Economy
BPCL launched AI-enabled chatbot ‘URJA’
The Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has launched an AI-enabled chatbot named ‘Urja’ providing its customers with a platform with a seamless self-service experience.
URJA has been launched under Project Anubhav of BLCP and currently supports 13 languages.
URJA is the first such chatbot in the oil ad natural gas industry of India.
Quick Fact: Arun Kumar Singh is the MD of BPCL.
Government Schemes
Finance Ministry launches ‘Ubharte Sitaare Fund’
Union Finance Minister Nirmal Sitharaman has launched an ambitious ‘Ubharte Sitaare Fund’ for export-oriented firms and startups in a program held at Lucknow.
The funds aim to promote Micro, Small, and Medium companies.
The fund has been set up by Exim Bank and SIDBI.
Quick Fact: Uttar Pradesh is the state with the highest numbers of MSMEs.
International Affairs
Israel launches Covid antibody tests for children aged 3
Israel has launched antibody testing for children aged three in order to get the exact number of unvaccinated youts who have developed antibodies against coronavirus.
The tests were launched by the health ministry, education ministry and army’s Home front command in the backdrop of opening up of schools.
Israel was among the first countries to launch a vaccination drive in mid-Decmber 2020 by an agreement with Pfizer.
Quick Fact: Jersulaem is the Capital of Israel.
Economy
PayPal launches Crypto buying and selling in the United Kindoms
PayPal Holdings Inc. has launched crypto buying and selling in the United Kingdoms allowing customer to buy, sell and hold bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
This roll-out marks the first international expansion of cryptocurrencies services of PayPal outside of United States.
PayPal is having over 403 million active accounts worldwide and is the largest mainstream financial companies that offer consumer access to cryptocurrencies.
Quick Fact: Paypal Holdings Inc. was established as Confinity in 1998.
Defense
Malabar Naval Exercise to begin from August 26
The navies of India, US, Australia and Japan are all set to conduct the Malabar Naval Exercise from August 26, 2021.
The sea drill will be conducted off the Guam Island which is a territory of US and is located 2,500 km east of Phillipines.
The four-day annual exercise will be conducted with the aim of enhancing inter-operability and developing a common understanding of procedures required for maritime security operations.
Quick Fact: Malabar exercise was started as a bilateral naval exercise in 1992 between India and the USA.
Economy
USAID, DFC & Kotak bank loan agreement for women & MSMEs in India
USAID (United States Agency for International Development) and USDFC (US International Development Finance Corporation) are sponsoring a USD 50 million loan portfolio guarantee to Kotak bank.
The agreement was signed to support increased access of finance for women borrowers as well as help MSMEs rebuild and scale their businesses.
The programme is expected to benefit more than 30,000 individual women borrowers and 7,500 MSME firms.
Sports
Shaili SIngh wins Silver medal in Long Jump at U20 Championships
Long jumper Shaili SIngh won silver medal at the U-20 World Athletics Championships in Nairobi with 6.59 metre jump.
European junior champion Maja Askag managed a 6.60 metre jump for the top spot on the final day of the championships.
Apart form Shaili Singh, India’s Amit Khatri has won the silver medal in the men’s 10,000m race walk at the World Atheltics U20 Championships in Nairobi.
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