NATIONAL NEWS

4th Edition of The Global Bio-India 2024

The 4th Global Bio-India 2024 event successfully concluded on 14 September 2024. The three-day event was held in New Delhi from 12 to 14 September 2024.

 It showcased India’s enormous potential in the biotech sector for research, development, and manufacturing to the world.

The first Global Bio-India was held in 2021, and since then, it has been held annually.

The 4th Global Bio-India 2024 was organised by the Department of Biotechnology under the Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).

South Korea was the partner country at the 4th Global Bio-India 2024.

The theme of the 4th Global Bio-India 2024 was ‘Biotech Innovation’ and ‘Bio-manufacturing’.

The theme aims to promote India as a global hub for research, development, and manufacturing in the biotech sector.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal Launches Two Portals

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal introduced two new online portals during the third Board of Trade meeting.

These portals aim to ensure timely and transparent service delivery and reduce the need for physical visits to Commerce Ministry offices.

Jan Sunwai Portal: An online platform designed to provide information and services, including grievance redressal.

This portal features an on-demand videoconferencing facility for addressing trade and industry issues. Scheduled interactions will also be available, allowing stakeholders to connect with Ministry offices without physical visits.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Portal by Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC): Alongside the SMILE-ERP system, the ECGC portal offers services related to claims, policies, and grievance redressal, ensuring smoother interactions with exporters. It also includes a videoconferencing facility.

These two portals are part of the government's 100-day agenda, emphasizing digitalization and zero interface between stakeholders and the Commerce Ministry.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Operation Sadbhavana Launched to Help Typhoon Yagi Affected Countries

The government of India has launched Operation Sadbhavana to help countries affected by Typhoon Yagi in Southeast Asia.

The Indian government has announced USD one million in humanitarian assistance to Vietnam and USD one lakh to the Lao People's Democratic Republic as part of its Act East Policy and its policy of being the first responder in providing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to impacted countries.

The name of the tropical cyclone ‘Typhoon Yagi’ was given by the Japanese Meteorological Agency.

The government of India, under Operation Sadbhavana, has announced one million dollars in humanitarian assistance to Vietnam.

The 35 tons of humanitarian assistance includes a consignment of water purification items, water containers, blankets, kitchen utensils, and solar lanterns, among other things.

Typhoon Yagi, with a speed of more than 142 miles per hour, affected Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Lao People's Democratic Republic and southern China.

World Health Organisation Approves First Mpox Vaccine

The World Health Organization (WHO) granted its first authorisation for a mpox vaccine for use in adults, marking a critical step in combating the disease, particularly in Africa.

The vaccine is produced by Bavarian Nordic A/S, and its pre-qualification allows global health agencies like GAVI and UNICEF to purchase it.

However, supply is limited due to the single manufacturer.

The pre-qualification of this vaccine is crucial for addressing current outbreaks in Africa and preparing for future scenarios.

It represents a critical advancement in the global response to mpox.

The approved vaccine is administered in a two-dose regimen to individuals aged 18 and above.

It is also authorized for use in infants, children, and adolescents in outbreak settings where the benefits outweigh the risks, though it is not currently licensed for those under 18 years old.

 

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

European-Japanese Spacecraft Captures Closest Images of Mercury's Surface at Sunrise

BepiColombo is a joint mission between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) aimed at studying Mercury.

BepiColombo made its closest approach to Mercury, capturing detailed black-and-white images of the planet’s surface.

The spacecraft provided the first clear images of Mercury's south pole and detailed views of its craters, including those with unusual peak rings.

The mission aims to study Mercury's surface, composition, magnetic field, and its interaction with the solar environment.

It was named after Giuseppe "Bepi" Colombo, an Italian mathematician and engineer known for his contributions to the understanding of Mercury's orbit.

The spacecraft was launched on October 20, 2018.

BepiColombo is recognized for its ambitious and complex objectives, requiring advanced technology and precision for successful operation.

 

BANKING

Bank of Baroda to Roll Out 7 Phygital Branches As A Pilot Project

Bank of Baroda (BoB) is planning to launch 7 phygital branches as a pilot project across the country.

These branches integrate self-service and assisted service models.

The first phygital branch was opened at Horniman Circle, Mumbai in July.

The second branch was inaugurated at Vile Parle, Mumbai, and another branch at Chanda Nagar, Hyderabad.

Video Contact Centre: Allows customers to connect with the bank's contact center through video calls for non-financial services.

Self-Service Kiosk: Equipped with tablets for services such as PAN updation, account statements, and TDS certificates.

Service Areas: Includes exclusive service areas and universal service counters staffed by branch executives to assist with customer needs.

Integration: The branches integrate self-service and assisted service models, aiming to provide a seamless customer experience.

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Managing Director and CEO of Central Depository Services India

Nehal Vora has been reappointed as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Central Depository Services India (CDSL) for a second five-year term, from September 18, 2024, to September 17, 2029.

Nehal Vora has over 25 years of experience in the Indian capital markets, having held significant roles at organizations like BSE, DSP Merrill Lynch, and SEBI.

CDSL manages more than 130 million demat accounts, making it a leading player in India's depository system.

CDSL is India’s only listed depository and aims to provide secure, reliable, and affordable depository services to market participants.

It maintains and services over 11.56 crore demat accounts across India.

In February,2024 CDSL became the first depository in India to open 60 million active demat accounts.

 

SPORTS

Belgian International Badminton Tournament

Emerging Indian badminton talent Anmol Kharb won her career’s first senior International badminton title by winning the 2024 Belgian International Badminton Tournament women's singles title.

The 17-year-old unseeded Anmol Kharb, ranked 222 in the world, defeated world No.80 ranked Denmark’s Amalie Schulz 24-22, 12-21, 21-10 in the final.

The Belgian International Badminton Tournament 2024 was held at Leuven, Belgium, from Wednesday 11 to Saturday 14 September 2024.

At the age of 16, Anmol Kharb won the women’s singles title at the National Badminton Championship 2023.

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Ozone Day

16th of September has been observed as World Ozone Day in India and International Day for the Preservation of Ozone worldwide.

World Ozone Day, or the International Day for the Preservation of Ozone, is celebrated every year to spread awareness among people about the depletion of the Ozone Layer, the danger it poses to the planet, and the countermeasures taken to preserve it.

In India, the Ozone Cell under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has been celebrating the International Day for the Preservation of Ozone at the National and State levels since 1995.

In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution establishing 16 September as International Day for the Preservation of Ozone.

The day was chosen to commemorate the signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer on 16 September 1987.

The first International Day for the Preservation of Ozone/World Ozone Day was observed on 16 September 1995.

The theme of the 30th World Ozone Day 2024 is “Montreal Protocol: Advancing Climate Actions.