TODAY NEWS HIGHLIGHT
➤ December 2025 ICC Player of the Month Awards: Laura Wolvaardt named Women's Player of the Month, Mitchell Starc wins men's honour
➤ MS Dhoni becomes the Goodwill Ambassador of Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026
➤ India Electricity Summit 2026 to be held in March
➤ WEF Global Risks Report 2026
➤ The world's largest green ammonia project will be set up in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh
➤ India Post delivers first ONDC order, ushers in the era of digital logistics
➤ US suspends immigrant visa process for these 75 countries
➤ Kokborok Day
1. December 2025 ICC Player of the Month Awards: Laura Wolvaardt named Women's Player, Mitchell Starc wins Men's award
Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc and South African captain Laura Wolvaardt have been named the ICC Men's and Women's Player of the Month respectively for December 2025, in recognition of their exceptional performances in international cricket. Starc played a crucial role in Australia's historic 4-1 Ashes series victory in 2025, setting the tone for the series with a 10-wicket haul in the Perth Test.
2. MS Dhoni becomes Goodwill Ambassador for Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026
The Pune Grand Tour 2026 is a landmark achievement for India in the field of international cycling, marking the country's first inclusion in the global professional road cycling calendar. The appointment of MS Dhoni as the Goodwill Ambassador for this event has given it significant recognition both nationally and internationally.
3. ‘Bharat Electricity Summit 2026’ to be held in March
India is hosting the India Electricity Summit 2026 as a significant initiative to strengthen its global leadership role in the energy sector. The summit will be held from March 19 to 22, 2026, in Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, as announced by Union Power Minister Manoj Lal. It will be a global conference-cum-exhibition that will bring together all key aspects of the power and energy sector, such as generation, transmission, distribution, energy storage, and smart consumption, on a common platform.
4. WEF Global Risks Report 2026
The Global Risks Report 2026 (21st edition), published by the World Economic Forum, presents a grim and volatile picture of the global order for the coming decade. According to the report, the world has entered an "era of competition," where conflicts are intensifying in the fields of geopolitics, economy, technology, and information.
5. World's Largest Green Ammonia Project to be Set Up in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh
India's clean energy transition has received a major boost as AM Green is setting up the world's largest green ammonia project in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. The project involves a proposed investment of approximately $10 billion and aims to make India a global exporter of green ammonia.
6. India Post Delivers First ONDC Order, Steps into Digital Logistics Era
India's postal network has achieved a significant milestone in the digital age, with India Post successfully delivering its first online order booked through the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). This delivery was successfully completed on January 15, 2026, by India Post, marking its formal entry into the e-commerce logistics sector as a logistics service provider.
7. US Suspends Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries
The United States, in a major and controversial shift in its immigration policy, has indefinitely suspended the immigrant visa process for citizens of 75 countries. This decision, effective January 21, 2026, is being seen as part of the “America First” policy of the Donald Trump administration.
8. Kokborok Day
Kokborok Day is celebrated annually on January 19th and commemorates the historical struggle for the preservation, promotion, and official recognition of Kokborok, the principal tribal language of Tripura. The day is observed to mark a significant decision made on January 19, 1979, towards granting official recognition to the Kokborok language in Tripura.
QUIZ WITH EXPLANATIONS
1. Who was chosen as the ICC Men's Player of the Month for December 2025?
A - Pat Cummins
B - Mitchell Starc
C - Joe Root
D - James Anderson
Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc was named the ICC Men's Player of the Month for December 2025 in recognition of his exceptional performances in international cricket. He played a crucial role in Australia's historic 4-1 Ashes series victory in 2025, setting the tone for the series with a 10-wicket haul in the Perth Test.
2. Pune Grand Tour 2026 is related to which sport?
A - Athletics
B - Marathon
C - Road Cycling
D - Motor Sports
The Pune Grand Tour 2026 is a landmark initiative for India in the field of international cycling, marking the country's first inclusion in the global professional road cycling calendar. The appointment of MS Dhoni as the Goodwill Ambassador for this event has given it significant national and international recognition.
3. Where will the India Power Summit 2026 be held?
A - Pragati Maidan, New Delhi
B - Yashobhoomi, New Delhi
C - Gandhinagar, Gujarat
D - Mumbai
The India Power Summit 2026 is a significant initiative aimed at strengthening India's global leadership in the energy sector. It will be held from March 19 to 22, 2026, at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi.
4. Which organization published the Global Risks Report 2026?
A - IMF
B - World Bank
C - World Economic Forum
D - United Nations
The World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report 2026 indicates that the world is rapidly entering an "era of competition," where conflicts related to geopolitics, economics, technology, and information are escalating.
5. In which Indian city is the world's largest green ammonia project being established?
A - Visakhapatnam
B - Kakinada
C - Tuticorin
D - Paradip
The world's largest green ammonia project, being established by AM Green in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, has given a major boost to India's clean energy transition. With an investment of approximately $10 billion, this project will play a significant role in making India a global exporter of green ammonia.
6. Which organization delivered the first online order through ONDC?
A - Flipkart
B - Amazon India
C - India Post
D - CSC e-Governance
India Post successfully delivered its first online order booked through the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), marking its formal entry into the e-commerce logistics sector.
7. For how many countries' citizens has the US suspended the immigrant visa process?
A - 50
B - 60
C - 75
D - 100
The United States has indefinitely suspended the immigrant visa process for citizens of 75 countries, effective January 21, 2026.
8. The Kokborok language is primarily associated with which state?
A - Mizoram
B - Assam
C - Tripura
D - Manipur
Kokborok is the principal tribal language of Tripura and was officially recognized on January 19, 1979.
ONE LINER
Who was chosen as the ICC Men's Player of the Month for December 2025? - Mitchell Starc
According to the WEF Global Risks Report 2026, what era has the world entered? - The Age of Competition
Who received the ICC Women's Player of the Month award in December 2025? - Laura Wolvaardt
The US has suspended the immigrant visa process indefinitely for citizens of how many countries? - 75 countries
The Kokborok language is primarily associated with which state of India? - Tripura
Who is the Goodwill Ambassador for India's first UCI-recognized professional road cycling race, the "Pune Grand Tour 2026"? - M.S. Dhoni
Which government institution became the first to deliver an online order through ONDC? - India Post
Where will the India Electricity Summit 2026 be held? - Yashobhoomi, New Delhi
On which date is Kokborok Day celebrated annually? - January 19
In which Indian city is the world's largest green ammonia project being established? - Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh