NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. PM Modi to Launch Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan
to Boost Women & Child Healthcare: Prime
Minister Narendra Modi will launch the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan
on 17th September, aiming to strengthen healthcare services for women and
children nationwide.As part of the initiative, 75,000 health camps will be
organised at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Community Health Centres, and other
healthcare facilities to provide essential services.Poshan Maah will be
observed at all Anganwadis to promote nutrition, health awareness, and overall
well-being among women and children.The campaign emphasizes inclusive
healthcare and appeals to private hospitals and healthcare stakeholders to
actively participate in this Jan Bhagidaari Abhiyaan.
2. ‘Bistirna Parore’ musical voyage launched on
Brahmaputra to mark Bhupen Hazarika’s centenary: The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) launched
“Bistirna Parore: A Musical Voyage from Sadiya to Dhubri” on the
Brahmaputra to commemorate the birth centenary of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen
Hazarika.The cultural voyage, named after one of Hazarika’s iconic songs, spans
the Brahmaputra from Sadiya to Dhubri and includes major events at Bogibeel,
Silghat, Pandu, and Jogighopa.The opening ceremony features art and quiz
competitions, traditional dances by various local communities, and video
tributes by renowned artists such as Sunita Bhuyan Khound, Dhrubajyoti Phukan,
Amrit Pritam, and Anup Jalota.IWAI highlighted that the voyage celebrates
Hazarika’s music and vision of unity, humanity, and cultural richness, with
live performances, folk presentations, and cultural narratives along the
journey.
3. Coal India and NSTFDC Sign MoU to Empower Tribal
Students in Eklavya Model Residential Schools: Coal
India Limited (CIL) and National Scheduled Tribe Finance and
Development Corporation (NSTFDC) signed an MoU in New Delhi to
empower tribal students of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS).The project
focuses on digital education (desktops, UPS, tablets), career mentorship,
menstrual hygiene facilities, and teacher capacity building to ensure holistic
development of tribal students.Leaders emphasized that this collaboration will bridge
gaps in education, health, and livelihoods of tribal communities, aligning with
the vision of Viksit Bharat and inclusive growth.
4. CP Radhakrishnan Elected 15th Vice President of India: CP Radhakrishnan, the NDA nominee, has been elected as the 15th
Vice President of India, defeating INDIA bloc candidate Justice B Sudershan
Reddy with 452 votes to 300.The Vice President’s office had been vacant since
July 21, following the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar due to health reasons,
and the election saw a 98.20% turnout with 767 MPs voting.Radhakrishnan,
born on October 20, 1957, in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, has held multiple positions
including Governor of Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and additional charges of
Telangana and Puducherry, as well as two-time MP from Coimbatore.With a long
political career starting in the RSS and Bharatiya Jana Sangh, Radhakrishnan
also served as BJP Tamil Nadu state president, chaired the Coir Board, and
represented India in several international delegations, bringing extensive administrative
and parliamentary experience to the Vice President’s post.
5. Shalya Gupta Appointed Managing Director of Credifin
Limited for Five-Year Term: Credifin Limited has
appointed Shalya Gupta as its Managing Director for a five-year term,
subject to shareholder approval at the September 2025 AGM.Gupta, who is
currently the CEO of Credifin, has played a key role in expanding operations
and leading the company’s digital transformation since 2022.Credifin Limited,
formerly PHF Leasing Limited, has been registered with the Reserve Bank of
India since 1998 and is listed on the Metropolitan Stock Exchange of India.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India and Israel Sign Historic Bilateral Investment
Agreement to Boost Trade and Investments: India and Israel signed a Bilateral
Investment Agreement (BIA) in New Delhi, with Finance Minister Nirmala
Sitharaman and Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich as
signatories.The Agreement aims to boost bilateral investments, ensure investor
protection, provide independent dispute resolution through arbitration, and
safeguard against expropriation while maintaining sovereign regulatory
rights.With current bilateral investments at USD 800 million, the Agreement is
expected to significantly enhance trade, economic cooperation, and mutual
business opportunities between the two nations.
