate such violence.

Fadnavis called Maharashtra the 'powerhouse of the Indian economy' and said he wants the state to become $1-trillion economy by 2028.

Maharashtra is the 'powerhouse of the Indian economy' as it contributes more than 15 per cent of India's GDP, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Thursday. Maharashtra currently contributes 29 per cent of India's FDI and 20 per cent of the country's total industrial production, Fadnavis said after inaugurating 'Taiwan Expo 2023' in Mumbai's Goregaon.

UN Arabic Language Day, 18 December

UN Arabic Language Day is observed annually on December 18. The event was established by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2010 seeking "to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity as well as to promote equal use of all six of its official working languages throughout the organization". December 18 was chosen as the date for the Arabic language as it is "the day in 1973 when the General Assembly approved Arabic as an official UN language".

Vijay Hazare Trophy 2023, Haryana beats Rajasthan by 30 runs to clinch maiden title

In a pulsating Vijay Hazare Trophy final, Sumit Kumar’s ubiquitous brilliance and Harshal Patel’s flashes of inspiration scripted Haryana’s 30-run win over Rajasthan and secured the state team’s first title triumph in more than 32 years at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium here on Saturday.

Rio Tinto celebrates 150 years with a special stamp by the Indian Department of Posts.

Marking 150 years of finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs, Rio Tinto has collaborated with the Department of Posts in India to launch a customised 'My Stamp' and special cover called 'Rio Tinto 150'. The stamp denotes Rio Tinto's commitment to driving innovation and continuous improvement to produce the minerals and metals used in everyday life in the safest and most sustainable way possible.

This is the highest GDP growth in the last four quarters; sharpest surge in services sector; economists say growth is likely to slow in the rest of the year due to deficient rainfall, high inflation, and global concerns

Manufacturing GVA grew for the second quarter in a row, after half a year of contraction, with the pace of growth picking up slightly to 4.7% in the first quarter (Q1) of the year, from 4.5% in the previous quarter. Agriculture, forestry and fishing GVA grew 3.5% between April and June, but it was the services sectors that recorded the sharpest surge and lifted the estimates released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) on Thursday.

Coal for non-power purposes may surge significantly, with industrial production set to increase annually by 6% between 2024 and 2026!

“India becomes the driving force behind the upward pressure on global coal demand through to 2026, even if the global trend is decided in China. For the forecast period until 2026, we estimate Indian coal demand to rise by 3.5 per cent annually to 1,397 mt, with growth in every coal grade,” IEA said in its latest coal report. Coal for non-power purposes may surge significantly, with industrial production set to increase annually by 6% between 2024 and 2026.

Hyderabad-based HC Robotics will make advanced gimbals for Indian Armed forces.

A delegation from French company Merio met IT and Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu on Friday and expressed interest to invest in the state. The minister assured them that necessary support would be extended to them.Taking to X, Sridhar Babu tweeted: “Met a French delegation and discussed their interest to invest in Hyderabad and assured them of governmental support. Hyderabad-based HC Robotics Pvt Ltd to make advanced gimbals for armed forces with the technology coming from a French company Merio.

Kotak Mahindra Bank partners with IITK to launch Kotak School of Sustainability through its CSR program

Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship was the chief guest at the launch event of the Kotak School of Sustainability.According to KMBL, this initiative will provide leadership solutions towards sustainability actions and prepare future generations to lead the cause of sustainable development.

The launch of SGB Scheme 2023-2024 Series III has come on the back of gold prices increasing by more than 10 percent in 2023 and defying expectations amid a high interest rate environment.

The new series for Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) scheme opened for investment on December 18 and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has set the issue price at Rs 6,199 per gram of gold.The launch of SGB Scheme 2023-2024 Series III has come on the back of gold prices increasing by more than 10 percent in 2023 and defying expectations amid a high interest rate environment. Given the run-up in prices, should investors go for this series or wait for the next one, which will open in February

DRDO successfully tests high-speed flying-wing UAV,Pitches India into an elite club that have mastered the controls for the flying wing technology.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully carried out a flight trial of an indigenous high-speed flying-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) from the Aeronautical Test Range, Chitradurga, in Karnataka.The DRDO stated in an official statement that the successful trial of what it called the “Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator (FWTD)“ is a testimony to maturity in the technology readiness levels in the country.

Sanganer MLA Bhajanlal Sharma was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Rajasthan at a mass ceremony.

Sanganer MLA Bhajanlal Sharma was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Rajasthan at a mass ceremony, attended by thousands of BJP workers enthused by the first-time legislator occupying the top post. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several Union Ministers, and the CMs of BJP-ruled States were in attendance.

