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Every year, World Meteorological Day is celebrated globally on 23rd March. Earlier in October, 2021, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released the State of Climate Services report 2021. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is an intergovernmental organization with a membership of 192 Member States and Territories. India is a member of WMO. It originated from the International Meteorological …

Recently, the 2021 World Air Quality Report was released, the report presented an overview of the state of global air quality in 2021. IQAir, a Swiss group that measures air quality levels based on the concentration of Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5. IQAirendeavours to engage, educate, and inspire governments, researchers, Non-Government Organisations companies, and citizens to work together to …

Recently, the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) shows that the unemployment rate had shot up sharply during the nationwide lockdown in 2020 during the first wave of the pandemic NSO is the central statistical agency of the Government-mandated under the Statistical Services Act 1980 under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. Unemployment rate …

Recently, a Delhi court granted bail to a former Congress (Political Party) councillor in an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 (UAPA) case filed in connection with the 2020 anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, (CAA) protests. The CAA provides citizenship to six undocumented non-Muslim communities (Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians) from Pakistan, Afghanistan and …

Despite a host of loan restructuring schemes and packages announced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the government, the Covid pandemic has hit the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) very hard. Gross Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) of MSMEs, or loans defaulted by these enterprises, rose by Rs 20,000 crore to Rs 1,65,732 crore as …

Indian Railways’ first Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal commissioned in Asansol Division in pursuance of the Prime Minister’s vision “Gati Shakti”. This is the first such GCT commissioned in Indian Railways since the publication of GCT policy in December 2021 It is expected to enhance Indian Railways’ earnings. The commissioning of this terminal and more such …

Recently, Ukrainian police has accused Russian forces of launching phosphorus bomb attacks (chemical weapon) in the Lugansk and Donetsk regions of eastern Ukraine, collectively known as the Donbas. International law prohibits the use of white phosphorus shells in heavily populated civilian areas, but allows them in open spaces to be used as cover for …

Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) allowed Microfinance Institutions(MFI) the freedom to set interest rates they charge borrowers, with a caveat that the rates should not be usurious. The guidelines will take effect 1st April 02022. Earlier in 2021, the RBI proposed to lift the interest rate cap on MFI. Highlights of the Guidelines The RBI …

Recently, the Ministry of Tourism has formulated a National Strategy and Roadmap for Medical and Wellness Tourism. The policy envisages promoting India as a Medical Value Travel (MVT) and Wellness destination. Medical & Wellness tourism may be defined as ‘activities related to travel and hosting a foreign tourist who stays at least one night at the destination …

Recently, a fossil unearthed in central Montana (US) of a species named Syllipsimopodibideni represents the oldest-known relative of today’s octopuses and boasts 10 arms, with two twice as long as the other eight. It has been named after the US president, Joe Biden. Characteristics of the Species Syllipsimopodi, about 12 cm long, had a torpedo-shaped body and …