2. Russia’s Enteromix Cancer Vaccine Shows 100% Success
in Early Human Trials: Russia unveiled its EnteroMix cancer vaccine, reported to
show 100% efficacy in early clinical trials, with the ability to shrink
aggressive tumours, slow growth, and avoid harsh chemotherapy side effects.
The mRNA-based personalised vaccine targets
colorectal cancer initially, with versions in development for glioblastoma
(brain tumour) and melanoma (skin cancer); it is designed to be customised to
each patient’s RNA and safe for repeated use.Developed by the National Medical
Research Radiology Centre and the Engelhardt Institute of Molecular
Biology, the vaccine was launched at the St. Petersburg International Economic
Forum (SPIEF 2025).EnteroMix uses a combination of four harmless viruses to
destroy cancer cells and activate immune defences; Phase-1 trials on 48
volunteers showed highly promising results, and regulatory approval is the next
step.
3. Emmanuel Macron appoints Sebastien Lecornu as new
French Prime Minister: French President Emmanuel Macron appointed Sebastien Lecornu
(39), a loyalist and former conservative protégé, as the new Prime
Minister.Lecornu’s appointment signals Macron’s intent to continue his
pro-business reform agenda, including tax cuts and raising the retirement age,
despite leading a minority government.Macron has asked Lecornu to hold talks
with all political forces in parliament to build compromises on the budget and
policies before forming his cabinet.
4. Hero MotoCorp Appoints Harshavardhan Chitale as CEO: Hero MotoCorp has
appointed Harshavardhan Chitale as its new CEO, effective from
January 5, 2026, succeeding acting CEO Vikram Kasbekar.Chitale earlier
served as Vice-Chairman and MD of Philips Lighting India, where he successfully
led its spin-off into a standalone public company and strengthened market
leadership.Pawan Munjal continues as the Executive Chairman of Hero MotoCorp, overseeing
the company’s strategic direction.
5. 9 September – International Day to Protect Education
from Attack: The International Day to Protect Education from Attack is
observed every year on 9 September to raise awareness about the
importance of safeguarding education during armed conflicts.It was established
by the United Nations General Assembly in 2020, highlighting the need to ensure
safe learning environments for children and youth.The day emphasizes protecting
students, teachers, schools, and universities from being targeted during wars
and conflicts.It also reaffirms the global commitment to the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development, especially SDG 4 (Quality Education).
6. 10 September – World Suicide Prevention Day: World Suicide Prevention
Day is observed globally on 10 September every year to raise
awareness about suicide, its causes, and ways to prevent it.Theme 2025
– Changing the Narrative on SuicideEstablished by the International
Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) in partnership with the World Health
Organization (WHO), the day highlights the urgent need for collective efforts
to address mental health issues.It emphasizes the importance of education,
support systems, early intervention, and open communication in reducing suicide
rates.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. MQ-28A Ghost Bat Military Drones: Australia has recently made strides in
developing the MQ-28A Ghost Bat, a next-generation military drone. These
unmanned aircraft are designed as collaborative combat aircraft that operate
alongside manned fighter jets. The move marks a strategic shift for Australia
as it rebuilds its defence industry to counter emerging threats in the
Indo-Pacific region. Australia has traditionally relied on the United States
for advanced military hardware. However, rising regional tensions and the rapid
modernisation of China’s armed forces have prompted Australia to develop
sovereign defence capabilities. The MQ-28A Ghost Bat project represents the
first major Australian-designed and manufactured combat aircraft in more than
50 years. This effort aligns with a global trend towards unmanned systems in
modern warfare. The Ghost Bat is a 38-foot-long drone designed to act as a
robot wingman for piloted fighter jets. It can fly preprogrammed missions
autonomously but allows remote pilots to take control if necessary. The drone
