Odisha government on Thursday piloted a Grain ATM in the city, the first-of-its-kind in the state, to dispense ration through automated teller machines to beneficiaries covered under the national food security programme.

Minister of Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Krushna Chandra Patra unveiled the Grain ATM at Mancheswar set up under the Annapurti initiative of the central government in collaboration with World Food Programme (WFP), in presence of Deputy Country Director, WFP Nozomi Hashimoto.

“This is a significant initiative in partnership with the WFP to achieve nutritional security in the state. The ATMs will be set up across Odisha to provide foodgrains to beneficiaries with 24/7 access under the National Food Security Act,” the minister said.

With an aim to make significant changes to key banking regulations, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha during the Parliament session on Friday.

1) The bill aims to increase the option for nominees per bank account to four from the existing one, among others.

2) Another amendment involves redefining 'substantial interest' for directorships, potentially raising the threshold from the current ₹5 lakh, set nearly 60 years ago, to ₹2 crore.

3) In addition, the Bill aims to give banks more flexibility in determining the pay for statutory auditors.

4) It also proposes changing the regulatory reporting dates for banks to the 15th and last day of each month, replacing the current second and fourth Fridays.

5) Approved by the Union Cabinet last Friday, the Bill seeks to amend several laws, including the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the State Bank of India Act, 1955, and the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Acts of 1970 and 1980.

Lions are commonly known as the 'king of the jungle,' yet they face significant threats in the wild, including habitat loss from deforestation, poaching, human-wildlife conflict, climate change, and the decline of their natural prey. World Lion Day, observed annually, aims to raise awareness about these conservation issues and promote efforts to protect lions. The day provides an opportunity to educate people about the challenges lions face and to celebrate their vital role in ecosystems and cultural heritage worldwide.

A typical lion pride consists of related females, their offspring, and a few adult males. Male lions are larger than females, weighing between 150-250 kg (330-550 lbs), while females weigh between 120-182 kg (265-400 lbs). Male lions are distinguished by their impressive manes, which can range in colour from blonde to black and serve both protective and signalling functions. The lion's coat colour varies from light buff to silvery grey, yellowish-red, and dark brown. In the wild, lions live for about 10–14 years, though they can live over 20 years in captivity.

Following the Indian men’s hockey team’s historic bronze medal victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics, several cash rewards have been announced for the players and support staff.

Hockey India’s Reward

Hockey India has announced a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh for each player of the Indian men’s hockey team and Rs 7.5 lakh for each member of the support staff in honor of their bronze medal triumph.

Odisha CM’s Announcement

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also extended his congratulations to the team by announcing a separate reward of Rs 15 lakh for each player in the squad. Additionally, at a press conference, CM Majhi revealed a reward of Rs 10 lakh for the support staff. Amit Rohidas, a key player from Odisha, will receive a special reward of Rs 4 crore for his outstanding contribution to the team’s success.

Punjab CM’s Announcement

Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced that his government would award a cash prize of Rs 1 crore to each hockey player from the state who was part of the Indian men’s team that secured the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics.

A significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Thursday between All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi and Amity University, Noida, to collaborate on education, research, and technology. The MoU was signed by AIIA Director, Prof. Tanuja Nesari, and Joint Registrar of Amity University, Asha Premnath. This MoU extends the ongoing five-year agreement with Amity University. The MoU was signed under the leadership of Amity University Chancellor, Dr. Atul Chauhan, and under the aegis of the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India.

Present at the event were Dr. Balvinder Shukla, Vice-Chancellor of Amity University; Dr. W. Selvamurthy, President of Amity Science, Technology & Innovation Foundation; Dr. B.C. Das, Dean, and other senior members of Amity University, Uttar Pradesh.

The objective of the MoU is to promote collaborative education programs, publications, capacity-building, and joint capacity-building projects. This includes fostering academic excellence, technological advancement, and state-of-the-art programs through capacity building and lifelong learning. The MoU will facilitate the exchange of students and faculty for academic, research, and training purposes.

