Recently, China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) achieved a peak temperature of 288 million degrees Fahrenheit, which is over ten times hotter than the sun. China is not the only country that has achieved high plasma temperatures. In 2020, South Korea’s KSTAR (Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research) reactor set a new record by maintaining a plasma temperature of over 100 …

According to an estimate, 1,250 satellites will be launched annually this decade, with 70% of them for commercial purposes. Various private companies are aiming to deliver broadband satellite Internet around the world through their fleet of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. The idea of a space internet system is not new. It is being used through Geostationary Satellite for selective …

Recently, India and the UK have launched a new workstream to promote industrial energy efficiency under Clean Energy Ministerial’s (CEM) Industrial Deep Decarbonization Initiative (IDDI) coordinated by UNIDO (United Nations Development Industrial organisation). It was launched in the ongoing 12th CEM (CEM12) Meeting, which is virtually hosted by Chile.  Important points: The objective is to …

According to a recent report, as much as 40% of the world’s agricultural crops are lost to pests each year. The United Nations declared 2020 as the International Year of Plant Health, which has been extended until 1st July, 2021. Important points: Half of all emerging plant diseases are spread by global travel and trade, which have tripled in …

Recently, the third edition of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index and Dashboard 2020–21 was released by NITI Aayog. The SDG India Index 2020–21 is developed in collaboration with the United Nations in India. Important points: The NITI Aayog launched its index in 2018 to monitor the country’s progress on the goals through data-driven assessment, and foster a competitive spirit among the …

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the proposal of Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) on “Deep Ocean Mission“, with a view to explore deep ocean for resources and develop deep sea technologies for sustainable use of ocean resources. The estimated cost …

Recently, China has reported the first case of human infection with the H10N3 strain of bird flu in Jiangsu province. Important points: H10N3 is a subtype of the Influenza A virus which is commonly known as the bird flu virus. It is a low pathogenic, or relatively less severe, strain of the virus in poultry and the risk of it …

Recently, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced two new robotic missions to Venus. Earlier, scientists obtained new data about Venus by bouncing radio waves off the planet. Important points: The two sister missions aim to understand how Venus became an inferno-like world capable of melting lead at the surface. DaVinci Plus: It will …

The Union Government approved the signing and ratification of an Agreement on ‘Cooperation in the field of Mass Media’ between all the Member States of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The Agreement was signed in June 2019. It will provide an opportunity for the Member States to share new innovations and best practices in the field of Mass …

Recently, Palestine blamed India for suppressing its human rights of all people as India abstained from the latest resolution on the Palestinian issue. India abstained from voting on a resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) that came up in the backdrop of the latest round of conflict between Israel and Gaza strip, the …