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Recently, the Foreign Ministers of India, the US, Israel and the UAE concluded a virtual meeting. The meeting is a strong manifestation of the changes in West Asian geopolitics and formation of another Quad like grouping in the Middle East. India’s involvement in this new grouping reflects a shift in its foregin policy. Important points: The new …

Recently, the US Defence Secretary has urged more defence cooperation among friendly Black Sea countries amid Russia “militarisation” of the region. This came ahead of a NATO Ministers summit. Important points: The Black Sea is located between Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is surrounded by the Pontic, Caucasus, and Crimean Mountains in the south, east and north respectively. The …

As the global recovery gains strength, the price of crude oil is nearing its highest level since 2018. Brent crude oil prices rose to USD 85.89 a barrel, the highest price since October 2018. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude prices climbed to USD 83.40 a barrel, highest since October 2014. On the other …

The Kushinagar Airport in Uttar Pradesh is the latest entrant in India’s list of international Airports. The airport is expected to provide seamless connectivity to people from South east and East Asian countries for Buddhist Pilgrimage Tourism. Kushinagar is the centre of the Buddhist circuit, which consists of pilgrimage sites at Lumbini, Sarnath, Gaya and …

India is ranked at 71st position in the Global Food Security (GFS) Index 2021 of 113 countries. Earlier, India was ranked 101st position in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2021. Important points: The GFS Index was designed and constructed by London-based Economist Impact and is sponsored by CortevaAgriscience. The 2021 GFSI is the tenth edition of the index. It is published every year. …

World Food Day is celebrated every year on October 16th to commemorate the date of the founding of the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organisation in 1945. FAO is a specialised agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. In 2021, the UN Secretary-General also convened the very first Food SystemsSummit to discuss ways to transform the production and consumption of …

Recently, the Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) of the Indian Army has been awarded a Gold medal in the Cambrian Patrol Exercise, which was held in Wales (the UK). Important points: It is an annual international military patrolling exercise and is referred to as the ‘Olympics of Military Patrolling’ among militaries in the world. It was first …

The 8th Edition of joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the Sri Lankan Army, Exercise MITRA SHAKTI was conducted in Sri Lanka. The 7th edition of the Mitra Shakti exercise was held in Pune, Maharashtra in 2019. Important points: It is based on counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations in semi urban terrain. It is the largest bilateral exercise being …

Recently, the 17th Indo-US Joint Military Exercise “Ex Yudh Abhyas 2021” was held at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska (US). In February 2021, the previous version of the exercise was held in Bikaner’s Mahajan Field Firing Ranges (Rajasthan). Important points: It is the largest running joint military training and defence cooperation endeavor between India and the US. The exercise …

Recently, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has invited India, the world’s third-largest energy consumer, to become its full-time member. Important points: India became an Associate member of IEA in March 2017 but it was in engagement with IEA long before its association with the organization. Earlier in 2021, India also inked a Strategic Partnership Agreement with …

Recently, the International Energy Agency (IEA) released the World Energy Outlook (WEO) Report 2021. Published every year, the WEO provides critical analysis and insights on trends in energy demand and supply. The 2021 report signaled pressure on governments to push for greater climate action at the Conference of Parties (COP26) summit (in Glasgow, UK). Earlier, IEA also released …

Recently, the Government has notified new rules under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2021. The 2021 Act was passed to amend the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971. Important points: The gestational limit for termination of a pregnancy has been increased from 20 to 24 weeks for certain categories of women. The seven specific categories are: Survivors of …

Recently, findings of a study titled “Returns on Investment in Adolescents’ Sexual and Reproductive Health in Rajasthan” were released. Adolescents are a heterogeneous group aged between 10 and 19 years, who are in different stages of development, live in varying circumstances and have distinct needs. Important points: It examines the economic and health …

India has slipped to 101st position in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2021 of 116 countries, from its 2020 position of 94th Important points: Jointly published by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe. It was first produced in 2006. It is published every October. The 2021 edition marks the 16th edition of the GHI. To comprehensively measure and …

In India, countless workers engaged in mines, construction and factories are silently dying of exposure to dust. This is better referred to as silicosis Silicosis can be described as an occupational disease or hazard due to dust exposure. It is incurable and can cause permanent disability. However, it is totally preventable by available control …

Recently, an Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Save the Children released the Global Girlhood Report 2021: Girls Right in Crisis. It is observed annually on 11th October. It was declared by the United Nations (UN), which was first observed in 2012. A resolution to declare 11th October as the International Day of the Girl Child was adopted by the UN General …

Recently, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has announced that a global deal to ensure big companies pay a Global Minimum Tax (GMT) rate of 15% has been agreed by 136 countries (including India). The countries behind the accord together accounted for over 90% of the global economy. Important points: GMT is …

The first stretch of rail link between Nepal and India is ready to resume on the neighbouring country’s first-ever broad gauge passenger service (Jainagar-Bijalpura-Bardibas railway project). Important points: The rail link between Nepal and India has been popular since the early 20th century. In 1937, the British had built a narrow gauge line to ferry cargo, mainly …

Recently, the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to journalists Maria Ressa of the Philippines and Dmitry Muratov of Russia for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace. In 2020, the award was given to the World Food Programme (WFP), a United Nations (UN) agency. Other 2021 Nobel Prizes for Literature, Chemistry, Physics …

Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) has questioned the methodology adopted by the government in fixing Rs. 8 lakh as the annual income limit to identify the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) for providing 10% quota in public jobs and educational institutions. Important points: The 10% EWS quota was introduced under the 103rd Constitution (Amendment) Act, 2019 by amending Articles 15 and …