The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) announced today the launch of the initiative "Million Designers, Billion Dreams." This innovative program aims to empower individuals across India with systems design know-how to tackle complex societal challenges. Spearheaded by LEAP in collaboration with the DAY-NRLM. LEAP is a catalyst organization that emerged from the multidisciplinary work developed in India by the Design Laboratory at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (D-Lab) and the Transform Rural India Foundation (TRIF), with seed investment provided by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).

The launch event was chaired by Shri Charanjit Singh, Additional Secretary, Rural Livelihoods (RL), Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), GoI and joined by Ms. Smriti Sharan, Joint Secretary, Rural Livelihoods and Shri Raman Wadhwa, Deputy Director, DAY-NRLM along with NMMU experts from the MoRD. From LEAP, Mr. Andre Nogueira, Ph.D., CEO of LEAP and Associate Faculty of Design Knowledge at Johns Hopkins University gave a presentation on the program's vision and structure. Shri Anish Kumar, Managing Director, TRIF and other representatives from LEAP and TRIF joined the event. The event was joined online by SMDs/CEOs of State Rural Livelihoods Mission (SRLM)s. Vibrant and engaging discussions followed on the expected impact on India's rural communities.

India and Zambia held their 4th Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) today in Lusaka, aiming to bolster bilateral relations and explore new areas of cooperation.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed a broad spectrum of bilateral issues, including institutional mechanisms, scholarships, training and capacity building, and collaboration in higher education. They also discussed trade and commercial relations, and cooperation in key sectors such as defense, health, agriculture, mines, mineral resources, small and medium enterprises, digital platforms, and cultural exchanges.

Both delegations expressed satisfaction with the current state of their bilateral ties and underscored the importance of further strengthening their relationship. Additionally, regional and international issues of mutual interest were discussed, with a focus on cooperation within multilateral forums, including the United Nations.

The discussions culminated in an agreement to hold the next FOC in New Delhi at a mutually convenient date, marking a continued commitment to enhancing the strategic partnership between India and Zambia.

The Government of India has announced the commencement of the nationwide ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign, set to run from August 9 to August 15. This initiative aims to strengthen patriotic sentiment among citizens as the country approaches its Independence Day celebrations.

Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, addressing a press conference in New Delhi, encouraged widespread participation in the campaign.

He also promoted the interactive aspect of the campaign, inviting people to take selfies with the national flag and upload them to the official Har Ghar Tiranga website.

The minister highlighted the success of last year’s campaign, which was launched in 2022 as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations marking 75 years of India’s independence. Last year, over ten crore selfies with the Tiranga were uploaded. Building on this success, this year’s initiative will feature more than 200 cultural programs across the country, further amplifying the patriotic fervor.

Boeing named aerospace veteran Robert "Kelly" Ortberg its next CEO who earlier lead aviation communications and electronics supplier Rockwell Collins's integration into United Technologies, which then merged with Raytheon to become RTX. His appointment comes at a time when Boeing has reported a hefty loss on continued operational problems.

1. The 64-year-old retired from RTX in 2021.

2. Robert "Kelly" Ortberg is an engineer seasoned in aerospace and an outsider to Boeing.

3. His appointment will take effect on August 8 and comes as Boeing attempts to rebound from a series of safety and quality control problems which has increased scrutiny of the company.

The Power Ministry on Tuesday announced the appointment of Harish Dudani as Member of Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC).

Dudani has been administered Oath of Office and Secrecy by the Minister for Power on August 6, 2024, as Member, CERC, a Power Ministry statement said.

Dudani held the post of Principal Judge, Family Court, in High Court of Delhi..

Prior to this, he held the charge of District Judge (Commercial Court), Additional Session Judge, Special Judge (PC Act) CBI in the High Court of Delhi.

The CERC had been established by the Government of India under the provisions of the Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act, 1998. The Commission consists of a Chairperson and three other Members.