• Russia sees minimal chances of extending the New START treaty with the United States – their last major nuclear arms pact – as it does not accept conditions set out by Washington. • New START, came into force in…
• Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) is largest association of Election Management Bodies (EMBs) worldwide. At present A-WEB has 115 EMBs as Members and 16 Regional Associations/Organisations as Associate Members. Last year India had taken over as Chair of…
• The Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) in its report for 2020-21 has recommended grants for Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) in 28 States. • Grants have been recommended for all tiers of the Panchayati Raj and also to the Fifth…
• Lok Sabha has passed the Taxation and Other Laws (Relaxation and Amendment of Certain Provisions) Bill, 2020. About: • The bill aims at providing relaxations related to compliance by extending the time limit and waiving penalty in relation to…
• A new Ipsos survey in partnership with the Social Progress Imperative, conducted in 10 markets, among 10,000 individuals, shows majority of urban Indians (59%) will like Social Progress to take precedence over Economic Growth (41% prefer economic growth), in…
• Supreme Court (SC) reserved its orders on Amicus Curiae, Vijay Hansaria’s report for expeditious disposal of criminal trials pending against legislators (sitting and former) across the country. • During the hearing, Centre also called for timely disposal of cases…
• NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced their predictions about the new solar cycle, called Solar Cycle 25. It started in December 2019. Key findings: • Sun is a huge ball of electrically-charged hot gas. This charged…
• The 56th ITEC day was observed online by the High Commission of India in Dhaka on September 15, 2020. About: • The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme was instituted by a decision of the Indian Cabinet in…
• Talks follow February 29, 2020 US-Taliban agreement that bypassed Afghanistan government and set out a timetable for withdrawal of foreign forces, in exchange for counter-terrorism guarantees from Taliban. • The talks were delayed due to difference over a prisoner…
• Reserve Bank of India has issued guidelines for appointment of Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) in banks to ensure uniform approach with regard to compliance and risk management culture across the banking industry. About: • The CCO must be appointed…
• A study published in Lancet showed trend of vaccine hesitancy has increased in many countries between 2015 and 2019. About: • Vaccine hesitancy refers to delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite availability of vaccination services. • It…
• More than 1 billion people face being displaced by 2050 as the climate crisis and rapid population growth drive an increase in migration with “huge impacts” for both the developing and developed worlds, according to IEP’s first ecological threat…
