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.

Shri Giriraj Singh, Union Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj will inaugurate the one-day National Workshop virtually on Role of Panchayati Raj Institutions in Addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) on 9thJanuary 2024 at New Delhi. The workshop is being organized by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in collaboration with UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) India.

The objective of the workshop is to discuss the role of Elected Representatives of PRIs in mitigating and addressing the issues related to GBV and spread awareness among the State Panchayati Raj Department, NIRD&PR, SIRD&PRs, Panchayati Raj Training Institutions and Panchayats. The workshop covers the sensitive issues like Child Marriage, Human Trafficking, Sexual Abuse, Domestic Violence etc. The Workshop aims to deepen understanding and enhance collective efforts in addressing gender-based violence (GBV). By covering key areas related to GBV, participants will gain insights into prevention strategies, support mechanisms, and the importance of fostering a culture of respect and equality.

In the midst of India's bold commitment to a green future comes the unveiling of the book 'Modi: Energising a Green Future'.

The book was officially launched today by Union Minister Bhupender Singh Yadav.

Published by Pentagon Press in association with the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation, 'Modi: Energising a Green Future' is a compendium of insights contributed by distinguished decision-makers and eminent experts from India and abroad.

The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its nod to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC).

The agreement, which was inked on November 1, 2023, in Port Louis, Mauritius, lays the groundwork for the joint development of a small satellite.

The MoU is set to establish a robust framework for cooperation, leveraging the MRIC’s Ground Station and involving the participation of Indian industries in the development of some of the satellite's subsystems. This partnership is expected to not only enhance industrial capabilities but also generate employment opportunities within India.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has placed the Aditya-L1 spacecraft in a halo orbit around the Lagrangian point (L1).

India’s maiden solar mission Aditya-L1 reached the L1 point on January 6, 127 days after it was launched on September 2, 2023.

After a 1.5-million km journey the spacecraft was placed in a halo orbit around L1 following a firing manoeuvre which was carried out by ISRO scientists and engineers at the ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) in Bengaluru.