53rd Vijay Diwas Ultra Marathon Run

In commemoration of the 53rd Vijay Diwas, an inspiring endurance event is currently unfolding at Pune's historic Race Course, organized by the Southern Command of the Indian Army. Twenty-four selected participants have embarked on a 53-hour Ultra Marathon, symbolizing the enduring spirit and celebrating the 53rd anniversary of the triumphant victory of 1971. This extraordinary run, which commenced in the early hours of December 14 at 2: 00 AM is scheduled to conclude on December 16 at 7:00 AM. This unique Ultra Marathon at Race Course, Pune, pays tribute to the resilience and determination exhibited by Indian Soldiers during the Indo-Pak war of 1971. The 53 hour tribute run will serve as a prelude to the Southern Star Vijay Run on December 16, which will be flagged off by Lieutenant General AK Singh, AVSM, YSM,SM, VSM ,Army Commander, Southern Command, at the same venue. Anticipated to draw participation from at least 50,000 runners simultaneously across 23 locations in 11 states, the Vijay Run promises to be a remarkable event, fostering a collective remembrance of the historic victory.

Saint Lucia’s Tax Inspectors without Borders (TIWB) programme launched in partnership with India.

This programme is expected to be of 12-18 months’ duration in which India, in collaboration with the TIWB Secretariat and support of the UNDP Country Office, Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, aims to aid Saint Lucia in strengthening its tax administration by transferring technical knowledge and skills to its tax administration, and through sharing of best practices. The focus of the programme will be on effective use of automatic exchange of information under the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) framework.

Industrial production grows to 16-month high of 11.7% in October

India's industrial production growth increased to a 16-month high of 11.7 per cent in October, mainly due to good show by manufacturing, mining and electricity sectors, according to the official data released on Tuesday. "India's IIP growth rate rises to a 16-month high of 11.7 per cent in October 2023," an official statement said.

The 10-year contract between the defence ministry and BEL has been signed for the procurement of electronic fuzes for Indian Army.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a landmark contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in Pune worth Rs 5,336.25 crore for the procurement of electronic fuzes for the Indian Army. The contract, signed on Friday, will span over the next 10 years and comes under the "Manufacture of Ammunition for Indian Army by Indian Industry" initiative by the central government.

China launches deepest lab on Earth, it is more than 2,000m below ground.

The report mentioned the scientists think that the lab provides a major boost to the global search for dark matter, which is a hypothetical form of matter that appears not to interact with light or the electromagnetic field. It is expected that the lab will open up new frontiers in deep-earth experiments as the extreme depth will help the scientists by blocking most cosmic rays that mess with the observation.

Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremasinghe awarded Golden Owl Award to three Indian officers.

In Sri Lanka, three Indian officers were awarded the prestigious Golden Owl award by Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremasinghe at the graduation ceremony held yesterday evening. The officers were undergoing Command and Staff course at Sri Lanka’s Defence Services Command and Staff College at Colombo. The officers, Wing Commander Sumeet Mahajan, Major Rohit and Lieutenant Commander Sunny Sharma received the award for standing first amongst the foreign student officers.

Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic have been named as the 2023 ITF World Champions and the pair also achieved a special feat this year.

This is Djokovic's eighth ITF World Champion award, which is also a record. He finished the year as ATP No. 1 for a record-extending eighth time, where he bagged the Australian Open, French Open and US Open, which also took his majors' total to a men's leading 24. He was also runners-up at the Wimbledon and led the men's tour with seven titles.

Leander Paes and broadcaster and Vijay Amritraj have become the first Asian men to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Former doubles world No. 1 Leander Paes and broadcaster and promoter Vijay Amritraj of India have become the first Asian men to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Besides the duo, renowned journalist and writer Richard Evans have also been elected in the Ultimate Honour in Tennis.

Farewell No. 7! BCCI retires MS Dhoni’s iconic jersey, young players advised not to pick number!

A BCCI official said that there are just about 30 or so numbers available for young players to choose from. ICC allows players to pick any number from 1 to 100, but in India at least 60 numbers are designated to the regular Indian team players and those in contention. As per the report, even if a player is out of the team for about a year, the number is not given away.

Strong rural demand supports manufacturing and economic revival and is critical for India's transformation over the next 25 years!

Agriculture will play a central role in India's development trajectory as strong rural demand supports manufacturing and economic revival, Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery said on Wednesday. According to an official statement, the Aayog and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) signed a Statement of Intent (SoI), aiming to fortify policy and programme frameworks contributing to India's development objectives. Strong rural demand supports manufacturing and economic revival and is critical for India's transformation over the next 25 years.

In 2024, total voter turnout at the current rate of polling can touch 68 crores, of which 49% can be women.

