EAM Attends First India-GCC Foreign Ministers Meet in Riyadh
Jaishankar attended the first India–Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers' meeting in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, on September 8-9. During the visit, he also held bilateral meetings with Foreign Ministers from GCC member countries.
According to Ministry of External Affairs, India and the GCC enjoy a deep and multifaceted relationship, in areas including political, trade & investment, energy cooperation, cultural and people – to – people ties. The GCC region has emerged as a major trading partner for India and is home to a large Indian expatriate community, numbering around 8.9 million.
Abdelmadjid Tebboune Re-elected As Algeria's President
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune was named the winner of Algeria's presidential election, granting him another term leading the gas-rich North African nation.
Tebboune, who's seen as close to Algeria's powerful military, secured 94.7% of ballots in the contest against two other candidates.
With the outcome of the vote in little doubt, strong participation was seen as key to maintaining a sense of legitimacy for the 78-year-old leader, who came to power in 2019 against the backdrop of mass youth-driven protests that forced his veteran predecessor Abdelaziz Bouteflika to resign.
Super Typhoon Yagi, the most powerful storm to hit Asia in over a decade, caused significant disruption across Southeast Asia. After devastating the northern Philippines, the typhoon made landfall in southern China's Hainan province, leading to mass evacuations and widespread damage. Yagi is expected to continue its path towards Vietnam and Laos, impacting northern regions with severe weather conditions.
Super Typhoon Yagi struck Hainan Island and Guangdong province in southern China, with winds exceeding 230 km/h (143 mph). The storm has been described as equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane, and authorities in Hainan evacuated over 400,000 residents prior to its arrival. The typhoon caused significant disruptions in Hong Kong, including the suspension of trading and school closures.
Yagi is the second-most powerful tropical cyclone of 2024 globally, following Hurricane Beryl. This super typhoon's arrival underscores the growing intensity of tropical storms, likely exacerbated by climate change. Scientists note that warming oceans are contributing to the increasing strength and frequency of such storms.
Max Life Enters into Bancassurance Partnership with CSB Bank
Max Life Insurance Company Ltd. (Max Life) entered into a bancassurance partnership with CSB Bank (CSB), a private sector bank in India.
This partnership aims to offer a range of savings, protection, retirement, and group life insurance plans to more than 2.5 million CSB customers.
Bancassurance is an insurance distribution model where insurance companies partner with banks to sell policies. Both the bank and the insurance company get to benefit from this arrangement. While the bank earns a commission from the insurance company, the insurer gains from the distribution network of the bank.
Sanjeev Mehta Quits Standard Chartered Bank
Sanjeev Mehta stepped down as Standard Chartered Bank's Managing Director and head of transaction banking sales for corporate, commercial and institutional Banking for South Asia after a 17-year career at the bank. Mehta resigned with plans to launch a greenfield venture.
His departure from the bank came at a time when the Indian financial landscape is undergoing rapid change, presenting both challenges and opportunities for new entrants.
Khel Utsav 2024 Organised by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
In celebration of the birth anniversary of Hockey Legend Major Dhyan Chand and in alignment with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports' National Sports Day 2024, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting organised "Khel Utsav 2024" which concluded on August 30, 2024. The event took place at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi.
The inaugural edition featured tournaments in four sports: Cricket, Hockey, Badminton, and Table Tennis. Over 200 officials and staff of the Ministry actively participated, contributing to the event's success. Future editions are planned to include additional sports.
A ceremony to distribute the Major Dhyan Chand trophies was held in September 2024, at the PIB Conference Hall, Shastri Bhawan. The event was attended by Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Sanjay Jaju, along with other senior officials of the Ministry.
Indian Para Athlete Hokato Hotozhe Sema Secures Bronze at Paris 2024 Paralympics
India's Hokato Hotozhe Sema clinched the bronze medal in the men's shot put F57 class at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. This achievement not only marks a personal milestone for Sema but also contributes to India's growing success in para-athletics on the global stage.
The 40-year-old Indian para athlete, making his Paralympic debut, secured the coveted Paralympic medal with an impressive personal best throw of 14.65 meters on his fourth attempt. This performance showcased Sema's dedication and the culmination of years of hard work and training.
Aryna Sabalenka, Wins US Open Beating Jessica Pegula
Second seed Sabalenka defeated Pegula, the World No. 6 from the United States, 7-5, 7-5 and won the US Open 2024.
Aryna Sabalenka's victory at the 2024 US Open marked her third Grand Slam title, making her one of only five women to win both the Australian Open and US Open in the same year.
Manipur CM Biren Singh-led Political Delegation Meets Governor, Submits Memorandum
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh accompanied by the Speaker, cabinet ministers, and BJP MLAs met Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya.
The delegation reportedly submitted a memorandum with a charter of demands to the Centre through the Governor, apprising the Union Government about the prevailing situation in Manipur.
Speculation is rife that Singh has reportedly threatened to resign if the Centre failed to meet his demands, including handing over the unified command to the state.
Dr. V. K. Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog Inaugurates National Conference on 'Universal Access to Healthcare: Digital Solutions'
Secretary and Bharat Lal, Secretary General, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India were also present.
The day-long conference, organised by NHRC in collaboration with the Sankala Foundation and supported by the NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, brought together practitioners, government officials, leading experts, innovators and policy makers in the field of healthcare and digital healthcare technology to explore the way forward for universal access to affordable and quality healthcare services especially for people living in rural, remote and hilly areas.
