The Uttar Pradesh Government headed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, as part of its mission to eradicate filariasis from the state, is all set to launch the Annual Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Campaign from February 5 to 15. The campaign will be conducted in 17 districts of Uttar Pradesh.

"During this campaign, proficient health workers will conduct door-to-door visits, administering filariasis prevention medication to the entire population, with the exclusion of children under two years of age, pregnant women, and those facing serious illnesses," as per a press release from the Chief Minister's Office.

It's noteworthy that the central government has set a targeted deadline of 2027 for the complete elimination of filariasis from the country.

India and Oman on Wednesday signed an agreement that would provide a framework for collaboration in new areas of defence engagement including procurement of military equipment. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was firmed up at a meeting of India-Oman joint military cooperation committee (JMCC) in Muscat.

In the talks, the two sides also carried out a comprehensive review of their defence cooperation and explored ways to boost it in line with their shared strategic interests.

The two sides specifically focused on possible collaboration in the defence industrial sector at the meeting. The Indian delegation at the talks was led by Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane.

India picked up their first gold of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun stage in Cairo, Egypt, when Rhythm Sangwan and Ujjwal Malik combined to defeat the Armenian pair of Elmira Karapetyan and Benik Khlghatyan 17-7 in the 10m air pistol mixed team gold medal match on Day Two of competitions, at the Egypt International Olympic City Shooting range on Saturday.

Earlier, Arjun Babuta and Sonam Uttam Maskar won silver in the 10m air rifle mixed team event as India ended the day with one gold and two silver medals to their kitty. Anuradha Devi had opened the team’s account with a silver in the women’s 10m air pistol on Friday evening.

10m Air Pistol Mixed Team of Rhythm Sangwan & Ujjwal Malik won Gold at ISSF World Cup in Cairo????????

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.