WHO has awarded its first-ever certificates validating progress in eliminating industrially produced trans fatty-acids to five countries. Denmark, Lithuania, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand have each demonstrated they have a best practice policy for industrially produced trans-fatty acids (iTFA) elimination in effect, supported by adequate monitoring and enforcement systems. WHO also released results from the first five years of its REPLACE initiative to eliminate iTFA.

While the ambitious target set by WHO in 2018—to fully eliminate iTFA from the global food supply by the end of 2023—was not met, there has been remarkable progress made towards this goal in every region of the world. In 2023 alone, new best-practice policies became effective in 7 countries (Egypt, Mexico, Moldova, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Philippines, and Ukraine).

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on January 31 imposed major business restrictions on Paytm Payments Bank including accepting fresh deposits and doing credit transactions after February 29.

On March 11, the RBI barred Paytm Payments Bank from onboarding new customers.

The central bank said a Comprehensive System Audit report and subsequent compliance validation report of the external auditors revealed persistent non-compliances and continued material supervisory concerns in the bank, warranting further supervisory action.

No further deposits or credit transactions or top ups shall be allowed in any customer accounts, prepaid instruments, wallets, FASTags, NCMC cards, etc. after February 29, 2024, other than any interest, cashbacks, or refunds which may be credited anytime, RBI said.

Every year on February 1, India commemorates Indian Coast Guard Day, recognizing the vital role this maritime force plays in securing our vast coastline and enforcing regulations in our exclusive economic zone. This year marks the 48th anniversary of the Coast Guard’s establishment, which boasts a dedicated and highly skilled team of personnel.

The Coast Guard shoulders several crucial responsibilities. They conduct search and rescue operations, safeguard against maritime smuggling, and diligently patrol our borders. They work closely with various agencies like the Navy, Customs, Fisheries department, and state police to ensure comprehensive maritime security.

THDC India Limited, a leading Power Sector PSU, has also established a benchmark in Green Hydrogen production, by successfully implementing India's one of the first pilot project aligned with the "National Green Hydrogen Mission" on the auspicious occasion of 75th Republic Day.

The project developed at the office complex in Rishikesh, has been inaugurated by THDC's Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) R. K. Vishnoi in the presence of THDC's Director (Personnel) Shallinder Singh and THDC's Director (Technical) Bhupender Gupta along with all other senior officers of THDC.

Sonam Maskar won the women’s air rifle silver on debut as she was beaten by 0.9 points by Anna Janssen of Germany in the shooting World Cup in Cairo, Egypt, on Sunday.

Nancy Mandhotra also made the final with an impressive qualification score of 633.1 but missed the chance to win a medal by 0.2 points.

In the women’s 25-metre sports pistol final on Monday, Simranpreet Kaur Brar finished fifth after having topped qualification with 586.

Rhythm Sangwan shot 582 and missed the final by one point. Olympic quota winner in the event, Manu Bhaker shot 580 for the 14th place.

Sharat Chauhan, Principal Commissioner, Finance, Planning and Investment Department, Arunachal Pradesh, is the new Chief Secretary of the Union Territory of Puducherry.

The outgoing Chief Secretary, Rajeev Verma, has been posted as Adviser to the Administrator in Chandigarh, according to an order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Dr. Chauhan belongs to the 1994 AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory) cadre.

The postings are ordered with immediate effect and until further notice, the MHA order said.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan launched the book 'Ek Samandar, Mere Andar', written by BrahMos Aerospace Deputy CEO Sanjeev Joshi.

Put into writing by Joshi over the past many years, the book is a collection of 75 poems.

The book was launched at a function on Monday evening at the India International Centre.

Along with NSA Ajit Doval and CDS Gen Chauhan, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt was also present for the launch of the book.

Elon Musk’s controversial startup Neuralink has implanted a chip in a human brain for the first time, the billionaire said in a post on his X platform late Monday.

The operation took place on Sunday and the patient was recovering well, he added.

Musk’s announcement could mark an important milestone for Neuralink’s efforts to usher potentially life-transforming technology out of the lab and into the real world. But he offered few details, and it’s unclear from Musk’s post how significant of a scientific advancement the implantation represents.

Power consumers in Delhi have a reason to cheer as the Delhi government has formulated the Delhi Solar Policy 2024 that will not only ensure zero electricity bills but also allow them to earn by installing solar panels on the rooftops of their houses.

Making amendments to State Solar Policy 2016 that resulted in 1500 MW solar power installed capacity in Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has come out with a more consumer-friendly Solar Policy 2024 that will provide 4500 megawatts of installed capacity of solar power in Delhi by 2027.

Addressing media persons on Monday, CM Kejriwal said that the Delhi Solar Policy 2016, announced in the first term of the AAP government after coming to power in 2015, laid the foundation for solar adoption in Delhi.

Larsen and Toubro (L&T) on Tuesday said it has bagged a project to set up a solar power plant in Dubai.

The order has been bagged by the renewable engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) arm of L&T's power transmission and distribution business.

The project involves setting up a "solar photovoltaic plant in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates," the company said in a filing to BSE.