[Newsbits] 25-30.04.2024: Article 244(A), Phi-3-mini, Nilgiri Tahr Survey & More

The fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on plastic pollution, held in Ottawa, Canada, aims to refine the draft text of a treaty that addresses the full life cycle of plastics, including production, design, and disposal. This session is critical in setting the stage for the final treaty, to be completed by the end of 2024. Key issues include the phasing out of single-use plastics, reducing overall plastic production, and setting binding targets. Despite some opposition from the petrochemical industry, there is growing agreement on limiting single-use plastics, demonstrating progress towards a significant global agreement on plastic pollution.

The proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) by the World Health Organization (WHO) are a response to the weaknesses exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. These amendments aim to enhance early detection, strengthen response capacity, and improve international cooperation and information sharing. The process is led by the Working Group on Amendments to the IHR (WGIHR), with substantial progress reported in their recent meetings. The next steps involve a final session in May 2024 to finalize the amendments before they are presented at the World Health Assembly for adoption. If accepted, the changes will be implemented globally, aiming to make the IHR more robust and effective against future public health emergencies.

The Tamil Nadu government, in collaboration with the Kerala Forest Department and supported by international and national conservation bodies, is conducting a three-day synchronised survey of the Nilgiri Tahr, an endangered mountain ungulate endemic to the Western Ghats of India. This survey aims to accurately estimate the population of the Nilgiri Tahr to inform and improve conservation strategies, potentially leading to the species’ removal from the endangered status list. The survey, observed by an IUCN representative, employs advanced methodologies and covers significant habitats, making it a pivotal step in the conservation of this species.

Ozone depletion refers to the thinning of the ozone layer in Earth’s stratosphere, primarily due to chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone-depleting substances. A recent study has highlighted ongoing issues with the ozone hole above Antarctica, noting its unusual persistence and potential dangers to local biota, particularly during the vulnerable breeding season of many species. The Montreal Protocol has played a crucial role in mitigating this problem by phasing out the production of CFCs and aiming for a complete recovery of the ozone layer by the 2060s. The study underscores the importance of continued research and international cooperation to protect Antarctic ecosystems and manage the impact of UV exposure on its flora and fauna.

Article 244(A) of the Indian Constitution, which allows for the creation of an autonomous state within Assam, has been a focal issue in the recent Diphu Lok Sabha elections. This provision is intended to grant tribal areas greater autonomy, including their own legislature and council of ministers, especially in regions like Karbi Anglong, which are governed under the Sixth Schedule. The demand for such autonomy dates back to the 1950s, and despite various peace accords promising greater autonomy and financial control, full implementation remains a central issue for the tribal communities in these areas.

Microsoft has recently launched the Phi-3-mini, the latest addition to their family of small language models (SLMs). Despite its compact size, it boasts 3.8 billion parameters and exceptional performance capabilities, outshining larger models. It’s designed to be cost-effective, efficient, and capable of operating on smaller devices like smartphones and laptops without the need for cloud connectivity. The Phi-3-mini is ideal for applications that require quick processing and minimal data latency, making it a powerful tool for both personal and professional use.

Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have developed a new sodium-ion battery that can charge in just a few seconds. This high-energy, high-power hybrid battery integrates anode materials typical for batteries with cathodes suitable for supercapacitors, allowing it to achieve rapid charge-discharge rates and high storage capacities. This innovation not only surpasses the energy and power density of existing lithium-ion batteries but also represents a significant advancement in the field of energy storage, potentially offering a cheaper and more accessible alternative for a variety of applications, including electric vehicles and smart devices.

The recent study led by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune highlights the rapid warming of the Indian Ocean, projected to increase temperatures by 1.7°C to 3.8°C per century until 2100. This significant change threatens severe weather events, prolonged marine heatwaves, and other climatic impacts including the deepening ocean heat content. The report emphasizes the urgency of addressing these challenges through global carbon reduction, infrastructure resilience, ecosystem conservation, and enhanced forecasting and adaptive practices.

