NATIONAL NEWS

POSCO Signs MoU with Greenko

• Global steelmaker POSCO signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ZeroC, a subsidiary of renewable energy company Greenko.
• The main objective is to make green hydrogen and to jointly pursue opportunities in renewables and other derivatives of green hydrogen.
• This MoU will contribute towards the mission of making India a green hydrogen hub.
• Through cooperation with Greenko, POSCO successfully establish a green hydrogen production model in India and prepare to supply green hydrogen and ammonia that are required in South Korea and Europe.

‘CAPF eAwas’ Web Portal

• Home Minister Amit Shah launched the Central Armed Police Forces -eAwas web-portal in New Delhi on 01 September 2022.

• It has been developed in order to operationalize the revised policy of allotment and to also bring transparency to the allotment process.

• The portal will enable online registration and allotment of residential quarters to eligible personnel of CAPFs and Assam Rifles.

Rashtriya Poshan Maah

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development celebrated the 5th Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2022 from 01 September to 30 September 2022 as part of the POSHAN Abhiyaan.
• The Central Theme of Poshan Maah 2022 is ‘Mahila aur Swasthya’ and ‘Bacha aur Shiksha’.
• Poshan Maah is being celebrated as part of the POSHAN Abhiyaan, the Central Government’s flagship programme which aims to improve nutritional outcomes for children under 6 years of age, pregnant women and lactating mothers.
• As part of the 5th Rashtriya Poshan Maah, the ministry plans to rope in the Gram Panchayats as Poshan Panchayats with the key focus on Women’s Health and Children’s Education.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

‘Vostok’ Military Exercise

• A multilateral strategic and command military exercise ‘Vostok’ commenced on 01 September 2022 in Russia.

• This exercise will end on 07 September.

• The Indian Army contingent comprising of troops from Gorkha Rifles joined the exercise in Russia in which a number of countries including China are participating.
• It is aimed at coordination amongst participating military contingents.

IndiGo Joins WEF’s Sustainable Initiative

• India’s largest carrier IndiGo has joined a sustainable initiative spearheaded by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

• The airline has become a signatory to the Clear Skies for Tomorrow (CST), India Coalition campaign.

• Sustainable initiatives will help in achieving a significant scale for SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) to gain a critical mass and bring in cost-efficiency for widespread adoption in India.

• The goal is to have commercially viable SAF production (both bio and synthetic) at scale for industry-wide adoption by 2030 to support aviation’s overall net-zero pathway by 2050.
• The global coalition now has more than 80 members.
• Clean Skies for Tomorrow, launched in January 2019.

BANKING

NABARD Partners with Mizoram

• The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has approved an allocation of Rs 230 crore for rural infrastructure projects in Mizoram under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) XXVIII.
• NABARD started functioning in Mizoram as a sub-office in 1989 which was upgraded to a full-fledged Regional Office.
• Since the inception of the RIDF in 1995-96, NABARD has sanctioned aggregate loans amounting to Rs 1744.51 crore involving 677 projects.

Sri Lanka and IMF

• The Sri Lankan Government and International Monetary Fund (IMF) have reached a preliminary agreement for a loan of 2.9 billion dollars.

• It will support the country’s economic policies with 48-month agreement under Extended Fund Facility.

• Sri Lanka’s new Fund-supported programme aims to restore macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability.

Bank of Maharashtra Launches New FD Scheme

• The Bank of Maharashtra has launched a new fixed deposit scheme known as the “Maha Dhanvarsha”
• As per the Scheme, the highest interest rate on this special deposit will be 5.50% for regular people and 6% for senior citizens.
• The interest rate is only valid for a 400-day term.
• The bank offers fixed deposit terms ranging from 7 days to 10 years with interest rates ranging from 2.75% to 5.40%.
• On premature withdrawal of term deposits for deposits up to 1-year maturity (tenure at the time of opening the account) there will be no penalty.
• Interest rates of prematurely withdrawn term deposits with a maturity period of more than 1 year will be 1% below the applicable rate.

SPORTS

First Indian Woman to Reach WJS Championship Final

• Apeksha Fernandes became the first Indian Woman to reach the final of the World Junior Swimming Championship.

• She clocked her ‘Best Indian Time’ of 2:18:18 to qualify for the final.

• She finished 8th in the 200m women’s category event.

• The 8th World Junior Swimming Championships is taking place from 30 August to 04 September 2022 in Lima, Peru.

Successful Bowler in International Cricket

• James Anderson of England is the first fast bowler in the history of international cricket to reach 950 wickets.

• On Day 3 of the second Test against South Africa, he accomplished this illustrious achievement.

• He surpassed Glenn McGrath of 949 wickets of Australia’s previous record.

RANKS, INDICES & REPORTS

Best Aspirational District

• NITI Aayog has declared Haridwar city of Uttarakhand as the best aspirational district on the basis of five parameters.

• Haridwar has secured first position in Basic Infrastructure theme. Now an additional allocation of Rs 3 crore will be made to this city.

• Aspirational District Programme was launched in January 2018 which aims to quickly and effectively transform some of most underdeveloped districts of the country.
• It envisages rapid development of selected districts on basis of composite index based on five parameters namely, health and nutrition, education, financial inclusion and skill development, agriculture and water resources and basic infrastructure.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

A Book on Indian Banking

• Dr Ashutosh Raravikar has authored a new book titled ‘Indian Banking in Retrospect-75 years of Independence.

• He is currently the Director of the Department of Economic & Policy Research (DEPR), RBI.

• The book is published by Aswad Prakashan Private Limited.
• Bibek Debroy, Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India has written the foreword of the book.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Coconut Day

• World Coconut Day is celebrated every year on 02 September.

• The day is observed to emphasise and spread knowledge of the value and advantages of coconuts. It also ranks among the most consumed fruits worldwide

• The inaugural world coconut day was observed on 02 September 2009, by the Asia Pacific Coconut Community (APCC) to draw attention to the value of coconuts and their influence on society.
• The theme for this year is “Growing Coconut for a Better Future and Life".

National Nutrition Week

• National Nutrition Week is observed every year from 01 September to 07 September.

• It is to raise public awareness about nutrition and healthy eating habits.
• The week is observed to make people understand the importance of nutritional and adaptive eating habits so that they can maintain a healthy lifestyle.
• In 1975, the members of the American Dietetic Association (ADA), now called the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, started National Nutrition Week in March.
• The government of India launched ‘POSHAN Abhiyan’ in 2018 to educate people about health and nutrition as they play a significant role in overall human development and social infrastructure.