The number of women voters is projected to outstrip men voters in 2029 and this inflection point would be a testimony to the former getting their due share on socio-economic fronts and should be a harbinger of harmonized growth, according to SBI’s economic research department (ERD).

CCI approves 100% acquisition of Lanco Amarkantak Power by PFC Projects, REC, SJVN and Damodar Valley Corporation.

Gateway Velocity Holding Corp. (Gateway) is a newly formed Delaware, U.S. corporation. It is a holding company and does not have any business activities in India or elsewhere. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aramco Overseas Company B.V. (AOC), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco). Saudi Aramco is primarily engaged in prospecting, exploring, drilling, and extracting hydrocarbon substances and processing, manufacturing, refining and marketing these substances. In India, it is primarily engaged in the marketing and selling of hydrocarbons and derivatives (including polyethylene, polypropylene, resins, lubricants and base oils).

Shidaowan plant in China's northern Shandong province is designed to use fuel more efficiently and improve its economics, safety and environmental footprint.

China has started commercial operations at a new generation nuclear reactor that is the first of its kind in the world, state media said on Wednesday.Compared with previous reactors, the fourth-generation Shidaowan plant in China's northern Shandong province is designed to use fuel more efficiently and improve its economics, safety and environmental footprint as China turns to nuclear power to try to meet carbon emissions goals.

China has successfully launched a reusable robotic spacecraft for the third time since 2020, in a series of secretive orbital test flights that it says are aimed at developing reusable technologies to reduce space mission costs.

The uncrewed spacecraft was launched atop a Long March 2F rocket, the same rocket series used by China to transport its astronauts to space, at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China. The spacecraft will operate in orbit for "a period of time" before returning to a designated landing site in China. During its flight, reusable technologies will be "verified" and space experiments conducted, state media reported, giving no other details.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said the logistics sector will play a key role in taking the country's economy to about $35 trillion by 2047!

Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh, and Gujarat are among the 13 States and Union Territories that have again been categorised as "achievers" in the logistics index chart 2023, according to a report released by the Commerce and Industry Ministry on Dec 16. The index is an indicator of the efficiency of logistical services necessary for promoting exports and economic growth. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said the logistics sector will play a key role in taking the country's economy to about $35 trillion by 2047.

The Global status report on road safety 2018, launched by WHO in December 2018, highlights that the number of annual road traffic deaths has reached 1.35 million.

Road traffic injuries are now the leading killer of people aged 5-29 years. The burden is disproportionately borne by pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, in particular those living in developing countries. The report suggests that the price paid for mobility is too high, especially because proven measures exist. Drastic action is needed to put these measures in place to meet any future global target that might be set and save lives. The Global status report on road safety 2018, launched by WHO in December 2018, highlights that the number of annual road traffic deaths has reached 1.35 million.

The one-step UPI payment solution has been created in partnership with NPCI and Axis Bank, ensuring complete security and compliance!

Cashfree Payments' UPI Plug-in simplifies the UPI payment process by increasing conversion rates, reducing customer drop-offs and improving customer experience. The customer only needs to provide their 4 or 6-digit UPI PIN after clicking 'Pay Now' to complete the transaction, the company said

The credit cards, available in two variants , LIC Classic and LIC Select, aim to provide over 27 crore policyholders nationwide the opportunity to accrue reward points with every LIC insurance premium payment.

The credit cards, available in two variants , LIC Classic and LIC Select, aim to provide over 27 crore policyholders nationwide the opportunity to accrue reward points with every LIC insurance premium payment. Aside from this, cardholders will benefit from features like a lost card liability cover of up to Rs 50,000 and a personal accident insurance cover of up to Rs 5 lakh. V Vaidyanathan, MD of IDFC Bank, expressed enthusiasm about extending these additional perks to LIC policyholders opting for this credit card, alongside co-brand benefits. He also emphasised the partnership with Mastercard as a global presence in this initiative.

the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2023 comes against the backdrop of the ongoing Israel,Hamas conflict

Music conductor Daniel Barenboim and peace activist Ali Abu Awwad, who have worked to promote amity among the Israeli and Palestinian people, have been jointly awarded the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2023.Barenboim and Awwad, whose work focuses on the use of non-violent tools of music, dialogue and peoples’ participation, were chosen by an international jury chaired by former chief justice of India, TS Thakur, according to a statement from the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust.

The Barracuda, India’s fastest solar,electric boat sets sail for sustainable future.

In a move towards eco-friendly maritime transportation, the Barracuda, India’s fastest solar-electric boat, was ceremoniously launched at the Navgathi Panavally Yard in Alappuzha.This cutting-edge vessel was jointly developed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders and Navalt.