has a range of approximately 2,300 miles, nearly spanning the width of
Australia. It is named after a local bat species known for its agility and
strength. The aircraft is estimated to cost about one-tenth of a traditional
manned fighter jet like the F-35.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Giant African Snail Invasion: The Giant African Snail
(Lissachatina fulica), one of the world’s most invasive species, has recently
been detected in Chennai and its outskirts. Its presence raises serious public
health and ecological concerns. The snail is a known carrier of parasites that
cause brain inflammation and other diseases in humans. Flooding during monsoon
seasons worsens its spread and impact on the city. Between September and
November 2024, field surveys confirmed populations of Lissachatina fulica at St
Thomas Mount, Tirusulam, and Perungalathur Hills. The snail thrives in urban
and semi-urban habitats. Floodwaters during monsoon help disperse the snails
widely, increasing the risk of parasitic infections among residents. The snail
is a vector for parasitic nematodes like Angiostrongylus cantonensis and
Angiostrongylus costaricensis. These parasites cause eosinophilic
meningoencephalitis and abdominal angiostrongyliasis in humans. Infections
occur mainly through ingestion of contaminated snails or their residues. These
diseases pose public health threats where the snail is established.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. NPCI Grants TPAP License to Viyona Fintech to Expand
UPI Services Nationwide: Viyona Fintech has received the Third-Party Application
Provider (TPAP) license from NPCI to offer UPI services nationwide,
strengthening its presence in India’s fintech sector.Through this license,
Viyona will provide secure and scalable UPI solutions by partnering with
various banks, with its flagship product GraamPay targeting farmers, small
merchants, and local communities.GraamPay aims to enhance financial inclusion
by enabling digital collections, payouts, and frictionless transactions for
underserved population groups.Viyona’s strategy focuses on expanding UPI access
in Tier II, Tier III cities, and rural areas, bridging gaps in digital payments
penetration across India.
2. Ajay Kumar Srivastava’s Tenure as MD & CEO of
Indian Overseas Bank: The Central Government has extended Ajay Kumar
Srivastava’s tenure as MD & CEO of Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) for
about 21 months, effective January 1, 2026.His extended term will continue up
to October 8, 2027, or until further orders, completing his 10-year tenure as
Whole-Time Director at IOB.Srivastava has been leading IOB since January 1,
2023, and served as Executive Director from 2017 before becoming MD & CEO.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Palakkad NRI Younus Ahamed Honoured with Camel
International Award 2025 in Dubai: Palakkad’s NRI businessman Younus Ahamed, Executive
Director of Middle East Dotspace Coworking, received the Camel
International Award 2025 from Sheikh Matar Bin Huwaiden Al Ketbi in Dubai.He
was honoured by Arabian World Records for his notable contributions and
business leadership.Along with him, 14 other achievers worldwide were also
recognized in fields like literature, art, fine arts, business, and social
media.
2. Indian-American Teen Tejasvi Manoj Named TIME’s ‘Kid of the Year 2025’: Tejasvi Manoj (17), an Indian-American from Texas, has been named TIME magazine’s ‘Kid of the Year’ 2025 for her innovation ‘Shield Seniors’, a website to protect older adults from online scams.The platform helps seniors identify, report, and protect themselves against online fraud by analyzing suspicious emails/messages and providing reporting links.Manoj is the first honouree to also be a TIME for Kids Service Star, recognized for her broader positive impact, including volunteering, tutoring, and community service.Currently in private preview mode, ‘Shield Seniors’ is being expanded through R&D and fundraising, with plans to move to a larger AI platform for wider access.In 2020, Indian-American scientist and inventor Gitanjali Rao had been named the first ever ‘Kid of the Year’ by Time for her “astonishing work” using technology to tackle issues ranging from contaminated drinking water to opioid addiction and cyberbullying.
No comments:
Post a Comment