• UN-Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability.
• The mission of UNIDO is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in Member States.
• UNIDO is perfectly positioned to assist developing countries and countries with economy in transition to shift from HFCs to ozone- and climate-friendly alternatives and to improve energy efficiency.
• An agreement was signed recently between the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) and the UNIDO to initiate a skill development programme for different levels of beneficiaries in the solar thermal energy sector.

• As part of centenary year celebrations of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, father of Indian space programme, ISRO institutes two categories of awards in journalism.
• ISRO has announced its “Vikram Sarabhai Journalism Award in Space Science, Technology and Research” to recognize and reward journalists who have actively contributed towards the field of space science, applications, and research.
• The nominations are open to all Indians who have a good experience in journalism.

• UNSC Resolution 47 focuses on the complaint of the Government of India concerning the dispute over the State of Jammu and Kashmir that India took to the Security Council in January 1948. 

• India granted MFN status to Pakistan in 1996 and withdraws it in February 2019.
• Pakistan is not yet granted MFN status to India. 
• India’s top exports to Pakistan are chemicals and textiles, accounting for almost 70 per cent of the bilateral trade. Pakistan’s top exports to India are vegetable fats and oils, and minerals, accounting for about 70 per cent of its trade with India.

• Scientists have recently found invasive weed Emex australis Steinh that can potentially reduce productivity, in wheat fields at 25 villages of Faridabad and adjoining districts in Haryana.
• The weed, of the family Polygonaceae, is native to Australia and South Africa.
• It is commonly known as ‘doublegee’, ‘three corner jack’ or ‘spiny emex’.
• This weed prospers in conditions such as drought and unseasonal rain.
• Climate change helps increase its numbers, according to researchers.

TERM OF OFFICE

• The RTI Act states that the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and Information Commissioners (ICs) (appointed at the central and state level) will hold office for a term of five years.
• The Bill removes this provision and states that the central government will notify the term of office for the CIC and the ICs.

SALARY AND ALLOWANCES

• The Act states that the salary of the CIC and ICs (at the central level) will be equivalent to the salary paid to the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners, respectively.
• Similarly, the salary of the CIC and ICs (at the state level) will be equivalent to the salary paid to the Election Commissioners and the Chief Secretary to the state government, respectively.
• The Bill seeks to amend these provisions to state that the salaries, allowances, and other terms and conditions of service of the central and state CIC and ICs will be determined by the Central government.

• Forest Survey of India (FSI) is a premier national organization under the union Ministry of Environment and Forests, responsible for assessment and monitoring of the forest resources of the country regularly. 
• FSI succeeded the Pre-investment Survey of Forest Resources (PISFR), a project initiated in 1965 by Government of India with the sponsorship of FAO and UNDP.
• Its main objective is to prepare State of Forest Report biennially, providing assessment of latest forest cover in the country and monitoring changes in these.