Uma Sekhar was elected to the Governing Council of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) with in the first round at the elections held in Rome.

Government sources described victory of the Indian woman candidate as “historic”. In a historic victory for India’s first woman candidate, Uma Sekhar was elected to the Governing Council of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) with an impressive 45 votes out of 59 votes in the first round at the elections held in Rome.

Indian Forest & Wood Certification Scheme launched to promote Sustainable Management of forests and agroforestry.

The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has launched the Indian Forest & Wood Certification Scheme. This national forest certification scheme offers voluntary third-party certification designed to promote sustainable forest management and agroforestry in the country. The scheme includes forest management certification, tree outside forest management certification, and chain of custody certification.The Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme can provide market incentives to various entities that adhere to responsible forest management and agroforestry practices in their operations. This includes state forest departments, individual farmers, or Farmer Producer Organizations engaged in agroforestry and farm forestry, as well as other wood-based industries in the value chain.

ADB raises India FY24 growth forecast to 6.7%, cites industry performance.

The lender ADB revised its estimate based on India’s higher-than-expected gross domestic product (GDP) growth, of 7.6 per cent, in the second quarter of FY24. Economic data also indicate the industrial sector in particular, including manufacturing, mining, construction, and utilities, grew by double digits. For FY2024 as a whole, agriculture is expected to grow slightly slower than expected, but this will be more than offset by industry’s much stronger-than-expected growth, hence the upward revision. India’s economy would grow 6.7 percent in Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24), raising the estimate from 6.3 percent it made in September.

State Bank of India (SBI) will sign 70 million euro (about Rs 630 crore) Line of Credit (LoC) with German Development Bank KfW for promoting solar project in the country.

State Bank of India (SBI) will sign 70 million euro (about Rs 630 crore) Line of Credit (LoC) with German Development Bank KfW for promoting solar project in the country. The LoC is aimed at supporting Solar Photovoltaics (PV) projects in India. The agreement will be signed on December 14 at the bank's IFSC Gift City Branch in Ahmedabad.

City of Nizams, Hyderabad, reigns supreme in Mercer's 2023 Quality of Living Ranking. Here are the other best Indian cities to live in!

For the sixth time in a row, Hyderabad is the best Indian city to live in, as per Mercer’s Quality of Living (City Ranking) Survey 2023. The city is ranked 153 in the global list and has topped parameters such as cost of living, political stability, healthcare, education, infrastructure and socio-economic environment.

Vishnu Deo Sai, his two deputies take oath in Chhattisgarh Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, among others, attend the swearing.

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Vishnu Deo Sai on Wednesday took oath as the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. Mr. Sai, a tribal leader from Jashpur, is the fourth Chief Minister of the State. State BJP president Arun Sao and general secretary Vijay Sharma took oath as Deputy Chief Ministers in a brief swearing-in ceremony held at Raipur’s Science College ground, and attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, among others.

The ADB has approved a $250 million policy-based loan to support India's wide-ranging reforms.

The ADB has approved a USD 250 million policy-based loan to support India's wide-ranging reforms that aim to strengthen and modernise the country's logistics infrastructure, improve efficiency, and lower costs. The loan will finance the first sub-program of the strengthening multimodal and integrated logistics ecosystem program, which supports the government's efforts to create a comprehensive policy, planning, and institutional framework at the federal, state, and city level.

The ship has a unique distinction of having served under the flag of two nations with three names during her distinguished service till date,” says Navy spokesperson

The Indian Navy will be re-inducting a refurbished 22-year-old fast attack craft, INS Tarmugli, INS Tarmugli, a Fast Attack Craft has been commissioned into the Navy at a ceremony held at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam. Vice Admiral Sandeep Naithani, AVSM, VSM, Chief of Materiel, Indian Navy commissioned the Trinkat Class FAC which was gifted to the Maldivian Naval Defence Forces (MNDF) in 2006 by India.

Defence Ministry's Defence Acquisition Council's recent meeting had cleared the proposal for the acquisition of two types of these rockets, known as Area Denial Munition Type 2 and Type-3.

In a major boost for the Indian Army, the Defence Ministry has approved a Rs2,800 crore proposal for buying around 6,400 rockets for Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher systems. The Defence Ministry's Defence Acquisition Council's recent meeting had cleared the proposal for the acquisition of two types of these rockets, known as Area Denial Munition Type 2 and Type-3. The rockets would be procured by the Indian Army from indigenous sources only and two main contenders include the Economic Explosives Limited of Solar Industries and the Munitions India Limited-- one of the ammunition-producing companies created by the corporatisation of the erstwhile Ordnance Factories.

