# El Nino

• There is a high chance that El Nino conditions will appear in June this year – nearly two months earlier than predicted in last month’s forecast.
• The latest updates has been issued on Thursday by US agencies.
• The monthly update issued jointly by US Weather agencies under national oceanic and Atmospheric Administration gives a sharply increased probability of 62% of El Nino forming as early as around June.
• The Indian meteorological department said the second half of the monsoon season (August-September) could be adversely impacted by the event.

# G20

• Ahead of the G20 event in Srinagar and melting of snow in the mountain passes opening up infiltration routes, home minister Amit shah took a comprehensive review of the security in J&K.
• The preparations of the G20 meetings due next month in Srinagar was discussed.
• Sources said only 137 terrorists are active in J&K with foreign terrorists(90) outnumbering the local terrorists (37).

# Direct tax

• Maharashtra topped the list of states and union territories with the highest collection of direct taxes in 2021-22.
• Maharashtra was followed by Delhi, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat as shown by the data released by Tax department.
• The trend has been more or less same for several years.

# FTA

• Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said India intends to go ahead with negotiations for free trade agreements with the UK, EU and Canada.
• Minister said Indian government is only looking for temporary visa for Indian workers, professionals and students and not pushing for migration through proposed treaties.