INTERNATIONAL NEWS

BRICS partners launched a Centre for Industrial Competences.

• BRICS countries, in collaboration with UNIDO, have established a Centre for Industrial Competences.

• The centre is aimed at enhancing industrial skills and capabilities among its members.

• It will foster partnerships within the framework of the New Industrial Revolution (NIR).

• The UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology participated in the launch alongside BRICS members.

• This centre will focus on identifying key interests, challenges, and opportunities in the evolving industrial sector.

• The initiative underscores the BRICS countries' commitment to aligning industrial policies with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• The centre will play a crucial role in advancing industrial competencies among BRICS nations.

• The declaration from the launch highlighted the importance of cooperation on industrial policy to support global development goals.

Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been elected by Thailand’s Parliament as country’s new Prime Minister.

• Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been elected as Thailand's new Prime Minister by the country's Parliament.

• Paetongtarn is the youngest daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

• She is the leader of the ruling Pheu Thai party.

• Paetongtarn Shinawatra is Thailand's youngest-ever prime minister.

• Her nomination followed the dismissal of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on August 14, 2024.

• Srettha Thavisin was removed from office by the Constitutional Court for a serious ethical breach involving an alleged bribery attempt.

• The same court also dissolved the progressive Move Forward party, which had won the previous year’s general election.

• Paetongtarn is the third member of the Shinawatra family to lead Thailand.

• Thailand is a Southeast Asian nation with Bangkok as its capital, and its currency is the Thai Baht.

• The country operates as a unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy.

NATIONAL NEWS

Centre released rules to boost offshore mineral exploration & production

• The central government unveiled the Offshore Areas Mineral Trust Rules, 2024, to regulate offshore mineral exploration and production.

• Offshore mine holders are required to contribute 10% of their royalty payments to the Trust, which will be deposited into India's public account.

• The Ministry of Mines has identified 10 offshore mineral blocks that may be auctioned in the near future.

• The new rules establish specific exploration norms for various minerals, including construction-grade silica sand, calcareous mud, phosphatic sediments, and more.

• The regulations aim to promote sustainable practices in offshore mineral exploration.

• These rules will ensure proper oversight of mineral activities in India's offshore areas.

• Contributions from offshore mine holders are meant to support the goals of the Offshore Areas Mineral Trust.

• The government is focusing on sustainable development through these newly introduced rules.

• The rules include guidelines for the exploration of different types of mineral deposits in offshore regions.

BANKING, ECONOMY AND FINANCE

In July, India's merchandise imports rose to $57.48 billion.

• In July, India's merchandise exports dropped by 1.47% to $33.98 billion, marking an eight-month low due to weak global demand and geopolitical challenges.

• Gold imports saw a decline of 10.65%, amounting to $3.13 billion in July.

• According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry's data released on August 14, imports of crude oil, silver, and electronic goods contributed to the increase in merchandise imports.

• Merchandise imports in July rose by 7.4%, reaching $57.48 billion, compared to $53.49 billion in the same month last year.

• Petroleum and crude product imports grew by 17.4%, totaling $13.87 billion in July.

• Services exports were estimated at $28.4 billion in July, showing an 8% increase from $26.2 billion in July last year.

• The surge in petroleum product imports, which represent over 15% of India's total exports, saw a 22% decline in value to $5.23 billion in July.

• The drop in export growth was influenced by falling prices in crude oil, commodities, and metals.

• India's merchandise export performance was also impacted by a slowdown in global economic activity.

APPOINTMENTS

Govind Mohan has been appointed as the new Union Home Secretary.

• Govind Mohan, a senior IAS officer, has been named the new Union Home Secretary.

• His appointment has received approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

• Sandeep Poundrik has taken over as Secretary of the Ministry of Steel.

• Govind Mohan will take over from Ajay Kumar Bhalla, whose term ends on August 22.

• Prior to this, Sandeep Poundrik served as an advisor to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

• The transition in the Home Secretary position follows the completion of Bhalla's tenure.

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the appointments of both Govind Mohan and Sandeep Poundrik.

• Govind Mohan's new role as Union Home Secretary is a key appointment in the government.

• Sandeep Poundrik's experience includes significant contributions in disaster management.

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

Government to include AYUSH in the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

• The Union Government will integrate the AYUSH package into the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).

• AB PM-JAY provides ₹5 lakh in annual health coverage per family for secondary and tertiary care hospitalizations.

• The inclusion of AYUSH is expected to benefit 55 crore individuals across 12.34 crore families.

• Discussions are ongoing regarding the package design, hospital onboarding, treatment guidelines, and financial implications.

• The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) currently operates 110 Ayush Wellness Centers and one Ayurvedic Hospital in India.

• The Ministry of Ayush initiated the National Ayush Mission (NAM) as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in 2014.

• The AYUSH package will expand the healthcare options available under the AB PM-JAY scheme.

• The new package will support both traditional and modern healthcare practices.

• The government's move aims to strengthen holistic healthcare by incorporating Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy into the scheme.