, Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced that former International Cricket Umpire Rudi Koertzen passed away
at the age of 73, after succumbing to injuries sustained in a car accident. Koertzen announced his decision to retire from
umpiring in June 2010. {Read more}
Key Points:
• Rudi Koertzen (South Africa) – Former International Cricket Umpire – passed away
Meetings, Conferences & Summits
186. On August 9, Meenakshi Lekhi, Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture, addressed the Vishwa Sadbhavana
event organised by the NID Foundation at Melbourne in Australia, where she internationally unveiled two books ”Heartfelt –
The Legacy of Faith ” and ”[email protected]: Dreams Meet Delivery ”. Brought out by NID Foundation, the book Heartfelt-The Legacy
of Faith documents PM Modis belief in the Sikh Gurus and their teachings. The other book, [email protected]: Dreams Meet
Delivery, by Dr. Bharat Barai, PM Modis unique and hugely successful governance, and his love and affection for humanity in
general and Indians in particular, irrespective of region or religion. {Read more}
Key Points:
• Vishwa Sadbhavana event – organised by the NID Foundation at Melbourne, Australia
• Meenakshi Lekhi launched 2 books at the event – ”Heartfelt – The Legacy of Faith ” & ”[email protected]: Dreams Meet Delivery ”
• [email protected]: Dreams Meet Delivery book – authored by Dr. Bharat Barai
• Australia – Canberra – Australian Dollar | PM – Anthony Albanese
187. India hosted the pre-summit meeting of the ”Tiger Range Countries Summit ” at New Delhi. The summit is scheduled to
be held at Valadivostak, Russia on September 5, 2022. The previous Tiger Range Countries Summit was held in 2010 in St.
Petersberg, Russia. India is home to 52 Tiger Reserves with approximately 75% population of the wild tiger at global level.
India achieved the goal of doubling the tiger numbers in 2018 itself, 4 years in advance from the targeted year 2022. {Read
more}
Key Points:
• India – hosted the pre-summit meeting of the ”Tiger Range Countries Summit ” at New Delhi
• Tiger Range Countries Summit is scheduled to be held at – Valadivostak, Russia (in Sep 2022)
• India is home to 52 Tiger Reserves with approximately 75% population of the worlds tiger population
Ranks, Reports & Serveys
188. According to Morgan Stanleys economists, India could emerge as Asias strongest economy in 2022-2023 as it is best-
positioned to generate robust domestic demand, helped by economic policy reforms, a young workforce and business
investments. Morgan Stanley expects Indias growth to average 7% for 2022-2023 and contribute 28% and 22% to Asian and
global growth, respectively. {Read more}
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Key Points:
• Morgan Stanley: India could emerge as Asias strongest economy in 2022-2023
• Indias expected growth is average 7% for 2022-2023 and contribute 28% and 22% to Asian and global growth, respectively
189. On August 11, 7.3% of Indias population owned digital currency in 2021, ranking 7th in the world in the list of ”Top 20
Global Economies for Digital Currency Ownership ”, by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
Developing countries accounted for 15 of the top 20 economies when it comes to the share of the population that owns
cryptocurrencies or digital currencies. Ukraine topped the list with 12.7%, followed by Russia (11.9%) & Venezuela (10.3%).
{Read more}
Key Points:
• ”Top 20 Global Economies for Digital Currency Ownership ” – by the UNCTAD
• India – 7th with 7.3% of Indias population owned digital currency in 2021 | 1st – Ukraine (12.7%), 2nd – Russia (11.9%)
• HQs of UNCTAD – Geneva, Switzerland | Secretary-General – Rebeca Grynspan
190. On August 8, the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) released a book titled ”Fauna of Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary ” and a report
on the ”Threatened Animals of Kerala ” as part of efforts to promote sustainable management and conservation of various
animal species in the State. An MoU was also be signed on the occasion by ZSI with University of Calicut and Dr. Gafoor
Memorial MES Mampad College to exchange scientific and academic knowledge with students and researchers for the
promotion of zoological researches through advanced pedagogical techniques. {Read more}
Key Points:
• A book titled ”Fauna of Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary ” – released by ZSI
• A report on the ”Threatened Animals of Kerala ” – released by ZSI
• ZSI + University of Calicut + Dr. Gafoor Memorial MES Mampad College = an MoU to exchange Scientific & Academic
knowledge with Students & Researchers
191. On August 8, University of Hyderabad was ranked first among Indian Universities and 16th among all institutions in the
academic sector, as per the latest ”Nature Index 2022 ” ranking. The Nature Index is an indicator of high quality research in
natural and physical sciences. The rankings are based on the Nature Index data from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022. {Read
more}
Key Points:
• University of Hyderabad – ranked first among Indian Universities in the latest ”Nature Index 2022 ” ranking
• University of Hyderabad – ranked 16th among all institutions in the Academic Sector
Amount & Agreements
192. On August 10, Airtel Africa signed up for a USD 125 million revolving facility from American banking major Citigroup Inc.
or Citi. The facility involves borrowing both in local currencies and US dollar. The facility has a tenor up to September 2024. It
provides interest rate savings in exchange for achieving social impact milestones relating to digital inclusion and gender
diversity with a focus on rural areas and women. This is the first performance-indicator based deal executed by Citi India in
the area of telecommunications. {Read more}.
