The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced new labels, using Greek alphabets, for various variants of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19). As per the WHO, Covid variant first found in India (B1.617.2) will be referred to as Delta, while earlier found variant in the country (B.1.617.1) will be known as Kappa.

The objective of the government's 'One Nation, One Standard' scheme, launched in 2019, is to ensure there is a synergy and no overlap in the standardisation work in the country, thereby building a 'Brand India' identity in the long run.

There are 3 methods used for calculating national income namely; Income method, expenditure method, and Product method. The diminishing cost method is not a method to calculate national income.

Germany is the fourth-largest economy in the world based on nominal GDP. size of the German economy is $ 3.86 trillion.

Commodities futures contracts are agreements to buy or sell a raw material at a specific date in the future at a particular price. The contract is for a set amount. It specifies when the seller will deliver the asset. It also sets the price. Some contracts allow a cash settlement instead of delivery.

In 2020, the first World NTD Day was observed informally. These are infections that primarily affect marginalised communities in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. It is caused by a variety of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and parasitic worms.

A new strain of coronavirus has been detected in Malaysia which is found to be 10 times more infectious than the existing Corona virus. The mutated form of the virus called D614G was found in 3 of the 45 cases in a test cluster. The detection of new strain has implied that studies on COVID 19 vaccines may be incomplete or ineffective against the mutation. WHO has explained that the new strain will not cause a more severe disease.

The 74th World Health Assembly unanimously approved a proposal from the United Arab Emirates to designate January 30 as “World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day.”

Russia has become the first country to register and approve the world’s first Covid-19 vaccine. It has named the vaccine as ‘Sputnik V’. This has been named as a reference to the world’s first satellite sent by the country. Russia claims that is has received requests from more than 20 countries for 1 billion doses of its newly-registered Covid-19 vaccine.

The targets for the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol cover emissions of the six main greenhouse gases, namely: • Carbon dioxide (CO2); • Methane (CH4); • Nitrous oxide (N2O); • Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs); • Perfluorocarbons (PFCs); and • Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)

As per the recent study by NASA and German Aerospace Center, some microbes are found on the Earth may survive in the Mars. The researchers tested a new way to expose the bacteria and fungi to Mars-like conditions by launching them in a scientific balloon up to Earth’s stratosphere. This is significant in the success of future missions to the Mars.

Kyoto Protocol recognized six green house gases i.e. Carbon dioxide, Methane, Nitrous oxide, Hydrofluorocarbons, Perfluorocarbons, and Sulphur hexafluoride.

The most significant contributor to warming is the emission of gases which result in the greenhouse effect. In this, 90% share is carbon dioxide (CO) and methane. For strength consumption, fossil fuel, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, is the primary source of emissions. Some contribution is accounted from agriculture, deforestation, and manufacturing as well.

California-based employer Rocket Lab started industrial launches for New Zealand in 2018. The company specialises in inserting small satellites into orbit. It made history in 2017 to launch a check rocket into an area from the far-flung Mahia Peninsula.

The government had mandated, that with effect from April 1, 2017, all goods vehicles of category N2 and N3, have to be fitted with an air conditioning system for the cabin. Now the last date for trucks to have air conditioned cabins for drivers, a mandatory norm by the central government, has been extended to December 31, 2017.

Gender Inequality Index (GII): GII displays gender-based disadvantage across three dimensions of reproductive health, labour market and empowerment. Countries are having an unequal distribution of human development experiences high inequality. As per UNDP document 2019, India’s GII is 0.0501 and was ranked at 122.

On 15 July 2014, the first day of the 6th BRICS summit held in Fortaleza, Brazil, the BRICS states signed the Agreement on the New Development Bank, which makes provisions for the legal basis of the bank. In a separate agreement, a reserve currency pool worth $100 bln was set up by BRICS nations. July 2014 (Treaty signed) July 2015 (Treaty in force)