Zelenskyy Red-flags 'Balancing' Act on War as He Pitches for India to Host Peace Summit
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that India can be a possible venue for a peace summit, and New Delhi is examining the offer to bring together the warring parties of Russia and Ukraine.
This came even as Zelenskyy said that he needed India on his side and "not balancing between US and Russia".
The inaugural peace summit was held at a resort near Lucerne in Switzerland in June that was attended by more than 90 countries and global institutions with a sole focus on bringing peace to Ukraine.
Second India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable held in Singapore
Four Union Ministers – Nirmala Sitharaman, Piyush Goyal, S. Jaishankar and Ashwini Vaishnaw, attended the second India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable meeting. The ministers interacted with their Singaporean counterparts and leadership.
The ISMR is a unique mechanism established to set a new agenda for India-Singapore bilateral relations. Its inaugural meeting was held in New Delhi in September 2022.
This second meeting enabled both sides to review various aspects of their strategic partnership and identify new avenues to further elevate and broaden it.
For India, Singapore has been a major source of FDI (foreign direct investment).
Australia's 'Right to Disconnect' Law: Workers Can Now Ignore After-Hours Emails and Calls
Australia introduced a groundbreaking "right to disconnect" law, allowing workers to ignore work-related emails, texts, and calls outside of their official working hours without fear of repercussions. This new legislation, which took effect on August 26, is a response to the increasing intrusion of work into personal time—a trend exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which blurred the boundaries between home and the workplace.
The law aims to empower employees by giving them the legal right to refuse after-hours work communications, except in specific cases where it is deemed reasonable to respond.
Madhapur, a village on the outskirts of Bhuj in Gujarat, is dubbed 'Asia's richest village.' With a population of around 32,000, up from 17,000 in 2011, its residents hold fixed deposits worth Rs. 7,000 crore. The village's prosperity is attributed to its NRI (non-resident Indian) families who deposit crore every year in local banks and post offices.
Madhapur is home to the Patel community and boasts 17 banks, including major public and private banks like HDFC Bank, SBI, PNB, Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, and Union Bank. This is unusual for a single village, but more banks are interested in opening branches here.
The significant deposits are primarily from families who live abroad, particularly in African countries where Gujaratis dominate the construction business. Many residents also reside in the UK, Australia, America, and New Zealand.
Food Safety Authority India Bans Use of A1, A2 Milk Claims on Milk Product Packaging
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) prohibited the use of A1 and A2 milk claims on milk product packaging.
The authority stated that using A2 claims on milk fat products is misleading and violates its regulations. FSSAI explained that the difference between A1 and A2 milk is related to the structure of a protein called beta-casein.
The matter has been examined by FSSAI and it is opined that A1 and A2 differentiation of milk is essentially linked to differences in structure of the protein (beta-casein). Hence, use of any A2 claims on milk fat products is misleading and not in conformance with the provisions laid down under the FSS Act, 2006 and Regulations made there under.
The FSSAI also noted that it has found several Food Business Operators (FBOs) marketing milk products like ghee, butter, and curd with A1 and A2 labels.
Aditya Birla Finance and AU Small Finance Bank Launch Co-branded Credit Cards
Aditya Birla Finance Limited (ABFL), a subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital, and AU Small Finance Bank launched a new range of co-branded credit cards.
The cards, available on Visa and RuPay networks, aim to cater to a broad spectrum of customer needs with four distinct variants.
ABC AU Flex: This card offers an affordable option designed for the mass market in India.
ABC AU Nxt: Aimed at millennials, this card includes specialised features tailored for younger customers.
ABC AU Pro: This high-end card is targeted at affluent individuals, offering premium benefits.
ABC AU Biz: Designed for entrepreneurs and business owners, this card includes features beneficial for business-related expenses.
The Aditya Birla Finance AU credit cards come with various reward points across categories such as lifestyle, travel, dining, education, entertainment, utilities, insurance, grocery, and government-related spends.
India Welcomes First Civilian Space Tourist Gopichand Thotakura
Gopichand Thotakura, India's first civilian space tourist, received a warm welcome in Delhi upon his return on August 26, 2024. Thotakura made history by joining Blue Origin's New Shepard-25 (NS-25) mission, founded by Amazon's Jeff Bezos, becoming the second Indian citizen to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma's 1984 mission. His trip lasted about ten minutes, reaching a maximum altitude of 105 km.
