For Huntington’s disease clues, scientists are looking in fruit flies Subject: Science and Tech Section: Health Context: Researchers from Hungary, genetically engineered fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) to express the polyglutamine tract of a mutated human HTTgene in their nervous system by using a gene called Gal4 from baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). More on […]
India eyes $1 billion in banana exports in next five years Subject : Geography Section: Economic geography Context: With the successfully export of a trial shipment of fresh bananas to the Netherlands through sea route, India is now aiming at increasing the exports of this fruit to $1 billion in the next five years. Key Facts: India is world’s largest banana producer. Despite it, India’s global export share is just 1%, though the country accounts for 26.5% of […]
India, Russia-led Eurasian bloc to begin negotiations on FTA soon Subject : IR Section: Groupings Context: India, Russia-led Eurasian bloc to begin negotiations on FTA soon More about the news: India and the Eurasian Economic Union (EaEU), led by Russia, are poised to initiate negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) aimed at […]
Force Majeure Request Due to Flood Impact on Chennai and Thoothukudi Ports Subject :Economy Section: Fiscal Policy Unprecedented Rains and Floods: Chennai and Thoothukudi ports faced heavy losses and disruptions in maritime trade due to unprecedented rains in Tamil Nadu. Force Majeure Appeal: Trade members involved in port operations have urged the Chennai […]
Fiscal slippage due to higher spending in MGNREGA Subject :Economy Section: Fiscal Policy Fiscal Slippage Warning: Despite robust tax collections, India Ratings and Research express concerns about a possible fiscal slippage in FY24. Deficit Projection: Forecasts the fiscal deficit for FY24 to be 6%, exceeding the budgetary target of 5.9%. Factors Contributing to […]
Significant climate milestones of 2023 Subject : Environment Section: Climate change Hottest Year in History: 2023 is likely to be declared the hottest year, exceeding the previous record of 2016 by 0.1°C and surpassing pre-industrial levels by 1.43°C. Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) data highlights the sustained high temperatures throughout the year. Unprecedented […]
The Sahara Desert Used To Be a Green Savannah and New Research Explains Why Subject : Environment Section: Biodiversity Context: Algeria’s TassiliN’Ajjer plateau is Africa’s largest national park. Over 15,000 etchings and paintings are exhibited there, some as much as 11,000 years old according to scientific dating techniques, representing a unique ethnological and […]
Interlinking of rivers could flood India’s freshwater with invasive fish Subject : Environment Section: Biodiversity Context: New research shows that India’s ambitious Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) programme can spread invasive, alien fish to water bodies that are home to endangered fish species, posing ecological, economic, and livelihood threats. Details: About a third (31%) […]
Grow local, eat local: Bengal farmers hold a celebration of indigenous seeds Subject : Environment Section: Agri & SD Context: Indigenous seed festival held in Contai, West Bengal, organized by ActionAid, Kajla Janakalyan Samiti, and Purba Medinipur Kisan Swaraj Samity. Details: Hundreds of farmers from various districts participated, showcasing native varieties of paddy, […]