1) Fleet of 5 Rafale multi-role combat jets arrived in India
•A fleet of five French-manufactured Rafale multi-role combat jets arrived in India. Rafale Jets landed at the Ambala Air Force base after covering a distance of 7,000 km from the Merignac airbase in French port city of Bordeaux. Two Sukhoi 30 MKIs escorted the fleet of Rafale jets after they entered the Indian air space. The fleet, which comprises three single seater and two twin seater aircraft, would be inducted into the IAF as part of its Ambala-based No 17 Squadron, also known as the ‘Golden Arrows’.
•Government of India signed a Rs 59,000-crore deal with French aerospace major Dassault Aviation on September 23, 2016 to procure 36 Rafale jets. Rafale multi-role combat jets are considered one of the most potent combat jets globally and will provide India’s air power a strategic edge over its adversaries in the neighbourhood. The delivery of all 36 aircraft will be completed on schedule by the end of 2021.
2) MoES-Knowledge Resource Centre Network launched
•Ministry of Earth Sciences has launched the “MoES-Knowledge Resource Centre Network (KRCNet)” under the Digital India initiative of Government of India. MoES has transformed the traditional libraries of the MoES system into a top-notch Knowledge Resource Centres (KRC). These KRCs will be linked with each other and integrated into the KRCNet portal. This portal would be a single point entry to the intellectual world of Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
•With the launch of KRCNet, MoES aims to set up a Total Quality Management (TQM) system by securing ISO certification for documenting MoES knowledge resources, its maintenance, easy retrieval and dissemination. KRCNet portal would provide 24X7 access to the subscribed knowledge contents. It will also collect, collate, analyze, index, store as well as disseminate the intellectual resources, products and project outputs available in MoES headquarter and its institutes.
3) IMF Grants $4.3 bn to South Africa to fight COVID-19
•The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved USD 4.3 billion to South Africa in emergency funding, the largest amount is given to any country yet to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
•The funds “support the authorities’ efforts in addressing the challenging health situation and economic impact of the COVID-19 shock”. South Africa is the worst-hit country in the continent with over 4,50,000 cases. The pandemic is evolving in South Africa at a challenging time. With severe structural constraints to growth, economic activity has weakened over the last decade despite significant government spending, resulting in high unemployment, poverty, and income inequality.
4) 5th Annual Meeting of Board of Governors of AIIB
•The 5th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) was held virtually. Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman participated in the meeting. The round table discussion was held with the theme ‘AIIB 2030-Supporting Asia’s Development over the Next Decade’.
•The Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is being held every year to take key decisions that impact the Bank’s future. During the meet, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted various measures taken by the Government of India to respond to the COVID-19 such as $23 Billion Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKP) and $295 Billion Atma Nirbhar Bharat Package (ANBP).
5) India’s first solar ferry “Aditya” wins Gustave Trouve Award
•India’s first solar-powered ferry, Aditya has won the prestigious Gustave Trouve Award for Excellence in Electric Boats and Boating. The ferry was adjudged the world’s best electric boat in the category of ferries designed for paid passenger service.
6) MoES National Awards for excellence in Earth System Science
•The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has announced the winners of “MoES National Awards for excellence in Earth System Science“. With award, MoES aims to recognize the major scientific contributions made by eminent scientists/engineers in various fields of Earth System Science. It also seeks to encourage women and young researchers for coming into the mainstream of Earth System Science.
7) Schemes for promotion of Bulk Drugs & Medical Devices Parks
•Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers Shri DV Sadananda Gowda has launched four schemes for the promotion of domestic manufacturing of bulk drugs and medical devices parks in the country. The Department of Pharmaceuticals has formulated four schemes, two each for Bulk Drugs and Medical Devices parks. These schemes will work towards the development of Indian pharmaceutical capacities and reduce India’s dependence on imports, making it self reliant.
8) Archana Soreng named by UN chief to new advisory group
•Indian climate activist, Archana Soreng has been named by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to his new advisory group comprising young leaders who will provide perspectives and solutions to tackle the worsening climate crisis, as the global body mobilizes action as part of the COVID-19 recovery efforts.
•Archana Soreng joins six other young climate leaders from around the world who have been named by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to his new Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change. Archana is experienced in advocacy and research, and she is working to document, preserve, and promote traditional knowledge and cultural practices of indigenous communities.
9) Jamie Vardy wins Premier League’s Golden Boot award
•Leicester City striker, Jamie Vardy has bagged the Premier Leagues Golden Boot football award after netting 23 goals across the 2019/20 season. He beat Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (22 goals), Southampton Danny Ings (22 goals), and Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling (20 goals) to scoop the prestigious individual award.
•Jamie is the first Leicester City player to claim the award and is only the second Englishman after Harry Kane to take the crown in the last 20 years. Manchester City’s Brazilian keeper Ederson won the Golden Glove award after keeping his 16th clean sheet of the season against Norwich City to beat Burnley’s Nick Pope to the award.