Thotakura's journey marks a significant milestone as the first Indian space tourist. During the NS-25 mission, he and five other crew members enjoyed a brief yet memorable spaceflight. The experience offered Thotakura a unique perspective on Earth, enhancing his appreciation for space and the need to protect our planet.
Bangladesh Creates History in Rawalpindi, Record Maiden Test Win over Pakistan
Bangladesh scripted history as they recorded their maiden Test win over Pakistan at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
The win marked Bangladesh's first Test win over Pakistan in 14 attempts. They had previously lost 12 matches while securing a solitary draw since their first meeting in 2001. Bangladesh has now beaten nine of the 11-Test playing teams they met. They are yet to register a win over India and South Africa.
The win marked Bangladesh's 20th Test victory across 143 matches and seventh away from home. The Tigers have previously won in twice in the Caribbean and Zimbabwe besides solitary wins in Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
Diamond League Athletics: Mondo Duplantis Breaks Pole World Record
Sweden's sensational pole vaulter, Mondo Duplantis, once again made headlines by shattering his own world record. At the Silesia Diamond League meeting in Poland, Duplantis soared to an astounding height of 6.26 metres on his second attempt, surpassing his previous record by one centimetre.
Earlier in Paris, Duplantis had soared to gold with a remarkable 6.00 metres, requiring merely four successful attempts. Yet, his night was far from over, as he went on to break his previous world record, clearing an astounding 6.25 metres.
Fatima Sana Named Pakistan Skipper for Women's T20 World Cup
The Pakistan Cricket Board named Fatima Sana as their captain, replacing Nida Dar for the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup in UAE from October 3-20.
Bowling all-rounder Fatima, who has featured in 41 ODIs and 40 T20Is, has previously led Pakistan emerging and domestic sides. She also captained Pakistan to a famous ODI win against New Zealand in a Super Over in Christchurch, in December 2023. Pakistan has been clubbed with Australia, India, New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Group A.
The Centre announced the creation of five new districts in the Union Territory of Ladakh: Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra, and Changthang. Ladakh currently consists of just two districts, Leh and Kargil, each governed by its own autonomous district council. With the formation of the new districts, Ladakh's total number of districts increased to seven. Before 2019, Ladakh was part of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP-led government revoked the state's special status and split it into two Union Territories – Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh in August 2019.
This move aims to bolster governance and create abundant opportunities for the people of Ladakh.
Chirag Paswan Re-Elected as President of LJP for 5 years
Union Minister Chirag Paswan was re-elected as Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president for five years at its national executive meeting in Ranchi.
The upcoming assembly elections in Haryana, Jammu Kashmir and Jharkhand were also discussed in the meeting.
In Jharkhand, the party may contest the polls either with national alliance partner BJP or on its own.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh Chairs Bilateral Meeting on US-India Civil Nuclear Commerce
Union Minister Jitendra Singh chaired a pivotal bilateral meeting on US-India Civil Nuclear Commerce, highlighting the deepening cooperation between the two nations in critical areas of science, technology, and clean energy at Prithvi Bhavan.
Jitendra Singh announced that an Indian astronaut from the Gaganyaan Mission is set to join the International Space Station, marking a significant milestone in Indo-US Space collaboration. He emphasised the importance of this partnership in securing global supply chains, especially in sectors like semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and clean energy technologies, which are increasingly vital in today's interconnected world.
North Korea's Kim Jong Un Unveils New Suicide Drones After Performance Test
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un unveiled a new type of 'suicide drone', of which he personally oversaw a performance test of the weaponry. These drones, designed to carry explosives and crash into enemy targets like guided missiles. The test was successful, with all drones accurately identifying and destroying their designated targets after flying along preset routes. Experts suggest that the technology behind these drones may have Russian origins.
Veteran Congress Leader Vasantrao Chavan Passes Away at 70
Vasantrao Chavan, the newly elected Congress MP from Maharashtra's Nanded, passed away. He was 70.
Chavan was picked up by the grand old party to fight the Nanded seat after heavyweight leader Ashok Chavan switched sides to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Vasantrao defeated sitting BJP MP Pratap Patil Chikhlikar by more than 50,000 votes in Nanded in the Lok Sabha elections 2024.
A long-time Congressman, Vasantrao Chavan was an MLA and MLC earlier. He took up the task when the party asked him to fight the elections despite being ill.
Mother Teresa Anniversary is celebrated on August 26 every year.
