Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei Formally Endorses Pezeshkian as President
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei gave his official endorsement of Masoud Pezeshkian as the Islamic Republic's ninth President, following snap elections won by the reformist camp's candidate.
The endorsement ceremony was held in the capital Tehran in the presence of senior Iranian officials and foreign diplomats.
Wickremesinghe Announces Candidacy for SL Presidency
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who steered the cash-strapped island nation to a semblance of stability from bankruptcy in 2022, declared his candidacy to contest the presidential election on September 21.
The island nation's election commission announced that presidential polls would be held on September 21, ending the months-long speculation over the key contest.
Italian PM Giorgia Meloni for Reviving Ties with China
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni vowed to relaunch cooperation with China, signing a three-year action plan during her first official visit to Beijing since taking office.
Meloni, who has led a right-wing government since 2022, made the announcement during a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, as Rome seeks to improve trade ties with Beijing after it exited President Xi Jinping's flagship Belt and Road infrastructure investment scheme last year (2023).
Karnataka Bank Partners with ICICI Lombard General Insurance
Karnataka Bank announced a strategic partnership with ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company, enabling its customers to access a comprehensive range of insurance products. This collaboration aims to cater to various insurance needs, including health, motor, travel, and home insurance, for both individuals and businesses.
The collaboration with ICICI Lombard is a step towards providing best-in-class insurance solutions and enhancing customer convenience.
Manoj Mittal Takes Charge as SIDBI's CMD
Manoj Mittal took charge as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), following his appointment by the Government of India. Prior to this, he was the Managing Director (MD) of Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI).
Mittal has over 33 years of experience in the financial services sector, including his previous tenures as MD and CEO of IFCI and deputy managing director at SIDBI.
Sidbi was established on April 2, 1990, under an act of the Indian Parliament. SIDBI is mandated to serve as the Principal Financial Institution for executing the triple agenda of promotion, financing and development of the MSME (micro, small and Medium Enterprises) sector and coordination of the functions of the various Institutions engaged in similar activities.
Small Industries Development Bank of India has its headquarter in Lucknow.
UltraTech To Acquires 32.7% Stake in India Cements
UltraTech Cement, a flagship of the Aditya Birla Group, will acquire a 32.72% equity stake in India Cements for Rs. 3,945 crore. The acquisition will be finalised through a Share Purchase Agreement with the promoters of India Cements, led by N. Srinivasan, pending regulatory approvals. UltraTech plans to make an open offer to India Cements shareholders at ₹390 per share after securing these approvals.
Sri Lanka Clinch Maiden Women's Asia Cup Title with Comprehensive Win over India
Sri Lanka secured their first-ever Women's Asia Cup title, defeating the defending champions India in front of an ecstatic home crowd. This victory marks a significant milestone in Sri Lankan women's cricket history and ends India's long-standing dominance in the tournament.
This loss is only the second time in nine final appearances that India has failed to clinch the Women's Asia Cup title. The previous instance occurred in 2018 when Bangladesh emerged victorious by a narrow margin of three wickets. India's consistent performance in the tournament over the years makes Sri Lanka's achievement even more remarkable.
Manu Bhaker's Historic Bronze Medal at Paris Olympics 2024
Manu Bhaker won a bronze medal for India in the women's 10m air pistol shooting event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This remarkable achievement marks a significant milestone as Bhaker became the first Indian woman to win a shooting medal at the Olympic Games.
Bhaker's bronze medal ended India's 12-year wait for an Olympic medal in shooting. The last time India celebrated success in this discipline was at the London Olympics 2012, where: Vijay Kumar clinched a silver medal in rapid-fire pistol and Gagan Narang secured a bronze in 10m air rifle.
Nita Ambani Unveils India House at Paris 2024 Olympics
Nita Ambani, IOC member and founder of the Reliance Foundation, inaugurated the India House during the Paris 2024 Olympics. This marks India's first-ever country house at the Olympics, highlighting a significant milestone in India's Olympic journey.
Ambani described the India House as a symbol of India's Olympic aspirations, aiming to serve as a "home away from home" for athletes and a celebration of their achievements. She underscored the potential of this initiative to be a turning point for India, reflecting on the historic Olympic flame's journey from Athens to potentially lighting up in India.
Rashtrapati Bhavan Announces Key Changes in Governorship
The Rashtrapati Bhavan announced a significant reshuffling of governors across several Indian states. This move marks a major change in the political landscape, with new faces taking charge of crucial gubernatorial positions.
Lakshman Prasad Acharya, previously the Governor of Sikkim, was appointed as the new Governor of Assam. In addition to this role, was also entrusted with the additional charge of Manipur. This dual responsibility highlights the government's trust in Acharya's capabilities to manage two north-eastern states simultaneously.
