News: Fusarium Wilt TR4 dubbed as Banana Covid is setting up new hotspots and threatening the output of Banana Cultivation in India. Facts: Tropical Race 4(TR4): It is a novel fungus strain that causes Fusarium wilt (aka Panama disease) in banana plants. Origin: It was first identified in Taiwan and has jumped from Asia to… Continue reading Now, ‘Banana Covid’ hits plantations
Category: Miscellaneous
U.S. joins G7 artificial intelligence group to counter China
News:The United States has joined the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence(AI). Facts: The Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence is a G7 countries Partnership initiated by France and Canada. Aim: To study and provide recommendations on the responsible adoption of AI based on shared principles of human rights, inclusion, diversity, innovation and economic growth. Additional Facts:… Continue reading U.S. joins G7 artificial intelligence group to counter China
WHO, 37 nations launch alliance to share tools to tackle Covid-19 pandemic
News: World Health Organization(WHO), 37 countries and multiple international partners and institutions have launched COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP) initiative. Facts: Aim: To make vaccines, tests, treatments and other health technologies to fight COVID-19 accessible to all. Under this, WHO and partner countries have issued a Solidarity Call to Action to the global community to… Continue reading WHO, 37 nations launch alliance to share tools to tackle Covid-19 pandemic
India records highest ever FDI equity inflow in FY21
News:According to the data released by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), foreign direct investment(FDI) in India grew by 13% to a record of USD 49.97 billion in the 2019-20 financial year. Facts: FDI: It includes automatic route, acquisition route and government route. It has risen 13% to $49.97 billion in… Continue reading India records highest ever FDI equity inflow in FY21
Tribal Affairs Ministry announces inclusion of 23 additional Minor Forest produce items in Minimum Support Price List
News: Ministry of Tribal Affairs has announced inclusion of 23 additional Minor Forest Produce (MFP) items in Minimum Support Price (MSP) list. Facts: MSP FOR MFP Scheme: Launched in 2013 by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme Objective: To provide fair and remunerative price to MFP gatherers for the produce collected… Continue reading Tribal Affairs Ministry announces inclusion of 23 additional Minor Forest produce items in Minimum Support Price List
WHO chief announces creation of foundation to tap new funding sources
News:World Health Organization(WHO) has announced the creation of the ‘WHO Foundation’. Facts: WHO Foundation: It is an independent grant-making entity that will support the WHO’s efforts to address the most pressing global health challenges and to deliver on the organization’s triple billion goals. Contributions: It will be legally separate from WHO and will facilitate contributions… Continue reading WHO chief announces creation of foundation to tap new funding sources
22nd Meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC)
News:Union Minister for Finance has chaired the 22nd Meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council(FSDC). Facts: Financial Stability and Development Council(FSDC): It is a non-statutory apex level body setup in 2010 on the recommendations of Raghuram Rajan committee(2008). Objectives: To strengthen and institutionalize the mechanism for maintaining financial stability, enhancing inter-regulatory coordination and promoting… Continue reading 22nd Meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC)
World Dugong Day 2020: Marine mammal fighting for survival in Indian waters
News: On World Dugong Day, experts have said that dugong could one day become extinct in Indian waters unless conserved. Facts: Dugongs commonly called sea cow is an herbivorous marine mammal found throughout the warm latitudes of the Indian and western Pacific Oceans. They are largely dependent on seagrass communities for subsistence and are thus… Continue reading World Dugong Day 2020: Marine mammal fighting for survival in Indian waters
NPCI launches AI virtual assistant PAi
News: National Payment Corporation of India(NPCI) has launched an artificial intelligence(AI) based chatbot named PAi. Facts: Purpose: To create awareness and solve the queries around NPCI’s products like FASTag, RuPay, UPI, AePS on a real time basis which will in turn help in improving the digital financial inclusion in India. Additional Facts: NPCI: It is… Continue reading NPCI launches AI virtual assistant PAi
Aarogya Setu becomes open source: What does it mean?
News:The Government of India has decided to make the Aarogya Setu app an open source to show its commitment towards transparency, privacy and security. It has also launched a programme called Arogya Setu Bug Bounty Programme. Facts: Source code: Software can be divided into two broad categories, Closed Source and Open source Software: Open-source software:… Continue reading Aarogya Setu becomes open source: What does it mean?
