Dear Friends, We have initiated some changes in the 9 PM Brief and other postings related to current affairs. What we sought to do: Ensure that all relevant facts, data, and arguments from today’s newspaper are readily available to you. We have widened the sources to provide you with content that is more than enough… Continue reading 9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – May 18th, 2022
Lancet Planetary Health Report: ‘At 2.4 million in 2019, India led world in pollution deaths’
What is the News? The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health has published “The Lancet Planetary Health Report”. What are the key highlights from the report? Global findings Pollution was responsible for 9 million premature deaths in 2015 making it the world’s largest environmental risk factor for disease and premature death. Ambient air pollution accounted… Continue reading Lancet Planetary Health Report: ‘At 2.4 million in 2019, India led world in pollution deaths’
Union Minister chairs meeting on Lab Grown Diamonds; Focus on Research and Development, setting up common facilities and skilling of adequate manpower
What is the News? The Union Minister for Commerce & Industry chaired a meeting with the representatives of Lab-Grown Diamonds Industry today in New Delhi. What are Lab Grown Diamonds? Lab-grown diamonds are diamonds which are grown inside a lab using cutting-edge technology that replicates the natural diamond growing process and the result is a… Continue reading Union Minister chairs meeting on Lab Grown Diamonds; Focus on Research and Development, setting up common facilities and skilling of adequate manpower
Kerala did virtually nothing for Endosulfan victims for 5 years: SC
What is the News? The Supreme Court has slammed the Kerala government for State’s inaction in providing relief to the Endosulfan pesticide exposure victims. This also amounts to a breach of the Supreme Court’s 2017 judgment which had ordered the State to pay ₹5 lakh each to the victims in three months. What is Endosulfan?… Continue reading Kerala did virtually nothing for Endosulfan victims for 5 years: SC
Assistive aids remains inaccessible to bulk of those with disabilities, says global report
What is the News? The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have jointly released the first Global Report on Assistive Technology(GReAT). What is the Global Report on Assistive Technology(GReAT)? Released by: World Health Organization(WHO) and UNICEF Purpose: The report is the culmination of the 71st World Health Assembly resolution in… Continue reading Assistive aids remains inaccessible to bulk of those with disabilities, says global report
Explained: What are urban heat islands, and why are they worsening during summers?
What is the News? Several parts of India are reeling under heatwave conditions. Cities, especially, are a lot hotter than rural areas. This is due to a phenomenon called an “urban heat island”. What are Urban Heat Islands? An urban heat island is a local and temporary phenomenon experienced when certain pockets within a city… Continue reading Explained: What are urban heat islands, and why are they worsening during summers?
How to tackle the inflation spiral
News: Recently, The World Economic Outlook, published by the IMF in April, expects global growth to be slower than the forecast made in January, with inflation on the rise. The global macroeconomic situation is showing signs of macro instability. The global debt has increased sharply during the pandemic, inflation is on the rise, and macroeconomic… Continue reading How to tackle the inflation spiral
Needed: An economic response plan for a green transition shock
News: India is facing severe heat waves in many parts of the country. This is a reminder that the risks from climate change are rising. What are the issues involved in transition towards a green economy? Around a fifth of Indian households have access to either air-conditioners or coolers in their home. Nearly half of… Continue reading Needed: An economic response plan for a green transition shock
Boon to ban: How the wheat export story changed in two months
News: On May 13, the government effectively banned the export of wheat. Why were wheat exports banned? On May 4, the government revised down its wheat production estimates from 111.32 million tonnes (MT) to 105 MT for the crop year ending June. – 18 MT of wheat were procured till May 14 of the ongoing… Continue reading Boon to ban: How the wheat export story changed in two months
Technological advancement often has a sting in its tail
Context: In his book Sapiens, Yuval Noah Harari made the somewhat controversial statement that human beings have been domesticated by wheat. In other words, every science-driven improvement in agriculture has come at a price. How science has enabled humankind to overcome many of the challenges we face as a species? Having learnt farming or how… Continue reading Technological advancement often has a sting in its tail
