NATIONAL NEWS

Indian government introduces ‘Sign Learn’

• The Center produced the “Sign Learn” smartphone app, a lexicon of 10,000 words for Indian Sign Language (ISL).

• The app was introduced by Pratima Bhoumik, a minister of state for social justice and empowerment.

• Sign Learn is built on the lexicon of the 10,000-word Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC).

• For the ‘Sign Learn’ smartphone app, ISLRTC and NCERT worked together to release 500 academic words in Indian Sign Language.

‘Visit AP’ Campaign

• Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy launched the ‘Visit AP’ campaign at Vijayawada.

• The launch coincided with World Tourism Day. “The Visit Andhra Pradesh 2023 campaign aims to promote tourism, travel, hospitality and adventure.

• As part of this campaign, Andhra Pradesh will observe 2023 as ‘Visit Andhra Pradesh’ year to enhance tourism with particular emphasis on attracting foreign tourists.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Bilateral Fast-Track Mechanism

• India and the Netherlands have signed a joint statement to formalize the bilateral Fast-Track Mechanism between the two countries.
• The Joint statement aims to facilitate a platform for the Dutch companies operating in India, for faster resolution of investment cases.
• It is expected that the mechanism will strengthen and assist bilateral efforts to increase mutual investment activities and also support and develop business cooperation between companies in both countries.
• Commerce and Industry Ministry of India announced that the Netherlands is the fourth largest foreign direct investor in India.
• The cumulative flow of FDI from the Netherlands to India reached around 42.3 billion US dollars between April 2000 and June 2022.

Indian Fertiliser Companies Sign MoU with Canadian Company

• Indian Fertiliser companies have signed an MoU with Canpotex, Canada one of the largest Potash suppliers globally.

• The Indian companies are Coromandel International, Chambal Fertilizers and Indian Potash Limited.

• MoU will reduce both supply and price volatility and ensure a stable long-term supply of Potassic fertilizer to India.
• Canpotex company will supply up to 15 Lakh tonnes of Potash annually for a period of three years to the Indian Fertilizer companies.
• This supply partnership is expected to improve the fertiliser availability within the country and reduce supply side and price vulnerabilities.

G-20 Summit

• Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar arrived in Bali, Indonesia on a three-day visit to participate in G-20 Summit.

• Mr. Tomar held separate bilateral meetings with the Canadian Minister of Agriculture Marie-Claude Bibeau and Australia Assistant Minister for Trade and Manufacturing, Tim Ayres.

• Mr Tomar extended invitation to both the Ministers for the G-20 Agri-Summit to be hosted by India in 2023.

• Besides, he also sought their support for the International Year of Millets - 2023 to be celebrated under India's stewardship.

BANKING

Ethical Hacking Lab

• Union Bank of India has inaugurated ‘Ethical Hacking Lab’ at the Cyber security Centre of Excellence (CCoE) in Hyderabad.
• The main objective is to build cyber defence mechanism to safeguard the Bank’s Information Systems, Digital Assets, Channels etc against potential cyber threats.
• The Ethical Hacking Lab was inaugurated by MD & CEO, Union Bank of India A. Manimekhalai.
• Union Bank is adopting various new initiatives to increase Digital Footprints.

Reits and Invits to Issue Commercial Papers

• Capital markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) allowed emerging investment vehicles, Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) and Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) to issue commercial papers.
• The move came after Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Commercial Paper Directions indicated that InvIT and REIT having a net worth of at least Rs 100 crore are eligible to issue commercial paper
• At present, there are 3 listed REITs Embassy Office Parks REIT, Mindspace Business Parks REIT and Brookfield India Real Estate Trust on Indian stock exchanges.
• The issuance of listed CPs should be within the overall debt limit permitted under the REITs and InvITs rules.
• CP refers to a short-term debt instrument issued by companies to garner funds generally for a period of up to one year.

Yubi Partners with SBI

• Yubi (earlier, CredAvenue) has partnered with the State Bank of India (SBI) to help grow the bank’s co-lending portfolio.

• SBI will be integrated with Yubi Co.Lend, a co-lending marketplace that enables lenders to collaborate with multiple partners and disburse joint loans to the priority sector.

• Yubi is a unified credit platform with a comprehensive product which support to all stages of the debt lifecycle.

• As part of this collaboration, Yubi Co.Lend will assist SBI in collaborating with an extensive base of non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), housing finance companies (HFCs) and fintechs to grow its co-lending business.

SPORTS

Jhulan Goswami Retires from International Cricket

• The legendary Women’s Cricketer, Jhulan Goswami announced her retirement from all forms of the game.
• She made her ODI debut in 2002 against England.
• She holds the record for taking the greatest number of wickets in Women’s ODI cricket.
• She also won the ICC Women’s Player of the Year award in 2007.
• She played 204 Women’s ODI matches taking 255 wickets at an average of 22.04.

AWARDS & PRIZES

National Tourism Awards

• The Union Ministry of Tourism presented awards in 8 different categories to Madhya Pradesh under the 'National Tourism Awards 2018-19' at the award function held in New Delhi on World Tourism Day.

• The state has received awards for the first time in the categories “Clean Tourism Place – Western Region” (Ujjain) and “Incredible India Bed and Breakfast Establishment Approved by State Government” (Cottyard House, Homestay, Mandla).
• Guides of Madhya Pradesh have been awarded for the 'Best Wildlife Guide' for the fourth time in a row.
• Indore, the cleanest city in the country won the award for 'Civic Management of a Tourist Destination in India' (Category A).

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Chief of Defence Staff

• Lt General Anil Chauhan (retired) had been appointed as the next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

• The CDS is the most senior uniformed officer in rank, the first among equals-the only four-star officers in the country are the CDS, the chiefs of the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.

• He will also function as Secretary to the GoI, Department of Military Affairs.

• Lt Gen Anil Chauhan was commissioned into the 11 Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army in 1981.

• Lt General Anil Chauhan (retired) was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.
• He is the second CDS of India as the post of CDS has been vacant since the sudden death of India’s first CDS Gen. Bipin Rawat.

Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia

• Saudi Arabia's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman has been appointed prime minister of the Kingdom by King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

• According to a royal decree, King Salman also promoted his second son Prince Khalid from deputy Defence Minister to Defence Minister.

• The 37-year-old crown prince has taken the lead on Vision 2030, the kingdom’s wide-ranging plan to transform its economy and end its dependency on oil.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

VSHORADS Missile

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) carried out two successful test flights of the Very-Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missile.
• The missiles were test-fired from a ground-based portable launcher. The tests were carried out from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, the coast of Odisha.
• VSHORADS is a Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPAD) designed and developed indigenously by DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and Indian Industry Partners.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Rabies Day

• World Rabies Day is celebrated every year on 28 September.
• Rabies is a deadly virus that spreads to people from the saliva of infected animals.
• World Rabies Day is celebrated to raise awareness about the deadly disease and educate people on how to fight against this disease.
• The theme for the year 2022 is ‘Rabies: One Health, Zero Deaths’.
• The Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) established World Rabies Day in 2007.
• This day was recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO).
• They choose the date 28th September to observe World Rabies Day to remember the French Scientist Louis Pasteur who developed the first rabies vaccine.