Starlink Project
Category: Sc/tech
- SpaceX postponed a launch of 60 satellites into low-Earth orbit that was scheduled.
- The launch of 60 satellites is a part of the Starlink project.
- The purpose of Starlink project is to beam broadband internet across the planet by launching 12 thousands satellites.
New Immigration Policy
Category: International
- US has unveiled a new merit and points-based immigration policy that replaces the existing green cards with ‘Build America’ visa.
- It hikes the quota for young and highly-skilled workers from 12 to 57 per cent, a move likely to benefit thousands of Indian professionals.
- Every year the US issues nearly 1.1 million green cards, which gives foreign nationals life-time permission to live and work in the US and a path to citizenship in five years.
- Currently, most of the cards are issued based on family links and diversity visa, and a small section is given to people who are professionals and highly-skilled.
- The move is likely to benefit hundreds and thousands of Indian professionals and skilled workers whose current waiting period for a Green Card on an average is more than a decade.
Kerala
Category: Economy
- Kerala is the first Indian state to tap into the market for masala bonds.
- Masala bonds are the debt papers sold overseas by an Indian entity that are denominated in rupees.
- The aim of the masala bonds is to raise development funds.
- Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) became the first sub-sovereign entity in India to tap the offshore rupee international bond market.
CERC
Category: Economy
- The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has allowed power companies to claim compensation for the additional cost of coal procured from alternative sources due to Coal India’s failure to meet supply obligations.
- While such compensation facility was available for the FY14-FY17 period under a modified coal distribution policy, it has since ceased to be in operation.
- As per the modified fiats of the New Coal Distribution Policy (NCDP), power plants receive 75 per cent of their contracted fuel quantities through CIL linkages. The remaining coal are being sourced from other expensive means such as imports and e-auctions. However, the 2013 NCDP allowed power plants to claim higher tariffs for the additional cost till FY17-end.
- Driven by shortage supply in the wake of sudden rise in electricity demand, power plants across the country imported 61.7 mt of coal in FY19, recording an annual rise of 9.3 per cent.
Offensive Weapons Bill
Category: International
- The United Kingdom government has passed an amendment by which Sikhs in the country will be allowed to own a longer ‘kirpan (dagger)’ and use it during religious and cultural functions.
- ‘The Offensive Weapons Bill’ received the royal assent.
- Now the Sikhs can keep a 3-foot long kirpan.
Taiwan
Category: International
- Taiwan has legalized same-sex marriage.
- It is the first country in Asia to do so.
