SPORTS

Mumbai won the Irani Cup for the 15th time after 27 years.

• Mumbai secured the Irani Cup title for the 15th time, marking their first victory in 27 years.

• Led by Ajinkya Rahane, Mumbai triumphed over the Rest of India (ROI) on September 5 at Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

• The victory was achieved based on a first-innings lead, solidifying Mumbai's status as the most successful team in Ranji Trophy history.

• Since the 1997–98 season, Mumbai has reached the Irani Cup final eight times, but this was their first win since then.

• The match showcased a dominant performance, highlighted by Sarfaraz Khan's impressive 222 runs, which contributed to Mumbai's total of 537.

• Sarfaraz Khan was honored as Player of the Match for his outstanding innings.

• Earlier in March, Mumbai also claimed the Ranji Trophy title for a record 42nd time at Wankhede Stadium.

LEGAL NEWS

Independent investigation team has been formed by Supreme Court to probe allegations of use of animal fat in making Tirupati laddu.

• The Supreme Court has established an independent investigation team to look into claims about animal fat being used in Tirupati laddus.

• Allegations suggest that the ghee in the laddus distributed at Tirumala Venkateswara Temple may be contaminated with animal fat.

• The newly formed Special Investigation Team (SIT) will include a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officer.

• Additionally, the team will consist of two officers from the Andhra Pradesh Police and a senior official from the Food Safety Authority.

• The CBI Director has been appointed to oversee the operations of the investigation team.

• Prior to this, the Andhra Pradesh government had set up its own team to investigate the allegations.

• The Supreme Court's intervention led to the suspension of the state's SIT investigation.

• Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, located in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, is dedicated to Venkateswara, a form of the Hindu god Vishnu.

• The case has raised significant concerns regarding food safety and religious practices.

NATIONAL NEWS

India became the fourth country to have 700 billion dollars in Forex reserves.

• India has surpassed 700 billion US dollars in foreign exchange reserves, becoming the fourth country to achieve this milestone.

• For the week ending September 27, India's forex reserves reached a record high of 704.885 billion dollars.

• China, Japan, and Switzerland are the only other nations with foreign reserves exceeding 700 billion dollars.

• The significant increase in forex reserves enhances India's capacity to manage global economic challenges.

• This boost in reserves will contribute to greater stability for India's currency in fluctuating international markets.

• India’s gold reserves increased by 2.184 billion dollars, totaling 65.796 billion dollars.

• The rise in foreign reserves signals a robust economic position for India amid global uncertainties.

• A strong forex reserve provides a cushion against volatility in the international financial landscape.

National Mission on Edible Oils - Oilseeds (NMEO - Oilseeds) approved by the Cabinet for the period 2024-25 to 2030-31.

• The Cabinet has approved the National Mission on Edible Oils - Oilseeds (NMEO - Oilseeds) for the period 2024-25 to 2030-31.

• This initiative aims to enhance domestic oilseed production and promote self-reliance in edible oils under the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.

• The mission will operate over seven years with a financial allocation of Rs 10,103 crore.

• Key objectives include increasing primary oilseeds production from 39 million tonnes (2022-23) to 69.7 million tonnes by 2030-31.

• NMEO-Oilseeds will focus on major oilseed crops such as mustard, groundnut, soybean, sunflower, and sesame.

• The initiative also aims to improve the efficiency of collecting and extracting oils from secondary sources like cotton seeds and rice bran.

• An online 5-year seed plan will be launched via the ‘Seed Authentication, Traceability & Holistic Inventory (SATHI)’ Portal to ensure quality seed availability.

• The mission plans to develop over 600 value chain clusters in 347 districts, targeting an additional 40 lakh hectares for oilseed cultivation through inter-cropping and crop diversification.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

US remained India’s biggest trading partner from January–July 2024.

• From January to July 2024, the US continued to be India’s largest trading partner.

• Bilateral goods trade between the two nations exceeded $72 billion, with Indian exports rising by 9.3% to reach $48.2 billion.

• Key Indian exports to the US during this period included mineral fuels, smartphones, precious stones, textiles, and pharmaceuticals.

• India's imports from the US saw a decline, dropping from $25.9 billion to $24.6 billion, representing a 5% decrease.

• Between 2018 and 2023, India's exports of goods to the US surged from $54.3 billion to $83.8 billion.

• Service exports to the US also experienced significant growth, increasing by 25.6% from $28.9 billion in 2018 to $36.3 billion in 2023.

• Overall, India's total exports to the United States rose dramatically to $120.1 billion in 2023, up from $83.2 billion in 2018.

• This robust trade relationship underscores the strengthening economic ties between India and the US.