President appointed new governors for five states

• Ajay Kumar Bhalla has been appointed as the next governor of Manipur, following the resignation of Anusuiya Uikey on December 24, 2024.
• Arif Mohammed Khan was transferred from Kerala to Bihar due to a public disagreement with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
• Odisha's governor, Hari Babu Kambhampati, has been transferred from Mizoram to Odisha to address its leadership issues.
• Retired military commander General Vijay Kumar Singh appointment as the new governor of Mizoram.
• Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, the previous governor of Bihar, has been sent to Kerala to restructure governing strategies.
• The government's proactive approach to addressing regional concerns and ongoing governance challenges is evident in the reshuffle impacting five states.
• The leadership changes in Manipur and Kerala are a proactive strategy aimed at stabilizing governance and resolving political issues.

Maia Sandu started her second term as the President of Moldova

• Maia Sandu, who won a runoff election in 2020, was re-elected in November and began her second term as president of Moldova on December 24 2024.
• Maia Sandu plans to boost Moldova's development by enhancing national security, promoting economic growth, and enhancing European integration.
• Maia Sandu's agenda aims to strengthen Moldova's European Union relations by increasing collaboration with EU member states.
• Moldova is prioritizing national security through plans to enhance defence capabilities and establish international security alliances.
• Maia Sandu aims to attract investment and entrepreneurship by creating a favourable business environment.
• Maia Sandu encourages residents to actively participate in the country's development goals, emphasizing the importance of teamwork.

Aisake Valu Eke appointed as new Prime Minister of Tonga

• Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni resigned on December 9, 2023, and Aisake Valu Eke has been named Tonga’s new prime minister on December 24, 2024.
• In 2010, Eke won 24.1% of the vote as an independent candidate for the Tongatapu 5 seat, earning him his first seat in Tongan Parliament.
• From 2014 to 2017, Eke held the position of Minister of Finance, showcasing his proficiency in economic issues.
• In 2013, Eke received a PhD in Tonga's public sector service quality from the University of Southern Queensland.
• He was the Secretary in the Ministry of Finance before entering the legislative system.
• Eke argued that the government should save public money during economic downturns and opposed a 2011 parliamentary vote.
• Given that Tonga's next election is set for November 2025, Eke's term as prime minister is anticipated to be short, lasting less than a year.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India introduced new telecom regulations

• TRAI has adopted the Telecommunication Tariff (70th Amendment) Order, 2024, and the Telecom Consumers Protection (12th Amendment) Regulations, 2024.
• TRAI introduced new telecom regulations to improve consumer protection and guarantee fair practices in the telecom industry.
• A consultation document on the Telecom Consumer Protection Regulations of 2012 was published on July 26, 2024.
• By introducing Special Tariff Vouchers (STVs) only for voice and SMS services, revisions provide alternatives that are advantageous to rural and older users.
• To give customers more flexibility, validity term for STVs and Combo Vouchers (CVs) has been increased from 90 days to 365 days.
• In response to the increased popularity of internet recharges, the requirement that physical vouchers be color coded has been lifted.
• Definitions of STVs and CVs have been revised so to provide clarity for both service providers and users.

Bihar to host Women's Kabaddi World Cup 2025

• Bihar will host the Women's Kabaddi World Cup 2025 for the second time in March, following its first tournament in 2012.
• The Rajgir Sports Academy, which has a cutting-edge indoor stadium with 5000 seats will host the matches.
• Teams from Europe, Africa, and South America, such as Poland and Argentina, will compete in the event alongside 14 other countries.
• The 2025 Women's Kabaddi World Cup aims to continue the tradition of promoting the sport in Bihar, following the success of the first event in 2012.
• The World Cup's hosting is expected to boost regional athletes, promote kabaddi, attract global attention, and increase funding for Bihar's sports facilities.
• Rajgir Sports Academy's facilities are designed to cater to international competitions, providing athletes and spectators with a superior experience.

V. Ramasubramanian (Appointment)

• President Droupadi Murmu has named retired Supreme Court Justice V. Ramasubramanian as the next chairman of NHRC.
• Prior to joining the NHRC she served in Supreme Court from September 23, 2019, until June 29, 2023.
• NHRC safeguard and advance human rights in India, investigate allegations of abuses, and advise the government to maintain accountability.
• Justice Arun Kumar Mishra, former head of the NHRC retired and in the meantime, Vijaya Bharathi Sayani was the acting chairwoman on June 1, 2023.
• In addition to Justice Ramasubramanian, Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi (Retd.) and Priyank Kanoongo have joined the NHRC as new members.
• The new hires are intended to improve the NHRC's ability to successfully handle human rights concerns.
• The NHRC is anticipated to be guided by Justice Ramasubramanian's judicial background to ensure justice and accountability.

Wall Street Journal named Madhya Pradesh as a global destination for 2025

• The Wall Street Journal has highlighted Madhya Pradesh's heritage, wildlife, and landscapes in its list of the Go-To Global Destinations for 2025.
• The state is home to many well-known UNESCO monuments, including the ancient city of Mandu and the Khajuraho Temples.
• Madhya Pradesh is home to renowned tiger reserves, like as Panna National Park and Bandhavgarh National Park.
• The state is home to a variety of landscapes for adventurers and nature lovers, such as the Dhuandhar Waterfall and the Pachmarhi Hills.
• By enhancing accessibility for visitors Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board aggressively promotes the state.
• Tourists is enhanced by cultural events like dance and music performances as well as traditional thalis and distinctive local cuisines.
• The state is prioritizing marketing strategies and infrastructure development to boost tourism, driven by the recognition of the Wall Street Journal.

Maharashtra launched Solar Agriculture Feeder Project 2.0

• Maharashtra’s CM Devendra Fadnavis launched ‘Solar Agriculture Frrder Project 2.0’  on December 24, 2024, to enhance agricultural energy through reliable solar electricity.
• The project's main goal is to give farmers steady access to solar energy throughout the day to increase agricultural output.
• The project will be implemented in stages, with the initial installations in areas requiring energy support currently underway.
• Farmers will benefit significantly from the solar energy produced, thereby reducing their energy costs and boosting agricultural productivity.
• The project aims to initiate a second green revolution in Maharashtra, promoting the state's renewable energy goals.
• The project enhances Maharashtra's green energy usage and aligns with the state's commitment to sustainable agriculture.
• The Solar Agriculture Feeder Project 2.0 is part of a larger plan to modernize Maharashtra's agricultural sector.

Centre allocated ₹2044 Crore for rural local bodies in Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh

• Union Government has allocated funds for rural local bodies in Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh for the fiscal year 2024-2025 declared on December 24, 2024.
• The aim is to improve local administration and public control, as listed in 29 topics in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution.
• Second untied funds, totalling ₹1598.80 crores, will be distributed to 57691 Gramme Panchayats, 826 Block Panchayats, and 75 District Panchayats.
• Andhra Pradesh grants are distributed to 13 District Panchayats, 650 Block Panchayats, and 13097 Gramme Panchayats, with ₹446.48 crores.
• The Ministry of Finance releases funds annually, following recommendations from Panchayati Raj and Jal Shakti, to ensure timely financial support.
• Untied grants, in addition to salaries and administrative expenses, enable Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) to address local needs.