HIGHLIGHTS:
Nobel Prize in Physics:
–Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded for groundbreaking contributions towards complex physical systems. These systems are characterized by randomness and disorder. This year prize recognizes new methods of describing them and predicting their applications beyond physics such as mathematics, biology and neuroscience. Syukuro Manabe and Klaus Hasselmann were awarded one half of the prize whereas second half was awarded to Glorgio Parisi.
New bio-degradable polymer made using Guar gum:
–Team of Indian scientists have developed environment friendly ,non-toxic, biodegradable polymer using guar gum and chitosan. Both are polysaccharides extracted from guar beans, shell of crabs and crimps. This polymer has high water solubility, mechanical strength and and excellent resistance to extreme environmental conditions. Till now due to some drawbacks in polysaccharides like low mechanical properties, high water solubility etc they were not preferred as packaging material.
World Meteorological Organization released the State of Climate Services Report,2021.
–World Meteorological Organization released the State of Climate services report 2021. It highlighted increase in flood related disasters, duration of droughts and inadequate access to water. Its key recommendations are joining water and climate coalition, improving interaction among global stakeholders, investing in end to end drought and flood early warning systems etc.
State Of Education Report, 2021 released by UNESCO
–Release of UNICEF’s global flagship publication: “The State of the World’s Children 2021; On My Mind: promoting, protecting and caring for children’s mental health”. The report details the significant impact of COVID-19 pandemic on children’s mental health.
Key findings for India in the above report:
- Out of 9.7 million teachers, 50% are employed in government sector and 50% are women.
- At national level, 7% schools are single teacher schools with some states having as high as 16%. Almost all such schools are located in rural areas.
- Overall availability of computing devices in schools is 22% and availability of internet is 19%.
13th Amendment
–Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on official visit to Sri Lanka has called for complete implementation of the provisions under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, including devolution of powers and the holding of provincial council elections at the earliest.
Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN): Its Report
•GCRMN is an operational network of the International Coral Reef Initiative. It aims to provide the best available scientific information on the status and trends of coral reef ecosystems for their conservation and management.
• It brings Status of Coral Reefs of the World report (brought after 13 years) that describes the status and trends of coral reefs worldwide. The report underlined the catastrophic consequences of global warming but said that some coral reefs can be saved by arresting greenhouse gases.
•Coral occupy less than 1% of ocean floor but the value of goods and services provided by the Corals is estimated to be $2.7 trillion per year.
Gujarat HC order on conservation of Sabarmati river:
Gujarat High Court had taken suo-motu cognizance of the slow death of Sabarmati river due to effluent discharge. According to HC order the Industrial units found to have discharged pollutants into the Sabarmati river in Gujarat will not be provided water and power. They will also be penalised, named and shamed. All such polluting units will also be banned from participating in any industrial fair, public-private partnership events, etc.
China overhauling its tech sector:
China has imposed on e-commerce websites, search enegines, e-learning portals, food delivery apps etc sweeping regulations, antitrust & anti-monopoly lawsuits, cyber security probes, algorithm controls. These moves are taken in order to ensure that no private entity can ever challenge Chinese community party’s dominance.
