INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Brunei on 3 September 2024.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Brunei on 3 September 2024, marking his first-ever bilateral visit to the nation.

• Brunei is a Southeast Asian country located on the northern coast of Borneo, officially called Brunei Darussalam.

• The visit is part of PM Modi's two-nation tour, with Singapore being the next destination.

• Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah welcomed PM Modi with a formal ceremony.

• 2024 marks 40 years of diplomatic relations between Brunei and India, established in 1984.

• Brunei’s capital and largest city is Bandar Seri Begawan, with Hassanal Bolkiah as the Prime Minister.

• PM Modi will hold discussions with Singaporean leaders, including Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

• Other prominent Singaporean figures like Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong will also meet PM Modi.

• The visit further strengthens India’s ties with Southeast Asia, focusing on cooperation and partnership.

STATE NEWS

Anti-rape ‘Aparajita’ bill was passed in the West Bengal Assembly

• The anti-rape 'Aparajita' Bill was passed in the West Bengal Assembly on 3 September 2024.

• The bill allows the death penalty for rape convicts if the crime results in the victim's death or vegetative state.

• It also proposes life imprisonment without parole for those found guilty of rape and gang rape.

• Officially named the 'Aparajita Women and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Law and Amendment) Bill 2024,' it aims to enhance protection for women and children.

• The bill includes new provisions and amendments to existing laws concerning rape and sexual offences.

• An Aparajita Task Force will be set up, ensuring punishment is handed down within 21 days after the preliminary investigation.

• Specific routes for female doctors and nurses will be covered for safety, with Rs 120 crore sanctioned for this initiative.

• The bill was introduced by state Law Minister Malay Ghatak.

• A special two-day session of the Assembly was held from 2 September 2024, in response to the rape-murder of a woman doctor at the state-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in August.

• The bill aims to strengthen legal mechanisms and expedite justice in cases of rape and sexual assault.

NATIONAL NEWS

‘Vulture Count 2024’ launched by WWF-India

• WWF-India has launched the 'Vulture Count 2024' initiative to monitor the population of vultures, often referred to as nature's 'sanitation workers.'

• This initiative aims to raise awareness and conduct a systematic count of the critically endangered vulture species.

• The campaign will run from 7 September to 6 October, starting on International Vulture Awareness Day.

• Vultures play a vital role in ecosystems by consuming carrion and preventing the spread of diseases.

• Their feeding on decaying carcasses aids in nutrient cycling and helps maintain ecological balance.

• The Vulture Census 2024 seeks to address the decline in vulture populations through targeted monitoring.

• The count will focus on key vulture species like the white-rumped vulture, red-headed vulture, and Indian vulture, among others.

• Other species included in the census are the bearded vulture, slender-billed vulture, and Himalayan griffon.

• The initiative highlights the importance of vultures in preserving the health of ecosystems and preventing disease outbreaks.

Reliance becomes first company in India to cross Rs 10 lakh crore revenue in FY 2024

• Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) became the first Indian company to cross ₹10 lakh crore in annual revenue for FY 2023-24.

• RIL achieved a record turnover of ₹10,00,122 crore (USD 119.9 billion) during this period.

• The company reported a net profit of ₹79,020 crore (USD 9.5 billion) for the fiscal year.

• RIL's CSR spending rose by 25%, reaching ₹1,592 crore (USD 191 million) last year.

• It now stands as the largest CSR contributor among Indian companies.

• Over the past three years, RIL's total CSR expenditure has exceeded ₹4,000 crore (USD 502 million).

• The increase in CSR spending highlights RIL's commitment to social responsibility.

• RIL's financial achievements underscore its leadership in the Indian corporate sector.

APPOINTMENTS

V Satish Kumar has assumed the charge as Indian Oil Chairman.

• V Satish Kumar has taken charge as the Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation.

• He will continue his role as Director (Marketing) while serving as the Chairman.

• His experience spans key positions across different regions in IOCL.

• Kumar has also worked with multinational oil companies as Non-Executive Chairman of Indian Oil Petronas.

• He played a significant role in the implementation of the Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG (DBTL).

• He contributed to the successful execution of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY).

• He has vast experience in both national and international oil industries.

• His leadership reflects his deep involvement in several key business initiatives.

SPORTS

Yogesh Kathuniya won the silver medal in the men's discus throw F-56 event

• Yogesh Kathuniya secured a silver medal in the men's discus throw F-56 event at the Paris Paralympics.

• This marks his second consecutive Paralympic silver medal in the same event.

• He achieved a throw of 42.22m during the competition.

• Brazil’s Claudiney Batista dos Santos claimed his third Paralympic gold with a 46.86m throw.

• Greece's Konstantinos Tzounis earned the bronze medal with a throw of 41.32m.

• The F-56 classification includes athletes with limb deficiencies, leg length differences, and muscle impairments.

• Kathuniya continues to shine with consistent performances on the global stage.