NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. In
a first in India, Goa to give free IVF treatment in govt hospital: Goa has become the first Indian state to offer free in vitro
fertilization (IVF) treatment. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant inaugurated
the Assisted reproductive technology (ART) and intrauterine insemination (IUI),
at the Goa Medical College (GMC) in Bambolim. About IVF It’s one of the more
widely known types of ART IVF works by using a combination of medicines and
surgical procedures to help sperm fertilize an egg and help the fertilized egg
implant in your uterus.
2. G20
Film Festival begins in New Delhi: Veteran actor Victor
Banerjee and Amitabh Kant (India's G20 Sherpa) have inaugurated the G20 Film
Festival in New Delhi. Aims: To celebrate and showcase a vibrant and
collaborative partnership existing amongst the G20 and invited countries in the
field of cinema. It is organized by the India International Centre and
the G20 Secretariat of the Ministry of External Affairs. The event will
continue till 2nd September.
3. G20
Digital Economy Working Group meetings to begin in Bengaluru: The G20 4th Digital Economy Working Group and Digital Economy
Ministerial meetings will be held in Bengaluru from August 16th to 19th. Aim:
To discuss the various issues relating to digital information, service delivery
to citizens and the growth of the digital economy There would be the Digital
Innovation Alliance summit on August 17 and 18th to recognize and support
innovators from various G20 member countries and Guest countries.
4. Govt
launched Vishwakarma Yojana for skilled traditional craftsmen: The government would launch a special scheme for traditional craftsmen
and workers during Vishwakarma Jayanti on September 17. Objective: To benefit
individuals skilled in traditional craftsmanship, particularly from the OBC
community. Weavers, goldsmiths, blacksmiths, laundry workers, barbers, and
their families will be empowered through the Vishwakarma Yojana The PM showcase
the importance of capitalising on the demographic dividend and preparing a
skilled workforce
5. Ministry
of Youth Affairs & Sports is organizing Y20 Summit in Varanasi: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is organizing Youth 20 Summit-2023
from 17th August to 20th August in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The themes
include Future of Work: Industry 4.0, Innovation and 21st Century Skills,
Peacebuilding and Reconciliation: Ushering in an Era of No War, and Climate
Change and Disaster Risk Reduction. The Y20 Summit will bring together youth
experts, decision-makers, and youth representatives from G20 countries.
6. Parsi
New Year 2023: 16th August: The Parsi New Year is observed on August 16,
2023. This day marks the beginning of the Zoroastrian calendar. The Parsi
New Year, also known as the festival of Navroz or Nowruz, falls between July
and August in India. Derived from the Persian words 'Nav' and 'Roz' which
literally translates to 'new day', the tradition of celebrating Parsi New Year
is believed to have been observed by Iranians and Zoroastrians for the past
3,000 years.
7. Amrit
Udyan reopened for public from 16th August 2023: Amrit
Udyan, formerly known as the Mughal Gardens has been open to the public
starting from today for a period of one month (until September 17). This will
be the second edition of Udyan Utsav that aims to display the vibrant summer
annual blossoms to visitors. In a first instance, these iconic gardens at
Rashtrapati Bhavan are being accessible twice within a single year. Visitors
can visit the gardens from 10 am to 5 pm (last entry at 4 pm).
8. NHA
and IRDAI collaborate to boost digital health integration in insurance: The National Health Authority (NHA) and IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and
Development Authority of India) jointly organized an exclusive three-day
Accelerator Workshop Aim: To help insurance companies complete their
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) integration and to facilitate adoption
of Health Claims Exchange (HCX) specifications IRDAI also issued a circular
advising the insurers and providers get on-boarded to the National Health
Claims Exchange (NHCX).
9. Goa to give free IVF treatment in govt hospital: Goa has become the first Indian state to offer free
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment. The inauguration of this service,
alongside assisted reproductive technology (ART) and intrauterine insemination
(IUI), was done by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant at the Goa Medical College
(GMC) in Bambolim. Depending on the hospital and the kind of IVF treatment, the
cost of IVF in India comes between Rs 70,000 to Rs 3 lakh per cycle. The
service is already receiving a good response, with approximately 100 parents
registering with GMC to access the IVF facility located within its
super-specialty block.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. 1st
crude oil transaction in local currency undertaken between India-UAE: The first-ever crude oil transaction under the newly implemented Local
Currency Settlement (LCS) system took place between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
and Indian Oil Corporation Limited. Both Indian Rupees and UAE Dirhams were
used for the transaction, India and UAE have a strong oil and gas
relationship and the UAE is a key partner for India's energy security. UAE
is the fourth largest source of crude oil and the second largest source of LNG
and LPG for India.
