Recently, two Indians (Vinisha and Vidyut) among 15 finalists were selected for the first ever Earthshot Prize 2021, which will be held in London. A 14-year-old Tamil Nadu schoolgirl’s solar-powered ironing cart and a Delhi entrepreneur’s agricultural waste recycling concept named among finalists. Important points: The prize was launched by Britain’s Prince William in …

Recently, a petition has been submitted by some activists to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reclassify toxic 3 Os (Oxybenzone, Octinoxate and Octocrylene) used in sunscreen. They demanded that chemicals be shifted to “Not Generally Recognized As Safe & Effective” (GRASE Category II). Important points: Oxybenzone (OBZ), avobenzone (AVB), octocrylene (OCR) and …

Recently, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) launched the SPIN (Strengthening the Potential of India) scheme to make potters self-sustainable. KVIC A statutory body established under the Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act, 1956. It functions under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. In 2017-18, it launched the Honey Mission programme. Recently, it launched a project named Bamboo …

The World Bank would discontinue the practice of issuing ‘Doing Business report’ following an investigation reported “data irregularities” in its 2018 and 2020 editions (released in 2017 and 2019, respectively) and possible “ethical matters” involving bank staff. It will be working on a new approach to assessing the business and investment climate. …

The 21st Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)Council of Heads of State was held recently via video Conferencing in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. At the meet the focus was primarily on the ground situation in Afghanistan and its global repercussions. Iran has been accepted as the ninth full member of the organisation. Important points: It took a strong stance against radicalisation and extremism, urging …

Recently, NITI Aayog has launched the report titled ‘Reforms in Urban Planning Capacity in India’. Important points: India’s population stood at 1210 million in 2011, with an urbanisation level of 31.1% (Census of India 2011) Urbanisation is an increase in the number of people living in towns and cities. The distribution of urban centres and the pace …

Recently, while addressing the G-33 Virtual Informal Ministerial Meeting, India’s Commerce and Industry Minister pointed out the imbalances in the Agreement on Agriculture at the World Trade Organization (WTO) He claimed that it was in favour of developed countries and historical asymmetries and imbalances must be corrected to ensure a rule-based, fair and equitable order. He urged that …