PM Modi launched a campaign to commemorate 75th anniversary of India's Constitution

• Prime Minister Narendra modi launched a year long nationwide compaign to celebrate the Completion of 75 years of the Indian Constitution on December 29, 2024.
• Constitution75.com is a website that allows users to upload their videos and read the Preamble in various languages.
• India is set to host World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) for the first time, aiming to become a global content production hub.
• Erica Huber, a former engineer practicing Ayurveda in Paraguay, is known for promoting Indian traditional medicine.
• The Fijian government and India have initiated the first Tamil education program in eight decades, highlighting Tamil as one of the world's oldest languages.
• India experienced an 80% reduction in malaria infections and fatalities from 2015 to 2023, indicating the effectiveness of public health initiatives.

India-Australia Trade Agreement completed its two-year anniversary

• Commercial Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) between Australia and India celebrate its second anniversary on December 29, 2024.
• Trade post ECTA surged from $12 billion in 2020-21 to $26 billion in 2022-23, primarily due to a 14% rise in India-Australia exports.
• The ECTA's 79% export and 84% import utilization rates demonstrate its effective promotion of trade between the two nations.
• ECTA has led to sectoral growth in industries like agriculture, chemicals, and textiles, as well as the development of new export categories.
• Importing raw resources like wood, cotton, and ores enhances India's manufacturing capacity and supports various sectors.
• Ministry of Commerce and Industry has identified significant growth potential in engineering and electronics.
• The ECTA promotes innovation and cooperation across various industries, contributing to India's goal of becoming a developed country by 2047.

Plane crash in South Korea

• On December 29, 2024, a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 flight from Bangkok to Muan International Airport crashed during the landing phase.
• Out of the 181 passengers on board, 177 died in the disaster, with only 2 crew members surviving and 2 more missing.
• Over 700 people, including coast guard, police, and military personnel, are actively involved in rescue operations under South Korea's fire department's direction.
• South Korea's acting president, Choi Sang-mok, visited the disaster scene and instructed rescuers to utilize all available resources.
• Korea Airports Corporation has cancelled all flights to Muan International Airport to ensure safety and aid in rescue efforts.
• Witnesses reported a plane colliding with a wall and catching fire while attempting to land.

China's CR450 Bullet Train has set new speed records

• The CR450 bullet train will reach a regular service speed of 400 km/h, having achieved a testing speed of 450 km/h declared on December 29, 2024.
• CR450 uses 20% less energy, 12% lighter than its predecessor, and a 22% lower energy consumption.
• CR450 has a multi-level emergency braking system for enhanced passenger safety and over 4000 sensors for real-time monitoring of vital systems.
• The train's roomy cabin and cutting-edge noise-cancelling systems enhance the journey for travellers.
• Successful testing of lines like Jinan-Zhengzhou and Zhengzhou-Wanzhou indicates that CR450 will enhance China's over 46000-km high-speed rail network.
• CR450AF and CR450BF prototype models feature eight-car layouts and advanced water-cooled traction systems to reduce weight and noise.
• CR450 sets a new global benchmark for train efficiency and performance, outperforming previous CR400 Fuxing trains with a peak speed of 350 km/h.

King Cup International Badminton Open

• Lakshya Sen secured third place in the first-ever King Cup International Badminton Open on December 29, 2024, defeating French player Alex Lanier.
• Lakshya Sen got out to a fast start in the third-place match, taking a 6-1 lead early on then took advantage of Lanier's mistakes to win in consecutive games.
• Lakshya Sen lost in the semifinals to China's Hu Zhe'an, the world junior champion.
• Lakshya Sen maintained a 15-8 lead in the second game, thanks to a long shot from Lanier, securing the victory.
• Lakshya Sen was awarded a reward of approximately ₹36 lakh for his outstanding performance in the competition.
• Lakshya Sen's performance showcased his ability to compete intensely, solidifying his position as a promising future star in the badminton world.