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August 26, 2023

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BA.2.86	According to World Health Organization (WHO), a mutated COVID variant named BA.2.86 has been identified in Switzerland, South Africa, Israel, Denmark, the US, and the UK About BA.2.86 It is an offshoot of the Omicron virus. It carries over 35 mutations in crucial parts of the virus when compared to XBB.1.5 (predominant variant in most of 2023). BA.2.86 was first detected in Denmark on July 24. BA.2.86 is unlikely to trigger a devastating wave of severe disease and fatalities, considering the global immunity built up through vaccinations and previous infections.
China-Bhutan Boundary Talks	Recently, first Joint Technical Team meeting on the Delimitation of the China-Bhutan Boundary was held in Beijing. Highlight Bhutan shares an over 400-km-long border with China. China asserts claims over roughly 764 square kilometre in the northwestern and central regions of Bhutan. Boundary talks between Bhutan and China began in 1984, and the 24th round was held in 2016. However, these have been stalled since 2016, especially after the 2017 Doklam stand-off. In October 2021, Bhutan and China signed an agreement on the “three-step roadmap” to expedite negotiations to resolve their boundary dispute. Doklam is a junction point between India, China and Bhutan. Doklam plateau is considered an important area for India’s strategic interest.
Shiv Shakti Point	Shiv Shakti Point: It is a place where lander ‘Vikram’ touched down on the lunar surface on 23rd August, 2023. Tiranga Point: It is a place where the Chandrayaan-2 lander crash-landed on the Moon’s surface in 2019. National Space Day: August 23 would be celebrated as National Space Day, the day the Chandrayaan-3 lander touched down on the lunar surface.
NMC Guideline for Generic Drugs on Hold	Recently the National Medical Commission (NMC) put on hold its new regulation that made it mandatory for doctors to only prescribe generic drugs. National Medical Commission Registered Medical Practitioner (Professional Conduct) Regulations, 2023 was released on August 2. For more about the News, kindly refer to the 25 August Article.