Ivory Coast Joins UN Water Convention as 10th African Nation
Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) became the 53rd Party to the 1992 UN Water Convention, officially known as the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes. This accession marks Ivory Coast as the 10th African nation to join the treaty. The move highlights a growing trend among African nations to enhance cooperative water management amidst increasing water stress and climate change impacts.
Adopted in Helsinki in 1992 and entering into force in 1996, the Convention promotes the sustainable management of shared water resources, conflict prevention, and regional integration. It requires Parties to cooperate on transboundary waters, prevent negative impacts, and use water resources equitably.
Tata AIG Partners with Mahindra Finance to Distribute Motor, Health Insurance Products
Tata AIG tied up with Mahindra Finance to distribute non-life insurance products through Mahindra Finance's customer network.
Under this partnership, Tata AIG, a joint venture company between Tata Group and American International Group (AIG), will offer a range of general insurance products, including motor, health, personal accident, and other non-life insurance solutions to over 10 million customers of Mahindra Finance.
This collaboration with Mahindra Finance is an important move towards making its insurance products more accessible.
NASA's Historic Discovery: Six New Exoplanets
NASA achieved a significant milestone with the discovery of six new exoplanets: HD 36384 b, TOI-198 b, TOI-2095 b, TOI-2095 c, TOI-4860 b, and MWC 758 c. This brings the total number of confirmed exoplanets outside our solar system to 5,502, marking a remarkable advancement in our understanding of the universe and the potential for extraterrestrial life.
Approximately 31 years ago, the first exoplanets were confirmed in 1992 with the detection of Poltergeist and Phobetor orbiting the pulsar PSR B1257+12. By March 2022, the count of discovered exoplanets had surpassed 5,000, reflecting the rapid progress in the field.
Characteristics of the Newly Discovered Exoplanets:
HD 36384 b: A super-Jupiter orbiting an M giant star nearly 40 times the size of the Sun.
TOI-198 b: Potentially rocky, located on the inner edge of its star's habitable zone.
TOI-2095 b and TOI-2095 c: Hot super-Earths orbiting the same M dwarf star.
TOI-4860 b: A rare "hot Jupiter," completing an orbit every 1.52 days around an M dwarf star.
MWC 758 c: A giant protoplanet orbiting a young star with a protoplanetary disk, offering insights into early planetary formation.
Chennai Super Kings Sets up Super Kings Academy in Sydney
The Chennai Super Kings (CSK), one of the most successful franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL), announced a significant expansion of its global presence with the establishment of its third international Super Kings Academy in Sydney, Australia. This move not only enhances CSK's international profile but also reinforces the franchise's long-standing connection with Australian cricket.
The academy is set to commence its coaching programs for both boys and girls in September. This inclusive approach aligns with CSK's vision of promoting cricket across genders and fostering a new generation of cricketers.
Vinay Kwatra Appointed as India's New Ambassador to the U.S.
Former Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra was appointed as India's next Ambassador to the United States, as confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Kwatra filled the position that has been vacant since Taranjit Sandhu's retirement in January 2024.
Kwatra, who served as the Foreign Secretary of India from May 1, 2022, to July 14, 2024, brings a wealth of diplomatic experience to his new role. He joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1988 and has held various significant positions throughout his career.
Kwatra started his career in India's Permanent Mission in Geneva and worked as a desk officer in Delhi handling UN matters.
UP Govt. Forms a State Capital Region on the Lines of NCR
The Uttar Pradesh government issued a notification for the formation of a State Capital Region (SCR) which would include Lucknow and five other adjoining districts along the lines of the National Capital Region (NCR) in Delhi.
Uttar Pradesh governor Anandiben Patel officially designated the area surrounding Lucknow as the Uttar Pradesh State Capital Region.
The newly formed SCR comprises the districts Lucknow, Hardoi, Sitapur, Unnao, Rae Bareli and Barabanki with a total area of 27,826 square km.
The UP State Capital Region comprising Lucknow, Hardoi, Sitapur, Unnao, Rae Bareli and Barabanki, is formed keeping in mind the population pressure on the capital city, said chief minister Yogi Adityanath who initiated this project in September 2022.
"Rajiv Gandhi Civils Abhayahastam" Launched By Telangana CM
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy launched a unique programme to provide financial assistance to the Civil Services aspirants from Telangana, under which the candidates who qualify for the Mains exams will be provided with Rd.1 lakh for preparation.
This scheme is named 'Rajiv Gandhi Civils Abhayahastam'. It will be helpful to about 400 candidates from Telangana region who qualify for the Mains every year. Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) will provide the assistance as a part of its 'Nirmaan' programme.
Candidates from the SC, ST, OBC, Women and the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) category are eligible for the scheme but their family annual income must be below Rs. 8 lakh. The applicants must be permanent residents of Telangana.
The Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR) received the best technology award for its pioneering work in the field of horticultural sciences. Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan presented the award during the 96th Foundation Day celebrations of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in New Delhi. The technology titled 'Process for instant soluble turmeric enriched spice flavoured milk powder' was one of the top five technologies under Horticulture Sciences Division of the ICAR. The technology had already been commercialised with Malabar Regional Co-operative Milk Producers' Union Limited. Two products — Golden Milk and Golden Milk Mix — had been produced and marketed.
Madhya Pradesh Tops in PM SVANidhi Scheme as Best Performing State
Madhya Pradesh was recognised as the 'Best Performing State' under the Prime Minister SVANidhi scheme, which supports urban street vendors with collateral-free loans up to Rs. 50,000. The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry announced this accolade, with Assam securing the second position in the 'Best Performing States – Innovation and Best Practices Award' category.
Launched in June 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the PM SVANidhi scheme provides micro-credit to street vendors in urban areas to help them recover from the economic impact of the crisis. The scheme offers collateral-free loans up to Rs. 50,000, repayable within a year, aiming to enhance financial stability and support small businesses.
IGNOU Offers 57 PG Diploma Programmes for Working Professionals
The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) introduced multiple postgraduate diploma programmes in various fields for its students and these courses are designed to enhance the knowledge and career prospects of graduates, including working professionals who meet the eligibility criteria.
The programmes offered by the IGNOU include sought-after fields like Human Resource Management and Marketing Management, which can be further pursued as part of a comprehensive Master of Business Administration (MBA) specialising in the chosen area.
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan unveiled four books, 'Wings to Our Hopes'; 'Aashaon Ki Udaan'; 'Kahani Rashtrapati Bhavan Ki'; and 'Rashtrapati Bhavan: Heritage Meets the Present' along with Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting (I&B). L. Murugan and Secretary, I&B, Sanjay Jaju.
The books 'Wings to Our Hopes' and 'Aashaon Ki Udaan' are the collection of selected speeches of President Droupadi Murmu during first year of her Presidency. 'Kahani Rashtrapati Bhavan Ki' is a book for children which includes information about Rashtrapati Bhavan and President Droupadi Murmu in an interesting manner and simple language. 'Rashtrapati Bhavan: Heritage Meets the Present' is a pictorial representation of the history and architecture of Rashtrapati Bhavan and contains information about all the former Presidents. Information about President Droupadi Murmu and pictures of the major events of current Presidency are also part of the book.
+91-85588-96644
