1 Mike Johnson becomes Speaker of the US House of Representatives
On January 3, Republican MP Mike Johnson was re-elected Speaker in the lower house of the US Parliament ‘ House of Representatives ‘ . This is the lowest majority received by any speaker in the last 100 years. Newly elected President Donald Trump also supported Johnson. He is an MP from the US state of Louisiana. Mike Johnson was also elected Speaker of this House in 2023.
2 27 personalities from 23 countries will receive the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Award
The Government of India announced the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards on January 3. The Ministry of External Affairs announced the names of 27 people living in 23 countries for the Pravasi Bharatiya Awards for the year 2025. This award is given to NRIs who have made excellent contributions in every field, from education to business. This highest honor given to NRIs is announced by the President of India. The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conference is being organized from 8 to 10 January in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha . This is the highest honor given to Indians living abroad. In 2003, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee started the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conference.
3 PM Modi inaugurated Rural India Mahotsav 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Gramin Bharat Mahotsav 2025 in New Delhi on January 4. Celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit and cultural heritage of rural India, Gramin Bharat Mahotsav 2025 is being organized from January 4 to 9. The theme of the festival is ‘ Building a Resilient Rural India for a Developed India 2047 ‘ and its motto is “ Gaon Badhe, Toh Desh Badhe ”. The festival aims to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit and cultural heritage of rural India. During this, India’s cultural heritage will be showcased through live performances and exhibitions. Along with this, government officials, rural entrepreneurs, artisans and stakeholders from different sectors will collectively formulate a roadmap for rural transformation.
4 French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle arrived in Goa yesterday for naval exercise Varuna
France ‘s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle arrived in Goa for the naval exercise Varuna . The fighter aircraft Rafale will also participate from France’s side in this 42nd annual exercise . According to the Western Command, this exercise will strengthen the understanding of working together between the navies of the two countries. France has been a member of the Indo-Pacific Naval Symposium since 2008. This organization was initiated by India and includes navies of 25 countries. Its objective is to work together to deal with smuggling, illegal fishing, search and rescue operations at sea and pollution. India has been a leading strategic partner of France since 1998.
5 Children need their parents’ consent to open an account on social media
The Central Government has released the draft of Digital Personal Data Protection Rules-2025 . The draft rules provide for mandatory and certified consent of parents for opening social media accounts of children. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 was approved by President Draupadi Murmu in August 2023. The draft rules provide provisions related to obtaining personal consent, responsibilities of data processors and functioning of officials under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023. Any feedback expressed about these rules will be kept confidential so that people can share their views freely. Your views on the draft rules can be expressed through the MyGov portal till February 18.
6 Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma inaugurated the Know Your Army Mela at the historic Golconda Fort
Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Verma inaugurated the Know Your Army Mela at the historic Golconda Fort in Hyderabad . General Officer Commanding of Telangana and Andhra Sub Area Major General Ajay Mishra and other senior officers were present on the occasion. This fair has been organized by the Artillery Center of Hyderabad under the Telangana and Andhra Sub Area Headquarters . The objective of the fair is to showcase the valor, bravery and advanced technology of the Indian Army. This three-day fair will be open for the general public from 9 am to 5 pm tomorrow.
7 Rural poverty in India reduced significantly to 4.86 percent in the year 2023-24
The rural poverty rate in India was 25.7 percent in the financial year 2011-12 , which has decreased significantly to 4.86 percent in the financial year 2023-24 . According to research on the consumption expenditure survey of the State Bank of India, urban poverty has decreased from 13.7 percent to 4.09 percent in the last twelve years . This research of the State Bank of India shows that the reason for the sharp decline in rural poverty is the increase in consumption among the weaker sections with government support. The research found that the increase in the price of food items affects not only food expenditure but also total expenditure. According to the research, urban poverty can be reduced further. At the overall level, the poverty rate in India can now be between four percent and 4.5 percent. The difference between rural and urban monthly per capita consumption expenditure has now reduced to 69.7 percent. This improvement is mainly due to government initiatives such as direct benefit transfer, development of rural infrastructure, increase in farmers’ income and significant improvement in rural livelihoods.
8 The cowpea sent into space germinated in 4 days
ISRO launched SpaDeX i.e. Space Docking Experiment Mission from Sriharikota on 30 December . CROPS (Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies) on POEM-4 (PSLV Orbital Experimental Module) sent with it has succeeded in germinating life in space for the first time. CROPS, designed at Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC), germinated cowpea seeds in microgravity in just 4 days . Cowpea seeds germinate rapidly. Their tolerance is also very strong. This experiment is being considered a big step towards growing food in space.
9 Now you can get pension from any bank
According to the Ministry of Labor , EPFO has completed the rollout of Centralized Pension Payments System (CPPS) in all its regional offices across the country , which will benefit more than 68 lakh pensioners . According to the information given recently by the ministry, the Centralized Pension Payments System is a decentralized system different from the old pension distribution system. Under this new system, each regional / regional office of EPFO will maintain separate agreements with only 3 to 4 banks . With this new system, beneficiaries will get the facility that they will be able to withdraw pension from any bank . Also, the beneficiary will not need to go to the bank for verification at the time of starting the pension and the amount will be deposited immediately after release.
10 State of emergency declared for 60 days in seven provinces and three municipalities of Ecuador
Ecuador ‘s President Daniel Noboa has declared a 60-day state of emergency in seven provinces and three municipalities amid growing unrest and military conflict in the country . Mr. Noboa cited rising crime rates and the presence of organized armed groups as the main reasons for the emergency. Ecuador has been battling a military conflict with organized criminal groups labeled as terrorists by the government since January 2024.
11 DPIIT partners with Stride Ventures to accelerate growth and global expansion of Indian startups
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry has partnered with Stride Ventures, a leading venture debt firm, to accelerate the growth of Indian startups and enhance their global presence . This collaboration will be particularly helpful in creating immense opportunities for startups by integrating financial support with strategic guidance and market access. Stride Ventures will specifically focus on identifying startups with high growth potential, providing funding, market access and policy level support to Indian startups aiming to expand globally and global startups entering India. This will provide startups from tier-2 and tier-3 cities with targeted guidance, mentorship and access to a global advisory network to help them in their growth journey.
12 World Braille Day
World Braille Day is celebrated every year on 4 January to create awareness about the importance of Braille as a means of communication for blind and partially sighted people . On this day in 1809, Louis Braille was born in a small town called Coupre in France. He invented the Braille script for the blind in 1825. In the year 2018, the United Nations General Assembly decided to celebrate 4 January as World Braille Day on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Louis Braille, the thinker of the Braille system. Blind and partially sighted people use Braille language to read books and magazines etc.
13 Senior scientist Dr. Rajagopal Chidambaram passed away
Senior scientist and key figure in India’s nuclear programme Dr Rajagopala Chidambaram passed away. He was 88 years old. Dr Chidambaram played a key role in India’s nuclear weapons programme. He made significant contributions to the programmes that established India as a nuclear power – India’s first nuclear test in 1974 and the Pokhran-II test programme in 1998. He served in various key positions as chief scientist and other important posts, including Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission. Dr Chidambaram was awarded the Padma Shri in 1975 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1992. Dr Rajagopala was the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission from 1993 to 2000, during which period India conducted its second nuclear test in 1998.
