NATIONAL NEWS

Additional Guidelines for Health and Wellness Celebrities

• The Department of Consumer Affairs, under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, has released Additional Guidelines for celebrities, influencers and virtual influencers in the field of health and wellness.

• The Additional Influencer Guidelines for Health and Wellness Celebrities, Influencers and Virtual Influencers have been developed after detailed discussions with all stakeholders including the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Ayush, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI).

• The additional guidelines aim to deal with misleading advertisements, unsubstantiated claims and ensure transparency in health and wellness endorsements.

• Under the guidelines, certified medical practitioners and health & fitness experts holding certifications from recognized institutions when sharing information, promoting products or services or making any health-related claims, must disclose that they are certified health/fitness experts and medical practitioners.

Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Initiative for Lymphatic Filariasis

• India is committed to eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis by 2027, three years ahead of the global target through mission mode, multi-partner, multi-sector targeted drive.

• This was stated by Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Mansukh Mandaviya as he inaugurated the second phase of the Annual Nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) initiative, in the presence of Dr Bharti Pravin Pawar, Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Prof. S.P. Singh Bhagel, Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

• The Union Minister further stressed that Through Jan Bhagidaari and ‘Whole of Government’ and ‘Whole of Society’ approach, we shall be able to eliminate this disease from the country”.
• The second phase, will cover 81 districts in 9 endemic States Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

US President Bans American Investments in Key Technology Industries

• US President Joe Biden has signed an executive order banning American investments in key technology industries that could be used to enhance China’s military capabilities.

• President Biden declared the move a national emergency to deal with the threat of advancement by countries of concern in sensitive technologies and products critical to the military, intelligence, surveillance, or cyber-enabled capabilities of such countries.

• The order will ban venture capital and private equity firms from investing money into Chinese efforts to make semiconductors and other microelectronics, quantum computers and certain artificial intelligence applications.

• Administration officials said that the decision was taken to protect national security.

Poland Starts Sending Troops to the Border

• Amid rising threats from Belarus and Wagner fighters, Poland has started sending troops to the border to reinforce its control and curb the entry of illegal migrants.
• Poland is sending two thousand soldiers to its border with Belarus to stem illegal crossings and maintain stability.
• According to reports, Poland has seen an increased inflow of Middle Eastern and African migrants trying to enter the country illegally through Poland.
• Warsaw has been accusing Belarus of sending illegal migrants to Poland to foment instability.

BANKING

Insurance Companies to Adopt Indian Accounting Standards

• Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has asked the top 15 insurance companies to adopt the new Indian Accounting Standard (IND-AS) accounting framework from 01 April 2024 (FY25).
• This is the first such partial roll-out of accounting standards for the insurance industry in many decades, and the move is aimed at bringing Indian accounting practices closer to global standards.
• State-run insurance companies, including LIC have been excluded from the adoption of the new accounting rules for now.
• IRDAI has identified 15 companies that have foreign equity partners and strategic collaborations for the purpose.
• Some of these companies are ICICI Prudential Life, ICICI Lombard General, TATA AIG General, Niva Bupa Health, HDFC Life, and HDFC Ergo General.
• Over 140 countries have adopted International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 17, effective January 2023.
• IND-AS 117 is designed in coordination with IFRS-17.
• The new accounting standard will replace Ind AS 104, Insurance Contracts.

SPORTS

Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai

• In Hockey, India defeated Pakistan 4-0 in the final game of the group stage to enter the semi-finals of the Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai.

• Indian Skipper Harmanpreet Singh struck twice, while Jugraj Singha and Mandeep Singh scored one each as India finished the group stage as the only unbeaten team in the tournament.

• India now leads the standings with 13 points after four wins and one draw while Pakistan are eliminated from the tournament.

• Earlier, Malaysia beat Korea 1-0 and secured their semifinal berth.
• India will face Japan in the semifinals, while Malaysia will face Korea.

World Athletics Championships 2023

• In the upcoming World Athletics Championships 2023, javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra will lead the Indian contingent.

• The Championships are beginning in Budapest on 19 August.

• In a statement, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced that it will fund 28 Indian athletes for the mega event.

• Matches will be played till the 27 August.

• Out of 28 competing athletes, 15 would be competing at the World Championships for the very first time.

• Former Under 20 silver medalist, Shaili Singh, is the youngest member of the contingent.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Government has Approved Establishment of a New Spaceport

• Dr Jitendra Singh announced, the Indian Space Policy – 2023 has been approved and released in the public domain.
• The Policy opens up the sector for enhanced participation of Non-Government Entities (NGEs) across the entire value chain of the space economy while delineating the roles of various stakeholders through IN-SPACe, ISRO, NSIL and DOS.
• Government has set up the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) as a single-window agency for the promotion and authorization of space activities.
• The budget allocations for IN-SPACe
• 2021-22 Rs. 10 Cr
• 2022-23 Rs. 33 Cr
• 2023-24 Rs. 95 Cr
• Dr Jitendra Singh also informed that the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory – India (LIGO-India) project has been approved by the Government of India at an estimated cost of Rs. 2600 Crore, with the Department of Atomic Energy as the Lead Agency.
• On the issue of Chandrayaan-3, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the spacecraft was successfully launched

DEFENCE

INS Visakhapatnam and INS Trikand Arrive in Dubai

• Two Indian Navy ships, INS Visakhapatnam and INS Trikand, arrived at Port Rashid in Dubai for a bilateral exercise with the UAE Navy.

• The exercise, aims to share best practices and increase synergies between the two navies.

• Under Rear Admiral Vineet McCarty’s command, the ships will engage in professional interactions with the UAE Naval Force, focusing on maritime operations.

• ‘Zayed Talwar,’ a bilateral exercise, is scheduled to enhance interoperability and synergy between the two navies, contributing to regional security.

• Led by Captains Ashok Rao and Pramod G Thomas, INS Visakhapatnam and INS Trikand showcase advanced maritime capabilities.
• This visit underscores growing diplomatic collaboration between the Indian and UAE navies.