Veteran actor Kabir Bedi was honoured with the lifetime achievement award at Venice Film Festival.

Veteran actor Kabir Bedi was honoured with the lifetime achievement award at Venice Film Festival. The actor, known for his performances in Bollywood and Hollywood titles, was awarded the Filming Italy Movie Lifetime Achievement Award at the Venice Production Bridge market. Variety reported that the award was presented by Tiziana Rocca, actor and producer, and Roberto Stabile, the head of the international department of Italian national audiovisual body ANICA.

PRESIDENT OF INDIA PRESENTS NATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION AWARDS ON THE NATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION DAY ,ANY BUSINESS SHOULD NOT ONLY HAVE ECONOMIC BENEFITS BUT ALSO HAVE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL BENEFITS: PRESIDENT MURMU

Addressing the gathering, the President said that the health and happiness of all of us lies in the conservation and good health of nature. If we make optimal utilization of the available resources, everyone's energy and other needs will be fulfilled without unnecessary pressure on nature and Mother Earth. She stated that along with optimal utilization, all stakeholders will have to promote energy efficiency and innovation. Energy saving measures have to be used on a large scale. She highlighted that energy saving is energy production – this message is very useful. She urged all to make every possible effort to spread this message.

Federal Bank Named "Bank of the Year (India)" by The Banker, Financial Times.

Federal Bank, a leading financial institution, has been recognised as "Bank of the Year (India)" by Financial Times owned The Banker, one of the only three global awards that considers the work of banks spanning 120 countries. This prestigious recognition is a testament to the Bank's unwavering commitment to innovation, customer-centric services, and its outstanding contributions to the banking industry over the past year.

Bandhan Bank has been appointed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as an authorised pension disbursement bank on behalf of the Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO).

Bandhan Bank has said that it has been appointed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as an authorised pension disbursement bank on behalf of the Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO), Ministry of Finance, for civil pensioners. The Bank will soon be integrating with the office of the CPAO to operationalise the disbursement process.

NITI Aayog unveils inaugural delta ranking for aspirational blocks programme; Tiriyani Block in Telangana secures top spot.

The rankings were determined based on the performance and progress of the blocks in achieving key performance indicators (KPIs). This KPI-centric approach is integral to the program's core strategy, fostering a sense of competitive and cooperative federalism. Notably, this marks the first-ever calculation of block rankings as part of the aspirational blocks programme.

Mumbai professor bags Royal Society of Chemistry’s Nyholm prize,In addition to the prize, Professor Savita Ladage will be awarded £5,000 as well as a medal and a certificate.

Professor Savita Ladage from Mumbai’s Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, received the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Nyholm Prize for Education in recognition of her contributions to chemistry education.Prof. Ladage bagged the award for her advocacy of the significance of chemical education. Her efforts include mentoring chemistry educators and spearheading impactful teacher and student programs that advance chemistry education in the country.

Private equity firm Bain Capital sells Rs 3,737 cr stake in Axis Bank.

Private equity firm Bain Capital on Wednesday sold shares worth Rs3,737 crore in private sector lender Axis Bank. Three affiliate firms BC Asia Investments VII, BC Asia Investments III and Integral Investments South Asia IV sold a total of 33.38 million shares (1.08 per cent stake) at Rs1,119.7 apiece, data showed. More than 50 entities, largely comprising foreign funds, were among the buyers, including Societe Generale, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs and UBS.

Bancassurance partner with banks to sell policies, ICICI Pru Life, Ujjivan SFB enter into Bancassurance tie-up.

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance (ICICI PruLife) and Ujjivan Small Finance Bank (Ujjivan SFB) have entered into a bancassurance partnership for the distribution of life insurance products.Under the partnership, Ujjivan SFB will offer the entire suite of ICICI PruLife’s entire suite of protection, long-term savings and retirement products to its customers through its network of 700+ branches across 26 states and Union Territories.

KPIT unveils India's 1st sodium-ion battery tech.

KPIT Technologies has unveiled India’s first sodium-ion battery technology, which is a cheaper alternative to lithium-ion (Li-Ion) battery used in electric vehicles and for energy storage.This, the Pune-based company said, will help make available EV and storage batteries at prices 30 per cent lower than comparable Li-Ion batteries.

MoD to buy 70,000 more assault rifles from US-based Sig Sauer for ₹800 crore

The Ministry of Defence has cleared a proposal to purchase 70,000 more semi-automatic assault rifles from US-based Sig Sauer for Indian Army which is already using them from 2019 onwards. The repeat order for acquisition of Sig Sauer is valued at ₹800 crore. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting of Ministry of Defence held recently to arm soldiers deployed in counter-insurgency duties and at borders.

