In a groundbreaking development, scientists at the Weizmann Institute of Science successfully created complete synthetic models of human embryos using stem cells grown in a laboratory.

The synthetic embryos were nurtured outside the womb and survived up to 14 days of development with all the features characteristic of their stage, even though no sperm or eggs were used.

It was an evening to remember at the prestigious Global Fintech Awards (GFA) 2023, held annually as part of the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2023 in Mumbai, India.

This year, the coveted global award for 'Leading Fintech Personality of the Year' from the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) region was awarded to Adeeb Ahamed, Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi based LuLu Financial Holdings.

A visionary entrepreneur in the financial services world, Adeeb has been instrumental in revolutionizing cross-border payments between the GCC and India. His company operates a network of 300+ customer engagement centres and digital payment solutions in 10 countries across the Middle East, Asia Pacific and GCC regions.

In the run-up to the 18th G20 Summit, a one-day conference themed "Transnational Grid Interconnections for One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG)" convened in New Delhi on September 6.

The conference, spearheaded by the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID), a 'Maharatna' company under the Ministry of Power, Government of India, sought to explore the potential of cross-border energy connectivity and collaboration, read the Ministry of Power press release.

In a development highlighting India's growing presence on the global military stage, the Indian Navy's INS Sumedha arrived at Port Alexandria, Egypt, on September 6, to partake in 'Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23.

'This multinational Tri-Services military exercise marks a historic occasion, with 34 countries participating, making it the largest joint military exercise ever held in the Middle East and North Africa region.

In Table Tennis, Indian men’s team finished with a bronze medal at the Asian Table Tennis Championships 2023 following a semi-final defeat to Chinese Taipei in Pyeongchang, the Republic of Korea yesterday. The Indian men’s table tennis team comprising Sharath Kamal, Harmeet Desai and Sathiyan Gnanasekaran lost 0-3 in their final four match. The two losing semi-finalists are awarded bronze medals at the competition. The Asian Table Tennis Championships 2023 was also a qualifier for the Paris 2024 Olympics. 

The tripartite Concession Agreement between National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam and M/s. Meerut STP Pvt. Ltd. for development of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) and other infrastructure in Meerut was signed in the presence of Director General, NMCG in New Delhi. The project, under Hybrid Annuity PPP mode, was awarded at the total cost of Rs. 369.74 crores and is scheduled to be completed by December, 2025.

NMCG has approved the project for construction of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) of total capacity of 220 MLD, among other works such as developing Interception & Diversion (I&D) structures, I&D network laying, Sewage Pumping Stations including Operation and Maintenance for 15 years etc. This project also aims to take care of the existing sewerage problems in the Meerut city and the resultant sewage pollution in River Kali. After the completion of this project, there will be no discharge of untreated sewage from Meerut city into River Kali (East) thereby reducing the pollution load. Kali (East) meets Ganga near Kannauj and the completion of this project will ultimately help reduce pollution in River Ganga.

Indian Air Force (IAF) and Drone Federation of India will co-host Bharat Drone Shakti - 2023 at the Indian Air Force airbase in Hindan Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh from the 25th of this month. Defence Ministry said, the usage of drones in India is seeing an increase - both, in the military, as well as in the civil domain.

The two-day Bharat Drone Shakti will present the prowess of the Indian drone industry at full capacity hosting over 50 live aerial demonstrations. It will showcase survey drones, agriculture drones, fire suppression drones, and tactical surveillance drones and witness participation from more than 75 drone start-ups and corporates. The event is expected to attract around five thousand attendees, including representatives from central government, state departments, public and private industries, armed forces, paramilitary forces, and representatives from friendly countries. The Ministry said, Bharat Drone Shakti will give a fillip to India's commitment to becoming a global drone hub by 2030. 

In Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the country's first solar city Sanchi today. On this occasion, he said that Sanchi would soon become a net zero city. Mr. Chouhan said that as per the wish of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have inaugurated the first Solar City in Madhya Pradesh. The Chief Minister called upon the people to plant trees and make maximum use of renewable energy. He also announced the start of an irrigation system with solar pumps for the farmers.

Roof-top solar panels have been installed in all institutions like railway stations, schools, government offices, street lights, and post offices in Sanchi. Solar study lamps are also being used in homes in the city. Annually about 13 thousand 747 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced in Sanchi Solar City, which is equivalent to more than two lakh adult trees. Along with this, there will be a saving of more than seven crore rupees annually in the energy-related expenditure of the government and the citizens.

The rate of groundwater depletion could triple by 2080, if Indian farmers continued to draw groundwater at the current rate, which could threaten the country's food and water security, according to a new study.

Warming climate has compelled farmers in India to adapt by intensifying the withdrawal of groundwater used for irrigation, the study led by the University of Michigan, U.S., found.

The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) said that it conducted interviews with 13 candidates on August 30 and September 04 for the position of managing director of the State Bank of India (SBI). The FSIB, on September 04, recommended the name of Vinay M Tonse as managing director of SBI. “Financial Services Institutions Bureau interfaced with 13 candidates on Aug 30 and Sep 04, 2023 for the position of Managing Director (MD) in State Bank of India (SBI). Keeping in view their performance in the interface, their overall experience and the extant parameters, the Bureau recommends Shri Vinay M Tonse for the position of MD in SBI,” it said in a statement.