RBI pressed ahead with VRRRs auctions to suck out surplus liquidity from the banking system.
- Variable Reverse Repo Rate (VRRR) is the subdivision of reverse repo.
- Purpose of VRRR – To reduce surplus liquidity in the system by withdrawing existing cash.
- Reverse repo is a fixed or variable interest rate at which banks lend to RBI.
- Rate at which RBI issues loans to commercial banks when there is a shortage of funds is the repo rate.
USA has decided to supply Ukraine with cluster bombs as a part of new military aid package.
- Cluster bombs (Cluster Munitions) are canisters that carry tens to hundreds of smaller bomblets.
- Launchers – Aircraft, missiles, naval guns or rocket launchers
- Canisters break open at a prescribed height, depending upon the area of intended target.
- They are fused by a timer to explode closer to or on the ground.
Peru has imposed a state of emergency in Moquegua region due to explosions in Ubinas volcano.
- Location – Peru (Central Volcanic Zone of Andes)
- A stratovolcano (tall and cone-shaped).
- Part of a group of 7 volcanoes in southern Peru.
- Volcanic zone extends from southern Peru to northern Chile.
Iceland remains the most peaceful country in the world, according to the 2023 Global Peace Index.
- Released by – Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) for 163 independent states and territories
- 23 indicators to measure the state of peace
- 3 domains: Level of Societal Safety and Security; Extent of Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict; Degree of Militarisation.
- India’s Rank:126 (135 in 2022) [Bhutan (17) and Maldives (23) performed better than India]
A person in Kerala died due to a rare infection caused by Naegleria fowleri after a week of high fever and rapid deterioration in his vitals.
- Common Name: Brain-eating amoeba
- Only this species of Naegleria infects people when it enters the body through the nose.
- A single-cell organism which can only be seen with a microscope.
- Found in – Warm freshwater environment (lakes, hot springs and poorly maintained swimming pools)
- 1st discovered – Australia (1965)
- Effect – Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis
- Symptoms – Headache, fever, nausea and vomiting, a stiff neck, altered mental status, hallucinations and coma.