A group of researchers from Dodamarg, a few kilometers away from Goa-Maharashtra border have discovered a sacred grove— a Myristica swamp forest in Kumbral, which is protected by the local community. Myristica magnifica is a species of plant native to Karnataka and Kerala, and is classified as endangered.

Earlier in Hewale-Bambarde in Sindhudurg district, researchers had come across the Myristica swamp forest making Kumbral the second village in Maharashtra to have such a unique forest patch.

The patch boasts of an ecosystem of myriad biodiversity which has been conserved and protected by the villagers since ages in the name of Lord Shiva, locally known locally as Bhalandeshwar.

Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra released an annual publication "Health Dynamics of India (Infrastructure and Human Resources) 2022-23", here Monday.

Formerly known as "Rural Health Statistics",the document is being published since 1992.

Describing the document as a source of fool-proof information on various aspects of National Health Mission, Apurva Chandra stated, "The annual publication is a vital document informing about manpower and infrastructure within NHM, aiding in policy making, improving processes and problem solving".

He added that the document analyses the availability and deficiencies in manpower and infrastructure within the mission.

The Tamil Nadu government has accorded administrative and financial sanction for the rejuvenation of 5,000 minor irrigation tanks in rural areas across the State at a total cost of ₹500 crore.

While ₹250 crore will be made available from the State Budget, a like sum will come as a grant from the State Finance Commission, says a government order issued by the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department on September 5.

There are about 22,051 minor irrigation tanks and 69,777 ponds and ‘ooranis’ in rural areas. While minor irrigation tanks are under the control of panchayat unions, ponds/‘ooranis’ come under village panchayats.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday (September 11, 2024) approved health coverage to all the senior citizens aged 70 and above irrespective of income under the flagship scheme, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). This will benefit approximately 4.5 crore families, with six crore senior citizens, with ₹5 lakh free health insurance cover on a family basis.

This scheme was one of the promised agenda in the BJP manifesto and with this approval, all senior citizens of the age 70 and above irrespective of their socio- economic status would be eligible to avail the benefits of the AB PM-JAY. The eligible senior citizens would be issued a new distinct card under the AB PM-JAY.

Chandrayaan-3 has made a historic first by detecting over 250 seismic signals from the Moon’s south pole, including 50 unique signals that could potentially be linked to moonquakes, an equivalent of earthquake on the lunar soil. This marks the first seismic data collection from this part of the lunar surface and the first since the Apollo missions.

The Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA), mounted on the Vikram lander, conducted this pioneering experiment at coordinates of 69.37 degree south and 32.32 degree east, the Times of India reported. Operating from August 24 to September 4, 2023, the ILSA is the first lunar instrument to capture ground accelerations in this region, utilising sensors manufactured with cutting-edge silicon micromachining technology.

Europe’s top court ruled against Apple on Tuesday in the tech giant’s 10-year court battle over its tax affairs in Ireland. The case stems back to 2016 when the European Commission ordered Ireland to recover up to 13 billion euros ($14.4 billion) in back taxes from Apple.

The European Court of Justice’s decision comes hours after the company unveiled new products to revitalize its iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPod lineups.

Apple shares were down about 1%.

In a statement, the Irish government said that the Apple case “involved an issue that is now of historical relevance only,” adding that its position has always been that it “does not give preferential tax treatment to any companies or taxpayers.”

Bharat PetroResources Limited (BPRL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), has secured its first-ever production concession in Abu Dhabi. BPRL, in partnership with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), was awarded the concession by Abu Dhabi’s Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs (SCFEA) through a joint venture, Urja Bharat Pte Limited (UBPL), formed on a 50:50 basis between the two companies.

This significant development follows the earlier award of an exploration and production concession in March 2019, which marked the beginning of a successful exploration phase. UBPL invested nearly USD 164 million in exploration, covering a 6,162-square-kilometer area. The exploration yielded promising results, particularly in the 38-square-kilometer Ruwais area within Onshore Block 1, which contains undeveloped conventional oil and gas resources.

Australia intends to set a minimum age limit for children to use social media, citing concerns about mental and physical health. The plan has sparked backlash from digital rights advocates who warn the measure could drive dangerous online activity underground.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his center-left government would run an age verification trial before introducing age minimum laws for social media this year.

Albanese didn’t specify an age but said it would likely be between 14 and 16.

“I want to see kids off their devices and onto the footy fields and the swimming pools and the tennis courts,” Albanese told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.

Madhya Pradesh has become the first state in the country to provide AYUSH facilities in all 328 primary health centers in urban areas. Whereas, out of 1440 primary health centers in rural areas, AYUSH facilities are available in 695 and this facility is being expanded in the remaining health centers as well. Madhya Pradesh is at third place in the country with the availability of AYUSH doctors in 228 primary and community health centers in tribal areas. Odisha is at first place with 296 doctors and Chhattisgarh is at second place with 279 doctors. This information was given by Public Relations Officer Avnish Somkuvar on Wednesday.

He informed that this has come to light in the report “Health Dynamics of India-Infrastructure and Human Resources” released recently by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. According to the report, Madhya Pradesh has become one of the first six states of the country to have significantly increased the number of sub-health centres in rural areas since 2005.

Apart from this, it has come at seventh place among the ten states with the highest number of primary health centres. At the same time, Madhya Pradesh is also among the first six states in the number of community health centres. There are a total of 5491 community health centres in the country. Their number in Madhya Pradesh is 332.

The 79th session of the UN General Assembly commenced in New York on Tuesday, with Palestine, although not a full UN member, being allocated a seat alongside the member states in the General Assembly Hall. Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour took his place at a table labeled “State of Palestine” between Sri Lanka and Sudan.

The Permanent Mission of Palestine to the UN shared a social media clip of Egyptian Ambassador Osama Mahmoud Abdelkhalek Mahmoud raising a point of order to confirm the new seating arrangement, which was affirmed by the UNGA President. The decision, however, has been criticized by Israel, which argues that UN membership and associated privileges are reserved for sovereign states.

Palestine currently holds observer status at the UN. A resolution adopted by the General Assembly on May 10, to reconsider Palestine’s UN membership in the UN Security Council, granted additional rights, allowing it to participate in General Assembly sessions and UN meetings “on an exceptional basis and without setting a precedent.” The resolution was passed by a majority of 143 votes, including India’s.