Hindu Notes from General Studies-01

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Ancient temple found in China

News:

• Archaeologists in China’s Henan province have discovered ruins of a temple dating back around 5,000 years.

Beyond News:

• The excavation at the Qingtai ruins in Xingyang city was listed as one of the top five archaeological discoveries in the province.
• Nine ceramic pots were laid out in the shape of the Big Dipper, with a round sacrificial altar at the eastern side.
• The Big Dipper refers to the seven bright stars of the constellation Ursa Major.
• A human skeleton showing signs of unnatural death and three funeral urns were found around the altar.
• The discovery shows that people had some astronomic knowledge.

Hindu Notes from General Studies-02

Russia expels diplomats from 23 countries as spy crisis escalates

News

• Russia expelled diplomats from 23 countries in retaliation against the West in a spy row, in the biggest wave of tit-for-tat expulsions in recent memory.

Beyond News

• The Russian Foreign Ministry said it had summoned the heads of missions from 23 countries almost all of them European Union member states  to tell them that some of their diplomats had to leave.
• The diplomats from France, Canada, Germany, Australia and other countries were earlier seen arriving at the Russian Foreign Ministry in flagged official cars.
• France, Germany, Canada and Poland each said that Russia was expelling four of their diplomats. Among the other countries that had similarly been told to pull their envoys were the Netherlands, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Finland, Lithuania and Norway.
• Thirteen Ukrainian diplomats should also leave Russia.
• The moves came in retaliation for the coordinated expulsion of Russian diplomats by Britain and its allies over a nerve agent attackagainst former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Ms. Yulia in the English city of Salisbury on March 4.

India, Pak. call truce over envoys

News

• The protracted spat between India and Pakistan over harassment of respective diplomatic staff ended.

Beyond News

• Both sides will ensure safety of each other’s diplomats, families of diplomats and diplomatic premises, an official announcement said.
• India and Pakistan have mutually agreed to resolve matters related to the treatment of diplomats and diplomatic premises, in line with the 1992 ,Code of Conduct for the treatment of diplomatic/consular personnel in India and Pakistan.
• The decision comes as a relief for serving diplomats on both sides, who alleged for weeks that they were being harassed by security personnel in both Delhi and Islamabad by aggressive surveillance and stalking.
• During this period, India sent more than a dozen note verbales to Pakistan to uphold the principles enshrined in the Vienna Convention for protection of diplomats.
• Diplomatic sources indicated that the resolution will ensure that both sides will abide by globally accepted diplomatic protocols as well as bilateral understandings.
• The exchange between the two countries became heated following daily incidents and at one point, Pakistan even recalled its envoy for ‘consultations’.
• This bilateral mechanism is a special instrument to ensure safety and security of Indian and Pakistani diplomats who have the critical responsibility of operating in hostile circumstances.

Hindu Notes from General Studies-03

Scientists find glucose-derived molecule switches off inflammation

News

• Scientists have discovered a new metabolic process in the body that can switch off inflammation.

Beyond News

• They found that ‘itaconate’ a molecule derived from glucose  acts as a powerful off-switch for macrophages, which are the cells in the immune system that lie at the heart of many inflammatory diseases.
• It is well known that macrophages cause inflammation, but they have found that they can be coaxed to make a biochemical called itaconate.
• This functions as an important brake, or off-switch, on the macrophage, cooling the heat of inflammation in a process never before described.
• The discovery is very much on the frontier of inflammation research and the researchers are now exploring its relevance to the onset and development of inflammatory and infectious diseases.
• They are also keen to explore whether the findings can be exploited in the effort to develop new anti-inflammatory medicines.
• The macrophage takes the nutrient glucose, whose day job it is to provide energy, and surprisingly turns it into itaconate.
• This then blocks production of inflammatory factors, and also protects mice from the lethal inflammation that can occur during infection.

E-waste industry comes together to streamline recycling process.

News:

• Of an estimated 18 lakh metric tonnes of electronic waste (e-waste) that India generates per annum, less than 2 lakh tonnes reach licenced recyclers.

Beyond News:

• The rest is either reaching the unorganised sector (such as scrap dealers), or ending up in landfills.
• Not only does this mean that potentially recyclable e-waste is being wasted, but also that unscientifically managed e-waste is a hazard that stands exposed.
• Now, around 180 recyclers from across the country have joined hands to change the narrative and come together to form the All India e-Waste Recyclers’ Association. To be headquartered in Bengaluru, the association will look at streamlining the dismantling and recycling cycle of e-waste in the country.
• The e-waste quantum is calculated based on the sales that happened in the previous year, according to which the estimated e-waste generated is 18 lakh metric tonne per annum. Bengaluru generates around 1 lakh metric tonnes.
• The other big contributors are the National Capital Region, Mumbai, Chennai and now Hyderabad and Pune. Electronics is a component in many things from laptops and air-conditioners to cars, which has 26% electronic component. The rate of progress in technology is a big key in e-waste.
• The association is aiming at tackling the basics first: work with local municipal bodies to set up e-waste collection centres similar to the dry waste collection centres that are now being established in many cities.
• They also want to ensure that people find it convenient to make their e-waste reach recyclers. For this, they are planning to set up technology-driven drop boxes to enable people to put their waste and be paid back through e-wallets.

U.P. CM inaugurates India’s longest elevated road in Ghaziabad

News

• Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister inaugurated a 10.30-km-long elevated road, touted to be the longest of its kind in the country, connecting UP Gate and Rajnagar.

Beyond News

• Built at a cost of Rs. 1,147 crore, the six-lane elevated road is supported on 227 pillars.
• Vehicle owners will be allowed to drive at an average speed of 80 kmph on the road.

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