Virus and fear surge in China: what’s happening and why? Subject: Environment Context: A surge of Covid-19 infections in China in the past few weeks has prompted warnings that the country could witness over a million deaths in the coming months, even though official figures presented a very different picture. China Covid-19 surge: […]
New health threat? Pathogens frozen in permafrost resurface as Earth heats up Subject: Environment Context: A warming planet is resulting in the loss of the Earth’s cryosphere — parts of the planet where water is permanently frozen such as glaciers and ice sheets, and this could be resurrecting trapped pathogens, giving rise to […]
Asian Giant Tortoises released into Nagaland protected area for rewilding Subject: Environment Context: Ten captive-bred Asian Giant Tortoise (Manouriaemys) juveniles were released into a protected area of Nagaland on December 19, 2022, according to T Aochuba, director, Intanki National Park. Soft release of the tortoise: The Nagaland Forest Department and non-profits Turtle Survival […]
New air filter technology found to deactivate over 99% of SARS-CoV-2 delta variant Subject: Environment Context: A team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru have developed air filters made of ingredients commonly found in green tea. Antimicrobial filters can destroy germs and remove them from their system. Details: The […]
Project Tiger, CAMPA funds used to finance cheetah project: Centre Subject: Environment In the news: Funds from Project Tiger as well as the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management & Planning Authority (CAMPA) were used to finance the project to bring African cheetahs to India, the Union government told Parliament December 19, 2022. Details: Under […]
Why winter solstice matters around the world Subject: Geography Context: it’s not yet winter. According to the astronomical definition, the season will officially begin in the Northern Hemisphere on Dec. 21, 2022: the shortest day of the year, known as the winter solstice. What is the winter solstice? It is also called the […]
Daily Prelims Notes 20 December 2022 Table Of Contents COP15: Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted Black hole of public finance: Unequal fiscal burden on citizens India not joining the Oil & Gas Methane Partnership is a missed opportunity Lancet’s new commission aims to tackle potential public health threats for this century Air quality […]
U.K.’s Rwanda asylum seeker deportation plan is lawful, court rules Britain’s plan to send migrants to Rwanda is lawful, London’s High Court ruled on Monday, in a victory for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak who has made a high-stakes political promise to tackle the record number of migrant arrivals in small boats. The asylum […]
18% of Mumbai MSME loans are non-performing assets Subject: Economy Context: OutofRs162,874croreloans taken by MSMEs in Mumbai(including suburban region), Rs 22,579 crore involving 46,978 accounts have turned into NPAs, according to data compiled by the State Level Bankers Committee NPA: A loan becomes NPA when the principal or interest payment remains overdue for […]
National Test House Subject :Economy Context: The Centre’s National Test House (NTH) will set up testing capabilities for testing electric vehicles and EV-charging systems from next fiscal year. Details: It is part of the new initiatives undertaken to make NTH future-ready and garner revenues of ₹30 crore by FY 2024. BIS formulates the […]