INTERNATIONAL NEWS
John Mahama became President of Ghana for the third time.
• John Mahama has been re-elected as Ghana's president for a third term.
• He won the election by promising to address the nation’s economic crisis, corruption, and unemployment.
• Mahama previously served as Ghana’s president from July 2012 to January 2017.
• He will succeed Nana Akufo-Addo as the country’s new president.
• Mahama was first inaugurated as president in July 2012.
• The swearing-in ceremony was attended by key African leaders, including Paul Kagame, William Ruto, and Felix Tshisekedi.
• His focus will be on restoring and stabilizing Ghana's economy and macroeconomic environment.
• Mahama plans to emphasize good governance throughout his third term.
NATIONAL NEWS
Government is planning to launch a new credit guarantee scheme for MSMEs.
• Government plans to introduce a new credit guarantee scheme for MSMEs.
• The scheme will offer collateral-free loans up to Rs 100 crore to MSMEs.
• No third-party guarantees will be required for these loans.
• Term loans will be provided to MSMEs for purchasing machinery and equipment.
• The scheme aims to support MSMEs with self-financing guarantee funds.
• It is set to be presented for Union Cabinet approval.
• MSMEs are vital to India's economy, providing jobs to 50 million people.
• The contribution of MSMEs to India’s GDP has risen from 29.7% to 30.1% between 2017-23.
STATE NEWS
Flamingo Festival is set to begin on 18 January in Tirupati district.
• The Flamingo Festival will be held from January 18 to 20 in Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh.
• The festival returns after a five-year gap in the region.
• It will be hosted at five locations: Nelapattu, B.V. Palem, Atakanithippa, Sri City, and Sullurpeta.
• Over 200 bird species are expected to visit during the event.
• A three-day eco-friendly biodiversity session will take place at Sri City.
• Bird watching activities will be organized at Nelapattu and Atakanithippa.
• Infrastructure in the area has been upgraded under MGNREGA.
• The festival aims to promote local biodiversity and eco-tourism.
The Karnataka Forest Department launched the ‘Garudakshi’ online FIR system.
• The Karnataka Forest Department has introduced the ‘Garudakshi’ online FIR system.
• The system aims to combat forest encroachments, illegal tree-felling, and poaching.
• Developed with the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), it handles forest crime cases under relevant protection laws.
• Currently, it is being used in five forest divisions: Bangalore City, Bangalore Forest Patrol, Bhadravati, Sirsi, and Malai Mahadeshwar Wildlife Division.
• The system will be gradually expanded to cover all forest divisions.
• Garudakshi will aid in monitoring illegal activities, including tree felling.
• It tracks changes in forest cover to identify and address violations.
• The software serves as an advanced alert tool for forest crime management.
First battery energy storage system of India will start in Kilokri, south Delhi in March this year.
• India’s first commercial utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) will start in Kilokri, South Delhi in March.
• The system will feature a 20 MW/40 MWh cluster of batteries.
• It will provide power for up to four hours daily—two during the day and two at night.
• The BESS will be part of the BSES Rajdhani power sub-station in Kilokri.
• BSES Rajdhani, the largest power distributor in Delhi, is overseeing the project.
• The project is a joint venture between the Delhi government and the Reliance Group.
• Approved by the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission, the project will cost approximately ₹120 crore ($14 million).
• Funded by the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, the project is part of India’s goal to deploy 47 GW of BESS by 2032.
