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Recently, the International Energy Agency (IEA) published the World Energy Investment Report, 2021. Important points: Global energy investment is expected to rebound in 2021 and increase 10% year-on-year to around USD 1.9 trillion. Most of this investment will flow towards power and end-use sectors, shifting out of traditional fossil fuel production. The scenario is perfectly aligned with …

Recently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has moved Blue-finned Mahseer from Endangered to the Least Concern’ status on its Red List. Important points: The Mahseer belongs to the genus Tor, of which there are several subspecies to be found in India and in other range countries in South Asia. The Blue-finned Mahseer or Tor Khudree is one …

Recently, the Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region has asked for suggestions for the Devika River project in Udhampur, J&K. This project is compared with the Namami Gange Project. Important points: This is a Rs. 190 crore Project. The work on the project was started in March 2019 under the National …

Recently, the Union Minister for Food Processing Industries virtually inaugurated the Indus Best Mega Food Park at Raipur, Chhattisgarh. It is built under the Mega Food Park Scheme. By this food park, about 5000 people will get employment and about 25000 farmers will be benefited. Important points: It was launched in 2008-09 to give a major boost …

Recently, China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) achieved a peak temperature of 288 million degrees Fahrenheit, which is over ten times hotter than the sun. China is not the only country that has achieved high plasma temperatures. In 2020, South Korea’s KSTAR (Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research) reactor set a new record by maintaining a plasma temperature of over 100 …

According to an estimate, 1,250 satellites will be launched annually this decade, with 70% of them for commercial purposes. Various private companies are aiming to deliver broadband satellite Internet around the world through their fleet of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. The idea of a space internet system is not new. It is being used through Geostationary Satellite for selective …

Recently, India and the UK have launched a new workstream to promote industrial energy efficiency under Clean Energy Ministerial’s (CEM) Industrial Deep Decarbonization Initiative (IDDI) coordinated by UNIDO (United Nations Development Industrial organisation). It was launched in the ongoing 12th CEM (CEM12) Meeting, which is virtually hosted by Chile.  Important points: The objective is to …

According to a recent report, as much as 40% of the world’s agricultural crops are lost to pests each year. The United Nations declared 2020 as the International Year of Plant Health, which has been extended until 1st July, 2021. Important points: Half of all emerging plant diseases are spread by global travel and trade, which have tripled in …

Recently, the third edition of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index and Dashboard 2020–21 was released by NITI Aayog. The SDG India Index 2020–21 is developed in collaboration with the United Nations in India. Important points: The NITI Aayog launched its index in 2018 to monitor the country’s progress on the goals through data-driven assessment, and foster a competitive spirit among the …

Recently, China has reported the first case of human infection with the H10N3 strain of bird flu in Jiangsu province. Important points: H10N3 is a subtype of the Influenza A virus which is commonly known as the bird flu virus. It is a low pathogenic, or relatively less severe, strain of the virus in poultry and the risk of it …

Recently, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced two new robotic missions to Venus. Earlier, scientists obtained new data about Venus by bouncing radio waves off the planet. Important points: The two sister missions aim to understand how Venus became an inferno-like world capable of melting lead at the surface. DaVinci Plus: It will …

The Union Government approved the signing and ratification of an Agreement on ‘Cooperation in the field of Mass Media’ between all the Member States of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The Agreement was signed in June 2019. It will provide an opportunity for the Member States to share new innovations and best practices in the field of Mass …

Recently, Palestine blamed India for suppressing its human rights of all people as India abstained from the latest resolution on the Palestinian issue. India abstained from voting on a resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) that came up in the backdrop of the latest round of conflict between Israel and Gaza strip, the …

Recently, the former Chief Secretary of West Bengal was served a show cause notice by the Home Ministry under Section 51 of the Disaster Management (DM) Act, 2005. Important points: The notice was issued for failing to comply with the Centre’s directions to attend the review meeting on Cyclone Yaas chaired by the Prime Minister in Bengal’s Kalaikunda. The Act …

Recently, the Central Government has amended its pension rules putting new restrictions on officials of intelligence and security organisations after retirement. The government has amended Rule-8(3)(a) of the CCS (Central Civil Services) Pension Rules-1972. The Centre has notified Central Civil Services (Pension) Amendment Rules, 2020. Important points: The said rules were first drafted in 1972 and …

Recently, China relaxed its two child policy and announced it will now allow three children per married couple. It also announced that it would increase the retirement age by a few months every year. For the past four decades, the retirement age in China has been 60 for men and 55 for women. Important points: China …

The Union Cabinet has approved the Model Tenancy Act to be sent to the States and Union Territories to enact legislation or amend laws on rental properties. The draft Act had been published by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in 2019. Important points: Mandatory for there to be a written agreement between the property owner and the …

The Union Cabinet has approved the Model Tenancy Act to be sent to the States and Union Territories to enact legislation or amend laws on rental properties. The draft Act had been published by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in 2019. Important points: Mandatory for there to be a written agreement between the property owner and the …

Recently, the Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) Sajag got commissioned into the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). It is third out of five OPV indigenously designed and built by the Goa Shipyard Limited. It is built under the Make in India policy. Other four OPVs are Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Saksham, ICGS Sachet, ICGS Sujeet, and ICGS Sarthak. It is fitted with advanced technology …

On the Statehood Day of Goa (30th May), the Prime Minister greeted the people of the state. Important points: Goa is located on the southwestern coast of India within the region known as the Konkan, and geographically separated from the Deccan highlands by the Western Ghats. Konkani which is one of the 22 languages from the Eight Schedule. It …