Why in News ?

According to Knight Frank’s Global House Price Index for Q1 2021, India has moved down by 12 spots in global home price index because property price in India has declined amid covid-19 pandemic.

About:

This year, India has been ranked at 55^th position while during Q1 2020, India was ranked at 43rd position in terms of property prices.

Key Findings of index

• Home prices in India decreased by 1.6 percent on a year-on-year basis.
• In terms of changes in 6-month (Q3 2020-Q1 2021) and 3-month (Q4 2020-Q1 2021), residential prices have increased by 0.6 percent and 1.4 percent, respectively.
• US witnessed highest annual price growth rate since 2005. Prices have increased by 13.2 percent year on year (YoY)
• Turkey is the topper in annual rankings with prices of 32 percent.
• Turkey is followed by New Zealand at 22.1 percent and Luxembourg with 16.6 percent growth in prices YoY.
• Spain emerged as weakest-performing territory in Q1 2021. In Spain, home prices fell by 1.8 percent.
• Spain is followed by India with 1.6 per cent decline on prices.

Why in News ?

International Level Crossing Awareness Day was observed by “South-Central Railway (SCR)” on June 10, 2021. Awareness programmes was conducted for public at level crossing gates.

About:

• On the occasion, railway authorities took up operation to remove manned level crossings in phased manner by constructing Limited Height Subways (LHS), Road Under Bridges (RUBs) and Road Over Bridges (ROBs) in the zone.
• About 81 manned level crossings have been removed by constructing LHS, ROB and RUBs in collaboration with State governments.

Why in News ?

• India wind energy market outlook was released by Global Wind Energy Council. As per the report, India has a pipeline of 10.3 GW in Central and State markets. These pipelines will drive installations until 2023. Report highlights India will install 20 GW of wind energy capacity by 2021-25.

Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC)

• GWEC was established in 2005. It provides credible and representative forum for entire wind energy sector at international level.
• Its mission is to ensure that, wind power is established as the leading energy sources in world, providing several environmental and economic benefits. As per GWEC, even though there are temporary supply chain difficulties, international wind markets are growing strongly. European Union is the leading market in wind energy having around 48 GW of installed capacity.
• Headquarters-Brussels, Belgium

Why in News ?

Costs of Climate Change in India report has been released by London-based global think tank Overseas Development Institute.

About Costs of Climate Change in India Report:

• It looks at the economic costs of climate-related risks in India. It also points to the possibility of increased inequality and poverty due to climate change.

Why in News ?

Interpol has conducted Operation Pangea XIV to target the sale of counterfeit and illicit medicines and medical products.

About:

• Operation Pangeais an international effort to target the online sale of counterfeit and illicit health products. It also aims to raise public awareness of the potential dangers of buying medicines online.
• The first time Operation Pangea was conducted was in 2008.
• Led by: The operation is coordinated by INTERPOL. It involved police, customs and health regulatory authorities from 92 countries.
• India: Indian agencies also participated in the operation. The Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) is the nodal body for Interpol in the country.
• Impact:
  • The operation resulted in around 1 lakh web links including websites and online marketplaces being closed down or removed.
  • Moreover, more than half of all medical devices seized during the operation were fake and unauthorized COVID-19 tests.

Why in News ?

Recently, in Yogyakarta city of Indonesia, dengue fever cases have been cut by 77% through a trial that manipulates the mosquitoes spreading dengue.

About the trial

• Scientists used mosquitoes infected with “miraculous bacteria” and released across the cities. These bacteria reduce insect’s ability to spread dengue.
• Trial used mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia bacteria.
• Wolbachia doesn’t harm mosquito, but it goes in same parts of its body where dengue virus needs to get into.
• The bacteria compete for resources and make it much harder for dengue virus to replicate, so the mosquito is less likely to cause an infection when it bites again.
• According to team of World Mosquito Programme, this method can be a solution to virus that has spread worldwide.
• The technique is successful and mosquitoes have been released across whole city. This project is targeting to cover more areas with the aim of eradicating dengue.

Why in News ?

International Labour Organisation (ILO) and UNICEF jointly published report on child labour. As per report, world has marked rise in child labour in two decades.

Key Findings of report

• Report highlights, coronavirus crisis might push millions more youngsters toward child labour.
• As of 2020, number of child labour stands at 160 million. It has increased by 8.4 million in four years.
• Number started increasing before covid-19 pandemic hit, marking dramatic reversal of downward trend where numbers decreased by 94 million in between 2000 and 2016.
• Amid the covid-19 pandemic, 1 in 10 children globally were engaged in child labour.
• Sub-Saharan Africa is the worst affected country.
• Boys are more likely to be affected. They will account for 97 million out of 160 million children engaging into child labour at start of 2020.
• Number of children, between ages 5 and 17 doing hazardous work, has increased. About 79 million children were considered to be engaged in hazardous work. This could affect child’s development, education or health.

Why in News ?

India and Thailand started 31st edition of Coordinated Patrols or CORPAT, with the aim of reinforcing maritime links between two countries and to keep Indian Ocean safe and secure for international trade.

CORPAT Exercise

This is the first biannual exercise in which Saryu, an indigenously built Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel called Saryu from Indian Navy and His Majesty’s Thailand Ship (HTMS) Krabi along with Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both navies are participating.

Significance of CORPAT

CORPAT biannual exercise builds up understanding and interoperability between both the navies. It facilitates institution of measures to prevent & suppress unlawful activities such as Illegal Unreported Unregulated (IUU) fishing, maritime terrorism, drug trafficking, armed robbery and piracy. It also helps in enhancing operational synergy by exchanging information to prevent smuggling, illegal immigration and to conduct SAR operations at sea.

Why in News ?

Union Cabinet approved an increase in Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Kharif crops for 2021-22, to increase farmers’ income.

About:

• Centre has increased MSP for paddy by Rs 72. It now stands at to Rs 1,940 per quintal for 2021-22 crops.
• Highest absolute increase in MSP over previous year has been recommended for sesamum, followed by tur and urad.
• MSP on groundnut and niger seed was increased by Rs 275 per quintal and Rs 235 per quintal, respectively.
• Differential remuneration was fixed with the aim of encouraging crop diversification.

Why in News ?

El Salvador has become the first country to formally adopt bitcoin as legal tender.  Proposal to legalise cryptocurrency was put forward by President Nayib Bukele which was later approved by Congress.

About:

• Even though there was concern regarding potential impact of legalising cryptocurrency on El Salvador’s program of $1 billion with International Monetary Fund, proposal was passed with majority of 62 out of 84 possible votes.
• Bitcoin was approved considering its potential to help Salvadorans living abroad to send remittances back home. U.S. dollar will also continue as legal tender in country.
• It will bring financial inclusion, investment, innovation, tourism and economic development in El Salvador.