1) Future of Growth Report 2024:
- Published by the World Economic Forum.
- Assesses the quality of economic growth across 107 countries in four dimensions: Innovativeness, Inclusiveness, Sustainability, Resilience.
- Findings:
- High-income economies score high on innovation and inclusion, while lower-income economies on sustainability.
- India, along with Kenya scored high on sustainability.
- Report highlighted a significant economic slowdown, estimated to fall to the lowest rate in three decades by 2030.
- Most countries’ economic growth is neither sustainable nor inclusive.
- High-income economies score high on innovation and inclusion, while lower-income economies on sustainability.
- Report called for a new approach to economic growth that balances efficiency with long-term sustainability and equity.
2) Tea Board India: Tea Board has mandated all tea producers to limit generation of tea waste not exceeding 0.2% of production for quality produce.
- Presently, tea waste is being used for producing instant tea, bio-fertiliser and caffeine.
- Board is in process of allowing tea waste being used only for production of instant tea.
- About Tea Board India
- Nature: Statutory body set up under Tea Act 1953.
- Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- Head Office: Kolkata
- Functions: Financial and technical assistance for cultivation, manufacture and marketing of tea, export promotion etc.
3) Panama Canal: Panama Canal has been hit by a severe drought forcing authorities to slash ship crossings by 36%.
- Panama Canal is one of the two most strategic artificial waterways in the world (other being Suez Canal).
- It connects the Atlantic (Caribbean Sea) and Pacific Oceans and links North America with South America.
- It is one of the world’s most important trade routes.
- Initially, from its opening in 1914, the canal was controlled solely by USA (which built it) but in 1999, control was transferred to Panama.
4) Stripe Rust (Yellow Rust) of wheat: Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal (Haryana) has appealed to the farmers to remain vigilant against yellow rust.
- Caused by a fungal pathogen, Puccinia striiformis.
- It appears in the form of yellow stripes on wheat leaves.
- Major States affected: Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
- Treatment: Spray Propiconazole Fungicides.
