Recently, the head of the World Trade Organization agreed with U.S. calls for reforming the global trading system, noting it is resilient but not robust.
Global Trading System and Role of WTO
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the sole global body governing international trade rules.
It is aiming to ensure smooth, predictable, and free trade through agreements negotiated and ratified by member nations.
Artificial intelligence can optimise distributed renewable energy by improving grid management, forecasting, storage efficiency, and cost savings.
Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE)
Distributed renewable energy (DRE) refers to small-scale, decentralised power generation systems typically ranging from a few kilowatts to megawatts that produce electricity from renewable sources directly.
Unlike conventional centralized power plants that require extensive transmission infrastructure, DRE systems operate independently or connect to the local distribution network.
A study in Nature recently revealed that researchers have developed a method to address many nonsense mutation diseases using a single genome-editing strategy.
About
Their approach is called Prime-Editing-mediated Readthrough of premature termination codons (PERT).
It reprogrammes one of the cell’s own genes into a tool to override premature stop signals, allowing the cell to ignore the faulty instruction and complete the protein.
The study offers a proof-of-concept for a gene-agnostic therapy that could benefit many rare diseases caused by nonsense mutations.
In the backdrop of rising temperatures and rapid urbanisation, district cooling is emerging as a climate-responsive and urban planning solution aligned with India’s sustainability goals.
What is District Cooling?
District cooling is a centralised system that supplies air-conditioning to multiple buildings through a network of insulated underground pipes.
A central plant produces chilled water (around 6–7°C), which circulates to connected buildings.
The water absorbs heat (returning at 12–14°C) and is re-cooled at the plant in a closed-loop system.
Recently, a Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) cleared the way for the Great Nicobar Island mega-infrastructure project, noting that ‘considering the strategic importance’ of it and ‘other relevant considerations’.
About the Great Nicobar Project
It is a large-scale infrastructure initiative conceived by NITI Aayog, formally called as the Great Nicobar Island Development Project.
It is implemented through the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDC).
As India explores market-based urban financing through the Urban Challenge Fund, concerns have emerged over whether Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) possess the capacity required to manage debt responsibly.
Urbanisation and the Financing Gap
India’s urban population is expected to cross 600 million by 2030, increasing pressure on civic infrastructure.
The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act (1992) empowered Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to perform 18 functions listed in the 12th Schedule, including water supply, waste management, and public health.
Recently, a high-level committee on Union–State relations, submitted its first report to the Government of Tamil Nadu that deals with powers and responsibilities shared between the Union and the States.
राष्ट्रपति द्रौपदी मुर्मू ने नई दिल्ली में ओल चिकी लिपि के शताब्दी समारोह का उद्घाटन किया और इसे संथाल विरासत के संरक्षण में महत्त्वपूर्ण बताया।
परिचय
ओल चिकी का विकास 1925 में पंडित रघुनाथ मुर्मू ने संथाली भाषा के लिए एक समर्पित लेखन प्रणाली प्रदान करने हेतु किया।
इसमें 30 अक्षर शामिल हैं, जिन्हें संथाली ध्वन्यात्मकता को सटीक रूप से अभिव्यक्त करने के लिए डिज़ाइन किया गया है, जिससे इसकी शब्दावली और व्याकरण का व्यवस्थित दस्तावेज़ीकरण संभव हुआ।
हाल ही में विश्व व्यापार संगठन (WTO) के प्रमुख ने अमेरिका की वैश्विक व्यापार प्रणाली में सुधार की माँग से सहमति व्यक्त की। उन्होंने कहा कि यह प्रणाली लचीली तो है, परंतु मज़बूत नहीं।
वैश्विक व्यापार प्रणाली और WTO की भूमिका
विश्व व्यापार संगठन (WTO) अंतर्राष्ट्रीय व्यापार नियमों को संचालित करने वाली एकमात्र वैश्विक संस्था है।
इसका उद्देश्य सदस्य देशों द्वारा वार्ता और अनुमोदित समझौतों के माध्यम से सुचारु, पूर्वानुमेय एवं मुक्त व्यापार सुनिश्चित करना है।
हाल ही में नेचर पत्रिका में प्रकाशित एक अध्ययन से पता चला कि शोधकर्ताओं ने एक ऐसी विधि विकसित की है जो अनेक नॉन्सेंस म्यूटेशन रोगों का समाधान एकल जीनोम-संपादन रणनीति के माध्यम से कर सकती है।
परिचय
इस दृष्टिकोण को प्राइम-एडिटिंग-मीडिएटेड रीडथ्रू ऑफ प्रीमेच्योर टर्मिनेशन कोडॉन्स (PERT) कहा जाता है।
यह कोशिका के अपने ही एक जीन को पुनः प्रोग्राम करता है ताकि समयपूर्व स्टॉप सिग्नल को निरस्त किया जा सके।