2. PayPal
names Intuit's Alex Chriss as its new CEO:
PayPal appointed Alex Chriss as CEO, replaced its longest-serving chief
executive officer Dan Schulman in August 2023. He currently serves as the
Executive Vice President and General Manager of Intuit's Small Business and
Self-Employed Group, The change of guard marks a watershed moment for
digital payments giant PayPal, which has been looking to push deeper into the
cryptocurrency payments space with the launch of a U.S. dollar stablecoin last
week.
3. Infosys bags $1.6 billion deal with telecom firm
Liberty Global: Indian IT services
company, Infosys has bagged a €€1.5 billion ($1.64 billion)
deal from Liberty Global to build and scale the entertainment
and connectivity platforms of the digital communications firm. The agreement
has an initial tenure of five years which can be extended to eight years, which
would take the deal value to €€2.3 billion ($2.5 billion). This is the third
big agreement, which Infosys has clinched this year and comes at a time when
the company has cut its revenue guidance for the current fiscal amidst tough
macroeconomic conditions. Infosys’ deal follows, HCL Tech, which last week a
bagged a $2.1- billion contract from Verizon. Three months back, Tata
Consultancy Services (TCS)-led consortium also received an order of Rs 15,000
crore ($1.8 billion) from BSNL, for the deployment of a 4G network across
India. Last month, even L&T Technology Services announced that it has won
$50 million deal in the same vertical.
4. Anwarul Haq Kakar sworn in as Pakistan’s Caretaker
Prime Minister: Anwarul Haq Kakar was sworn in as Pakistan’s caretaker prime
minister to head a neutral political set-up to run the cash-strapped
country and conduct the next general elections. President Arif Alvi
administered the oath to 52-year-old Kakar at a simple ceremony held at the
President House, attended by outgoing prime minister Shehbaz Sharif and several
top leaders. He became the 8th interim prime minister of Pakistan. Kakar
formally resigned from the Senate and the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP),
solidifying his commitment to the neutrality demanded by his current position.
5. 16 August- Bennington Battle Day: Bennington Battle Day is observed
annually on August 16, and stands as a revered state holiday in
Vermont. This commemorative day honors the valor and determination displayed by
American and Vermont forces during the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Bennington
in 1777. The Battle of Bennington held substantial significance, marking a
turning point in the Revolutionary War. This pivotal encounter proved
instrumental in securing Vermont for the American cause and lifting spirits
dampened by a series of British successes. Furthermore, the battle’s outcome
resulted in the capture of vital supplies crucially needed by the British. The
origins of Bennington Battle Day can be traced back to 1778 when the Vermont
General Assembly passed a resolution to memorialize the valorous events of the
battle. The inaugural formal celebration of Bennington Battle Day took place in
1780.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. England pacer Steven Finn announces retirement from
all forms of Cricket: England fast bowler Steven Finn has
announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. He suffered a knee
injury that kept him out of action for most of 2023 and led to him calling time
on his 18-year career. Finn played 36 Tests, 69 ODIs and 21 T20Is after making
his international debut in 2010 against Bangladesh. He showed his wares early
in his career, returning 14 wickets in England’s win in the men’s Ashes of
2010-11. He also picked up 12 wickets – the second-most for England – in the
2015 Ashes that they won. Overall, he finished with 125 wickets in Tests, 102
in ODIs and 27 in T20Is.
2. Woakes named ICC Men’s Player of the Month for July
2023: England all-rounder Chris
Woakes was named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for July 2023. The
Englishman beat compatriot Zak Crawley and Netherlands’ Bas de Leede to claim
the honour. He bagged the Player-of-the-Match at the Oval and was also named
the Player-of-the-Series for his 19 wickets in three matches at an average of
18.15.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. RBI imposes monetary penalty on four co-operative
banks for violating rules: The Reserve
Bank has imposed monetary penalties on four co-operative
banks for deficiencies in regulatory compliance. These banks are — Baroda
Gujarat Gramin Bank, Vadodara, The Aska Co-operative Central Bank Ltd., Bally
Cooperative Bank Ltd., Howrah and The Nabapalli Co-operative Bank Ltd., West
Bengal. RBI imposed a penalty of Rs 2.50 lakh on Nabapalli Co-operative Bank,
West Bengal and Rs 1 lakh on Bally Co-operative Bank, West Bengal. The penalty
on Aska Cooperative Bank, Aska (Odisha) was Rs 50,000 and on Baroda Gujarat
Gramin Bank, Vadodara (Gujarat) was Rs 5 lakh. The central bank said that the
penalties were due to deficiencies in regulatory compliance by the banks.
