GROUP DISCUSSIONS 16-07-2023. News For 17th-Jul (Monday) *National* 1. The Union Cabinet has approved the draft Data Protection Bill 2022 with the aim, *"To safeguard the personal data,"* which is expected to be tabled in the Monsoon session of Parliament. If it is passed, the law will become India’s core data governance framework. 2.The Central Govt has brought the GST Network under the purview of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Resultantly, it will now be possible to take strict action against those involved in tax evasion. 3.According to Global Multidimensional Poverty Index by UNDP, around 41.5 crore people exited poverty within a span of just 15 years between 2005 and 2021 in India. 4.ISRO launched India’s third lunar mission Chandrayaan-3 perched on GSLV Mark 3 heavy-lift launch vehicle, named *‘Bahubali’* rocket aims to showcase India’s capabilities in landing and exploring the Moon’s South Pole, a region known for the presence of water molecules. *InterNational* 1. China has launched its first homegrown open-source operating system named OpenKylin for computers.to reduce its foreign despondency on others India is looking forward to build its own OS like BharOS in ensuing years. 2.India and Tanzania have started trade settlements in local currencies.This new initiative will help in promoting commerce between the two countries.India-Tanzania bilateral trade has stood at USD 6.4 billion in 2022-23.Also India and Bangladesh has recently started trading in Rupees. 3.According to Goldman Sachs, India Will become the world’s second-largest economy by 2075.As per the report, India would cross Japan, Germany, and the US With a population of 1.4 billion people. 4.PM Modi was honoured with France's highest civilian and military honour, *'Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour'*. With this honour, he also becomes the first Indian PM to receive this honour. *Defence* 1. The Ministry of Defence signed a contract with HAL for the procurement of two Dornier Aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard along with an Engineering Support package of Rs 458.87 crore. 2. L&T has signed an agreement with Spanish-based Navantia for the submission of a techno-commercial bid for the Indian Navy’s prestigious P75 (India) submarine programme. 3. Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved the procurement of 26 Rafale Marine aircraft from France and 3 Scorpene submarines. *Sports* 1. Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen has clinched Men’s Singles title of the Canada Open 2023 badminton tournament in Canada. 2. Jyothi Yarraji has won India’s 1st gold medal in the Asian Athletics Championships 2023 held in Bangkok, Thailand.She won the gold medal in the women’s 100m hurdles race. < < Back