On the occasion of World Coconut Day today, the Coconut Development Board in Kerala has announced a significant increase in the financial aid for coconut farmers. The board has said that it will produce 2.5 lakh coconut saplings this year, providing 50 per cent financial aid for farmers. Financial aid for sapling is increased to rupees 45 from the present four rupees. Replanting aid is also increased to rupees 350 from rupees 40. Coconut technology mission aid is increased sixfold.

World Coconut Day is celebrated annually on the 2nd of September to raise awareness about the benefits of coconuts and promote the coconut industry. Established by the International Coconut Community (ICC) in 2009, the day marks the foundation day of the organisation, which is an intergovernmental organisation of coconut-growing countries established under the aegis of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific( UNESCAP) in 1969. India is a founder member of the International Coconut Community( ICC).

In a major diplomatic win for India, the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) unequivocally condemned the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, extended condolences to the victims, and called for justice against those responsible. At the conclusion of the 25th Council of Heads of State summit of the SCO, held in Tianjin, China, the Tianjin Declaration was adopted, delivering a comprehensive statement of unity against terrorism and acknowledging India’s contributions to regional peace and development. The declaration rejected double standards in counterterrorism efforts and emphasized the importance of global cooperation to prevent the cross-border movement of terrorists.

The Tianjin Declaration also conveyed a strong and unified message against terrorism, separatism, and extremism. It recognized India’s global vision of “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” reaffirming the country’s leadership in promoting inclusive and sustainable development.

The summit highlighted a renewed focus on regional stability, security, and sustainable progress. Held under the theme Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move, it brought together leaders from over 20 nations and 10 international organizations.

The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), under the aegis of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, successfully launched Phase II of its flagship financial literacy initiative – Niveshak Didi at Hyderabad today.

The initiative is aimed at deepening financial awareness and empowering rural communities, particularly women.

The launch was marked by a financial awareness camp held at Patelguda Panchayat, in the presence of Ms. Anita Shah Akella, CEO, IEPFA, and Shri Krishna Kumar L, Region Head, India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), Telangana Circle.

Ms. Anita Shah Akella emphasized the importance of equipping women and rural households with financial knowledge to make informed decisions, safeguard their hard-earned money, and actively participate in the nation’s financial ecosystem. She noted that Niveshak Didi serves as a catalyst for bridging knowledge gaps and building confidence in communities. The camp was held in the local language telugu to facilitate ease of understanding.

An Indian Army contingent has reached Alaska in the USA at Fort Wainwright to participate in the 21st edition of the India-US Joint Military Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2025. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal informed this in a social media post. The 21st edition of the India-USA Joint Military Exercise began yesterday and will continue till the 14th of this month.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the Indian contingent comprises personnel from a battalion of the Madras Regiment, who will be training alongside US soldiers from the 5th Infantry Regiment, also known as the “Bobcats” of the Arctic Wolves Brigade Combat Team, part of the US 11th Airborne Division. The Ministry added that over the two weeks, troops will rehearse a spectrum of tactical drills including heliborne operations, employment of surveillance resources and unmanned aerial systems, mountain warfare and the integrated use of Artillery, Aviation and Electronic Warfare systems, among others.

Marking its 65th foundation day, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) on Monday launched new initiatives, including Bal Vatika DTH TV channel and DIKSHA 2.0 to strengthen digital and inclusive learning in line with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The event was attended by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as the chief guest, Sanjay Kumar, Secretary (DoSE&L), Ministry of Education, former ISRO Chairman Sreedhara Panicker Somanath, and Chamu Krishna Shastry, Chairman of Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti.

As part of its key announcements, NCERT launched Bal Vatika – PM eVidya DTH Channel No. 35, aimed at enhancing foundational literacy and numeracy among children aged 3–6 years through engaging audio-visual content tailored for teachers, Anganwadi workers, and parents.

T C A Kalyani, a 1991-batch officer of the Indian Civil Accounts Service, on Monday assumed charge as the new controller general of accounts (CGA) in the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.

Kalyani served as the principal chief controller of accounts in the Ministry of Home Affairs, where she oversaw budgeting and accounting. In her 34 years of service, she has served in key ministries, including defence, telecom, fertilisers, finance, social justice & empowerment, information & broadcasting.

She holds an MA in international politics and an M Phil in West European Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). A gold medallist of the Delhi University with a political science degree from the Lady Shri Ram College, Kalyani played a pivotal role in initiating the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme to farmers for fertiliser purchase assistance from the government.

Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong on Monday announced a series of initiatives that China will roll out for the benefit of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states.

“Going forward, China plans to implement 100 ‘small and beautiful’ livelihood projects in member states that require them. It will provide RMB 2 billion yuan in grants to SCO member states within this year, and will issue an additional RMB 10 billion yuan in loans to the member banks of the SCO Interbank Consortium over the next three years,” Xu posted on X.

He added that from next year, China will double the number of SCO-specific scholarships and launch an SCO Innovative PhD programme to jointly train high-caliber talent in academics as well as scientific and technological research.

Prolific Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc announced his immediate retirement from T20 international cricket on Tuesday (September 2, 2025), saying he wanted to focus on his Test and ODI career.

“Test cricket is and has always been my highest priority,” the 35-year-old said in a statement, ruling himself out of the T20 World Cup in February-March.

“I have loved every minute of every T20 game I have played for Australia, particularly the 2021 World Cup,” he added.

Starc, who played 65 matches for his country in the shortest format, was part of the Australia side that lifted the world title that year.

His 79 wickets in T20Is make him the second-highest for Australia after Adam Zampa.

India achieved a historic milestone at the 16th Asian Shooting Championship in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, securing 50 gold medals to lead the medal tally for the first time in the championship’s history.

India’s total medal count reached 99, including 26 silver and 23 bronze medals. Host nation Kazakhstan finished second while China finished third in the medals tally.

India’s Ankur Mittal produced a world record-shattering performance on the final day yesterday to clinch gold in the men’s double trap event.

The senior team’s standout performances included Elavenil Valarivan’s second Asian title in women’s air rifle with an Asian record score. She also won gold with Arjun Babuta in the mixed team event.

The 7th meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation (JCDC) was held on Thursday, with both sides agreeing to expand collaboration in training, industrial partnerships, maritime security and military exercises.

The talks were co-chaired by Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence Amitabh Prasad and Staff Maj Gen Saad Mohammed H Alkathiri from the Saudi side.

The two sides reviewed progress made since the last JCDC meeting and expressed satisfaction that most of the significant decisions taken earlier had been implemented. They also discussed training capabilities and cooperation in new areas such as cyber security, information technology, disaster management and tactical communication.