1. 🇮🇳National
· Free Coaching Programme for Science Students Launched: The Delhi Government launched a one-year free competitive exam coaching scheme for Class 12 science stream students in government schools, collaborating with the Dakshana Foundation for JEE and NEET preparation.
· Strict Guidelines on GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drug Ads: The Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs intensified surveillance on pharmaceutical promotions to curb surrogate advertising of GLP-1 analogue weight-loss medications.
· National Food Safety Directive on Label Claims: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued orders barring commercial brands from using "100% natural" claims on honey and ghee without scientific verification.
2. 🌍International
· US–Iran Diplomatic Talks: US President Donald Trump stated that renewed diplomatic negotiations represent a final opportunity for Iran to establish a formal agreement and avert further military strikes.
· Severe Landslide Hits Ethiopia: A massive landslide near a religious pilgrimage site in northern Ethiopia resulted in 14 fatalities, triggering large-scale search and rescue operations.
· World's Youngest Male Professor Record: An 18-year-old academic in the United States set a world record by becoming the youngest male university professor, breaking a 306-year-old global record.
3. 💰Economy
· MDR Fee Allowed on High-Turnover UPI Transactions: The Ministry of Finance permitted banks and payment service providers to charge a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI and RuPay debit card transactions at large commercial platforms with annual turnovers exceeding ₹50 crore.
· Proposed Tax Exemption Extension for Fund Management: The Ministry of Finance proposed relaxing tax rules under the Income-tax Act for Eligible Investment Funds managed from India and extending contract manufacturing tax exemptions by 10 years.
· Apple India Sales Cross $10 Billion: Tech giant Apple crossed the $10 billion milestone in annual revenue in India, supported by expanded local manufacturing and retail store footprints.
4. 🗓Date’s importance
· Hiroshima Day Eve / National Awareness (5 August): Observed as a day of diplomatic reflection on nuclear non-proliferation ahead of Hiroshima Day (6 August), emphasizing global peace and disarmament.
5. 👱♂👩🦳Person of the day
· Neeraj Chopra: Double Olympic medallist javelin thrower spotlighted ahead of his participation in the Lausanne Diamond League (Athletissima) event following his silver medal achievement at the Commonwealth Games.
6. 🏅Sports
· Lausanne Diamond League Roster Confirmed: India's Neeraj Chopra is set to compete in a world-class field at the Lausanne Diamond League javelin event on 21 August.
· Pakistan Appoints Batting Coach: The Pakistan Cricket Board appointed former South African first-class cricketer Michael Smith as the new batting coach for the national men's cricket team.
7. 🏆Awards
· Felicitation of CWG Weightlifting Contingent: Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya officially felicitated India's Commonwealth Games weightlifting squad in New Delhi for their medal-winning performances.
8. ⭐️Other important significance
· Action Against Unsolicited Commercial Communication: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) disconnected over 1.83 lakh telecom resources to tackle spam calls and unsolicited commercial messages across telecommunication networks.
9. 📚Word of the day
· SURROGATE
o Meaning: (Adjective) Acting as a substitute or proxy for another person or product, often used in advertising context to promote restricted items indirectly.
o Usage in Exams: Regulators placed strict restrictions on surrogate marketing campaigns used by pharmaceutical companies for weight-loss drugs.