A New Global Biodiversity Framework
Context:
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the United Nations agreement to conserve and sustainably use earth’s biodiversity, got a boost at a conference held in Montreal recently, when 188 of 196 member governments agreed on a new framework to halt the sharp and steady loss of biological species.
Relevance:
GS III: Environment and Ecology
Dimensions of the Article:
- Detail
- Why is biodiversity important?
- Kunming-Montreal pact
- What is the roadmap to 2030 and 2050?
- What funding arrangements are planned?
- Challenges to protecting biodiversity
Tentative 3 UNESCO Heritage Sites Added in India
Context:
Gujarat’s Vadnagar town, the iconic Sun Temple at Modhera, and the rock cut sculptures of Unakoti in Tripura have been added to the tentative list of UNCESO World Heritage Sites. With this, India now has 52 sites on UNESCO Tentative List.
Relevance:
GS-I: Art and Culture
Dimensions of the Article:
- What is the tentative list of UNESCO world heritage sites?
- What are UNESCO World Heritage Sites?
- UNESCO World Heritage Committee
Formation of Fog
Context:
For two consecutive mornings, dense fog has enveloped northwestern India, including Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, parts of Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Rajasthan.
Relevance:
GS I: Geography
Dimensions of the Article:
- How does fog form?
- What’s been happening over northwestern India?
- What is the link between pollution levels and fog?
NASA’s InSight Mars lander
Context:
Recently, NASA’s InSight Mars lander account struck a sombre note and said the robot currently on Mars will be signing off soon, ending its nearly four-year-long journey to study the red planet’s early evolution.
Relevance:
GS III: Science and Technology
Dimensions of the Article:
- Purpose of the InSight Lander
- Why is InSight shutting down?
- Why was the robot sent to Mars?
Anticancer mRNA Vaccine
Context:
Recently, the results of a trial of messenger Ribonucleic Acid (mRNA-4157/V940) vaccine made by Moderna and MSD (Merck & Co.) when taken along with an immunotherapy drug Keytruda has shown promising results against advanced melanoma, a kind of skin cancer.
Relevance:
GS III: Science and Technology
Dimensions of the Article:
- About mRNA
- About mRNA Vaccine Therapy for Advanced Melanoma
- What is the Mechanism?