In a significant legal decision, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court has mandated the local administration to compensate Ali Mohammad Lone, a former Jamaat-e-Islami spokesperson, with Rs. 5 lakh for his unlawful detentions under the Public Safety Act (PSA). The court found these detentions to be “mala fide and illegal,” particularly critiquing the administrative failures and disregard for previous court orders. This landmark ruling not only underscores the judiciary’s role in protecting citizens’ rights but also sets a critical precedent for the oversight and potential reform of the PSA in the region.

Over the past 15 years, China’s share in India’s imports of industrial goods has risen from 21% to 30%, according to the Global Trade Research Initiative. This increase signifies that China’s exports to India have grown substantially faster than India’s imports from other nations. As of the 2023-24 period, $101.8 billion out of India’s $677.2 billion total merchandise imports came from China, with major industrial products dominating this figure. Key sectors like electronics, machinery, chemicals, and plastics have shown increasing dependence on Chinese imports. The strategic and economic implications of this trend suggest a need for India to diversify its import sources and strengthen domestic industries to mitigate risks associated with heavy reliance on a single foreign supplier.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is proposing new regulations for Electronic Trading Platforms (ETPs), aiming to modernize the framework established in 2018. These new rules address the increased integration of onshore forex markets with offshore counterparts, technological advancements, and greater product variety. The RBI mandates that ETP operators in India maintain a substantial net worth and robust technology systems, among other requirements, to ensure safe, efficient, and transparent trading. This move reflects the RBI’s proactive approach to adapt to changing market dynamics and maintain orderly trading environments.

The Luna Crater in Gujarat, India, formed approximately 6,900 years ago from a meteorite impact, was recently confirmed through scientific methods including radiocarbon dating and geochemical analysis. The impact site is notable for its size, the rarity of such craters, and its potential historical connections to the ancient Harappan civilization. This discovery enriches our understanding of Earth’s geological history and the effects of extraterrestrial impacts on early human societies.

The Indian Space Situational Assessment Report (ISSAR) for 2023, prepared by ISRO’s IS4OM and unveiled by ISRO Chairman S. Somanath, shows a significant increase in the number of space objects, with 3,143 new additions due to 212 launches and on-orbit breakup events. This year saw a higher number compared to the previous year’s 2,533 objects from 179 launches. The report highlights India’s robust space monitoring and management capabilities, emphasizing the need for a globally accepted framework for Space Traffic Management to address the challenges posed by increasing space debris and close approach alerts.

The world’s first personalised mRNA vaccine for melanoma, known as mRNA-4157 (V940), developed by Moderna and Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), is advancing into Phase III trials in the UK. This innovative vaccine is tailored to each patient’s unique tumor genetic signature, working in conjunction with pembrolizumab (Keytruda) to boost the immune response against cancer cells. Early results are promising, showing a significant reduction in the risk of death or recurrence of melanoma. This vaccine not only holds potential for treating melanoma but is also being tested for other cancer types, possibly revolutionizing cancer treatment and significantly improving survival rates.

On April 27, 2024, the Madras High Court ordered the Tamil Nadu government to enforce the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)’s Guidelines for Elimination of Corporal Punishment in schools. The court’s decision, led by Justice S M Subramaniam, aims to address the persistent issue of corporal and mental abuse in educational settings by implementing these guidelines across Tamil Nadu. This directive not only seeks to safeguard the mental health of children but also establishes a framework for monitoring and ensuring compliance with the guidelines.

China recently launched the Shenzhou-18 mission from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, carrying three astronauts to the Tiangong space station. This event marks another significant step in China’s ambitious space program, which includes plans for lunar and Mars missions and opening the station to international astronauts and tourists. The mission underlines China’s rapid advancements in space technology and its goals to establish a long-term human presence in space.

The WHO’s New Global Malaria Strategy for 2030 aims to significantly accelerate efforts to combat malaria, a pervasive global health threat that continues to cause substantial mortality and morbidity, particularly in Africa. In 2022 alone, there were approximately 608,000 malaria-related deaths and 249 million new cases. The strategy focuses on establishing unified norms, introducing innovative tools, promoting strategic information utilization, and providing leadership to enhance malaria control efforts. Emphasizing equity, the plan targets the needs of vulnerable groups like children, pregnant women, and indigenous populations, addressing barriers to access and treatment. The approach is holistic, prioritizing resilience, country ownership, and system integration to ensure sustainable and efficient healthcare delivery.