The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched a new campaign to ensure compliance among food service operators. Measures have been taken against three firms as part of this campaign.
As a result of serious violations of food safety rules, FSSAI imposed several sanctions: product recalls were initiated, production licenses were suspended, and the sale of one dietary supplement was banned.
In India, there is a rapid increase in the number of lung cancer patients, leading to the emergence of new treatment methods. Patients with cancer are no longer forced to rely solely on radiation therapy and chemotherapy. When determining treatment, doctors consider not only the stage of the cancer but also its specific type. Currently, targeted therapy is increasingly being used in cancer treatment.
The doctor explained that before starting cancer treatment, an analysis of the tumor tissue is conducted. The goal of this analysis is to identify genetic changes. If such changes are found, drugs are prescribed that prevent the growth of cancer cells and their spread to other parts of the body. These drugs send special signals to the body, hindering cancer metastasis. This treatment method targets the weak links of cancer directly, and its advantage is that it has fewer side effects compared to chemotherapy.
Furthermore, immunotherapy is also showing high benefit in the fight against cancer. Dr. Tejinder Kataria, head of the radio-oncology department at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, noted that immunotherapy has completely changed the approach to treating lung cancer. These medications help the body's immune system recognize and attack cancer cells.
Immunotherapy can be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy for some patients. It can also be used before or after surgery. Nevertheless, research continues to determine which patients will benefit most from this therapy. If these studies are completed, this therapy could become a turning point in cancer treatment.
Tejinder also emphasized that lung cancer treatment today is not limited to surgery; it has become personalized. This means that a doctor can choose the most suitable treatment for each patient, taking into account the stage of the disease and the overall health condition. This allows for the possibility of saving lives even in serious forms of cancer.
UNAIDS has issued a warning that the reduction in international funding for HIV prevention could trigger an epidemic resurgence, jeopardizing decades of progress.
In a report presented at the 26th International AIDS Conference held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 26 to 31, 2026, the agency stated that global development assistance for HIV programs decreased by 23% in 2025, marking the sharpest decline in observation history.
This funding deficit contributed to approximately 1.2 million new HIV infections and 570,000 AIDS-related deaths as the world failed to meet key global targets.
Although new HIV cases and AIDS deaths are at their lowest levels in over three decades, UNAIDS emphasized that these achievements remain fragile and can be easily reversed without sustained investment and commitment.
The report also highlighted significant progress in the global fight against HIV. Kenya, Lesotho, Benin, Eswatini, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe recorded nearly an 80% reduction in new infections since 2010, demonstrating that sustained efforts can yield tangible results.
The report showed that further progress is still possible thanks to new prevention tools that offer new hope for reducing HIV infections worldwide. A crucial step is the phased introduction of HIV prevention medications that provide protection against the virus similar to vaccination.
These innovations have the potential to transform prevention efforts by reducing the burden of daily pill intake in favor of more convenient options, including monthly or biennial doses.
Monthly and six-monthly injections are gradually appearing on the market, while oral prophylactic pills are in late-stage trials. The long-acting injection Lenacapavir has demonstrated near-complete protection against HIV infection in clinical trials.
Earlier this year, Kenya began implementing Lenacapavir in certain public health facilities where injections are administered under the supervision of certified healthcare workers.
The initial rollout targets high-prevalence regions and key populations, including adolescent girls, young women, and other groups at increased risk of HIV infection. Currently, ten African countries have implemented Lenacapavir, with Eswatini, South Africa, and Kenya being leading users.
However, challenges persist, such as high vulnerability to infection and unequal access to the vital injection. UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyama stated that scientific breakthroughs open unprecedented opportunities but stressed that innovations must be accessible and affordable to those who need them most.
Many developing countries risk falling behind due to the high cost of these new preventive measures.
This exclusion is exacerbated by the sharp drop in foreign development aid. Data from multiple countries show that global development assistance fell by 23% in 2025, which is the steepest decline to date.
Since HIV prevention programs have historically relied heavily on international funding, the reduction forces developing countries to seek alternative financing options to close the growing gap or risk losing hard-won achievements.
A 2026 study conducted in 47 countries revealed a significant decrease in community-level services, including a 50% reduction in support for HIV prevention and treatment, and a 72% drop in assistance for survivors of gender-based violence.
The report also noted growing human rights threats, including rollbacks affecting the sexual and reproductive rights of women, girls, and marginalized communities.
UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyama called on governments to review financing strategies and ensure coordinated, sustainable efforts to eradicate the HIV epidemic. At the AIDS 2026 conference, she strongly urged partners and governments to renew their commitment to achieving the goals outlined in the Political Declaration, emphasizing the need for solidarity, sustainable financing, and robust human rights protection.
Byanyama noted that the choice is clear: either risk resurgence by scaling back efforts or strengthen actions to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
The world has set new HIV goals for 2030, which include expanding access to life-saving treatment for 40 million people and providing antiretroviral prophylaxis to 20 million people. These goals also aim to reduce stigma, discrimination, gender inequality, and restrictive policies affecting access to HIV services. Achieving these goals could prevent an additional 3.2 million new infections and 1.3 million AIDS-related deaths by 2030.