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Key Points:
• Airtel Africa signed up for a USD 125 million revolving facility from Citigroup till Sep, 2024
• This is the first performance-indicator based deal executed by Citi India in the area of telecommunications
• HQs of Bharti Airtel – New Delhi | CEO & MD – Gopal Vittal | Chairman – Sunil Bharti Mittal
Ordinance, Bills & Acts
193. The committee, led by Bharatiya Janata Party member Sanjay Jaiswal placed its report on the ”Biological Diversity
(Amendment) Bill, 2021 ”, in the Lok Sabha. The draft legislation was referred to the 21-member joint parliamentary panel
following widespread criticism of several of its provisions. The amendments aim to reduce the pressure on wild medicinal
plants by encouraging cultivation, and fast-tracking research, patent application and transfer of research result. The
amendments are completely contrary to the aim and objective of the ”Biological Diversity Act, 2002 ”. The main focus of the
bill is to facilitate the trade in biodiversity as opposed to conservation and protection of biodiversity. {Read more}
Key Points:
• Sanjay Jaiswal committee – placed its report on the ”Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2021 ” in the Lok Sabha
• The amendments are done in the ”Biological Diversity Act, 2002 ”
Acquisitions & Mergers
194. As on August 10, Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) has sold 2% of its shareholding in automaker Mahindra & Mahindra for
about Rs 2,222.49 Cr. The shares were sold through open market transactions during the period from December 21, 2020, to
August 8, 2022. {Read more}
Key Points:
• LIC – sold 2% of its shareholding in Mahindra & Mahindra
• HQs of LIC – Mumbai | Chairman – M. R. Kumar | Founded in – 1956 | Tagline – ”Yogakshemam Vahamyaham ”
MoUs, Collaborations & Partnership
195. On August 10, Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) platform signed an MoU with SIDBI for coordination of
functions of institutions engaged in similar activities. The partnership is aimed to change the landscape of M**Es by bringing
them into the ONDC network and accelerating their participation in e-commerce. SIDBI will also facilitate engagement of ONDC
with its network of partner grassroots agencies. Three partners being introduced to ONDC are Annapurna Finance Pvt Ltd,
Access Livelihoods Group and the women co-operative Looms of Ladakh. {Read more}
Key Points:
• ONDC platform + SIDBI = an MoU to change the landscape of M**Es by bringing them into the ONDC network
• HQs of SIDBI – Lucknow, UP | MD & Chairman – Sivasubramanian Ramann | Established in – 1990
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196. On August 10, Microsoft partnered with Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), and Capacity
Building Commission (CBC) to enhance the functional computer literacy of nearly 2.5 million civil servants of Government of
India (GoI). As part of the collaboration, Microsoft will develop an online, self-paced learning course on Microsoft Office 365
digital productivity suite offerings for MSDE. Microsoft would host the course content on Microsoft Community Training
portal (MCT) which the learner can easily access. {Read more}
Key Points:
• Microsoft + MSDE + CBC = partnership to enhance the functional computer literacy of nearly 2.5 million civil servants
• HQs of Microsoft – Washington, US | Chairman & CEO – Satya Nadella | Founded in – 1975
197. On August 10, NLC India Ltd., a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Coal, signed an MoU with Assam Power
Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) to develop 1,000 MW of solar power projects in Assam. The MoU is for setting up a
joint venture company with equity participation of 51% by NLCIL and 49% by APDCL. The initiative would be a development
opportunity for the State of Assam while simultaneously contributing to the renewable energy needs of the country. {Read
more}
Key Points:
• NLC India + Assam Power Distribution Company = an MoU to develop 1,000 MW of solar power projects in Assam
• A joint venture company will be set up with equity participation of 51% by NLCIL & 49% by APDCL
• Assam: Capital – Dispur | CM – Himanta Biswa Sarma | Governor – Jagdish Mukhi
• HQs of NLC India Ltd – Chennai, Tamil Nadu | CMD – Rakesh Kumar
198. On August 10, the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in partnership with the Cuban government signed tender for setting
up a 1150 MW solar project in Cuba. NTPC is the project management consultant for ISA to set up this project. The project is
part of Cubas plan to implement 2100 MW of solar projects. This project is the first in ISAs broader solar park programme,
which seeks to support developing markets in structuring bankable and economic solar parks. {Read more}
Key Points:
• ISA + Cuba = signed a tender for setting up a 1150 MW solar project in Cuba
• NTPC is the project management consultant for ISA to set up this project
• HQs of ISA – Gurugram, Haryana | DG – Ajay Mathur | Signatory Countries – 108 | Member countries – 88
199. On August 10, the Union Cabinet approved the signing of an ”Audio Visual Co-production Treaty ” between India and
Australia, which is aimed at facilitating joint production of films between the two countries. India has so far signed 15 audio
visual co-production treaties with other countries. {Read more}
Key Points:
• Union Cabinet approved the signing of an ”Audio Visual Co-production Treaty ” between India & Australia
• India has so far signed 15 audio visual co-production treaties with other countries
• Australia – Canberra – Australian Dollar | PM – Anthony Albanese
200. On August 11, Odisha government signed an MoU with National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) for protection of
its coasts. National Institute of Ocean Technology, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is a premier institute in the country
specialising in the field of ocean engineering and coastline protection. {Read more}