Mother Teresa is known for her unwavering efforts to improve society and for having served as an inspiration to many individuals worldwide. Mother Teresa remains a symbol of compassion and humanitarianism. Her birth anniversary, August 26, provides an opportunity to commemorate her extraordinary life and lasting impact. Her journey to becoming a saint venerated throughout the world is evidence of her unshakable dedication and selfless service.
Born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in Skopje, Macedonia, on August 26, 1910, Mother Teresa had a strong Catholic upbringing from an early age. Mother Teresa felt the call of God and chose to become a missionary when she was just 12 years old. In 1928, she moved out of her parents' house and joined the Sisters of Loreto, an Irish order of nuns with missions in India.
Only a few days after turning 87, on September 5, 1997, Mother Teresa died due to cardiac arrest in Kolkata.
Mother Teresa received multiple honours and recognition on a global scale for her unwavering efforts. Among the most noteworthy was the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize she was awarded for her humanitarian endeavours.
International Dog Day
International Dog Day is celebrated on August 26 every year. International Dog Day is first established in 2004. This day is celebrated all over the world to encourage people to adopt more dogs instead of buying them from pet shops.
International Dog Day was first celebrated in 2004 by animal welfare activist and pet lifestyle expert Colleen Paige. Ms. Paige chose the date of August 26 in particular as it was on this date that the activist's family adopted their first dog Sheltie from the local animal shelter. Ms. Colleen was 10 when the family welcomed Sheltie into their fold.
Cabinet Approves BioE3 Policy for Fostering High Performance Bio-manufacturing
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the 'BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy for Fostering High Performance Bio-manufacturing' of the Department of Biotechnology.
Overall, this Policy will further strengthen Government's initiatives such as 'Net Zero' carbon economy & 'Lifestyle for Environment' and will steer India on the path of accelerated 'Green Growth' by promoting 'Circular Bioeconomy'. The BioE3 Policy will foster and advance future that is more sustainable, innovative, and responsive to global challenges and lays down the Bio-vision for Viksit Bharat.
Education Ministry Directs States to Implement School Safety Guidelines
The Ministry of Education urged all States and Union Territories to implement the 'Guidelines on School Safety and Security-2021' to improve the protection of children in educational institutions. This directive follows orders from the Supreme Court in Writ Petitions (Criminal) No. 136 of 2017 and (Civil) No. 874 of 2017.
Aligned with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the guidelines aim to establish clear accountability for school management across government, government-aided, and private schools. Key components include preventive education, reporting procedures, legal provisions, support services, and fostering a safe learning environment.
Initially circulated on October 1, 2021, the guidelines are advisory and allow states the flexibility to adapt them to local needs. They emphasise a 'Zero Tolerance Policy' towards any negligence related to child safety.
IIM-Bangalore Sets up Centre of Excellence on PE and Venture Capital
The Indian Institute of Management (IIM-B) signed a memorandum of understanding with Florintree Advisors Private Limited to set up a Global Centre of Excellence, the Tony James Centre for private equity and Venture Capital at the Institute.
The aim is to create an ecosystem wherein academics, practitioners, and regulators collaborate to develop and nurture private equity and venture capital talent.
To Boost Research, Cabinet Clears Vigyan Dhara, Biotech Initiatives
The Centre approved two key science initiatives to strengthen the research base and accelerate search for science and technology solutions to some of the country's pressing needs in sectors like clean energy.
The Union Cabinet decided to merge several existing science promotion programmes being run by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under a new initiative called Vigyan Dhara that, it hopes, would result in better fund utilisation, and improve efficiency. It also approved a biotechnology initiative that will push for research and development, industrialisation and manufacturing in the biotechnology sector.
Vigyan Dhara has three broad components — human and institutional capacity building, research and development, innovation and technology development, and also deployment. The existing schemes would fall under one of these components.
Dharmendra Pradhan Releases Inaugural Edition of E-magazine 'Sapno ki on National Space Day
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan released the inaugural edition of an e-magazine, 'Sapno ki Udaan', on the occasion of India's first National Space Day. The e-magazine is a mix of poetry, essays, stories, anecdotes, and riddles contributed by students, teachers, and parents from around India.
The Department of School Education and Literacy, in collaboration with NCERT, released this e-magazine to commemorate the 1st anniversary of the landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the lunar South Pole.
During the virtual launch of the e-magazine, Pradhan said that this will fulfil the recommendations of the National Education Policy by making education accessible and equitable, and preparing students for the global challenges of the 21st century. He also said the current theme of the magazine, space, resonates with the vastness of the imagination of children.
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