NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. B20
Summit India 2023 begins in New Delhi:
The B20 Summit India 2023 has been started in New Delhi on
August 25th, 2023. The three-day Summit will be attended by Union Ministers
Nirmala Sitharaman, Dr. S Jaishankar, G20 India Sherpa Amitabh Kant, Trade
Ministers of various countries, and several business leaders. PM Narendra
Modi will attend the special session on the 27th of August as Chief
Guest. Theme of B20 India: R.A.I.S.E: Responsible, Accelerated,
Innovative, Sustainable, Equitable Businesses
2. NHPC,
APGENCO partner for Pumped Storage Hydropower Projects: NHPC Limited has signed an MoU with APGENCO for
the implementation of Pumped Hydro Storage Projects and Renewable Energy
Projects in Andhra Pradesh. The MoU envisages the implementation of two
identified Pumped Hydro Storage Projects with a total capacity of 1,950 MW. The
projects will be implemented under Joint Venture mode. The MoU seeks to harness
Pump Storage Projects as Energy Storage Solutions to achieve the national
objective of clean and green energy.
3. IWAI
signs MoU with NRL for export of Petroleum Cargo via NW 2 & IBPR: An MoU was signed between the Inland Waterways Authority of
India and Numaligarh Refinery Limited to use the National
Waterways-2 (Brahmaputra) and Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route. Reason: For
export of petroleum products to Bangladesh and other southeast Asian countries
in Guwahati Aim: To fulfill the ‘Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 for Northeast’ by
enabling inland waterways transportation via NW2 and IBPR, unveiling a new
chapter of EXIM trade for the Northeast region
4. A
book titled “The Life, Vision and Songs of Kabir” by Vipul Rikhi: The book titled 'Drunk on Love: The Life, Vision and Songs of
Kabir', was authored by writer-singer Vipul Rikhi. Published by:
HarperCollins India It presents the 15th-century poet, as he is described,
quoted, and loved in popular imagination. A new book captures the life of
mystic poet Kabir through popular legends, his vision, and his poetry which has
been quoted and translated extensively. It brings into one place stories from
Kabir’s life, his most famous songs.
5. Government
sets up high power committee to review DRDO:
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has set up a nine-member committee of
experts to overhaul the Defence Research and Development Organization
(DRDO). The committee headed by Prof K VijayRaghavan to review and
redefine the role of the department and submit a report within three months. Prof
Vijay Raghavan is a former Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of
India and one of the key architects of the National Research Foundation (NRF).
6. India
announces definition of Green Hydrogen:
The standard issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, outlined
the emission thresholds that must be met in order for hydrogen produced to
be classified as ‘Green’, i.e., from renewable sources. The scope of
the definition encompasses both electrolysis-based and biomass-based
hydrogen production methods. The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy has
decided to define Green Hydrogen as having a well-to-gate emission of not
more than 2 kg CO2 equivalent/kg H2.
7. Indian Immunologicals targets dengue vaccine launch by
Jan 2026: Vaccine manufacturer Indian Immunologicals Limited
(IIL) expects to commercially launch its dengue fever vaccine by
early 2026. Dengue, a mosquito-borne disease, has over the last few years
become a major public health concern in India, with 31,464 dengue cases and 36 related
deaths reported between January and July 31, 2023. While its spread had fallen
during the pandemic, there was a 333% surge from 2020 to 2021 and a 21% rise in
number of cases between 2021 and 2022, according to the National Center for
Vector Borne Diseases Control. Besides IIL, at least two other Indian companies
– Serum Institute of India and Panacea Biotec – are working to develop a dengue
vaccine.
8. CRPF switches to indigenous software COPSYSS: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) recently switched
to indigenously developed software for psychological screening of
personnel prior to their induction in dignitary protection teams. Computerized
Psychological Screening System (COPSYSS) is a software designed and
developed by the Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR) of the
Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO). The indigenous
physiological test system will help in the selection of candidates for
escorting dignitaries. The force has a tough system in place for physical
fitness but this test will ensure sharp mental fitness. However, the Special
Protection Group (SPG) has been undergoing the Vienna Test System (VTS) for at
least 15 years, and the National Security Guard (NSG) has switched to VTS in
2017.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. IIT
BOMBAY receives donation of 18.6 million for Green Energy Hub: The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay has received
a donation of $18.6 million from an alumnus for the Green Energy
and Sustainability Research Hub. It will help the Institution
in addressing the global climate crisis. The hub will be set up within a
state-of-the-art academic building on the IIT Bombay campus. The Hub will also
serve as a nexus for learning and exploration, offering state-of-the-art
infrastructure and facilities for students and researchers.
2. Infosys onboards Rafael Nadal as ambassador: Tech giant Infosys has extended its partnership with Tennis
star Rafael Nadal as an ambassador for the brand and Infosys’ Digital
Innovation. To mark Nadal’s first-ever collaboration with a digital services
company, Infosys and Nadal’s coaching team are developing an AI-powered match
analysis tool. Globally acknowledged as one of the legends in sports, he also
has had the ability to change with the changing rigors of tennis over the
years.
3. ISRO’s Next Moon Mission in Collaboration with Japan
Gathers Steam: With Chandrayaan-3
successfully landing on the Moon’s surface, decks have been cleared
for ISRO to unveil the next stage of its lunar exploration programme. As
of now, ISRO is preparing for one more lunar mission, this one
in collaboration with Japanese space agency (JAXA). This
mission, called LUPEX, or Lunar Polar Exploration, is slated for 2024-25.
