The Uttar Pradesh government is going to start a high-voltage campaign very soon to install solar rooftops on 25,000 households in Varanasi city in just two months’ time in a groundbreaking initiative aimed at promoting green and sustainable energy practices in PM Narendra Modi’s Lok Sabha constituency.

The campaign, according to officials in the know of things, is being launched after the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) recently wrote a letter to the U.P. government, desiring such an action in Varanasi city. The central and the state governments, it is estimated, will have to shell out a subsidy of ₹150 crore and ₹75 crore respectively to 25,000 households that purchase solar panels.

World Health Organization (WHO) is set to unveil its International Classification of Diseases 11th Edition (ICD-11) with a groundbreaking inclusion: data and terminology relating to diseases based on Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani systems.

The launch event, scheduled for January 10th, 2024, in New Delhi, signifies a global milestone in healthcare as traditional medicine gains recognition on an international scale. The initiative aims to establish a universal code of vocabulary defining diseases in Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani (ASU) medicine, fostering global uniformity.

Notably, the effort marks a significant departure from the current ICD series, which primarily relies on healthcare practices associated with modern biomedicine. Diseases rooted in Ayush systems, such as Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani, have thus far been absent from the WHO's global disease classification.

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw today unveiled the Indian Railways Construction Manual, 2023 in New Delhi. Speaking on the occasion Mr Vaishnaw said, the construction manual will help in many activities including Land acquisition, forest clearance, bridge design, contract management, construction of tunnels and under bridges. He said, this manual will also help in achieving the world’s fastest growing rail network. The Minister said, this manual is an important milestone in the efforts of Indian Railways to equip the construction officials with the required knowledge for execution of construction projects at a faster pace.

South Korea's Parliament on Tuesday passed a bill to prohibit the consumption and sale of dog meat, marking the end of a centuries-old practice. The move reflects a shift in societal attitudes towards animal welfare, with an increasing number of Koreans viewing dogs as family members.

Traditionally perceived as a means to boost stamina during the humid Korean summer, the consumption of dog meat has dwindled over time, with the practice now primarily associated with older people. Criticism of the methods used in slaughtering dogs, such as electrocution or hanging, has contributed to the decline in the practice.

Emmanuel Macron appointed 34-year-old Education Minister Gabriel Attal as his new prime minister on Tuesday, as the French President seeks to breathe new life into his second mandate ahead of European parliament elections, French media said.

The move will not necessarily lead to any major political shift, but signals a desire for Macron to try to move beyond last year’s unpopular pension and immigration reforms and improve his centrist party’s chances in the June EU ballot.

Opinion polls show Macron’s camp trailing far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s party by around eight to ten percentage points.

Indian Railways on Monday announced that it achieved 6,577 route kilometers (RKMs) electrification in the calendar year 2023.

According to an official release issued from the Ministry of Railways, this accomplishment brings the total Broad Gauge (BG) electrification to 93.83 per cent of the extensive 65,556 route kilometers network.

With a steadfast commitment to eco-friendly practices, the Indian Railways' electrification drive has transformed 61,508 Route Kilometers into an electrified network by December 2023.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Mansukh Mandaviya today said that India aims to extend medical facilities to the world through the 'Heal in India, Heal by India' initiative. Speaking at the inauguration of new health facilities in central government hospitals in New Delhi, Dr. Mandaviya said that India's medical and healthcare services extend beyond borders and are grounded in the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Dr. Mandaviya said that through schemes like Ayushman Bharat, massive strides are being made to foster equality in healthcare services. Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the accident and emergency ward in Lady Hardinage Medical college. He inaugurated a sports injury center at Safdarjung Hospital via video conferencing. New hostel blocks and an academic block was also inaugurated by Dr. Mandaviya at Rajkumari Amrit Kaur College of Nursing and Ram Manohar Lohia hospital in New Delhi.

Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying Shri Parshottam Rupala interacted with fishermen, and fisherwomen to understand their issues and grievances at Paradip Fishing Harbour, Jagatsinghpur District, Odisha today during Sagar Parikrama Yatra Phase XI. During the event, beneficiaries were felicitated with KCC, Certificates/Sanction Orders and brackish water pond subsidies. Cheques were also distributed to GAIS beneficiaries.

Alongside, Shri Parshottam Rupala inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for the project to modernize and upgrade the Paradip Fishing Harbour in Paradip, Odisha.

Taking forward, Sagar Parikrama Yatra reached Kharinasi Fish Landing Center, Kendrapada District of Odisha and witnessed the collaborative efforts of fishermen, fish farmers and representatives from the fishing community. Shri Rupala recognized the critical role of fish farmers in meeting the growing demand and the invaluable contributions of our fishermen and fish farmers who tirelessly work to provide us with a vital source of food and sustenance.

Ministry of Panchayati Raj is set to make its debut at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Trade Show 2024, organized by the Industrial Exhibition Bureau (iNDEXb), Government of Gujarat. The ministry's stall is poised to exhibit a range of pioneering initiatives under the banner of 'Smart Panchayat.'

A highlight of the showcase is the flagship scheme, SVAMITVA, which aims to transform rural landscapes. The stall will feature the innovative 'Smart Panchayat Bhawan,' emphasizing the integration of cutting-edge technology to enhance governance at the grassroots level.

Among the key themes, the promotion of eco-friendly energy, particularly solar energy, in Panchayat Bhawans underscores the commitment to sustainable development. The initiative extends to the co-location of Common Service Centres (CSCs) within Gram Panchayat Bhawans, fostering convenience and accessibility.

In a landmark development, Union Minister for Women and Child Development and Minority Affairs, Smriti Zubin Irani, accompanied by V. Muraleedharan, Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs, embarked on a historic visit to Madinah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This unprecedented visit marks the first time a non-Muslim delegation has been welcomed to Madinah, underscoring the exceptional nature of India-Saudi Arabia bilateral relations.

The visit is part of an ongoing diplomatic mission, during which a crucial milestone was reached on January 7, 2024, with the signing of the bilateral Haj agreement for Haj 2024 between India and KSA. The delegation, comprising senior officials from the Ministry of Minority Affairs and Ministry of External Affairs, is aimed to strengthen ties and gain valuable insights into the arrangements required for the upcoming Haj pilgrimage.