For the first time, scientists conducted an experiment on a natural coral reef which involved altering sea water chemistry to mimic the effect of excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
As per a study, acidification caused by global warming has slowed the growth of coral reef.
The results provided strong evidence that ocean acidification linked to greenhouse gas emissions is already slowing coral reef growth.
Carbon dioxide is absorbed by the ocean where it reacts with seawater to increase acidity.
Although previous studies have demonstrated large scale declines in coral reefs in recent decades, the reason for the trend has been harder to pinpoint.
The Home Ministry will extend e-tourist visa scheme to 37 more nations, taking the number of beneficiary countries to 150.
The following are the countries in the list: Albania, Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Botswana, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cape Verde, Comoros, Cote D\'Ivoire, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Eritrea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Iceland, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Moldova, Namibia, Romania, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia, Slovakia, South Africa, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Trinidad & Tobago, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The e-tourist visa scheme was launched in November 2014.
Charges on Card Payments Scrapped
To discourage cash transactions, the Cabinet approved withdrawal of surcharge, service charge and convenience fee on card and digital payments.
The promotion of payments through cards and digital means will be instrumental in reducing tax avoidance, migration of government payments and collections to cashless mode.
The move primarily discourages transactions in cash by providing access to financial payment services to citizens to pay through cards and digital means and shifting payment ecosystem from cash dominated to non-cash.