According to an office memorandum dated November 26, 2024, it is...
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DFS secy asks 4 PSU general insurers to bring down their underwriting losses and guard market share
M Nagaraju, after becoming the DFS secretary, held his first review...
Railways paid only 22 claims under Optional Travel Insurance Scheme in five years
Responding to questions regarding the number of victims who had...
World Bank launches new Cybersecurity Multi-Donor Trust Fund
“There is widespread agreement in the international community that significantly more cybersecurity capacity building is needed to help low- and middle-income countries become more resilient against attacks and take full advantage of the development opportunities of the digital economy,” said Felix Kroll of the Cyber Foreign Policy and Cyber Security Coordination Staff of the German Federal Foreign Office.
Pandemic has IFC pumping $1.7 billion into local companies, up 51%
The impact of the pandemic coupled with the region’s vulnerability to climate change, has highlighted the need for a collaborative, resilient and climate friendly recovery that can withstand future shocks, said its new regional director for South Asia, Hector Gomez Ang.
While South Asia is one of the fastest growing regions in the world, estimates suggest that climate impacts could reduce its annual GDP by an average of 1.8 percent by 2050, rising to 8.8 percent by 2100 if the region failed to take adequate corrective measures. The region is also estimated to have an untapped climate investment potential of USD3.4 trillion by 2030, Ang said.
New Zealand to enter lockdown after single coronavirus case found
The move into the strictest lockdown underscored the vastly different approach New Zealand has taken to the virus than most other nations, which are attempting to suppress its spread rather than eliminate it entirely.
New Zealand has reported just 26 virus deaths since the pandemic began.
No data shows need for booster vaccines presently: Dr Gagandeep Kang
According to Dr Kang, whether people will have more antibodies or be better protected with the booster dose is still not known.
“It sounds obvious that more antibodies (abs) are better but we really don’t know whether people who push up abs with additional doses will be better protected than with the level they initially made. Or that when abs wane, we need to boost to maintain above some level,” she said.
Further, she explained how people with a poor immune response should get a third dose,
U.S. employers get religion with vaccine mandates
Google’s parent Alphabet Inc, Walmart Inc, and Tyson Foods Inc are among the growing list of employers requiring some or all staff to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
But with each mandate comes exceptions. Employers have to make reasonable accommodations for staff who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons or refuse vaccination because of “sincerely held religious beliefs,” according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
India’s vehicle scrappage policy provides opportunities for new biz models: Experts
Deloitte India Partner & Leader, Government & Public Services Arindam Guha said in addition to reducing vehicular pollution and improving road safety, the vehicle scrapping policy is also likely to attract additional investments and generate employment through registered vehicle scrapping facilities (RVSFs), with around 50-60 such centers likely to be set up across the country.
Power ministry circulates draft rules on clean energy, seeks comments
The draft rules will provide in detail for Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO); Green energy open access; nodal agencies; Procedure for grant of green energy open access; banking; and cross subsidy surcharge.
New York’s pension fund to review oil holdings, axes more coal investments
The move by the New York state pension fund comes days after the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reported global warming was nearly out of control, and calling its findings “a death knell for coal and fossil fuels.”
Major investors, including BlackRock have re-evaluated holdings in fossil fuel producers and prodded energy executives to reduce emissions and prepare for a lower carbon world. After completing its shale review, the New York fund plans to turn next to oil and gas pipeline and processing investments, it said.
PM announces Rs 100 trillion Gatishakti scheme for holistic infra growth
The over Rs 100 lakh crore Gatishakti initiative will “bring employment opportunities for youth and help in holistic infrastructure growth”, he said.
Modi said Gatishakti will help local manufacturers turn globally competitive and also develop possibilities of new future economic zones.
PM announces Hydrogen Mission, self-reliance in energy by 2047
Hydrogen is produced predominantly through Steam Methane Reforming, or SMR, which utilizes fossils fuels, such as natural gas or coal, and through Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolysis, which splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using a current of electricity.
Currently, all hydrogen consumed in India comes from fossil fuels. By 2050, three-fourth of all hydrogen is projected to be green — produced by renewable electricity and electrolysis.