09 Oct 2026 - "Daily Current Affairs" Updates
India-EFTA Partnership
Why in News: The 2nd India-EFTA Prosperity Summit is being held in New Delhi, one year after the India-EFTA TEPA came into force. The first summit in October 2025 marked its entry into force.
What is EFTA?
• EFTA stands for the European Free Trade Association, an intergovernmental trade bloc created by the Stockholm Convention, 1960.
• Headquarters: Geneva.
• Current members: Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. All four are outside the European Union.
• It was founded by seven countries - the UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Austria and Portugal - as a looser alternative to the EEC. Most later left to join the EU.
Liechtenstein: Prelims Profile
• A small Alpine country in central Europe, between Switzerland and Austria.
• Capital: Vaduz.
• Area: about 160 sq km.
• It is doubly landlocked; the only other doubly landlocked country is Uzbekistan.
• The Rhine forms its western border with Switzerland.
• It is a principality and constitutional monarchy.
• Currency: Swiss franc; it has had a customs union with Switzerland since 1923.
• It is not in the EU, but has been in the European Economic Area since 1995.
• It joined Schengen in 2011 and is not a NATO member. It has no army and is neutral.
Quick Recall
• EFTA -> 4 members: Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein.
• EFTA HQ -> Geneva; origin -> Stockholm Convention, 1960.
• Liechtenstein -> capital Vaduz; doubly landlocked; Swiss franc.
• Liechtenstein -> EEA + Schengen, but not EU or NATO.
HEALTH & SOCIAL SECTOR
2. ANMOL Newborn Screening
Why in News: Under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, the Delhi government expanded the ANMOL newborn-screening scheme and doubled ASHA workers' monthly honorarium from Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000.
ANMOL: What it Does
• ANMOL stands for Advanced Newborn Monitoring for Optimal Lifecare and was launched in March 2026.
• It provides free screening for newborns in Delhi government and private hospitals for genetic and metabolic disorders.
• The source says screening covered 56 conditions and is being expanded to 63.
• Examples include congenital hypothyroidism, phenylketonuria (PKU) and cystic fibrosis.
• Early screening matters because several such disorders can cause intellectual disability or death but may be treatable when detected at birth.
Seva Sankalp Abhiyan
• ASHA honorarium was doubled to Rs 6,000 per month for about 6,690 ASHAs in Delhi.
• A State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation centre was announced at GB Pant Hospital.
• A Nursing Home Management System portal was also included.
ASHA: Basics
• ASHA stands for Accredited Social Health Activist.
• The programme was created under the National Rural Health Mission in 2005.
• An ASHA is usually a local woman; the source notes about one ASHA per 1,000 population in rural areas.
• India's ASHA workers received the WHO Global Health Leaders Award in 2022.
Quick Recall
• ANMOL -> newborn screening for genetic and metabolic disorders.
• Examples -> congenital hypothyroidism, PKU, cystic fibrosis.
• ASHA -> Accredited Social Health Activist; NRHM, 2005.
• WHO Global Health Leaders Award -> ASHA workers, 2022.
3. Semaglutide and Tirzepatide
Why in News: Weight-loss drugs semaglutide and tirzepatide are in focus as their use and availability expand in India.
How the Drugs Work
• Semaglutide mimics GLP-1 and lasts about one week, allowing once-weekly injection; the source also lists the oral brand Rybelsus.
• Tirzepatide mimics both GLP-1 and GIP and is described as a dual agonist.
• Both increase fullness, reduce calorie intake and support weight loss, while also improving blood-sugar control in type 2 diabetes.
Brands and Makers
• Semaglutide: Ozempic for diabetes, Wegovy for obesity and Rybelsus oral - Novo Nordisk, Denmark.
• Tirzepatide: Mounjaro and Zepbound - Eli Lilly, USA.
Side Effects Mentioned in the Source
• Nausea, vomiting and constipation.
• Risk of muscle loss and rare pancreatitis.
• The source notes that weight often returns after treatment is stopped.
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