Glasgow-born artist of Indian heritage Jasleen Kaur won Britain’s prestigious Turner Prize 2024 on December 3, 2024, for her solo exhibition 'Alter Altar' at Tate Britain. Inspired by her life in Scotland’s Sikh community, her work includes animated sculptures with immersive sound and music, earning her a £25,000 (?26.84 lakh) prize, awarded in London. Read More

On October 28, 2024, Israel's Knesset passed two laws banning UNRWA operations in Israel and East Jerusalem, prohibiting contact between its employees and Israeli officials. This impacts humanitarian relief in Gaza and the West Bank. Established in 1949, UNRWA aids Palestinian refugees across multiple regions. The ban, citing alleged Hamas ties and incitement, ends UNRWA's tax exemptions and could affect Palestinian rights. Read More

On November 27, 2024, Israel, led by PM Benjamin Netanyahu, agreed to a ceasefire with Hezbollah to focus on Iran, isolate Hamas by excluding Hezbollah, and resupply its two-front war forces. Based on UNSC Resolution 1701, it mandates troop withdrawals north of the Litani River, with USA and France monitoring. Lebanon rejected Israel’s claim to strike if terms are breached. Read More

INS Nirdeshak, the second Survey Vessel (Large), was commissioned into the Indian Navy on December 18, 2024, in Visakhapatnam. It enhances maritime security, environmental studies, and peacekeeping in the Indian Ocean Region. Built with over 80% indigenous content, the ship features advanced hydrographic systems for precise deep-sea mapping, supporting navigation, HADR missions, and the SAGAR initiative. Read More

Indian oceanographers discovered an active hydrothermal vent 4,500 metres below the Southern Indian Ocean’s surface as part of the Deep Ocean Mission. The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa, and the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, conducted high-resolution imaging of sulphide fields at the Central and Southwest Indian Ridges, highlighting potential mineral resources and chemosynthetic microbes. Read More

India ranks 49th in the 2024 Network Readiness Index (NRI), up from 60th in 2023, with a score of 53.63, reflecting enhanced technological, governance, and infrastructural capabilities. It leads in AI publications and talent, ranks second in FTTH and mobile broadband, third in domestic market scale, and fourth in telecom investment, showcasing its growing dominance in AI and telecommunications. Read More

General Upendra Dwivedi launched the Eklavya online training platform for Indian Army officers, aligning with the 2024 "Year of Technology Absorption" theme. Developed under Headquarters Army Training Command with Army War College support, it offers 96 courses, a searchable Knowledge Highway, and three course categories, enhancing professional military education and supporting the Army’s Decade of Transformation. Read More

India’s National Action Plan for Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE), launched in March 2024, aims to halve snakebite deaths by 2030 through better anti-snake venom availability, capacity building, and public education. Current antivenoms, sourced from the Irula tribe, show poor efficacy. The plan emphasizes developing artificial antibodies and declaring snakebites a notifiable disease to improve surveillance and clinical management. Read More

The Central Water Commission’s 2024 report evaluates India’s water resources, estimating annual water availability at 2,115.95 BCM, higher than the 2019 estimate. It includes Bhutan and Nepal’s contributions. The report highlights per capita water stress and outlines government initiatives like Jal Jeevan Mission and Atal Bhujal Yojana to improve availability. Key river basins and water scarcity levels are identified for sustainable planning. Read More

On November 28, 2024, India and the UK signed a framework pact in Portsmouth to develop electric propulsion systems for Indian Navy warships. The deal fosters joint design and production tailored to future naval needs, focusing on integrating full electric systems into Landing Platform Docks (LPDs) at Indian shipyards. It aims to reduce environmental impact and enhance naval capabilities. Read More