Punjab’s New and Renewable Energy Sources Minister Aman Arora has said that 663 more solar water pumps for agricultural use will be installed within the next few months. Work on the installation of 2,356 solar pumps has already been on since last month. He said this will not only reduce fuel costs but also lead to zero carbon emissions, promoting more sustainable farming practices.

The Minister declared that a subsidy of 60% is available for general category farmers and 80% for Scheduled Caste (SC) farmers for installing solar pumps. In dark zones (over-exploited groundwater blocks), these pumps will be installed for farmers who already have microirrigation systems.

He has directed the Punjab Energy Development Authority (PEDA) officials to make all-out efforts to achieve the set target of installing 20,000 agricultural solar pumps in the State for the welfare of the farmers and the environment.

Microsoft chairman and CEO Satya Nadella said that the company will invest $3 billion in India in cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and skilling over the next two years, including the establishment of new data centers.

The company will also help train 10 million people over the next five years with AI skills in the country.

“India is rapidly becoming a leader in AI innovation, unlocking new opportunity across the country. The investments in infrastructure and skilling we are announcing today reaffirm our commitment to making India AI-first, and will help ensure people and organisations across the country benefit broadly,” Nadella, who is currently visiting India, said at the Bengaluru leg of Microsoft AI Tour.

The AFC Asian Cup 2027 will take place from January 7 to February 5 across three cities in Saudi Arabia—Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Khobar, the AFC announced on Tuesday.

In Riyadh, five stadiums will host the matches, including King Fahd Sports City Stadium, King Saud University Stadium, Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud University Stadium, Kingdom Arena, and Al Shabab Stadium. In Jeddah, King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadiums have been confirmed, while a state-of-the-art venue is set to be built in Al Khobar, completing the world-class infrastructure for the tournament.

Saudi Arabia was named the host nation for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in 2023, marking the first time the country will host the prestigious tournament.

India’s GDP growth is projected to slow sharply to 6.4% in FY25, down from 8.2% in FY24, according to the first advance estimates released by the National Statistics Office (NSO).

The slowdown in the first advance estimates highlights a more tempered pace of economic activity and indicates that the economy could grow at the slowest pace in four years.

"Real GDP has been estimated to grow by 6.4% in FY 2024-25 as compared to the growth rate of 8.2% in Provisional Estimate (PE) of GDP for FY 2023-24. Nominal GDP has witnessed a growth rate of 9.7% in FY 2024-25 over the growth rate of 9.6% in FY 2023-24," said the NSO data.

Realty firm Signature Global Ltd announced on Tuesday the appointment of Sanjeev Kumar Sharma as its chief financial officer (CFO).

"Pursuant to the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee and approval of the Audit Committee, Mr Sanjeev Kumar Sharma has been appointed as chief financial officer and key managerial personnel of the company wef 7th January, 2025," said the company in its stock filing.

Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, a Chartered Accountant since 1997, brings nearly 30 years of expertise in financial planning and analysis (FP&A), mergers and acquisitions (M&A), investor relations, financing, reporting, taxation, and strategic decision-making. He has extensive experience across diverse sectors, including real estate, asset management, oil and gas, manufacturing, and banking.

The dawn of 2025 has brought with it not only a New Year but also a new generational cohort — Generation Beta. In India, this shift was marked by the birth of the first recorded Generation Beta baby, Frankie Remruatdika Zadeng, born in Aizawl, Mizoram, at 12:03 am on January 1.

Weighing 3.12 kg, Frankie represents the start of an era that futurist Mark McCrindle predicts will be shaped by unprecedented technological integration and societal evolution.

Dr Vanlalkima, the attending gynaecologist, told PTI that the birth was ‘regular, with no complications.’

India’s 16-year-old squash prodigy Anahat Singh was the top seed at the year’s British Open Juniors in the U17 category. But she had to navigate a tough path before clinching her first title in that age-group, tackling three Egyptians, always the toughest bunch of squash players.

Twenty-two years after Joshna Chinappa made history for India claiming the British Juniors U17, Anahat matched her compatriot’s feat at the Birmingham University glass courts.

With squash slated to debut at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, Anahat’s third British Open title, having picked earlier ones in U11 and U15 categories, is shaping up into a fine career trajectory. It was also a memorable comeback after losing last year’s final.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation Monday in the face of rising discontent over his leadership and after the abrupt departure of his finance minister signalled growing turmoil within his government.

A misty-eyed Mr. Trudeau said it had become clear to him that he cannot “be the leader during the next elections due to internal battles.” He planned to stay on as prime minister until a new leader of the Liberal Party is chosen.

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to reporters, announcing he intends to step down as Liberal Party leader and Prime Minister, but he will stay on in his post until a replacement has been chosen, from his Rideau Cottage residence in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on January 6, 2025.

“I don’t easily back down faced with a fight, especially a very important one for our party and the country. But I do this job because the interests of Canadians and the well being of democracy is something that I hold dear,” he said at the announcement outside his official residence.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on 9th January every year since 2003 to mark the contribution of the Overseas Indian community in the development of India. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention features plenary sessions, an exhibition, and cultural programs and provides an opportunity to interact with other overseas Indians, policymakers, political leadership, and others. During the event, the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award is also given to individuals of exceptional merit to appreciate their role in India's growth.

Since 2015, its format has been revised to celebrate the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas once every two years and to hold theme-based Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conferences during the intervening period with participation from overseas diaspora experts, policy makers, and stakeholders. These conventions provide a platform to the overseas Indian community to engage with the government and people of the land of their ancestors for mutually beneficial activities. These conventions are also very useful in networking among the overseas Indian community residing in various parts of the world and enable them to share their experiences in various fields.

The Centre has cleared the appointment of judges in the High Courts of Delhi and Uttarakhand. In a social media post, Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said, President Droupadi Murmu has appointed advocates Ajay Digpaul and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar as judges of the Delhi High Court, and judicial officer Ashish Naithani as a judge of the Uttarakhand High Court.

In its meeting held on December 22, last year, the Supreme Court Collegium approved the proposal for the appointment of judicial officer Naithani as a judge of the Uttarakhand High Court. In August, the SC Collegium headed by then Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud recommended the elevation of advocates Ajay Digpaul, Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar, and Shwetasree Majumder as judges in the Delhi High Court.