10th July, 2024

1. FSSAI makes mandatory labelling of salt, sugar, fat on packaged food items
2. Karnataka launches ‘Digital Nagarik’ programme for Cyber Safety of kids, students
3. MoU signed between UP Tourism and MakeMyTrip
4. Rajasthan Becomes First State to Adopt a Road Safety Action Plan
5. Russia to build a new orbital station by 2033
6. World’s oldest cave painting found in Indonesia, shows humans and pig
7. Tata AMC launches India’s 1st first tourism index mutual fund
8. India to provide $2.5 million LoC for solar power plant in Guyana
9. SBI Report Pitches for “A New Comprehensive Mineral” policy
10. ONGC to invest Rs 2 lakh crores to meet net zero emission target
11. BNP Paribas launches operations in GIFT City
12. Gaming sector may hit $8.92 bn by 2029: Report
13. PM Modi awarded with Russia’s highest Civilian award
14. RBI approves reappointment of Govind Singh as MD and CEO of Utkarsh Small Finance Bank
15. Gautam Gambhir appointed as head coach of Indian men’s Cricket team

National News

1. FSSAI makes mandatory labelling of salt, sugar, fat on packaged food items
• What: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has approved the proposal to display nutritional information regarding Total Sugar, Salt and Saturated Fat in bold letters and increased font size on packaged food.

• Why: The amendment aims to help consumers better understand the nutritional value of products and make healthier decisions.
• Tell me more:
• Approval: This amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, was approved in the 44th meeting of the Food Authority, chaired by FSSAI Chairperson, Apurva Chandra.
• Note: All the FBOs have also been instructed to exhaust all existing pre-printed packaging materials before 1st September 2024.
• Health Impact: Labels will show the information on per-serve percentage contribution to the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for total sugar, saturated fat, and sodium in bold letters.
• This change is expected to combat the rise of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and promote public health and well-being.

Source: PIB

State News

1. Karnataka launches ‘Digital Nagarik’ programme for Cyber Safety of kids, students
• What: Karnataka has launched an innovative cybersecurity awareness program called “Digital Nagarik”.
• Why: The program focuses on educating people about digital safety and enhancing their augmented reality/virtual reality (AR-VR) skills.
• Tell me more:
• Target Audience: The Karnataka government plans to empower 1 lakh teachers and 10 lakh students with these skills by 2025.
• Collaboration with Meta: Karnataka has partnered with Meta (formerly Facebook)
• Implementation Phases: Initially, Bengaluru, Mysuru, Kalaburagi, Belagavi, and Dakshina Kannada will be covered, followed by other districts.
• Comprehensive Curriculum: The program includes workshops, seminars, and hands-on activities, conducted in both Kannada and English.
• Also it is claimed that Karnataka is, the first state in India, joined with Meta for such an initiative and entered into a two-year partnership to promote digital education and online safety for students in December 2023.

Source: Times of India

2. MoU signed between UP Tourism and MakeMyTrip
• What: The Uttar Pradesh (UP) Tourism Department has signed an MOU with MakeMyTrip, an online travel agency.
• Why: This partnership aims to leverage data and expertise to create a more informed and enjoyable travel experience for tourists visiting UP.

Source: Economic Times

3. Rajasthan Becomes First State to Adopt a Road Safety Action Plan
• What: Rajasthan has become the first state in India to adopt a comprehensive 10-year road safety plan.
• Tell me more:
• Duration: 10 years
• Aim: It will be aimed at reducing road accidents in the State by 50% till 2030.
• Phased Implementation Strategy: Implementing the safety measures for roads is organized into three key steps:
• 2025–2027: Focus on basic road safety issues, such as following speed limits and traffic signals.
• In its first phase focus on safety audits of 500 km of state highways and major district roads.
• 2027 to 2030: Focus will be put more on safety behaviors like wearing seatbelts and helmets.
• 2030 to 2033: Advanced mergers will focus on creating safer walking areas and improving infrastructure.
• Measures included in the Rajasthan government’s 10-Year Road Safety Action Plan:
• Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD): Implementation of the iRAD application for online data entry of road accidents.
• Public Awareness and Behavioral Changes:
• World Bank Assistance: Utilizing the World Bank’s assistance to incorporate international best practices in the preparation of the action plan and road safety policy.

Source: Times of India

International News

1. Russia to build a new orbital station by 2033
• What: Russia has approved a masterplan for the creation of a new space station, which is set to be fully ready by 2033.
• Russia is set to launch the 1st research and energy module for the ROS in 2027, and 3 other core modules, namely the universal nodal, gateway, and base modules, will be launched by 2030.
• In the 2nd stage, from 2031 to 2033, 2 special- purpose modules (TSM1 and TSM2) will be launched.
• The project, estimated at 608.9 billion rubles (USD 6.98 billion).

Source: XINHUA

2. World’s oldest cave painting found in Indonesia, shows humans and pig
• What: Australian and Indonesian scientists have discovered the world’s oldest-known cave painting inside Leang Karampuang cave in Sulawesi, Indonesia, dating back at least 51,200 years.
• Previously, the oldest known painting was in Sulawesi’s Leang Tedongnge cave, Indonesia, dating to at least 45,500 years ago.

• However, some believe that the painting in Spain’s Maltravieso cave attributed to Neanderthals is the oldest and dates back to around 64,000 years ago.

Source: BBC

Banking and Economy

1. Tata AMC launches India’s 1st first tourism index mutual fund
• What: Tata Asset Management Company recently launched India’s first tourism index mutual fund, known as the Tata Nifty India Tourism Index Fund.
• Tell me more:
• The fund comprises a collection of companies forming part of the Nifty 500.
• It will track the Nifty India Tourism Index, which includes companies from the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors.
• The fund allocates 32% weightage to the hotels and resorts sector, followed by airlines (19%), restaurants (19%), travel-related services (16%), airports and airport services (10%), and luggage (3%).

