Noted ecologist, academic and writer Madhav Gadgil is among the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)’s six ‘Champions of the Earth’ for the year 2024, a statement by the UN body declared on December 10, 2024.

Gadgil has spent decades protecting people and the planet through research and community engagement, the statement noted.

His work has greatly influenced public opinion and official policies on the protection of natural resources. This includes landmark environmental impact assessments of state and national policies to grassroots environmental engagement.

Cows have always been an integral part of the traditions of Gorakshapeeth, with the cowshed at Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur standing as a testament to this legacy. Known for its rich collection of native cow breeds, this cowshed exemplifies the Peeth’s commitment to cow protection.

As both, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and the Peethadheeshwar of Gorakshapeeth, Yogi Adityanath has prioritized cow protection and welfare. This includes initiatives such as rescuing stray cows, providing various incentives to cow herders, and ensuring regular vaccination, breed improvement, and productivity enhancement to maintain the health of these animals.

If these efforts toward cow protection and promotion persist, Uttar Pradesh is poised to lead the nation in cow milk production. Currently, this distinction belongs to Rajasthan, with Uttar Pradesh holding the second position.

The BMW Group and UNICEF today announced their partnership in India, aiming to transform the educational landscape for 100,000 children in four states with a focus on foundational learning and STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) skills from early years through adolescence. The partnership will provide access to quality STEM education to adolescent girls from Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas and Tribal Ashramshalas, belonging to the most marginalized groups in hard-to-reach rural areas in states of Assam, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

The partnership is part of a global long-term partnership between the BMW Group and UNICEF to reach more than 10 million children and young people each year through education and training, including learning in STEM subjects in five countries where BMW has large operations, including South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, and Thailand.

Madhya Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has said that an effort is being made to create a "Guinness World Record of Gita recitation" on the sacred occasion of Gita Jayanti in Madhya Pradesh, a land blessed with divine blessings of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna, according to an official release.

CM Yadav also highlighted that as part of the International Gita Mahotsav, a state-level event would be held at Lal Parade Ground in the state capital Bhopal on Wednesday.

"For the first time, over 5000 acharyas will collectively recite the third chapter of holy Gita 'Karma Yog', in unison, striving to achieve a place in the world records," CM Yadav said.

Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf and England batter Danni Wyatt-Hodge were named the ICC (International Cricket Council) Player of the Month for November on Wednesday, December 11. The duo was bestowed with the award for the first time in their respective careers.

Rauf had a phenomenal month as he starred in Pakistan’s first ODI series win in Australia since 2002. Rauf was adjudged Player of the series in Pakistan’s historic triumph scalping ten wickets from three matches at an average of 12 and an economy of 5.

The speedster picked up 3/67 in nine overs in the first ODI followed by a magnificent 5/29 in the second match, which also earned him the Player of the Match award in Pakistan’s nine-wicket win. Rauf further picked up 2/24 in seven overs in the third ODI, which earned him his second consecutive Player of the Match award as Pakistan took the ODI series by 2-1.

Malaysian doubles specialist Tan Kim Her has returned to India for a second stint of coaching, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) announced on Wednesday.

Known to be the brains behind the dynamic duo of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy during his first time, Tan will focus on developing strong doubles partnerships and improving the bench strength ahead of the 2026 Asian Games and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The Malaysian’s first stint in India was between 2015 and 2019. He has begun his second spell with the team, joining the players in Hyderabad.

“I am very happy to be back in India and get a chance to work with Satwik-Chirag and also the young and talented group of doubles players who have the potential to follow their path. I am looking forward to creating a bigger group of doubles combinations who can win tournaments at the world stage,” Tan said on his return to the Indian set-up.

India is set to finalise a landmark USD 4 billion defence agreement with Russia, aimed at acquiring an advanced long-range early warning radar system that will elevate the nation’s missile detection and air defence capabilities.

The radar, from Russia's renowned Voronezh series, is capable of identifying and tracking a range of threats, including ballistic missiles and aircraft, over distances of up to 8,000 kilometers. This level of coverage, previously accessible only to a few global superpowers, marks a big step forward in India's defence capabilities.

The acquisition is part of India’s ongoing efforts to modernise its air defence infrastructure in the face of regional and global security challenges. With its extensive detection range, the radar system will provide critical early warning of potential threats, extending India's surveillance capabilities well beyond its borders.

Reliance Industries is in talks with several banks to secure a $3 billion loan, reported news agency Bloomberg. The funds are intended to refinance debt that is due next year, as per sources mentioned in the report.

The Indian conglomerate led by billionaire Mukesh Ambani is engaging with about half a dozen banks to finalise the loan, which is expected to be syndicated to the broader market in the first quarter of 2025.

Discussions are ongoing, and the terms of the loan are yet to be confirmed. The final structure could change as negotiations progress, according to people cited in the report.

Syria's new interim leader announced on Tuesday he was taking charge of the country as caretaker prime minister with the backing of the former rebels who toppled President Bashar al-Assad three days ago.

In a brief address on state television, Mohammed al-Bashir, a figure little known across most of Syria who previously ran an administration in a pocket of the northwest controlled by rebels, said he would lead the interim authority until March 1.

"Today we held a cabinet meeting that included a team from the Salvation government that was working in Idlib and its vicinity, and the government of the ousted regime," he said.

Nilabhra Sengupta, IRSSE (1997 batch) has taken charge as Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) of Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) on deputation.

Sengupta completed his BE in Electronics & Telecommunications from Jadavpur University, Kolkata, in 1996 and joined the Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers two years later.

Before taking over as CVO of BEL, Sengupta served as Chief Signal and Telecom Engineer/Projects at Metro Railway, Kolkata. He was also in additional charge of Director (Rolling Stock and Systems) in Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation. He has served as ADRM Operations in Eastern Railway, Howrah division, and was on deputation to RITES and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation from 2014 to 2017.