World Bank and World Food Programme Deepen Partnership to Scale Up Impact on Food Security

Against a backdrop of record food insecurity across the globe, the World Bank and the World Food Programme (WFP) agreed today to deepen their partnership in several priority areas at the country level. Leaders from both institutions met in Rome for a day-long discussion co-chaired by Anna Bjerde, World Bank Managing Director of Operations, and Carl Skau, WFP Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer.

Researchers at Berhampur University, Odisha have discovered a new species of marine amphipod — a shrimp-like crustacea of genus Demaorchestia— in the state’s Chilika lake on the east coast of India.

The new species was named Demaorchestia alanensis after global expert professor Alan Myers of University College Cork, Ireland, who has made a significant contribution to global marine amphipod studies. The present contribution has added one more species to the genus Demaorchestia.

Indian Navy celebrates Submarine Day honoring the Tiger Shark legacy of INS Kalvari.

In a tribute to maritime history and naval excellence, the Indian Navy observes Submarine Day on December 8th annually, commemorating the commissioning of the groundbreaking INS Kalvari (S23). As the lead vessel of the Kalvari class, INS Kalvari marked a historic milestone as the first-ever submarine inducted into service by the Indian Navy.

According to the bulk deal data available with the BSE and NSE, SBI Mutual Fund (MF) purchased a total of 1,20,00,000 shares, amounting to a 1.5 per cent stake in Karur Vysya Bank

The shares were picked at an average price of Rs 162 apiece on both bourses, taking the combined aggregate deal size to Rs 194.40 crore.Details of the sellers could not be ascertained.On Tuesday, shares of Karur Vysya Bank rose 1.32 per cent to close at Rs 164.90 apiece on the BSE and gained 0.52 per cent to settle at Rs 164.70 per piece on the NSE.

Railway minister shares video of India’s first bullet train station,The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor project is currently under construction, with a significant portion already completed.

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train corridor project is currently under construction, with a significant portion already completed. The first phase of the project is expected to be operational by 2026, with the entire project slated for completion by 2028.The project is expected to connect the two metro cities in about 2.07 hours with a maximum design speed of 350kmph.

74.1% of Indians unable to afford a healthy diet,FAO Report

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations launched the Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition 2023: Statistics and Trends, a report on Tuesday which said 74.1% of Indians were unable to afford a healthy diet in 2021. In 2020, the percentage was 76.2. In Pakistan, the figure is 82.2% and in Bangladesh, 66.1% of the population faced difficulties in finding healthy food. Rising food costs, if not matched by rising income, will lead to more people unable to afford a healthy diet, the report warned.

SEBI allows brokers to invest clients’ fund in overnight MF schemes

Brokers and clearing members should ensure that the overnight schemes invest only in government bond, overnight repo markets and overnight Tri-party Repo Dealing and Settlement (TREPS). Such Mutual Fund Overnight Schemes (MFOS) units should be in dematerialised (demat) form and must necessarily be pledged with a clearing corporation at all times.

CCI approves Temasek, India Business Excellence Fund-IV stake buy in Niva Bupa Health Insurance.

In October this year, Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company Ltd had announced that it is all set to welcome new investors who had collectively committed to invest ₹800 crore in the company for a minority stake, subject to regulatory approval. The investors include India Business Excellence Fund IV; Temasek and Paragon Partners Growth Fund II amongst others.

Eight years of conservative rule in Poland ends as Donald Tusk becomes prime minister

Poland's new prime minister, Donald Tusk, and his Cabinet members took office Wednesday after they were sworn in by the president, marking the end of eight tumultuous years of rule by a national conservative party, Law and Justice.Donald Tusk wants Poland to be again in the heart of the EU.

Funding for Indian technology startups declined 72 per cent in 2023, making it the lowest-funded year in the last five years.

The last quarter (Q4) received $957 million, the lowest-funded quarter since Q3 2016, according to Tracxn Geo’s 'Annual Report: India Tech 2023'. Late-stage funding in 2023 has declined by more than 73 per cent to $4.2 billion compared to $15.6 billion in 2022. There have been 17 funding rounds of $100 million+ each yet this year, dropping 69 per cent compared to last year.

Mohan Yadav takes oath as Madhya Pradesh chief minister; PM Modi, Shah present

Mohan Yadav on Wednesday took oath as chief minister of Madhya Pradesh in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah and other dignitaries. Jagdish Devda and Rajendra Shukla were also sworn in as deputy chief ministers.