2. India to become 3rd largest economy by 2027: SBI chief
economist: The Group Chief
Economic Advisor at the State Bank of India (SBI), Soumya Kanti Ghoshon has
reiterated that India is likely to become the third-largest economy by
2027. Indian economy is currently ranked fifth and is behind the US, China,
Japan, and Germany. In 2014, India was the 10th largest economy. In 2022, India
became the fifth-largest economy overtaking the UK. And most likely in the next
couple of years, by 2027, India will become the third largest economy, just
after US and China. India to become a developed country by 2047. And that is
actually a true reflection of unity in diversity. And that is possibly the best
gift that India could get in its hundred years of independence.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. 954 Police personnel awarded Police Medals on
Independence Day: A total of 954 Police personnel has
been awarded Police Medals on the occasion of Independence Day. The
President’s Police Medal for Gallantry has been awarded to CRPF personnel and
the Police Medal for Gallantry has been awarded to 229 personnel. President’s
Police Medal for Distinguished Service has been awarded to 82 and the Police
Medal for Meritorious Service to 642 personnel. 125 personnel from Left Wing
Extremism affected areas, 71 personnel from Jammu and Kashmir region and 11
personnel from North East region are being awarded for their gallant action. Among
the majority of the 230 Gallantry Awards, 125 personnel from Left Wing
Extremism affected areas, 71 personnel from Jammu & Kashmir region and 11
personnel from North East region are being awarded for their gallant action. Among
the personnel receiving Gallantry Awards, 28 are from CRPF, 33 are from
Maharashtra, 55 are from J&K Police, 24 are from Chhattisgarh, 22 are from
Telangana and 18 are from Andhra Pradesh the remaining from the other
States/UTs and CAPFs.
2. 53 personnel awarded Fire Service Medals on
Independence Day 2023: A total of 53 personnel has been awarded Fire Service
Medals on the occasion of Independence Day 2023. Out of these,
President’s Fire Service Medal for Gallantry is awarded to 03 personnel and
Fire Service Medal for Gallantry is awarded to 01 personnel for their
respective acts of valour and gallantry. President’s Fire Service Medal for
Distinguished Service is awarded to 8 personnel and Fire Service Medal for
Meritorious Service is awarded to 41 personnel for their respective
distinguished and meritorious records of services. In addition, 48
personnel/volunteers are also awarded Home Guards & Civil Defence Medals on
the occasion of Independence Day, 2023.
3. Ashleigh Gardner becomes 1st Australian to win
consecutive ICC awards: Ashleigh Gardner of Australia has achieved a historic feat
by becoming the first Australian cricketer to secure the ICC Player of the
Month Award in back-to-back months. Ashleigh Gardner has become the
first-ever Australian cricketer to win the ICC Player of the Month award in
consecutive months. For her outstanding performances in the month of July,
Gardner emerged victorious in the ICC POTM award. This victory marks the fourth
occasion that she has clinched this prestigious monthly accolade, surpassing
fellow all-rounders Ellyse Perry and Nat Sciver-Brunt in the race for the
title. Gardner played a pivotal role in both batting and bowling during the T20I
leg of the Ashes series. Although she went without any wickets in the first and
last matches, she contributed with the bat, scoring 31 and 32 runs. In the
second T20I, she showcased her bowling prowess by capturing two wickets. This
marked the fourth time Gardner has won the coveted monthly award.
OBITUARIES
1. Renowned author Hari Narke passes away in Mumbai: Renowned author and vice-president of Samata Parishad, Hari Narke passed away at the age of 70 in Mumbai. Narke was the professor of Mahatma Phule chair at Savitribai Phule Pune University and a former member of the Maharashtra Backward Class Commission. He was also a member of the Rangnath Pathare committee which was formed to collect evidence to prove Marathi as a classical language.
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