Today's Brief 1/02/2024

1. Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2023:

• While the global average score remains stagnant at 43, there are significant regional variations. Europe maintains the highest average score (66), followed by Asia Pacific (45), Americas (42), Sub-Saharan Africa (32), and Middle East & North Africa (31). This highlights uneven progress in addressing corruption globally.

• The CPI provides deeper insights by analyzing specific areas within public sectors, such as bribery, procurement, and political financing. This breakdown helps identify specific areas where corruption is most prevalent and allows for targeted solutions.

• The report emphasizes the strong correlation between weak democratic institutions and higher levels of corruption. This reinforces the importance of strengthening institutions like independent judiciaries, free media, and strong civil society to tackle corruption effectively.

• Denmark, consistently topping the index, showcases strong anti-corruption measures, transparency initiatives, and public trust in institutions. Conversely, Venezuela's decline reflects its weakening democratic institutions and rampant corruption, serving as a cautionary tale.

• The CPI is not without its critiques. Some argue it relies on subjective perceptions and doesn't capture all aspects of corruption. However, it serves as a valuable benchmark for comparison and encourages further research and analysis.

• The report calls for concrete actions like strengthening transparency laws, protecting whistleblowers, and increasing public participation to combat corruption. It also emphasizes international cooperation and holding leaders accountable.

• The CPI also analyzes specific sectors like healthcare and education, providing insights into corruption vulnerabilities in those areas.

• The report acknowledges the impact of conflict and insecurity on corruption levels, calling for addressing these root causes as well.

• Transparency International offers various resources and tools to help countries and individuals fight corruption.

3.Encryption: The adoption of end-to-end (E2E) encryption has brought about a significant shift in the perspectives of human rights organizations, law enforcement agencies, and technology companies when it comes to accessing and utilizing information pertaining to individuals.

Encryption, at its core, involves transforming comprehensible information into an unintelligible form based on predefined rules, with various types of rules existing. The key is a set of data that allows a computer to 'unlock' (decrypt) text that has been 'locked' (encrypted), provided one knows the rules used to 'lock' it.

E2E encryption specifically applies to the specific locations through which information travels. When a message is sent, it initially passes through a server maintained by the app-developing company, which then directs the message to the intended recipient based on its instructions. Encryption-in-transit ensures that the message is encrypted before being relayed from the server to the user (or vice versa). This precautionary measure aims to thwart any attempts by unauthorized actors to intercept and read the message during the relay process.

Messaging apps employing E2E encryption make assurances that not even their parent companies can access the content of messages sent and received by users. However, it is important to note that the informational content of the messages may still be accessible through alternative means.

4. Paytm Payments Bank: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed restrictions on Paytm Payments Bank and barred the entity from offering incremental banking services effective March 2024, due to concerns regarding breach of and compliance with regulatory norms.

The Comprehensive System Audit report and subsequent compliance validation report of the external auditors revealed persistent non-compliance and continued material supervisory concerns in the bank, warranting further supervisory action, RBI said. The regulator had, in March 2022, directed Paytm Payments Bank to stop on-boarding new customers and appoint an IT audit firm to conduct a comprehensive System Audit.

Paytm Payments Bank will not be allowed to accept deposits or undertake credit transactions or top-ups in any customer accounts, prepaid instruments, wallets, FASTags, and NCMC (National Common Mobility Cards), among others, post-February 29, 2024.

5.Industrially Produced Trans-Fatty Acids (ITFAs) :

What are ITFAs?

Industrially produced trans-fatty acids (ITFAs) are unhealthy fats created through a process called partial hydrogenation. This process adds hydrogen atoms to liquid vegetable oils, making them more solid and shelf-stable. While ITFAs are no longer widely used in many developed countries, they are still a concern in some parts of the world.

Health risks of ITFAs

ITFAs are associated with a number of health risks, including:

• Increased risk of heart disease: ITFAs raise levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol and lower levels of "good" HDL cholesterol, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems.

• Increased risk of type 2 diabetes: ITFAs may impair insulin sensitivity, making it harder for the body to regulate blood sugar levels.

• Increased risk of inflammation: ITFAs can trigger chronic inflammation, which is linked to a number of health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Sources of ITFAs

In the past, ITFAs were commonly found in a variety of processed foods, including:

• Fried foods, such as French fries, chicken nuggets, and onion rings

• Baked goods, such as cookies, crackers, and pastries

• Microwave popcorn

• Creamer and margarine

• Packaged snacks

How to limit your intake of ITFAs

The best way to limit your intake of ITFAs is to:

• Read food labels carefully and choose products that do not contain partially hydrogenated oils.

• Limit your intake of processed foods, especially fried foods and baked goods.

• Cook with healthy oils, such as olive oil, canola oil, or avocado oil.

Global efforts to eliminate ITFAs

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for the global elimination of industrially produced trans-fatty acids by 2023. Many countries have already implemented policies to limit or ban the use of ITFAs in food products.

Conclusion

ITFAs are unhealthy fats that can contribute to a number of health problems. By limiting your intake of ITFAs, you can help protect your health.

Currently, 53 countries have implemented effective best practice policies to address industrially produced trans-fatty acids (iTFA) in food, significantly enhancing the food environment for 3.7 billion people, constituting 46% of the global population. This marks a substantial improvement from the 6% achieved just five years ago.

The impact of these policies is projected to result in saving approximately 183,000 lives annually. By intensifying efforts to establish best-practice policies in just eight countries with the most critical needs, it is estimated that 90% of the global iTFA burden could be eradicated. This presents a unique opportunity to witness, within our lifetime, a world devoid of deaths attributed to iTFA.

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Refrence:

• News on air

• PIB

• MINISTRY OF FINANCE