NATIONAL NEWS

4th Edition of 'Jagananna Amma Vodi' Scheme

• YS Jagan Mohan Reddy launched the 'Jagananna Amma Vodi' scheme to promote education and empower mothers.

• Jagananna Amma Vodi was inaugurated on 9 January 2020 by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. was launched by Jagan Mohan Reddy.

• The financial assistance provided under the 'Jagananna Amma Vodi' scheme is Rs 6,392 crore.

• The primary objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to around 42 lakh mothers.

• The financial assistance provided to mothers is in the form of an annual gift of ₹15,000.

• Mothers receive this gift for sending their children to school and thus encouraging education.

The DoT has Established the Bharat 6G Alliance

• Telecom sector is a continuously evolving sector with high technological obsolescence.

• It has seen the transformation from Wire-line to Mobile services, which has become the lifeline of the people.

• Mobile services have also seen the transformation from 2G to 3 G to 4G to 5G and now 6G is in the horizon.

• Formation of the Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA), a collaborative platform consisting of public and private companies, academia, research institutions, and Standards development organizations.

• The website for Bharat6G Alliance was also launched, the link for the same is https://bharat6galliance.com

• B6GA will forge coalitions and synergies with other 6G Global Alliances, fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange
• In addition, with a grant of 240.51 crores under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF), two agreements were signed for projects.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India Handed Over Torch of Startup 20 to Brazil

• The Startup 20 Gurugram Summit, organized by the Startup 20 Engagement Group under the India G20 chairmanship, concluded in Gurugram.

• During the closing ceremony, Dr. Chintan Vaishnav, President of Startup20, officially handed over the torch to Brazil as Brazil is to chair the G20 next year.

• The two-day summit served as a platform to foster innovations, collaborations, knowledge sharing and strategic alliances within the global startup ecosystem.

• Underlining the importance of Startup20, Saudi Arabia's Prince Fahd bin Mansour announced an ambitious allocation of $1 trillion per year to the startup ecosystem by 2030.
• Saudi Arabia became the first country to provide support for global startups to reach $1 trillion.

First Country to Ban Plastic Product Bags

• New Zealand has become the first country to ban plastic produce bags in supermarkets.
• New Zealand has banned the thin plastic bags commonly used in supermarkets for the collection of fruit and vegetables.
• Plastic straws and silverware are also included in the ban as part of the government's campaign against single-use plastics.
• The ban bans the manufacture, sale and distribution of single-use plastic product bags, plastic plates, bowls and cutlery.
• Some establishments, such as supermarkets, pharmacies, hospitality venues and health and disability services, are exempt and can still sell and provide plastic straws to people with disabilities.
• Since the 2019 ban on take-home plastic bags, customers in New Zealand have been using reusable tote bags for their shopping.

BANKING

SBI Launched an Upgraded Version of the YONO App

• As a part of the 68th Bank Day celebrations, the State Bank of India (SBI) has launched its upgraded digital banking application, ‘YONO (You Only Need One) for Every Indian’, and introduced the Interoperable Cardless Cash Withdrawal (ICCW) facilities.

• The YONO app has been revamped, keeping in mind the expectations of customers for a seamless and pleasant digital experience.

• This will further fulfil the goal of making the ‘YONO for Every Indian’ mission a reality.

• With ‘YONO for Every Indian’, bank customers will have access to UPI features like Scan and Pay, Pay by contacts, and Request money, among others on YONO’s new avatar.

• The transaction will be facilitated through a single-use dynamic QR code displayed on the ATM screen.

• By eliminating the need to enter a PIN or physically handle a debit card, the ICCW facility minimises the risks associated with shoulder surfing or card cloning.

State Bank of India Grants Rs. 22.5 Crore to IIT-Bombay

• On the occasion of 68th Foundation Day of the State Bank of India (SBI), the bank through its CSR arm SBI Foundation, has pledged a grant of ₹22.5 Crores to establish a Banking Data and Analytics Hub at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B).

• The focus of the Hub will be to address the unique challenges faced by the Indian banking and financial services sector.

• The collaboration aims to leverage SBI’s extensive experience in banking and IIT Bombay’s research expertise.

• The Banking Data and Analytics Hub will include a modern 10,000 square feet lab facility where innovative research will be undertaken to solve growing banking concerns.

• The goal is to create new and efficient solutions for the industry.

• In addition to conducting research, the Hub will focus on skill development in data analytics and AI, cultivating a talent pool of banking analytics specialists.

SPORTS

SAFF Championship 2023

• India won the final of the South Asian Football Federation Championship 2023.

• The Indian men's football team beat Kuwait 5-4 in a thrilling penalty shootout.

• The win secured India's 9th title in the SAFF Championship out of 14 editions.

• The final took place at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore.

• India served as the host of the tournament.

First Indian Cricketer to be a Part of WCPL

• Shreyanka Patil became the first Indian cricketer to be signed for the Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL).
• She is the first Indian player to get a contract in a foreign league before making her international debut.
• He has been selected to represent the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the WCPL, which will take place from 31 August to 10 September.
• Shreyanka Patil was awarded the title of 'Player of the Tournament' in the Women's Emerging Asia Cup held in Hong Kong.
• The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) allowed Indian women cricketers to participate in overseas cricket leagues.

ATP Doubles Title in Spain

• Indian tennis player Yuki Bhambri won his maiden ATP doubles title at the Mallorca Championships in Spain.

• Yuki Bhambri stitched a partnership with South African player Lloyd Harris to seal the victory in the final match.

• The pair won 6 - 3, 6 - 4 over the Dutch-Austrian pair of Robin Hasse and Philipp Oswald.

• The tournament took place on grass courts.
• The 30-year-old Indian Bhambri, has reached the 58th spot in the ATP doubles tennis rankings.

AWARDS & PRIZES

Points of Light Award

• 101-year-old man Rajinder Singh Dhatt was awarded the Points of Light award by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

• Rajinder Singh Dhatt was recognized for his outstanding service and unwavering commitment to uniting veterans of the British Indian War.

• He played an important role as the driving force behind the "Undivided Indian Ex-Servicemen Association".

• Rajinder Singh Dhatt served in the British Indian Army during World War II, which highlights his devotion to his country.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

SBI Appoints Kameswar Rao Kodavanti as CFO

• Country's largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) appointed Kameswar Rao Kodavanti as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

• Kameswar Rao Kodavanti officially assumed the position of CFO on July 1, 2023.
• Kodwanti's appointment follows the resignation of Charanjit Surinder Singh Attra.
• As CFO, Kodwanti will play a key role in overseeing the financial operations of State Bank of India and ensuring regulatory compliance.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Cooperatives

• International Day of Cooperatives is observed annually on 01 July.
• The purpose of International Day of Cooperatives is to acknowledge the contribution of cooperatives in solving major international issues as recognized by the United Nations.
• The theme for International Day of Cooperatives 2023 is ‘Cooperatives for Sustainable Development’.
• In 1923, the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) established the first International Cooperative Day.
• The aim was to commemorate the values and principles of cooperation.
• It highlights the values of self-help, democratic decision making and mutual cooperation.