NATIONAL NEWS

Indian Government Donates $85 million to WHO’s GTMC Jamnagar

The Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, has signed an agreement with the World Health Organisation (WHO) of the United Nations to provide $85 million to the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) in Jamnagar, Gujarat, over a 10-year period (2022-2032).

The interim WHO GCTM is already functional in Jamnagar, and the money will be used to expand the centre and fund its research and development activities.

WHO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush, has set up WHO's Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) in Jamnagar, Gujarat. It is the only global centre for traditional medicine.

The GCTM has been set up to harness the potential of traditional medicine worldwide through the use of modern science and technology and improve the overall health of communities worldwide.

4th Rashtriya Hindi Vigyan Sammelan 2024 Held in Bhopal

The 4th edition of the Rashtriya Hindi Vigyan Sammelan 2024 was held in the Madhya Pradesh capital, Bhopal, on 30 and 31 July 2024.

The Rashtriya Hindi Vigyan Sammelan's aim is to provide a platform for researchers to present and discuss their work in Hindi, enrich science and technology-based research in Hindi and popularise science and technology through Hindi medium.

The conference featured six sessions on diverse topics of Science, Technology, Ayurveda, Engineering, and Science Communication.

The 4th Rashtriya Hindi Vigyan Sammelan 2024 was organised by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (CSIR-AMPRI), Bhopal.

The theme of the 4th Rashtriya Hindi Vigyan Sammelan 2024 was "Upgradation of National Scientific Consciousness in Amrit Kaal."

Wayanad was Among Kerala Districts that Ranked High on ISRO ‘Landslide Atlas’

Wayanad, Kerala, recently experienced a devastating landslide on July 30, highlighting the district's vulnerability to such natural disasters.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) had identified Wayanad as a high-risk area for landslides based on various socio-economic parameters in a 2023 national-level database.

The Landslide Atlas of India, prepared by the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of ISRO in February 2023, ranked Wayanad 13th among 147 districts in 17 States and two Union Territories based on landslide exposure.

A recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) highlighted significant forest fragmentation in Wayanad.

The district's forest land reduced from 1,811.35 sq km in 1950 to 863.86 sq km in 2021, due to increasing areas under plantation and cultivation.

This fragmentation exacerbates the risk of landslides and other ecological impacts.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India Announces $300 Million Loan to Vietnam

The government of India has announced two loans totalling $300 million to Vietnam during the visit of the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh. The loan is for strengthening Vietnam’s maritime security.

The Vietnamese Prime Minister was on an official three-day, from 30 July to -1 August 2024 visit to India.

Nine agreements were signed between India and Vietnam during the visit of the Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

During the visit, it was announced that Vietnam will join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).

This is the first visit of a Vietnamese leader to India after India and Vietnam established their comprehensive strategic partnership in September 2016.

India became the third country in 2016 after China (2008) and Russia (2012), with which Vietnam has signed a comprehensive strategic partnership.

 

BANKING

Ransomware Attack Cripples Payment Systems at Nearly 300 Small Indian Banks

A ransomware attack on C-Edge Technologies, a major banking technology provider in India, has led to the temporary shutdown of payment systems at nearly 300 small local banks.

The National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) has temporarily isolated C-Edge Technologies from accessing the retail payments system to contain the attack.

As a result, customers of affected banks are unable to complete online transactions, such as RTGS and UPI payments.

The ransomware attack primarily impacts small cooperative and regional banks, which make up about 0.5% of the country's payment system volumes.

Online transactions are disrupted; money may be deducted from the sender’s account but may not be credited to the receiver’s account.

The NPCI is conducting a thorough audit to prevent the spread of the attack.

New India Assurance Raises Health Insurance Premiums by 10%

New India Assurance, the country's largest general insurer, has increased premiums on certain health insurance products by 10%.

The increase will be effective from November 11, 2024.

The adjustment is in response to rising loss ratios and new regulations from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).

The premium hike affects approximately 25% of New India Assurance's health insurance portfolio.

It includes reduction in the waiting period for pre-existing diseases from 48 months to 36 months.

It also includes reduction in the moratorium period from 8 years to 5 years.

The changes introduced by IRDAI expanded coverage, leading to higher anticipated claims and necessitating the premium adjustment.

 

DEFENCE

India to Host First Multinational Air Exercise Tarang Shakti 2024

Indian Air Force vice chief Air Marshal AP Singh announced that the air exercise ‘Tarang Shakti’ will be the largest international air exercise ever conducted in India, with invitations extended to 51 countries.

The exercise will be held in two phases and aims to boost military cooperation and highlight India’s defence industry, supporting the country’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).

The Indian Air Force has received confirmation from ten countries for participation with their assets and 18 countries as observers for the exercise.

This phase will be conducted at Sulur in Tamil Nadu from August 6 to August 14. Countries participating with their assets include France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

Phase Two will be held at Jodhpur in Rajasthan from September 1 to 14, this phase will see participation from Australia, Bangladesh, Greece, Singapore, UAE, and the USA with their assets.

An important objective of the exercise is to showcase India's booming indigenous defence ecosystem.

The event will also feature a defence industrial expo showcasing top Indian defence companies and innovative startups.

 

SPORTS

Sarah Sjostrom Claims Women's 100m Freestyle Gold at Paris Olympics

Sarah Sjostrom of Sweden won the women’s 100-metre freestyle gold at the Paris Olympics.

The victory came as a surprise, as Sjostrom only decided to race the 100m freestyle shortly before the Games.

Sjostrom clocked 52.16 seconds, winning by 0.13 seconds.

She made a strong comeback in the final 50 metres to secure the gold medal.

 

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Receives "Call of the Gir" Book

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi received the coffee table book "Call of the Gir," dedicated to Gir and the Asiatic lions, from Rajya Sabha Member Parimal Nathwani.

The book celebrates the majestic landscapes of Gir, highlighting the urgent need for conservation.

It was published by QUIGNOG

Nathwani dedicated the book to PM Modi, recognising him as the visionary behind Project Lion and Lion@2047: Vision for Amrit Kaal.

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Breastfeeding Week

World Breastfeeding Week is an annual global healthcare event celebrated from August 1st to 7th.

This observance unites international and local organizations to emphasize the importance of breastfeeding for both newborns and mothers.

The campaign advocates for women’s rights to breastfeed anytime and anywhere, highlighting the benefits of breastfeeding.

Theme for the year is Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All"

This year's theme focuses on celebrating the diversity of breastfeeding mothers and their journeys. The campaign aims to demonstrate how families, societies, communities, and health workers can support every breastfeeding mother, regardless of their circumstances.

World Breastfeeding Week has been celebrated since 1990, following the Innocent Declaration.