Canara HSBC Life Insurance launches NFTs with Me For My City campaign

Canara HSBC Life Insurance is pleased to announce the launch of 13 NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) with Me For My City Season 5, one of the flagship campaign by the Company. The launch of NFTs highlight Company’s commitment towards embracing innovation and rewarding society with newer technologies which would enable them with new learning, thinking and communication. The company has created 13 unique NFTs from which 12 will be awarded to the 12 participants who made it to the finale of Me For My City season 5 campaign which focuses on protecting and reviving the folk music of our country. One of the most exclusive campaign ideas through which Canara HSBC Life Insurance showcased its appreciation to the participants for their musical talent and passion during the mega event which held at Mumbai in presence of Shankar Mahadevan and other musical maestros.

The credit cards, available in two variants – LIC Classic and LIC Select, aim to provide over 27 crore policyholders nationwide the opportunity to accrue reward points with every LIC insurance premium payment

Aside from this, cardholders will benefit from features like a lost card liability cover of up to Rs 50,000 and a personal accident insurance cover of up to Rs 5 lakh. V Vaidyanathan, MD of IDFC Bank, expressed enthusiasm about extending these additional perks to LIC policyholders opting for this credit card, alongside co-brand benefits. He also emphasised the partnership with Mastercard as a global presence in this initiative.

RattanIndia arm introduces compact delivery drone for health care, e-com,formerly RattanIndia Infrastructure Ltd, is an Indian company that is involved in the energy sector.

RattanIndia Enterprises Ltd. announced the introduction of L07, a compact delivery drone, for e-commerce and health care industries, through its company Throttle Aerospace Systems. L07 is designed, developed, and manufactured in India, specifically for use cases where the payloads are small. The drone is a VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) with a carrying capacity of up to 7 kg, and can be deployed single-handedly in less than 5 minutes. It can operate at a mean sea level (MSL) of up to 2,000 metres above MSL, comes with a high wind tolerance of 43 km/hr (12 metres/sec) and endurance of up to 30 minutes.

Intellect signs ₹80-crore deal with Indian Bank to deploy cash management system!

Intellect Design Arena Ltd, the Chennai-based FinTech company for financial and insurance clients, has signed a ₹80 crore, five-year deal with Indian Bank to deploy Intellect’s eMACH.ai powered Cash Management System. This will bolster the bank’scorporate banking modernisation, said SV Ramanan, Chief Executive Officer, India and South Asia, Intellect Design Arena Ltd.

The 2023 UN Climate Change Conference will convene from 30 November to 12 December 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The COP 27 Egyptian Presidency and the Incoming COP 28 Presidency are convening informal consultations to engage governments at the ministerial, Head-of-Delegation, and technical levels to lay the groundwork “to deliver a successful COP 28 that drives global transformation towards a low-emission and climate-resilient world, fosters ambitious climate action and facilitates implementation, including the related support”.

On 12 December 2012, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed a resolution urging countries to accelerate progress toward universal health coverage

International Universal Health Coverage Day aims to raise awareness of the need for strong and resilient health systems and universal health coverage with multi-stakeholder partners. Each year on 12 December, UHC advocates raise their voices to share the stories of the millions of people still waiting for health, champion what we have achieved so far, call on leaders to make bigger and smarter investments in health, and encourage diverse groups to make commitments to help move the world closer to UHC by 2030.

PhonePe offers a number of insurance products, including health insurance, car insurance, bike insurance, and travel insurance.

Car and bike insurance products from Acko General Insurance will now be available on PhonePe, the companies announced on Thursday. Acko General Insurance and PhonePe have joined hands to offer Acko's insurance products through PhonePe's online distribution network. PhonePe offers several insurance products, including health insurance, car insurance, bike insurance, and travel insurance, Insurers on the platform include LIC, Shriram General Insurance, SBI Life, Aditya Birla Health Insurance. On the platform, car insurance plans starts from Rs 6 per day, while bike insurance is from Rs 1.5 per day.

RITES signs pact with CFM Mozambique for supply of 10 diesel locomotives

State-owned RITES Ltd announced it has signed a pact with CFM Mozambique for the supply of diesel locomotives and incidental services at a total cost of USD 37,680,080 (Rs314.1 crore). The pact has been signed for the supply of ten diesel locomotives. It is hereby informed that the contract agreement with CFM Mozambique for the supply of ten diesel locomotives along with incidental services at a total cost of USD 37,680,080 has been signed.

‘Bhagwant Mann Sarkar, Tuhade Dwaar’: Get 43 Punjab govt services at your doorstep from Dec 10, says CM

The announcement by the CM came after his surprise checks at saanjh kendras in Fatehgarh Sahib and Bassi Pathana on Thursday, t is surprising to many that the new scheme is being launched in the name of CM Mann.The CM said the move was aimed at providing these services to people in a smooth and convenient manner. He said the initiative would provide hassle-free access to the Government 2 Citizen (G2C) services by launch of the doorstep delivery.

