What are the risks of Ohio Derailment
On February 3, 2023, a freight train derailed in the East Palestine town of Ohio state in the US. The train was carrying hazardous chemicals. Following the derailment, the train company burnt the carcinogenic chemicals in the freights. This released toxic smoke in the region. Hundreds were forced to vacate their homes. Residents complained of nausea and severe vomiting after the incident.
NTPC ranked top independent power producer
The S&P Global commodity insights recently released the ranking of the top 250 independent energy producers in the world. The energy producers were ranked based on four criteria such as return on investment, revenue generation, total assets, and profits gained. NTPC topped the ranking.
Sikhs and Jews most targeted in hate crimes in US
The FBI recently released its annual compilation of nationwide incidents. According to the report, Sikhs and Jews are the most targeted in hate crimes. There were 1005 religion-related hate crimes in the US in 2021. Of these, anti-Sikhs were 21.3% and Anti-Jews were 21.3%.
Chandrayaan 3 launch scheduled for August 2022: Union Minister Jitendra Singh
The much-awaited Chandrayaan 3 mission is scheduled for launch in August 2022, informed Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in a written to the Lok Sabha on February 2, 2022.
The Union Minister said that the realization of the Chandrayaan 3 mission is in progress, based on the learnings from Chandrayaan-2 and suggestions made by the national level experts. Many related hardware and their special tests have been completed successfully and the launch is scheduled for August 2022.
A successful soft landing on the Moon will make India the fourth country to do so and first to do so near the lunar South Pole. India's Chandrayaan 2 mission had previously crashed at what is now called the Jawahar point on the moon.
PM Modi to inaugurate Statue of Equality in Hyderabad on February 5
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Hyderabad on February 5, 2022. He will be dedicating a 216-feet tall ‘Statue of Equality’ commemorating 11th-century Bhakti Saint Sri Ramanujacharya to the nation in Hyderabad.
PM Modi will also visit International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) campus in Patancheru, Hyderabad and kickstart the 50th Anniversary celebrations of ICRISAT and inaugurate two research facilities- ICRISAT’s Climate Change Research Facility on Plant Protection and ICRISAT’s Rapid Generation Advancement Facility.
The Telangana Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar held a coordination meeting with the officials of various Heads of the department to review the preparations ahead of the Prime Minister's visit. The police department will make adequate security arrangements.
Indian diplomat to skip Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 over Galwan soldier row
Indian diplomat in Beijing has decided to boycott Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 opening and closing ceremony after China chose a soldier, who fought in the Galwan Valley clash against Indian troops in 2020, as a torchbearer. India's foreign ministry called it "regrettable" while announcing the diplomat's decision. The Ministry said that it indeed regrettable that the Chinese side has chosen to politicise an event like the Olympics. Indian media channel Doordarshan said that it will not live telecast the opening or closing ceremony. Only one Indian athlete will be participating in the Winter Olympics in Beijing.
India’s GDP projected to grow by 8-8.5 percent in FY 2023
India’s GDP is projected to grow by 8-8.5 percent in Fiscal Year 2022-23, as per Economic Survey 2021-22. The Economic Survey 2022 was tabled by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Lok Sabha. The survey report has been prepared by Principal Economic Adviser Sanjeev Sanyal and his team of advisors.
BharatPe Firm begins Independent Audit
BharatPe has started an independent audit of the "company's internal processes and systems". This comes a week after BharatPe’s co-founder Ashneer Grover took a voluntary leave till March-end after a controversy over an audio clip, in which he was heard verbally abusing a Kotak Mahindra Bank employee. His wife Madhuri Jain Grover, who is the Head of Controls, has also gone on leave.
What Got Costlier and Cheaper?
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced slew of changes in the customs duty for several products in her Union Budget Speech 2022, which will invariably affect the price of the commodities. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced 5% deduction in customs duty on gems, cut and polished diamonds. The customs duty on imitation jewelry and chemicals has also been reduced. The customs duty on umbrellas has been increased to 20%.
Income Tax 2022 Budget: No change in Income Tax slabs
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that individuals will now be able to file an updated Income Tax Return within two years of the relevant assessment year. The Finance Minister did not announce any change in the income tax slabs. The income tax slabs and rates will remain same as before.
