Pakistan began its two-year tenure as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on January 1, 2025, with Ambassador Munir Akram saying that the Pakistani delegation will play an “active and constructive” role in addressing key challenges facing the world.

“Our presence will be felt in the Security Council,” Ambassador Akram, Pakistan’s top diplomat at the United Nations (UN), told state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency.

From Wednesday (January 1, 2025), Pakistan will sit in the Security Council for the 2025-26 term as a non-permanent member — the eighth time that the country has had a seat on the 15-member body’s horseshoe table.

In June, Pakistan was elected to the council with a massive majority as a non-permanent member, polling 182 votes in the 193-member General Assembly — far more than the required 124 votes representing a two-thirds majority.

Quick-commerce company Blinkit is launching a 10-minute ambulance service in Gurugram, with plans to expand the service to other cities in India in the next two years, announced Blinkit CEO Albinder Dhindsa on X on January 2.

Dhindsa said that the ambulances would have medical equipment such as oxygen cylinders, AEDs (Automated External Defibrillator), stretchers, monitors, suction machines, emergency medicines, and injections. The ambulance will come with a paramedic, an assistant, and a trained driver.

While the first five ambulances will immediately take to the roads of Gurugram, more users will be able to book a Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance through the Blinkit app.

N Space Tech, a defense and aerospace startup, has successfully launched and communicated with its first payload, SwetchaSAT-V0, aboard ISRO’s PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM-4) as part of the SPADEX Mission.

The SwetchaSAT-V0 payload is designed to test an indigenously developed ultra-high frequency (UHF) communication system, paving the way for faster and more reliable communication across various applications.

The hardware for this mission was entirely designed and manufactured by N Space Tech, reflecting the company's commitment to advancing homegrown space technology.

Dr. AK Dwivedi, a renowned senior homeopathic physician and a prominent figure in the medical community, recently presented his new book, Homeopathy for Anemia, to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav. The formal handover took place during an event in Indore, where Dr. Dwivedi shared insights from the book and discussed its potential impact on both patients and medical professionals.

Dr. Dwivedi, who holds key positions such as a member of the Executive Council at Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore, and the Board of Studies for Homeopathy under the Madhya Pradesh Medical Science University, as well as the Central Homeopathy Research Council under the Ministry of AYUSH, emphasised the book's focus on successfully treating aplastic anaemia—a severe condition often considered more critical than cancer—through homeopathy.

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav expressed admiration for Dr. Dwivedi’s contributions, acknowledging the book as a valuable resource for the healthcare community in understanding and managing life-threatening forms of anemia. He commended Dr. Dwivedi for his ongoing efforts to advance homeopathic treatments and urged him to continue his pioneering work.

The Indian Research Space Organisation (ISRO) is reportedly planning to launch an American communications satellite this year that will allow phone calls using direct connectivity from space.

This satellite will enable users to make calls directly from space using their smartphones.

“In February or March we will be launching a US satellite for mobile communication, this satellite will enable voice communication on mobile phones. It will be an interesting mission," an NDTV report quoted as saying Dr Jitendra Singh, the minister of science and technology.

The Delhi Government on Tuesday announced the official launch of the registration process for the 'Pujari Granthi Samman' scheme, aimed at financially supporting Gurudwara priests.

An announcement regarding the launch of the scheme was made by former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on Monday, December 30.

The scheme offers a monthly grant of Rs 18,000 to every temple and Gurudwara priest in Delhi.

"Today, the scheme was launched by Arvind Kejriwal at the Hanuman temple in Connaught Place. The registration process for the scheme also began today at Sant Sujan Singh ji Maharaj's Gurdwara," Delhi Chief Minister Atishi told reporters.

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today approved the continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme till 2025-26 with an overall outlay of Rs.69,515.71 Crore from 2021-22 to 2025-26. The decision will help in risk coverage of crops from non-preventable natural calamities for farmers across the country till 2025-26.

To enhance transparency and efficiency, the Cabinet also approved the creation of a ₹824.77 crore Fund for Innovation and Technology (FIAT). This fund will support technological initiatives like the Yield Estimation System using Technology (YES-TECH) and Weather Information and Network Data Systems (WINDS).

Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, will preside over a book release function on 2nd January 2025 in New Delhi as the Chief Guest. Union Minister for Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan will be the Guest of Honour. Eminent authors, academicians, officials of the Ministry and other dignitaries will also be present at the event

The book, titled ‘Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh: Through the Ages’ seeks to present the story of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh. The title attempts to document the story of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh from a perspective and format that enables an overview for both the subject specialist and those less conversant. It is presented in seven sections that cover over three thousand years of the region's history. Each illustration selected for inclusion has been done with care, being representative of an age, its importance and contribution to the larger historical canvas of Indian history. Published in Hindi and English, this book is the result of collaborative efforts of the National Book Trust, India, and the Indian Council of Historical Research.

Senior IPS officer Vitul Kumar will take charge as Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) after incumbent Anish Dayal Singh retires on Tuesday.

The competent authority has approved to assign the officiating charge for the post of DG, CRPF, to Vitul Kumar upon superannuation of Anish Dayal Singh, a 1988 batch Manipur cadre IPS officer, on December 31, 2024 till appointment of a regular incumbent or until further order, whichever is earlier, said an order issued by the Union Home Ministry.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, in presence of other political and cultural dignitaries including DMK MP Kanimozhi and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, unveiled India's first-ever glass bridge.

Located in Kanniyakumari, this major architectural marvel, connects two iconic landmarks, the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and the 133-foot Thiruvalluvar statue. The bridge, part of a Rs 37-crore initiative by the Tamil Nadu government, inaugurated on Monday evening, adds to the region’s tourism infrastructure, promising improved visual and travel experience for visitors.

The construction of the bridge was undertaken to enhance Kanniyakumari’s appeal as a premier tourist destination. The inauguration coincided with the silver jubilee of the Thiruvalluvar statue’s unveiling by former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.