What is the News? State Bank of India’s(SBI) Economic Research Department has released the Ecowrap Report. What are the key findings of the Ecowrap Report? States opting for Freebies Several states in the country are resorting to offering freebies like farm loan waivers and restoring the old pension system. For instance, Telangana has committed 35%… Continue reading Ecowrap Report: States need to reset spending, cut freebies: SBI advisor’s report
Author: Abdul
Explained: What is the ‘Tree City of the World’ tag that Mumbai, Hyderabad have been awarded?
What is the News? Mumbai and Hyderabad have been recognised as ‘2021 Tree City of the World’ by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization(UN-FAO) and Arbor Day Foundation. Note: Hyderabad and Mumbai are recognised alongside 136 other cities from 21 countries. While Mumbai has made the list for the first time, Hyderabad has been… Continue reading Explained: What is the ‘Tree City of the World’ tag that Mumbai, Hyderabad have been awarded?
All we know about the Bernardinelli-Bernstein comet, the largest one ever seen
What is the News? The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s(NASA) Hubble Space Telescope has confirmed that the huge Bernardinelli-Bernstein comet is indeed the largest icy comet nucleus ever seen by astronomers. Note: Comets are cosmic snowballs of frozen gases, rock and dust that orbit the Sun. What is Bernardinelli-Bernstein? It is the largest icy comet… Continue reading All we know about the Bernardinelli-Bernstein comet, the largest one ever seen
Bihar sends fresh proposal seeking UNESCO’s heritage tag for 2,500-yr-old ‘Cyclopean wall’
What is the News? The Bihar government has sent a fresh proposal to the Archaeological Survey of India(ASI) to get the Cyclopean wall listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Note: Bihar is currently home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites namely: 1) Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda and 2) Mahabodhi temple of… Continue reading Bihar sends fresh proposal seeking UNESCO’s heritage tag for 2,500-yr-old ‘Cyclopean wall’
InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer: FDA authorizes first breath test for Covid
What is the News? The US Food and Drug Administration has issued an emergency use authorization for the Covid-19 test named InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer. What is InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer? It is the first testing device that can detect COVID-19 in the breath samples of humans. How does the test device work? The device uses a… Continue reading InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer: FDA authorizes first breath test for Covid
Explained: What is parboiled rice, and why Center wants to stop purchasing it
What is the News? Telangana Chief Minister has staged a dharna demanding a uniform paddy procurement policy. This protest came after the Center said it was stopping the purchase of excess Parboiled Rice of which Telangana is a major producer. What is Parboiled Rice? The dictionary meaning of ‘parboil’ is ‘partly cooked by boiling’. Thus,… Continue reading Explained: What is parboiled rice, and why Center wants to stop purchasing it
Union Minister inaugurates 40th ‘Hunar Haat’ in Mumbai
What is the News? Union Minister of Minority Affairs inaugurated the 40th edition of the ‘Hunar Haat’ in Mumbai. What is Hunar Haat? Organized by: Ministry of Minority Affairs under USTTAD (Upgrading the Skills & Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development) scheme. Purpose: It is an exhibition of handicrafts and traditional products made by artisans… Continue reading Union Minister inaugurates 40th ‘Hunar Haat’ in Mumbai
South Asia Economic Focus: World bank cuts India growth forecast on Ukraine crisis
What is the News? The World Bank has released its bi-annual report titled “South Asia Economic Focus”. The report analyzes the economic impact on South Asia of the war in Ukraine, presents growth forecasts and concludes that reshaping economies goes hand in hand with reshaping norms. What are the key findings of the South Asia… Continue reading South Asia Economic Focus: World bank cuts India growth forecast on Ukraine crisis
The functioning of the Enforcement Directorate
What is the News? The Enforcement Directorate(ED) has been in the news for summoning people for possible money laundering cases. What is the Enforcement Directorate(ED)? Read here about ED How did the ED get powers under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)? The PMLA Act was brought in to prevent the parking of money… Continue reading The functioning of the Enforcement Directorate
Centre extends tenure of green permits
What is the News? The Union Environment Ministry has extended the tenure of Environmental Clearances(EC) granted for existing or new projects in several sectors. What is Environmental Clearance(EC)? Environmental Clearance(EC) is a process that is mandatory for projects that are beyond a certain size. Purpose: To assess the impact of the planned project on the… Continue reading Centre extends tenure of green permits
