Recently, Foregin Ministers of India and Croatia held a meeting. Both countries asserted that they share a lot of common positions on issues like the Indo-Pacific, the situation in Afghanistan, combating terrorism and shared economic interests. Important points: Tourism is a very important area and both shall strive to expand air connectivity. There are …

According to recent research, climate change can cause extreme and more frequent El Niño and La Niña events. The findings have been obtained using one of South Korea’s fastest supercomputers, Aleph. Important points: Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide can cause a weakening of future simulated El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) sea surface temperature variability. Future El Niño events will …

Recently, a tripartite agreement among five insurgent groups of Assam, the Centre and the state government was signed. This agreement is in synergy with the vision of Insurgency free prosperous North East, that envisages all-round development of northeast, peace and prosperity. Important points: Located in central Assam, Karbi Anglong is the state’s largest district and a …

Recently, IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development) has committed to focus 30% of its climate finance to support nature-based solutions in rural small-scale agriculture by 2030. Ahead of the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) World Conservation Congress (WCC), it calls for more investment to protect biodiversity. The IUCN convenes WCC every four years. The Congress brings together its various members, who vote …

Recently, the WHO (World Health Organisation) released a report ‘Global status report on the public health response to dementia’. It takes stock of progress made to date towards the 2025 global targets for dementia laid out in the WHO’s ‘Global Dementia Action Plan’ published in 2017. Important points: It is a syndrome – usually of a chronic …

Recently, in the first-ever comprehensive analysis of blue stragglers, Indian researchers have proposed a hypothesis for evolution of blue straggler stars. Blue stragglers is a class of stars on open or globular clusters that stand out as they are bigger and bluer than the rest of the stars. Important points: These are unusually hot and …

Recently, Indian biologist Shailendra Singh has been awarded the Behler Turtle Conservation Award for bringing three critically endangered turtle conservation species back from the brink of extinction. There are 29 species of freshwater turtles and tortoises in the country. Important points: Established in 2006, it is a major annual international award honoring excellence in the field of tortoise and freshwater turtle …

Recently, the Prime Minister of India (PM) addressed the plenary session of the 6th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) via video-conferencing. The PM highlighted the importance of India-Russia relations and potential areas of cooperation in line with the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’. Important points: Applauded Russia’s vision for the development of the Russian Far …

Recently, some environmental activists pointed out that Odisha’s Bhitarkanika National Park is under severe threat due to planned diversion of freshwater from the Brahmani river basin. Important points: Excess water allocation for industries, which is likely to reduce fresh water discharge to the sea. The lack of normal flow of fresh water would increase saline ingression upstream, …

Recently, the new (Joe Biden) US administration has indicated that it is no longer interested in securing a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India. The US is India’s largest trading partner, and one with whom it has a significant trade surplus. This calling off of the US-India mini-trade deal provides an opportunity for India to holistically review its stance …