Paul underlined the following five key principles for digital health solutions to embrace:
Use of digital technologies and scaling them for saturation
Creating new technologies like robotics, AI etc., but in a way that it does not increase the digital divide, and can be easily used by those who are not digitally literate
Ensure solutions are within the ambit of rights and promote inclusivity, protection of human rights and further democratisation, with attention to protect the beneficiaries from cyber fraud
Digital solutions should promote or create an ecosystem of ease of living and not make it more complex for people
Digital solutions must enhance quality of life, embrace wellbeing, include traditional knowledge, and accelerate our healthcare actions
Iraq, US Agree Phased Coalition Troop Pullout by September 2025
Iraq and the United States agreed on a phased pullout of the US-led anti-jihadist coalition but have yet to sign a final agreement, the Iraqi Defence Minister said.
The United States has some 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in Syria as part of the international coalition against the Islamic State group.
They have been engaged in months of talks with Baghdad on a withdrawal of forces, but fell short of announcing any timeline so far.
Iraqi Defence Minister Thabet al-Abbassi said that the coalition would pull out from bases in Baghdad and other parts of federal Iraq by September 2025 and from the autonomous northern Kurdistan region by September 2026.
Indian Student Makes in Guinness World Records for Building Smallest Vacuum Cleaner Using Pen
A 23-year-old student from India was named in the prestigious Guinness World Records for building the world's smallest vacuum cleaner using a pen. This device was created by Tapala Nadamuni.
Guinness said, "Measuring just 0.65 cm (0.25 in) – less than the width of an average pinkie fingernail – it is 0.2 cm smaller than the previous record set in 2022."
Guinness said that Nadamuni formerly held this record in 2020 with a 1.76-cm vacuum, and spent the past two years trying to win it back, including two rejected attempts.
Nadamuni's vacuum cleaner is made mostly from a refillable ballpoint pen, with the addition of some small bits of plastic and metal. Inside the vacuum is a tiny rotating fan powered by a four-volt vibration motor, creating suction.
Indian-Americans Feature in TIME 100 Most Influential People in AI 2024
TIME Magazine's 'TIME100 Most Influential People in AI 2024' list celebrates 15 Indian or Indian-origin individuals, showcasing their contributions to the AI landscape. Key figures include Sundar Pichai (CEO, Google), Satya Nadella (CEO, Microsoft), Ashwini Vaishnaw (Indian Information Technology Minister), Nandan Nilekani (Infosys co-founder), and Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor. Kapoor's inclusion follows his legal victory in 2023, protecting his image from unauthorized AI use. Anil Kapoor made it to the TIME 100 AI list, following his victory against unauthorized AI-generated content using his likeness. In 2023, a New Delhi court ruled in his favor, curbing entities from misusing his image. Kapoor emphasized protecting personality rights against AI misuse for commercial purposes.
Renowned filmmaker and conservationist Mike Pandey was awarded the 2024 Jackson Wild Legacy Award, one of the most prestigious global honours in wildlife and environmental filmmaking.
The award, presented at a ceremony in Maryland, USA, celebrates Pandey's 45 years of impactful storytelling that has raised awareness about crucial wildlife and environmental issues.
CM Mohan Charan Majhi Repackages Naveen Patnaik Govt's KALIA, Launches New Scheme
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi launched the CM-Kisan assistance, a repackaging of Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme of the previous BJD government that propelled the Naveen Patnaik-led government to a victory in the 2019 polls.
The BJP government chose Nuakhai, the agrarian festival in western Odisha, to launch the new scheme in Sambalpur in the state's western region. The time and place is seen as an attempt to "connect emotionally" with the people in the region. Compared to the southern and coastal regions of the state, the BJP enjoys a strong base in the western region.
In an event, Majhi also transferred `925 crore to the accounts of over 46 lakh farmers in the state. The government also announced a `800 bonus beyond the MSP to farmers for every quintal of paddy under the Samrudha Krushak Yojana.
National Memorial for Queen Elizabeth II Announced in St James's Park
The British government announced plans to erect a national memorial for Queen Elizabeth II in St James's Park, London. This site was chosen due to its historical significance and its close connection to the late monarch, who passed away on September 8, 2022, after over seven decades on the throne. The memorial will be situated near The Mall, Marlborough Gate, and the Blue Bridge, reflecting the Queen's enduring legacy and providing a space for public reflection.
The memorial is intended to be more than just a monument; it will serve as a space for contemplation and community engagement. The UK government will also support memorial projects across Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, acknowledging the Queen's impact throughout the UK.
The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, led by Lord Robin Janvrin and including senior figures from public life, is tasked with overseeing the memorial's design and legacy program. The committee is working to ensure the memorial and associated projects honor the Queen's remarkable public service and leadership.
THSC Announces Indian Team for WorldSkills Competition 2024, in Lyon
The Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC), in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), proudly announced the Indian team for the upcoming WorldSkills Competition 2024, scheduled to take place in Lyon, France, from September 10 to 15.
THSC conducted extensive competitions across the country, leading to the selection of 102 top competitors in the hospitality skill categories of Bakery, Cookery, Restaurant Services, Patisserie and Confectionery, and Hotel Reception. Competitors from various regions demonstrated exceptional skill through multiple selection rounds to earn their place in the IndiaSkills National Competition.
To represent India at the WorldSkills Competition, these candidates underwent a rigorous selection process, including 16 hours of hands-on competitions. The finalists were chosen during the IndiaSkills 2024 – National Competition for Hospitality Skills, held in Delhi.
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