The Daily Brief – 15th March 2017

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• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has unveiled a Logo for fortified foods which may be used by food businesses. The logo comprises of a square encompassing an F with a ‘+’ sign with a ring around it, signifying addition of extra nutrition and vitamins to daily meals to provide good health, protection for active life.
• India has joined Network for Improving Quality of Care for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, a global health network focused on improving the quality of care for new mothers and babies. The network is supported by World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other partners.
• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has opened a first-of-its-kind South Asia Training and Technical Assistance Centre (SARTTAC) in New Delhi for economic capacity building in South Asia. It will work to support local member countries of South Asia viz. India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka to build human and institutional capacity and implement policies for growth and poverty reduction.
• Scientists have developed novel rubber like material nicknamed ‘thubber’ which has high thermal conductivity and elasticity. It is an electrically insulating composite material that exhibits an unprecedented combination of metal-like thermal conductivity, elasticity similar to soft, biological tissue.
• The Indian Airforce (IAG) has formally inducted the first indigenously built Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C) dubbed as NETRA. The AEW&C NETRA has been indigenously developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It was unveiled at the 2017 Aero India exhibition held in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• Veteran journalist V. Parasuram passed away in the US due to age-related illness. He was 93. He is former correspondent of the Press Trust of India (PTI).
• The annual Cobra Gold joint military Exercise commenced in Chonburi Province of Thailand. It is jointly hosted by the US and Thailand. It is one of Asia’s largest multinational drills.

  

• The 2017 Indian Seed Congress was held in Kolkata. The theme of this edition of annual forum was “Seed of Joy”. It will deliberate on the new technological advances and the barriers to technology development and introduction.
• The UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization) had organised the two-day Nature Fest at the World Heritage Site Great Himalayan National Park (GNHP) at Sairopa in Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh. It was organised in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and was attended by prominent conservationists.
• South Korean President Park Geun-hye has been asked to appear before prosecutors next week over the corruption scandal that triggered her downfall. Ms Park was dismissed by the Constitutional Court last Friday over the scandal also involving her longtime confidante.
• Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today launched the Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES). Speaking at a function in New Delhi, Mrs Sitharaman said the scheme is focused on addressing the needs of the exporters.