Recently, Indian Railway (IR) has opened the first movable freshwater tunnel aquarium at Bengaluru Railway Station. Important points: The Krantivira Sangolli Rayanna Railway Station also known as Bengaluru City Railway Station has become the first railway station in India with a movable freshwater tunnel aquarium. The aquarium has been opened by the Indian Railway Stations Development …

Recently, the Philippines increased the alert level on Taal Volcano to level 3 on a five-level scale after a Phreatomagmatic Eruption (PE) occurred that generated a dark grayish plume, one kilometer high. Alert Level 3 means there is magmatic unrest, or movement of magma that may further drive succeeding eruptions. Important points: Situated on the island of …

The IHS Markit India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) slipped to 48.1 in June from 50.8 in May, moving below the 50-level separating growth from contraction. India’s manufacturing activity contracted in June for the first time in 11 months as the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic and strict containment measures negatively impacted demand and led to renewed …

Recently, LIGO Scientific Collaboration (LSC) has made the discovery of gravitational waves from a pair of neutron star-black hole (NS-BH) mergers. The reverberations from these two objects were picked up using a global network of gravitational wave detectors, the most sensitive scientific instruments ever built. Until now, the LIGO-Virgo Collaboration (LVC) was only able …

Recently, the Pacific Northwest and some parts of Canada recorded temperatures around 47 degrees, causing a “historic” heat wave. This is a result of a phenomenon referred to as a “heat dome”. Important points: The phenomenon begins when there is a strong change (or gradient) in ocean temperatures. In the process known as convection, the …

LEAF (Lowering Emissions by Accelerating Forest Finance) Coalition was announced at the Leaders Summit on Climate, 2021. LEAF coalition will be one of the largest ever public-private efforts to protect tropical forests and intend to mobilize at least USD 1 billion in financing to countries committed to protecting their tropical forests. Important …

Recently, the 7th edition of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) was hosted by the French Navy at Réunion island. It is a biennial event which was conceived by the Indian Navy in 2008. Important points: The IONS is a voluntary and inclusive initiative that brings together navies of Indian Ocean Region littoral states to increase maritime co-operation and enhance …

Recently, the Prime Minister of India addressed a virtual event to mark the completion of six years of Digital Indian programme Important points: The data and demographic dividend combined with India’s proven tech prowess presents massive opportunity for the country, and this decade will be ‘India’s techade’. Vision Areas: Digital infrastructure as Utility to Every …

Recently, India has ranked tenth (10th) in Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2020 by ITU (International Telecommunication Union) by moving up 37 places. The affirmation came just ahead of the sixth anniversary of Digital India on 1st July. Important points: The US topped (1st), followed by the UK (United Kingdom) and …