Source: Zee Business

2. India to provide $2.5 million LoC for solar power plant in Guyana
• What: The Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank) signed an agreement with the Government of Guyana.
• Deal was signed on February, 2024, the agreement under the Line of Credit (LoC) is effective from June 24, 2024.
• Why: To provide India-supported LoC for installing a solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant.
• Tell me more:
• LoC value: USD 2.50 million
• Venue: The plant to be installed at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) in Timehri, Guyana.
• Credit Allocation: Of the total credit, at least 75% of goods, works, and services must be supplied from India, with the remaining 25% allowed from outside India i.e. foreign sourcing.
• Export Eligibility: Exports of eligible goods and services from India will be allowed if they meet the criteria specified in the Indian government’s Foreign Trade Policy and are financed under an agreement with EXIM Bank.

Source: Economic Times

3. SBI Report Pitches for “A New Comprehensive Mineral” policy
• What: As per SBI, India is endowed with huge resources of many metallic and non-metallic minerals, and currently produces as many as 95 minerals.
• However, India’s mineral production growth has stagnated since last five years.
• That’s why SBI has proposed for a new comprehensive Mineral policy.
• Tell me more (Why there is a Need for New Mineral Policy)
• Low CAGR: 5-year CAGR (from FY19 to FY24) of most of the major minerals (in quantity terms) is in single digits or declining.
• High Employment Potential Sector: Mining is a huge labor-intensive sector. 10% increase in mineral production, in value terms, could generate an additional 50,000 – 70,000 daily jobs.
• Import Reliance: India is 100% import-dependent for certain critical minerals.
• To curb Other challenges: Bureaucratic hurdles, regulatory hurdles, and lack of infrastructure.
• Recommendations of Report:
• Comprehensive policy that spans entire value chain
• International Collaboration with other countries.
• Enhancing of processing capacity.
• Involvement of private sector.
• Introduction of PLI, Promoting a circular economy through recycling.

4. ONGC to invest Rs 2 lakh crores to meet net zero emission target
• What: Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), a state-owned company in India, has announced to invest around ₹2 lakh crore (approximately $27 billion) to achieve its net-zero carbon emission goal by 2038.

5. BNP Paribas launches operations in GIFT City
• What: BNP Paribas, the French banking company, has recently launched operations at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT-IFSC) by opening a new branch.
• The BNP Paribas GIFT City branch aims to tap new business opportunities for both its onshore and offshore clients.

Source: Times of India

Reports and Indices

1. Gaming sector may hit $8.92 bn by 2029: Report
• What: According to a recent report, by Grant Thornton Bharat and the E-Gaming Federation the Indian gaming market is poised for significant growth.
• Why: This growth is driven by widespread smartphone use, affordable internet access, and a tech-savvy youth demographic.
• Tell me more:
• Despite grappling with the newly implemented 28 percent goods and services tax, the Indian gaming industry is projected to grow to $8.92 billion in the next five years.
• The market was currently valued at USD 3.1 billion,
• it will be growing at a CAGR of 28.5%.
• Factual points:
• India 2nd-largest gaming market with 442 million gamers, after China
• India: 16% of global game downloads
• Gaming companies Raised $2.8 bn in 5 years from global investors
• 15,000 game developers and programmers in India

Source: Financial Express

Awards

1. PM Modi awarded with Russia’s highest Civilian award
• What: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded Russia’s highest civilian honour, the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, during his visit to the Russia
• Tell me more:
• Why given: The award for the PM was announced in 2019, for “exceptional services in promoting special & privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India and friendly relations between the Russian and Indian peoples.”

• What is the award, and who gets it: The award is given to prominent government and public figures, military leaders, representatives of science, culture, art, and various sectors of the economy for exceptional services to Russia.
• It can also be awarded to heads of foreign states for outstanding services to the Russian Federation.
• Origin of name: Its name comes from Saint Andrew, who is believed to be one of the apostles or 12 original followers of Jesus.
• Tsar Peter the Great (1672–1725) established the Order of Saint Andrew in 1698.
• Award design: The chain of the Order consists of 17 alternating links, and features a gilded image of the State Emblem of the Russian Federation, a double-headed eagle.
• It also includes a badge, a star, and a light blue silk moire ribbon. For those recognised for distinction in combat, the badge and star are adorned with swords.
• Controversy: The order was abolished in 1918 following the Russian Revolution, which overthrew the Tsarist regime. It was re-established in 1998 by an Executive Order of the President of Russia.
• Foreign leaders who have received the honour earlier: Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2017, and the former President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Source: Indian Express

Appointments

1. RBI approves reappointment of Govind Singh as MD and CEO of Utkarsh Small Finance Bank
• What: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the reappointment of Govind Singh as Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Utkarsh Small Finance Bank Limited (USFBL) for a period of three years with effect from September 21 2024.

Source: CNBC TV18

2. Gautam Gambhir appointed as head coach of Indian men’s Cricket team
• What: Gautam Gambhir has been appointed as the Head Coach of the Indian men’s cricket team.
• He will be replacing Rahul Dravid as the head coach.
• Prior to this appointment, Gambhir was the Head Coach of an IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders
• He will take charge from the upcoming away series against Sri Lanka.
• Gambhir, a former Indian left-hand Batsman.
• He was a member of 2007 ICC World T20, and 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup team.

Source: News18

Start Quiz of 10th July 2024 on Mobile

Start Quiz of 10th July 2024 on Desktop