Gulab Chand Kataria was appointed as the new Governor of Punjab, replacing Banwarilal Purohit. Kataria's role extends beyond Punjab, as he was also named the administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
Telangana CM Announces Development Package for Kalwakurthy
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy attended a public meeting in Kalwakurthy to mark the death anniversary of former Union Minister S. Jaipal Reddy. The event served as a platform to honour Jaipal Reddy's contributions to Indian politics and announce a significant development package for the Kalwakurthy Assembly constituency.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy announced a comprehensive development package worth Rs. 309 crore for the Kalwakurthy Assembly constituency. The package includes various infrastructure projects and initiatives aimed at improving healthcare, education, skill development, and transportation in the region.
This comprehensive package demonstrates the government's commitment to holistic development in the Kalwakurthy constituency, addressing key areas such as maternal health, skill development, road connectivity, and educational infrastructure.
INS Tabar In Saint Petersburg for Russian Navy Day Celebrations
INS Tabar, a frontline frigate of the Indian Navy, was in Saint Petersburg and participated in the 328th Russian Navy Day celebrations. The ship, part of the Indian Navy's Western Fleet based in Mumbai under the Western Naval Command, was warmly welcomed by the Russian Federation Navy (RuFN).
INS Tabar is commanded by Captain MR Harish and has a complement of 280 personnel. It is equipped with a versatile range of weapons and sensors and is one of the earliest stealth frigates in the Indian Navy.
Russian President Vladimir Putin greeted the Indian Navy personnel onboard INS Tabar, as he reviewed the Main Naval Parade on the Neva River.
Quad Countries Agree to Expand Maritime Domain Awareness Initiative to Indian Ocean
The Quad agreed to expand a maritime domain awareness initiative to the Indian Ocean to bolster maritime security and counter illegal activities, and finalised a response mechanism to enhance coordination for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR).
A meeting of the Quad Foreign Ministers in Tokyo also decided to harness digital and emerging technologies to improve food security under the AI-Engage programme and to roll out Open RAN (open radio access network) telecommunications in the Pacific Ocean archipelago of Palau.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas war and China's aggressive actions in the East and South China Seas figured in the discussions between external affairs minister S Jaishankar, Australian foreign minister Penny Wong, Japan's foreign minister Yoko Kamikawa and US secretary of state Antony Blinken.
Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur Appointed IFFI Festival Director
Veteran filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, known for films such as "Mr India", "Bandit Queen" and "Elizabeth", was appointed festival director for the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) to be held from November 20-28, 2024. Mr. Kapur will head the festival, held annually in Goa, for the 55th and 56th editions, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry said in a notification.
International Tiger Day is celebrated on July 29, with a focus on raising awareness about tiger conservation and the urgent threats these majestic animals face, such as habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.
The inception of Global Tiger Day, also known as International Tiger Day, can be traced back to 2010. It was during the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit that this significant day was established.
Andhra Pradesh CM Removes Jagan Reddy's Name from Welfare Schemes for Students in AP
The Andhra Pradesh education department renamed half a dozen welfare schemes for students in the state. The department replaced the names of these schemes, previously named after former Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, with the names of eminent personalities in the field of education.
The state's ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government has replaced these names with those of notable personalities, such as Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan.
ISB Executive Education, Emeritus Launch Cybersecurity for Leaders Programme
ISB Executive Education introduced the 'Cybersecurity for Leaders programme' in collaboration with ed-tech company Emeritus. The programme also enables businesses to safeguard their assets and navigate the ever-evolving cyber landscape, as per ISB.
The 16-week online cybersecurity programme integrated with AI and Generative AI, is designed to empower leaders with strategic foresight and technical expertise. The programme caters to senior leaders looking to pioneer new applications and frameworks that can effectively detect, withstand, and counteract cyber intrusions.
EAM Jaishankar Unveils Commemorative Postage Stamp of Ram Lalla in Laos
During his three day visit to Laos, the External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar unveiled a special commemorative stamp set showcasing Ram Lalla's idol from Ayodhya.
Being touted as the first postage stamp in the world to be dedicated to Lord Ram's Ayodhya idol.
The set which comprises two stamps has Lord Ram's Ayodhya idol's image on one and on the other stamp, Lord Buddha is depicted.
Jaishankar is in Laos to attend the Foreign Ministers' Meetings under the ASEAN union.
Sunken Museum at Humayun's Tomb Site in Delhi Inaugurated
The country's first sunken museum at the Humayun Tomb complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Delhi was inaugurated.
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurated the new museum in the presence of Prince Rahim Aga Khan.
The inauguration coincided with the ongoing 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
The museum, whose layout is inspired by the medieval 'baolis', or traditional water tanks, showcases the legacy of Mughal Emperor Humayun, including lesser-known facets of his life, and the heritage of the Nizamuddin area over the last seven centuries.