Tiny particles of plastics, called Microplastics, were detected in human blood for the first time, according to a study by a group of researchers in the Netherlands. The researchers adapted existing techniques to detect and analyze particles that were as small as 700 nanometers in size. They targeted five common plastics, including Polyethylene …

Recently, the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) launched a three-month-long training programme for journalists. The programme was an initiative of the BRICS Media Forum The Forum was established in 2015 by media organisations from five countries, including The Hindu (India) , Brazil’s CMA Group, Russia’s Sputnik, China’s Xinhua and South Africa’s Independent …

Recently, the United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) flagship State of World Population Report 2022 titled “Seeing the Unseen: The case for action in the neglected crisis of unintended pregnancy” was launched. Key Findings of the Report Between 2015 and 2019, there were roughly 121 million unintended pregnancies globally each year. Globally, an estimated 257 million women who …

The Indian Army has issued a Request For Information (RFI) for the supply of Articulated All-Terrain Vehicles to be deployed in Ladakh and Kutch. An RFI is a formal process for gathering information from potential suppliers of a good or service. Articulated All Terrain Vehicles It is a twin cabin, tracked, amphibious carrier for off road mobility. The special …

Recently, the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) brought out a Herbal Formulation that has been found to be effective in combating tick infestation among dairy animals. The NIF collaborated with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research–National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana in the form of a Research Programme for field testing of Poly Herbal Medication. Tick Infestation The …

Recently, TEJAS (Training for Emirates Jobs And Skills), a Skill India International Project to train overseas Indias was launched at the Dubai Expo, 2020 Skilling, certification and overseas employment of Indians. Creating pathways to enable the Indian workforce to get equipped for skill and market requirements in the UAE. Creating a 10,000 strong Indian workforce in UAE during …

Recently, the Polar Science and Cryosphere (PACER) scheme has been approved for continuation by the Union Cabinet from 2021 to 2026. PACER encompasses the following six components. Construction of polar research vessel Construction of the third research base in Antarctica Indian scientific endeavours in the Arctic Polar expeditions-Antarctica Southern Ocean Expedition It is implemented through …

Recently, the Union government has told the Supreme Court (SC) that state governments can now grant minority status to any religious or linguistic community, including Hindus. The SC had sought the Union government’s response in a plea that sought directions for framing of guidelines identifying minorities at the state level. The expression “minorities” appears in …

Recently, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted two successful flight tests of the Army version of Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) at the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha. The tests were part of the live firing trials against high-speed aerial targets. The first launch was to intercept a …

Recently, the Union Minister for Law and Justice in response to a question in the Lok Sabha stated that the government is exploring the possibility of allowing online voting for Non-Resident Indians (NRI) In 2020, the Election Commission of India (ECI) in a proposal to the Law Ministry proposed to extend the facility of postal …