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According to a new study, more than 1.1 million sea turtles have been illegally killed and, in some cases, trafficked from 1990 to 2020. The sea turtle species that faced the most exploitation in the 30-year-period were Green (56%) and Hawksbill Sea Turtles (39%). Key Highlights of the Study There has been …

The United Nations has estimated that by the year 2050, four billion people will be seriously affected by water shortages, pushing the One Water approach towards all sources of water. One Water Approach, also referred to as Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), is the recognition that all water has value, regardless of its source. It includes managing …

Recently, China opposed the war games between India and the US near the disputed Sino-India border, saying it’s an interference in the bilateral boundary issue. While the drill is yet to be officially confirmed, it is anticipated that the two countries will participate in the 18th edition of the “YudhAbhyas” at Auli in Uttarakhand …

India approved a 5-year project to develop Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) to cure sickle cell anaemia in 2021. Sickle cell anaemia is the first disease that is being targeted for CRISPR-based therapy in India. The pre-clinical phase (trials on animal subjects) is about to begin. CRISPR Technology Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats …

Recently, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that India is hosting the G-20 (Group of 20) leaders’ summit in New Delhi next year 2023. The 17th G20 Heads of State and Government Summit will happen in November 2022 in Indonesia, after which India will assume the presidency of G20 from December 2022. India …

Recently, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), which is under the Ministry of Defence, launched Taragiri, the third stealth frigate of Project 17A. Project 17 Alpha frigates (P-17A) were launched by the Indian Navy in 2019 to construct a series of stealth guided-missile frigates. These are currently being constructed by two companies – Mazagon Dock …

Recently, Prime Minister inaugurated the International Dairy Federation World Dairy Summit (IDF WDS) 2022 at India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida. International Dairy Federation is the leading source of scientific and technical expertise for all stakeholders of the dairy chain. Since 1903, IDF’s network of dairy experts has provided a mechanism …

Recently, the government of India organized a Virtual Networking Meet for Agri and Food Geographical Indication (GI) products in association with the Embassy of India, Doha and Indian Business and Professionals Council (IBPC) Qatar. This Meet provided a platform for interaction between the India exporters and importers of Qatar on the strength of India in export of agri and food products …

According to the recent National Statistical Office (NSO) data, the retail inflation rose to 7% in July, 2022 and the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) declined to a four-month low of 2.4% in July,2022 as against a growth of 11.5% in 2021. Nine of the 22 manufacturing sub-sectors reported a contraction in output, including food products, …

Recently, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has applied to the University Grants Commission (UGC) for the deemed university status. The government’s proposal to make the NCERT an institute of national importance is on hold. Benefits: The status would allow NCERT to offer its own graduate, postgraduate and doctoral degrees and have autonomy in terms …

The Serious Frauds Investigation Office (SFIO) has arrested the alleged mastermind of a widespread racket involving the setting up of shell companieswith Chinese links and supply of dummy directors. SFIO was assigned by the government to investigate Jillian Consultants India Pvt Ltd and 32 other companies. Shell Companies A shell company is a firm that does not …

Recently, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) launched operation ‘Gear Box’ to stop heroin smuggling, seizes 39.5 kg of contraband from Kolkata port. The heroin was examined and seized under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. Operation Gear Box Operation Gear Box is conducted to detect the hidden drugs in the …

Recently, Germany launched the world’s first fleet of fully hydrogen-powered trains, these are emissions-free trains that can reach speeds of 140 kilometres per hour and can run about 1,000 km before the tank runs dry. Hydrogen fuel cells are a clean, reliable, quiet, and efficient source of high-quality electric power. They use hydrogen …

Recently, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer used soft policing to crack down on illegal hooch distilleries in Solapur (Maharashtra). Hooch is made when ‘country alcohol’ or cheap distilled liquor (desi daru) is adulterated with industrial alcohol or methanol to increase its intoxicating potency. National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data show …

Recently, the second Anniversary of Pradhan MantriMatsyaSampadaYojana (PMMSY) was celebrated. PMMSY envisages generation of 68 lakh Employment by the end of 2024-25. PMMSY was introduced by the Government of India, as part of the ‘AtmaNirbhar Bharat’package with the investment of Rs. 20,050 crores, the highest ever investment in the Fishery sector. Fishermen are provided with insurance cover, financial assistance …

Recently, the Prime Minister paid rich tributes to Acharya VinobaBhave on his birth Anniversary. VinayakNarahariBhave was born on 11th September 1895 in Gagode, Bombay Presidency (Maharashtra). He was the eldest son of NarahariShambhu Rao and Rukmini Devi. Acharya VinobaBhave was a nonviolence activist, freedom activist, social reformer and spiritual teacher. Being an avid follower of Mahatma Gandhi, Vinoba upheld …

Recently, the United States and Indonesian militaries had conducted annual joint combat exercises on Indonesia’s Sumatra Island. For the first time, participants from other partner nations have also joined amid growing maritime activity by China in the Indo-Pacific region. More than 5,000 soldiers from the U.S., Indonesia, Australia, Japan and Singapore participated in this 2022’s exercises. The …

Recently, the first-ever disbursement has been approved by the empowered Committee in Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for mobile manufacturing under ‘Large-Scale Electronics Manufacturing’ sector. Indian company Padget Electronics is the first beneficiary to receive incentive. The PLI scheme was conceived to scale up domestic manufacturing capability, accompanied by higher import substitution and employment generation. The government has set …

Recently, the government of Rajasthan has launched the flagship scheme for Urban Employment the Indira Gandhi ShehariRojgarYojana. To provide 100 days of employment to families in urban areas on the lines of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA). The government has allocated Rs 800 crore for the implementation of the scheme. Target Population: …

Recently, the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference which was held in New York ended without adopting a substantive outcome due to Russia’s objection. The NPT is an international treaty whose objective is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to foster the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to further the goal …