(International Agreement News)
Memorandum of Cooperation between India and Finland on Environmental Cooperation
 
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modihas approved Memorandum of Cooperation between India and Finland on Environmental Cooperation. 
The areas of cooperation under this Memorandum of Cooperation shall include:
 
•    Air and water pollution prevention and purification, remediation of contaminated soils;
•    Waste management including hazardous wastes, and waste-to-energy technologies;
•    Promotion of circular economy, low-carbon solutions and sustainable management of natural resources including forests:
•    Climate change;
•    Environmental and Forest monitoring and data management;
•    Conservation of Marine and Coastal Resources;
•    Integrated water management of Oceanic/Sea Islands; and
•    Any other areas jointly decided upon.

Cabinet approves MoU between India and Lebanon in the field of agriculture and allied sectors
 
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Lebanon for cooperation in the field of agriculture and allied sectors.
Benefits of MoU:
It will promote understanding of best Agricultural practices in the two countries 
It will help in better productivity at farmer fields as well as improved global market.
 It will help to increase agriculture production and productivity by getting access to best practices and market worldwide.  
It will lead to innovative techniques for increasing production and productivity, leading to strengthening of food security.


(National News)
Set up of two new Indian Institutes of Science Education & Research (IISERs) 
 
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved establishment and operationalistion of permanent campuses of the two new Indian Institutes of Science Education & Research (IISERs) at Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh) and Berhampur (Odisha).  
The total cost likely to be incurred is Rs. 3074.12 crore (Non-Recurring: Rs.2366.48 crore and Recurring: 707.64 crore).
Background:
 In 2015, IISER, Tirupati was established in pursuance to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, while IISER, Berhampur was established in 2016 in pursuance to the announcement made by the Union Finance Minister in his Budget speech, 2015. These institutes are presently functioning from transit campuses.

IAF launched "MedWatch mobile health" app
 
The Indian Air Force launched an innovative mobile health application called ‘MedWatch’ on October 8, 2018, on the occasion of its 86th anniversary. It was launched by Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, Chief of the Air Staff.
The app has been conceived by the doctors of IAF and developed in-house by the Directorate of Information Technology (DIT) with zero financial outlay.
Air Force Day

The Air Force Day is celebrated every year on October 8 to pay rich tribute to the untiring efforts and supreme sacrifice made by veterans, who laid a strong foundation for the service. 


Merger of NCVT and NSDA to establish National Council for Vocational Education and Training, NCVET
 
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the merger of the existing regulatory institutions in the skills space - National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) and the National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) into the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET).
National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT)
The National Council for Vocational Training, an advisory body, was set up by theGovernment of India in 1956 (the then National Council of Training in Vocational Trades—NCTVT).
National Skill Development Agency (NSDA)
National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) is an autonomous body under Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship that anchors the National Skill Qualifications Framework and allied quality assurance mechanisms for synergizing skill initiatives in the country.


Approval for closure of Biecco Lawrie Limited 
 
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the proposal for closure of the Biecco Lawrie Limited (BLL) including giving Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS)/ Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS) to the employees of the Company.
Background:
BLL is a Schedule ‘C’ Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) with 67.33% and 32.33% equity share held by Oil Industry Development Board (OIDB) and Government of India respectively. The remaining 0.44% shares are held by others.
Biecco Lawrie, located
Biecco Lawrie, located in Kolkata, was established in 1919 as British India Electric Construction Company. It started as a tea garden machine manufacturer and made shell cases, food containers, camouflage sets for military during World War II. 

(Sports News)
Asian Para-Games: 
Archer Harvinder Singh clinches gold for India 
 
Archer Harvinder Singh notched up the men's individual recurve gold, while track-and-field athletes added a silver and a bronze to India's tally in the Asian Para-Games in Jakarta today.
 
Harvinder defeated China's Zhao Lixue 6-0 in the W2/ST category final to claim the top honours and take India's gold tally to seven.
 
Monu Ghangas claimed the silver in the men's discus throw F11 category, while Mohammed Yasser fetched a bronze in the men's shot put F46 category.

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