Addressing the Rising Global Hunger

Context:

• Given the current situation of the shock of a pandemic, conflicts across borders, and migrant crisis all around the world the number of people on the brink of starvation has doubled from 135 million people, pre-COVID, a year ago to 270 million.

Background:

• The number of people in need of urgent food assistance — estimated at 270 million in 2021 will certainly rise due to a few factors which are happening around the…

Context:

Understanding the history of NATO’s challenge to the security posture of Russia would help identify the roots of the ongoing conflict.

It might also provide a clearer picture of what institutional arrangements and assurances the Kremlin could accept as sufficient to pull back its troops and weaponry and engage in dialogue with the administration of Ukraine.

Background:

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO, also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an…

Context:

· As per the information made available by the High Courts, as of 28.02.2022 there are 20,814 Court Halls and 18,319 Residential Units available for Judicial Officers/Judges in the country against the working strength of 19,350 Judges/Judicial Officers of District and Subordinate Courts and sanctioned strength of 24,520 as on 28.02.2022.

· There is presently a vacancy of 5,170 Judicial Officers. As the available infrastructure also includes court halls leased from…

Context:

• Consumers may have to pay more for medicines and medical devices if the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) allows a price hike of over 10% in the drugs and devices listed under the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM), this coming month.

• The escalation which is expected to have an impact on nearly 800 drugs and devices is propelled by the rise in the Wholesale Price Index (WPI).

About:

• National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)…

Context:

• Earlier in 2020, India and South Africa had jointly proposed to remove restrictions of IPR.

• This was asked for the use of Covid vaccines, medicines and other related equipment.

• Now there is a consensus in sight on the pending proposal.

Background:

• Ethically if the proposal is accepted, it would be a great boost in fighting the pandemic especially the third world countries.

• Such a waiver would aid scaling up of local production, critical to…

Context:

• Earlier in 2020, India and South Africa had jointly proposed to remove restrictions of IPR.

• This was asked for the use of Covid vaccines, medicines and other related equipment.

• Now there is a consensus in sight on the pending proposal.

Background:

• Ethically if the proposal is accepted, it would be a great boost in fighting the pandemic especially the third world countries.

• Such a waiver would aid scaling up of local production, critical to…

Context:

• Earlier in 2020, India and South Africa had jointly proposed to remove restrictions of IPR.

• This was asked for the use of Covid vaccines, medicines and other related equipment.

• Now there is a consensus in sight on the pending proposal.

Background:

• Ethically if the proposal is accepted, it would be a great boost in fighting the pandemic especially the third world countries.

• Such a waiver would aid scaling up of local production, critical to…

Context:

· The US Federal Reserve has raised interest rates by 25 basis points, the first hike since 2018.

And has outlined an aggressive stance that also includes balance sheet reduction aimed at fighting record high inflation.

What is the Impact?

Markets responded positively to the clear path outlined by the world’s largest central bank, with US markets closing higher by 2 per cent and Indian stock markets opening with a gap of more than 1 per cent on Thursday.…

Context:

• On 13th March, Mumbai Climate Action Plan (MCAP) was released, which was prepared by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Background:

• Amid warnings of climate change leading to extreme weather events in the city, the civic body has started preparing the Mumbai Climate Action Plan (MCAP).

• It will look at climate resilience with mitigation and adaptation strategies by focusing on six areas — sustainable waste management, urban greening and…