Table of Contents
National News
India Emerges as World’s Second-Largest 5G Smartphone Market
In a significant development for the global telecommunications industry, Counterpoint Research has reported that India has surpassed the United States to become the world’s second-largest market for 5G smartphones. This shift underscores India’s rapid technological advancement and the growing demand for high-speed connectivity across the nation.
Amit Shah Re-Elected as Chairperson of Parliamentary Committee on Official Language
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, has been unanimously re-elected as the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Official Language. Following the formation of the new government, the committee held a meeting in New Delhi to reconstitute itself, leading to Shah’s re-election. He previously served as the Chairperson from 2019 to 2024. Shah expressed gratitude for the unanimous support and discussed his vision for Hindi’s role in government and education.
State in News
World Trade Centre to Anchor Ambitious AI City Near Hyderabad
The government of Telangana has taken a significant step towards establishing itself as a global AI hub by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Trade Centres’ Association for the creation of a World Trade Centre (WTC) within the proposed AI City near Hyderabad. This strategic move underscores Telangana’s commitment to fostering innovation, attracting global investments, and positioning itself at the forefront of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
World’s First Asian King Vulture Conservation Center Inaugurated in Uttar Pradesh
On September 6, 2024, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre in Bharivaisi, Campierganj Range of the Gorakhpur Forest Division. This groundbreaking facility marks a significant milestone in wildlife conservation as the world’s first dedicated conservation and breeding center for the Asian King Vulture, also known as the red-headed vulture.
Banking News
RBI imposes penalties on Godrej Housing, HUDCO, and Aadhar Housing Finance
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has levied penalties on three Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) for failing to comply with its directives on housing finance companies. The penalties are as follows: Godrej Housing Finance Limited and Aadhar Housing Finance Limited were each fined Rs 5 lakh, while Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO) faced a penalty of Rs 3.5 lakh.
RBL Bank Teams Up with IndianOil for New Credit Card
Private sector lender RBL Bank has launched a new credit card in collaboration with Indian Oil Corporation, named ‘Xtra Credit Card,‘ as part of its strategy to moderately grow its credit card portfolio and enhance customer engagement. The move comes amid scrutiny from the RBI over the rapid growth of the riskier unsecured credit segment.
Economy News
Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (2016=100) – July 2024
The Labour Bureau, an office of the Ministry of Labour & Employment, releases the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) monthly. The CPI-IW for July 2024 has increased by 1.3 points to 142.7. The year-on-year inflation rate for July 2024 is 2.15%, a decrease from 7.54% in July 2023. For comparison, the year-on-year inflation rate for June 2024 was 3.67%, down from 5.57% in June 2023.
Agreements News
India and UAE Sign Landmark Civil Nuclear Energy Agreement
India and the UAE have signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for civil nuclear cooperation during Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit to New Delhi. The deal, involving the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC), marks a historic step in bilateral relations and reflects a commitment to peaceful nuclear energy utilization.
Defence News
India-USA Joint Military Exercise YUDH ABHYAS-2024
The 20th edition of the India-USA Joint Military Exercise, YUDH ABHYAS-2024, commenced on September 9, 2024, at the Foreign Training Node in Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan. This annual exercise, alternating between India and the USA since 2004, is set to run until September 22, 2024, showcasing a remarkable increase in scale and sophistication compared to previous iterations.
Indian Army & IAF Sign MoU with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya to Boost Logistics Skills
On September 09, 2024, the Indian Army and Indian Air Force signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya in Vadodara. This collaboration aims to enhance the logistics capabilities of personnel and align with national development plans such as the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan 2021 and the National Logistics Policy 2022. The agreement was formalized in New Delhi in the presence of Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh and Railways Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Schemes News
Five Successful Years of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY)
Launched on September 12, 2019, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojna (PM-KMY) has provided social security to land-holding Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs) across India. This voluntary and contributory old-age pension scheme offers a fixed monthly pension of Rs. 3,000 to eligible farmers after they turn sixty. Farmers contribute monthly to the pension fund, with matching contributions from the central government.
Awards News
India’s Cities Recognized for Air Quality Improvements: Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2024
In a significant recognition of efforts to combat air pollution, the Union Environment Ministry has presented the “National Clean Air City” Awards during the Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2024. This event, held as part of a national workshop celebrating the “International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies” in Jaipur on Saturday, showcased the remarkable strides made by various Indian cities in improving their air quality.
Sports News
US Open 2024, Complete list of Winners
The 2024 US Open, held from August 19 to September 8 at Flushing Meadows, Queens, New York City, concluded with groundbreaking victories in both the men’s and women’s singles categories. Jannik Sinner of Italy and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus emerged as champions, each claiming their first US Open title and adding to their growing list of Grand Slam achievements.
Winners List of the 2024 US Open
| Event | Winner (Nationalities) | Runners-UP (Nationalities) |
| Men’s Single | Jannik Sinner (Italy ) | Taylor Fritz (USA) |
| Women’s Single | Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) | Jessica Pegula (USA) |
| Men’s Double | Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson (Both Australian) | Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz (Both from Germany) |
| Women’s Double | Lyudmyla Kichenok (Ukraine)and Jelena Ostapenko (Latvia) | Kristina Mladenovic (France) and Zhang Shuai (China) |
| Mixed Doubles | Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori (Both from Italy) | Donald Young and Taylor Townsend (Both American) |
Harvinder Singh and Preeti Pal Named Flag Bearers for Paralympics Closing Ceremony
In a momentous occasion for Indian sports, gold medal-winning archer Harvinder Singh and sprinter Preeti Pal have been chosen to carry the Indian flag during the closing ceremony of the Paris Paralympics. This selection not only honors their outstanding achievements but also symbolizes the growing prominence of Indian para-athletes on the global stage.
Yogasana Secures Spot as Demonstration Sport in 2026 Asian Games
In a significant development for traditional Indian sports, Yogasana has been officially included as a demonstration sport in the upcoming 2026 Asian Games, set to take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. This decision marks a pivotal moment in the recognition of yoga as a competitive athletic discipline on the international stage.
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