Editorials

Recently, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) grouping’s fifth summit took place in Colombo, Sri Lanka (Host for the Fifth Summit). Key Highlights of the Summit The signing of the BIMSTEC Charter was the main outcome of this summit. Under this Charter, the members were expected to meet once every two …

The Government of India has launched a ‘multi-pronged’ initiative named ‘Operation Ganga’. A dedicated Twitter handle ‘OpGanga Helpline’ to assist Indian evacuation from Ukraine has also been announced. The tensions between Russia and Ukraine are currently heightened, with war erupting in Ukraine after the Russian military launched a series of attacks recently. Operation Ganga It is an evacuation mission …

Recently, three persons diagnosed with Lassa fever in the UK died. The cases have been linked to travel to west African countries. The Lassa fever-causing virus is found in West Africa and was first discovered in 1969 in Lassa, Nigeria. The fever is spread by rats and is primarily found in countries in West Africa …

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), hydrogen will make up 12% of the energy mix by 2050. The agency also suggested that about 66% of this hydrogen used must come from water instead of natural gas. Recently, IRENA has released the ‘World Energy Transitions Outlook’ Report. Hydrogen Hydrogen …

Recently, Italy hosted the G-20 foreign ministers’ meeting to discuss the fight against Covid-19 and how to speed up the recovery of the global economy and boost sustainable development in Africa. Currently, Italy holds the presidency of G-20. The G-20 summit is scheduled to be held in Italy in October, …

Two women officers have been selected to undergo helicopter pilot training for the first time in the Army Aviation Corps. They will join front-line flying duties on completion of their training in July 2022. Till now, women officers were assigned only ground duties in the Army Aviation Corps. Army Aviation …

Recently, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MTA) inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Microsoft to support the digital transformation of schools such as Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) and Ashram Schools, among others under the Ministry. It is aimed at building an inclusive, skills-based economy. Important points: Artificial Intelligence curriculum will be made available to tribal students …

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed a framework for setting up a spot gold exchange. The spot exchange is where financial instruments, such as commodities, currencies, and securities, are traded for immediate delivery. SEBI is a statutory body established in April, 1992 in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, …

“Ingenuity is the latest in a long and storied tradition of NASA projects achieving a space exploration goal once thought impossible,” said acting NASA Administrator Steve Jurczyk. “The X-15 was a pathfinder for the space shuttle. Mars Pathfinder and its Sojourner rover did the same for three generations of Mars …

Context: DAE plans to rope in private agencies for Nuclear Medicine Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), plans of sharing one of its facilities partially with private agencies for the weekly production of “Column Chromatography Generator Production”. The Technology for the Production of important radiopharmaceuticals, like 18F-FDB for various cancer imaging …

GS-2 POTENTIAL TREATMENT FOR ALZHEIMER’S JNCASR Scientists develop a new molecule that could be a potential drug candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer’s. JNCASR – Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, autonomous institute under the Dept. of Science and Technology, GOI. Located in Bengaluru. Details: Scientists have developed a …

Context: Way to predicting solar cycles– Kodaikanal Solar Observatory Digitized Data probes Sun’s rotation over the Century Scientists have estimated how the Sun has rotated over a century from data extracted from old films and photographs that have been digitized. This estimation would help study magnetic field generated in the …

GS-3 7.REPORT ON FAECAL SLUDGE AND SEPTAGE MANAGEMENT IN URBAN AREAS NITI Aayog releases Report on Faecal Sludge and Septage Management in Urban Areas: Service and Business Models. IMPORTANT POINTS: The NITI Aayog released a book on faecal sludge and septage management in urban areas. The book was jointly developed …

GS-2 4.KAYAKALP AWARD SCHEME IMPORTANT POINTS: The award scheme was launched in 2015 to appreciate and recognise the efforts of public health facilities to create a healthy environment. The parameters for judging are hospital/facility upkeep, sanitation and hygiene, waste management, infection control, support services and hygiene promotion. OBJECTIVES OF KAYAKALP: …

GS-2 2.IRAN STEPS UP URANIUM ENRICHMENT Recently, Iran has resumed enriching uranium up to 20% in violation of the 2015 nuclear deal and also seized a South Korean-flagged tanker near the crucial Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the USA has decided to keep nuclear powered aircraft carrier Nimitz in the Gulf …

On the joy of reporting on new species of plants and animals Every year on World Environment Day, the Botanical Survey of India and the Zoological Survey of India, set up in the colonial era in Kolkata to record the flora and fauna of the country, publish a list of …

A computer drove a Frenchman to the brink of a nervous breakdown by making him a multi-millionaire and then rendering him penniless overnight. The hapless Frenchman, trapped in the heartless electronic signals of his bank’s computer, now risks prosecution under France’s tough dud cheque laws. The Paris Commercial Court heard …

The December polls are an opportunity for Labour to clarify its views on Brexit As Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s European Union (EU) withdrawal agreement hangs in the balance, the general election he has called for December 12 is, self-evidently, to obtain a mandate to deliver Brexit. Indeed, the Tory government’s …

The finding that they weren’t smuggling cows exposes the perversity of blaming the victims The Rajasthan High Court’s order quashing the cow smuggling case against the sons of Pehlu Khan, a dairy farmer lynched by cow vigilantes in 2017, grants much-needed relief to the family. The Khans are yet to …

Nehru can’t be blamed for the flawed policies that New Delhi designed for J&K since the 1990s The Prime Minister and Home Minister have cited two reasons to justify the dilution of Article 370. The first is the need for a new approach to end the violence in Jammu and …