* the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India launched the Sustainable Finance Collaborative (SFC).

* In this regard, a three days consultation centered on the broad scope of Sustainable Finance architecture in India was held to accelerate green finance by bringing together leading experts and organizations.

• All India Football Federation (AIFF) has signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Professional Scouting Organisation (IPSO) to deliver a number of courses and webinars with regards to scouting in India.

• As per the agreement, information required for scouting and analysis will be provided to the attendees and arrangements of high-quality courses and webinars will be made.

• The first of these online workshops are set to take place from September 7 to 11, which will include a two-hour session each of the four days starting at 7 pm IST every day.

• Acquisition Wing of Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract worth Rs 2580 Cr with M/s. Bharat Earth Movers Ltd. (BEML), M/s. Tata Power Company Ltd. (TPCL) and M/s. Larsen & Toubro (L&T).

• The contract has been signed for supply of six Pinaka Regiments to the Regiment of Artillery of the Indian Army and hence will enhance the operation preparedness of our Armed Forces.

• Induction of Six Pinaka Regiments which comprise 114 Launchers with Automated Gun Aiming & Positioning System (AGAPS); 45 Command Posts to be procured from M/s TPCL and M/s L&T and 330 Vehicles to be procured from M/s BEML, is planned to be completed by 2024.

• It will also provide further boost to the ‘Make in India’ initiative of Government of India in the Defence Sector.

• India, Japan and Australia agreed to launch a trilateral Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) in the Indo-Pacific region.

• The initiative will help in building a resilient supply chain with focus on free, transparent trade & investment environment in the region.

• Proposed by Japan and to reduce the dependency on China.

• Australia, Japan and India are part of Quadrilateral Security Dialogue which includes the U.S.

• A Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the field of geology and mineral resources between Geological Survey of India and Geological Survey of Finland.

• The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved the MoU.

• The MoU facilitates cooperation in the field of geology, training, mineral prognostication and suitability analysis, Seismic and other Geophysical surveys

• MoU aims at strengthening scientific links between the two Organisations.

• It also aims to provide with a framework and a platform to promote and foster cooperation in the fields of geology, and mineral resources between the participants for mutual economic, social and environmental benefit.

• Mahindra & Mahindra(M&M) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with REE Automotive, Israel based startup firm to explore development and manufacturing of electric commercial vehicles for the global market.

• The corner modular architecture of REE integrated with the design, engineering, sourcing, ecosystem and production capacity of Mahindra will provide zero emission vehicles, including the autonomous vehicles.

• This will improve the mahindra’s capabilities in the Electric Vehicle(EV) sector.

• This strategic collaboration will improve the corner module and platform technology of integrating powertrain, suspension and steering components of REE.

• ISRO has signed an MoU with Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT) to set up VSSUT Space Innovation Centre (VSSSIC) to promote space research.

• Under the MoU ISRO and VSSUT will collaborate to develop high-end simulation tools, miniature test facilities like Static test facility and solid propulsion research lab and establishment of testing facilities for the scaled-down model.

• ISRO will offer technical consultancy support and financial assistance of Rs.50 lakhs for the development of infrastructure of VSSUT.

• Information Technology services major Tech Mahindra joined hands with NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) to support Indian women entrepreneurs.

• In this regard, Tech Mahindra has partnered with the winners of Women Transforming India (WTI) Awards, to provide mentorship.

• WTI awards is an initiative of the WEP to recognise women leaders in entrepreneurship across various sectors like healthcare and life sciences, agritech and education, among others.

• Also, Tech Mahindra’s research and development arm, Makers Lab, will support women entrepreneurs through joint research, building go-to-market strategies to drive their growth.

• The Government of India, the Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has signed a loan agreement for a $500 million Mumbai Urban Transport Project-III.

• The aim of the project is to improve the network capacity, service quality and safety of the suburban railway system in Mumbai.

• With a population of 22.8 million (2011), Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) is the most populous metropolitan region in India and is expected to reach 29.3 million by 2031 and 32.1 million by 2041.

• Ministry of Tourism has signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) and FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) with primary objective of women empowerment.

• The signed MoU will enable FLO & TAAI to focus on personal and hospitality skills, a more flexible work balance and greater options for entrepreneurship with lower capital.

• The partnership between the three aims to increase the participation of women in the tourism sector and enable them to become an integral part of the tourism workforce of India.

• This will be achieved by creating awareness among state tourism departments and state tourism corporations, to highlight the contribution tourism industry can make for sustainable livelihood for women and ensure their economic upliftment.