MoD inks contract worth ₹588.68 Cr with TCIL for Digital Coast Guard project!

MoD inks contract worth ₹588.68 Cr with TCIL for Digital Coast Guard project! A pivotal Initiative for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), the DCG Project will unfold a comprehensive narrative of technological progression, encompassing the construction of an advanced Data Centre, establishment of a robust Disaster Recovery Data Centre, amplification of connectivity across ICG sites, and the development of the ERP system. The project also leverages secured MPLS/VSAT connectivity, propelling itself to the forefront of cutting-edge defence technology.

International Mountain Day 2023

International Mountain Day is observed every year on December 11 to raise awareness about the significance of mountains in our lives and for the health of our planet. The theme for this year's International Mountain Day is 'restoring mountain ecosystems.' On this occasion, here are some of the most breathtaking mountains in the world that are worth visiting at least once in your lifetime

States' gross fiscal deficit below Budget Estimate for a 2nd yr, RBI report

States have sustained improvement in their finances — which was achieved in the financial year 2021-22 — even during 2022-23 with a combined gross fiscal deficit (GFD) at 2.8 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). This is below the Budget Estimates for the second consecutive year, Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI’s) report on state finances said. The report titled, ‘State Finances: A Study of Budgets of 2023-24'.

2nd edition of the Forum is centered on the theme ‘GIFT-IFSC, Nerve Centre for New Age Global Financial Services’

The event is hosted by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) and GIFT City, under the aegis of Government of India. The 1st edition of the Forum was organised in December 2021 and witnessed 95000+ registrations across 80+ countries and a ‘FinTech Showcase’ with 100+ virtual exhibitors hosted alongside the main event. The Forum is hosted by IFSCA as a global thought leadership platform on financial services, where progressive ideas, pressing problems, innovative technologies from across the world get Discovered, Discussed and Developed into solutions and opportunities.Organised as a pre-cursor event to Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024, the 2nd edition of the Infinity Forum 2.0, shall be held in hybrid mode, with an invite-only in-person event scheduled in GIFT City and for virtual participation from participants across the globe.

World's first liquid oxygen, methane carrier rocket sent into orbit in latest achievement by Chinese private space sector

The world's first liquid oxygen, liquid methane carrier rocket blasted off morning from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China's Gansu Province, taking a sample payload into orbit. Developed by LandSpace, a Chinese privately owned aerospace company, the launch of the ZQ-2 Y2, as it is code-named, marked a breakthrough in the quest to find a new-type low-cost liquid propellant for carrier rockets in China.

INDIAN ARMED FORCES CONTINGENT REACHES HANOI FOR JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE “VINBAX-2023”

The Indian Armed Forces contingent comprising 45 personnel reached Hanoi, Vietnam to take part in the fourth edition of Joint Military Exercise VINBAX-2023. The exercise will be conducted at Hanoi, Vietnam from 11th to 21st December 2023. The Indian contingent comprises 39 personnel from an Engineer Regiment of Bengal Engineer Group and six personnel of Army Medical Corps. The Vietnam People’s Army contingent will also be represented by 45 personnel. Exercise VINBAX was instituted in 2018 and the first edition was conducted at Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. It is an annual training event conducted alternatively in India and Vietnam. Last edition was conducted at Chandimandir Military Station in August 2022.

The 24th edition of the annual Hornbill Festival held at the picturesque Naga Heritage Village at Kisama, Nagaland conduded

The 10-day-long annual tourism promotional event of the Nagaland government, Hornbill Festival, concluded on Sunday with visitors participating in 'Unity Dance' around a large bonfire. (ANI) Visitors, including tourists from across the coutry and globe, participating in 'Unity Dance' around a large bonfire to the tune of Naga folk songs.

REC signs 200 million Euro loan agreement, This is REC’s sixth line of credit under Indo-German Development Cooperation.

REC Ltd signed a 200 million Euro loan agreement with the German bank, KfW in New Delhi on 8th December 2023. This is REC’s sixth line of credit under Indo-German Development Cooperation, which will be utilised to re-finance investments in the distribution infrastructure of DISCOMs, in alignment with GoI’s Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).

DPIIT collaborates with World Bank to elevate India’s logistics efficiency!

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) orchestrated a comprehensive meeting with the World Bank Team, marking a significant stride towards reshaping India’s logistics landscape. According to a press release by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, chaired by Special Secretary (Logistics) Sumita Dawra, the gathering showcased a spectrum of ongoing initiatives and forthcoming reforms designed to elevate India’s logistics efficiency.