What is the News? The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction has released a report titled “Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction 2022: Our World at Risk: Transforming Governance for a Resilient Future”. What are the key findings of the report? Disasters Every year between 350 and 500 medium to large-scale disasters took… Continue reading Increase in disasters leads to spike in intentional homicides of women: UN Report
Union Minister launches, ‘Azadi Ki Amrit Kahaniyan,’ a short video series showcasing inspiring stories
What is the News? The Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting has launched ‘Azadi Ki Amrit Kahaniya’. What is Azadi Ki Amrit Kahaniya? Launched by: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting(I&B) in collaboration with major OTT platform Netflix. Aim: To bring out beautiful stories of inspirational Indians on various themes including Women Empowerment, Environment & Sustainability… Continue reading Union Minister launches, ‘Azadi Ki Amrit Kahaniyan,’ a short video series showcasing inspiring stories
International Religious Freedom Report 2022: India’s designation by the USCIRF
What is the News? The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom(USCIRF) has released the International Religious Freedom Report 2022. What is the International Religious Freedom Report? Released by: USCIRF, an independent, bipartisan U.S. government advisory body separate from the U.S. Department of State. Purpose: The report assesses religious freedom violations and progress in 27… Continue reading International Religious Freedom Report 2022: India’s designation by the USCIRF
New research: How self-replicating mRNA Covid-19 vaccines work, and what the trial results show
What is the News? A self-amplifying mRNA vaccine named ARCT-154 has shown promising results against Covid-19 in ongoing phase 1/2/3 trials. What is ARCT-154 Vaccine? It is a self-amplifying mRNA vaccine against Covid-19. Developed by: Arcturus Therapeutics Holdings, based in San Diego, California, and its trials are in progress in Vietnam. Efficacy: It offered 95%… Continue reading New research: How self-replicating mRNA Covid-19 vaccines work, and what the trial results show
Explained | What is NASA’s space equity action plan?
What is the News? NASA has released its first-ever Space Equity Action Plan. What is the Space Equity Action Plan? Released by: NASA Objective: To allow the agency to track progress toward improved diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility both internally and externally. Focus Areas: The four focus areas the plan addresses are: – Increasing integration… Continue reading Explained | What is NASA’s space equity action plan?
Trilateral Development Corporation(TDC) Fund: To counter China’s BRI, MEA launches growth model
What is the News? The Ministry of External Affairs has launched a platform called the Trilateral Development Corporation(TDC) Fund. What is the Trilateral Development Corporation(TDC) Fund? Launched by: Ministry of External Affairs Aim: To provide an alternative to the Chinese development partnership model that has pushed parts of the developing world into a debt trap.… Continue reading Trilateral Development Corporation(TDC) Fund: To counter China’s BRI, MEA launches growth model
Electric vehicles have a dark side too: Blood batteries and child labour
Context: EVs are being pitched as cleaner, greener and sustainable. But are they? Underlying the shiny exteriors of an electric vehicle lies a shocking story of blood batteries, extreme poverty and child labour. What is the usage of Cobalt in production of EVs? Electric cars use batteries. Lithium and cobalt which make up these batteries… Continue reading Electric vehicles have a dark side too: Blood batteries and child labour
PDS has had a spectacular run. That may not last
Context: Its golden chapter was scripted in an environment of low global commodity prices and surplus domestic foodgrain production. That party is over, even as food inflation is back. Why was the 2020-21 year very important for the agricultural sector? (1) In 2020-21, Agriculture was the only sector to grow at 3.3%, even as the… Continue reading PDS has had a spectacular run. That may not last
Public Sector Banks must move beyond recapitalization bonds
News: Recently, the public sector banks (PSBs) had a huge amount of gross non-performing assets (NPAs) or bad loans. It peaked at ₹8.96 trillion or around 14.6% of total loans in March 2018. However, the gross NPAs have fallen to ₹5.59 trillion, or around 7.9% of total loans as of December 2021. What are the challenges before… Continue reading Public Sector Banks must move beyond recapitalization bonds
“India as a democratic superpower
News: India is the world’s third-largest economy, at least in purchasing power terms. Further, it has been argued that India has emerged as a democratic superpower capable of providing the leadership that the world needs. What are the geopolitical and other challenges in front of the international community? Russia has launched an unprovoked war against… Continue reading “India as a democratic superpower