But there would be more in the Chandrayaan series as well. The rover will carry
not only the instruments of ISRO and JAXA but also those of US space agency
NASA and European Space Agency (ESA). Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX)
is a collaborative venture between Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
and the Bengaluru-headquartered Indian space agency. According to JAXA, the
LUPEX mission is aimed at exploring lunar polar region suitability for
establishing a base on the Moon for sustainable activities; obtaining knowledge
regarding the availability of lunar water-ice resources, and demonstrating
lunar and planetary surface exploration technologies such as vehicular
transport and overnight survival.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. Magnus
Carlsen wins the Chess World Cup Final 2023:
The Norwegian chess grandmaster, Magnus Carlsen, won the Chess World
Cup Final 2023 title for the first
time, after defeating India's chess grandmaster R
Praggnanandhaa in a tie-breaker. R Praggnanandhaa (18) was the
youngest World Cup finalist ever and the youngest World Cup winner. He
managed to secure the Silver medal after defeating Hikarua Nakamura
and Fabiano Caruana. He also became the second Indian after
Viswanathan Anand to enter the Chess World Cup final.
2. Rajeshwari
Kumari secures Paris 2024 Olympic quota for India:
India's shooting player, Rajeshwari Kumari has secured
a shooting spot for India in the Paris 2024 Olympics. She finished
fifth in the women's trap final at the ISSF World Championship 2023 in
Baku, Azerbaijan. The ISSF World Championship 2023 serves as a qualifying
event for the Paris Olympics 2024. The best four finishers (one from each
country) in each of the 12 Olympic individual shooting events receive a seat on
their national teams, giving a total of 48 shooters
3. Anurag Thakur inaugurated 33 Khelo India Centres
Across Rajasthan: The Union Minister of Youth Affairs and
Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur has inaugurated 33 Khelo India
Centres (KIC) in the State of Rajasthan at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in
Jaipur. He also announced that a National Center of Excellence with a sports
science center will be set up in Rajasthan along with an additional 18 KIC,
thus taking the total number of KIC in the State to 51. The total number of
KICs across India is 960, out of which 715 are operational KICs. Currently,
over 17,000 Athletes are getting trained in KICs and 699 Past Champion Athletes
are already hired across the country. These KICs are specific training centres
looking after sports disciplines like cycling, basketball, wushu, hockey and more.
4. Mastercard inks brand partnership with ICC for
upcoming World Cup: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has a
brand tie-up with Mastercard for the upcoming Men’s Cricket
World Cup 2023 to be held in India between 5 October and 19 November 2023.
Under this tie-up, Mastercard will be a global partner for the World Cup. With
this, Mastercard joins ICC’s other global partners MRF Tyres, Booking.com,
Aramco and Emirates. The ICC has three categories of sponsors — global
partners, official partners and category partners. Sponsors get multiple
benefits like media integration, in-stadium branding, tickets, and hospitality.
Incidentally, MasterCard was also the title sponsor for all bilateral matches
played in India until March. It was paying Rs 3.8 crore per match as the Indian
cricket board’s title sponsor.
5. Novak Djokovic secured the title Cincinnati Open 2023: Serbia’s Novak Djokovic secured the
title of Cincinnati Open 2023 after defeating Carlos Alcaraz of
Spain. The win delivered Djokovic his 95th career title and 39th Masters 1000
crown. The Spaniard is currently ranked at number one in the ATP Tour rankings,
with Djokovic ranked just behind him at number two. Djokovic is the only player
in tennis history to be the reigning champion of all four majors at once across
all three different surfaces.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. HDFC
Bank launches India’s First Co-Branded Hotel Credit Card with Marriott: HDFC Bank has partnered with Marriott Bonvoy to unveil
the ‘Marriott Bonvoy HDFC Bank Credit Card‘. This pioneering co-branded
hotel credit card, the first of its kind in India, operates on Diners Club
platform, a part of the Discover Global Network, and aspires to set new
standards for rewarding travel cards in the country. This card brings together
the strengths of these two prominent brands, presenting consumers with an
unparalleled selection of travel benefits.
2. Central
Vigilance Commission reconstitutes advisory board on bank frauds: The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has reconstituted
the Advisory Board on Banking and Financial Frauds (ABBFF) which
conducts the first-level examination of bank frauds before recommendations or
references are made to investigative by agencies such as CBI. The reconstituted
APBFF will be chaired by former CVC Suresh N Patel. There are four Members
and the tenure of the Chairman/ Members would be for two years.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Allu
Arjun wins Best Actor award at 69th National Film Awards for Pushpa: Allu Arjun won the Best Actor award at the 69th
National Film Awards for his movie 'Pushpa: The Rise' (Directed by:
Sukumar). Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon won the Best Actress award
for their phenomenal roles in Gangubai Kathiawadi and Mimi, respectively.
Other
awards:
· Best Feature Film: Rocketry
· Best Director: Nikhil Mahajan (Godavari)
· Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: RRR
· Nargis Dutt Award for Best Film on National Integration: The
Kashmir Files
OBITUARIES
1. Wrestling icon and WWE Hall of Famer, Terry Funk, passes away: Wrestling icon and WWE Hall of Famer, Terry Funk has passed away at 79. He had an intriguing and remarkable career over five decades (1965 to 2017). He was known for his hardcore style, his charisma, and his passion for the business. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009 by his longtime friend and rival, Dusty Rhodes. In 2021, he also received recognition from the International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.
No comments:
Post a Comment