1.National Affairs
Government announces New Trade policy 2021-26
The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry recently announced the New Trade Policy 2021-26 which will come into effect from April 1, 2021.
The new policy’s goal is to make India a 5 trillion USD economy by 2024.
The police ais to boost exports, ease of doing business & tackle issues such as under-employment and slowdown in agriculture.
Quick fact: Piyush Goyal is the current Minister of Commerce and Industry.
2.Environment
Scientist caution an ‘Insect Apocalypse’
Entomologists from all around the globe attended the National Academies of Sciences and cautioned against the rapid decline of the insect population.
The Earth is losing 2% of its insects every year and scientists have named this ‘Insect Apocalypse’.
Honey Bees and Butterflies best illustrate the insect decline happening due to various issues such as climate change, intensive agriculture, and light pollution.
Quick Fact: Honey Bees have 5 eyes.
3.International Affairs
Global Ebola vaccine stockpile established
The Global Ebola vaccine stockpile was recently established by four international health and humanitarian organizations.
The 4 organizations are- WHO, Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and UNICEF.
Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation (GAVI) will provide financial assistance to the Global Ebola vaccine stockpile.
Quick Fact: IFRC is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
4.National Affairs
Supreme Court suspends implementation of the Farm Laws
The Supreme Court recently suspended the implementation of three Farm Laws to end the disagreement between farmers and the Government of India.
The Supreme Court has directed to form a committee to resolve the issue.
The 3 Farm Laws are- Farmers Agreement on Price Insurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, Farmers Produce Trade & Commerce Act 2020 & Essential Commodities Act 2020.
5.Environment
Management Report of National Park and Wildlife Sanctuaries released
The Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar recently released the Management Effectiveness Evaluation Report of 146 National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Around 60% of leopard population, 70% of Asiatic lions & 70% of global tiger population are the main reasons for the thriving of the National parks & wildlife sanctuaries in the country.
Jaldapara National Park, Raiganj wildlife sanctuary, Tirthan wildlife sanctuary, Sainj wildlife sanctuary & the Great Himalayan National Park are ranked in the top 5.
6.Summits and Conferences
One Planet Summit held
The One Planet Summit was held recently which aims to advance the protection of nature.
The theme of One Planet Summit 2021 is “Let’s act together for nature”.
The One Planet Summit aims to promote worldwide ecological transformation and measures environmental & climate protection combined with innovation & economy.
Quick Fact: The One Planet Summit is organized by the United Nations, World Bank, and France.
7.Defense
Coastal defense exercise “Sea Vigil 21” kicks off
The second edition of the biennial pan-India coastal defense exercise “Sea Vigil-21” will be conducted on January 12 and 13.
The exercise will involve all the 13 coastal states and Union Territories along with other maritime stakeholders, fishing, and coastal communities.
The exercise will be undertaken along the entire 7,516 km coastline & Exclusive Economic Zones of India providing a realistic assessment of our strengths & weaknesses.
Quick Fact: The Indian Navy was founded on 26 January 1950.
8.Sports
The Jigmet Dolma from India wins 4th position in Dhaka Marathon 2021
Jigmet Dolma, an SPO from Ladakh Police in India, secured the fourth position in the Dhaka Marathon 2021.
Hicham Lakohi of Morocco came first in the marathon in the men’s category while Angela Jim Asunde from Kenya won the women’s category in the same event.
The marathon was organized to commemorate the return of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from Pakistan jail to Bangladesh in 1972.
