#science26 These high-strength REPMs are crucial for a wide range of technologies – from electric vehicles and renewable energy systems to electronics, aerospace, and defence applications. However, their manufacturing is concentrated in just a handful of countries, with China alone controlling over 90 per cent in both manufacturing and processing of raw material needed to produce these magnets.

Source: The Indian Express

#science26 Polyoxometalates (POMs) are discrete metal–oxygen clusters (of Mo, W, V, etc.) with precise nanoscale structures. Certain POMs possess rigid, crown- or donut-like geometries with ~1 nm internal cavities, enabling selective trapping of ions or molecules. Due to strong redox activity, structural stability, and self-assembly, POMs are used in catalysis (water splitting, oxidation reactions), energy storage (batteries, supercapacitors), molecular electronics, drug delivery, antimicrobial agents, and nanofiltration membranes for selective ion transport.

Source: The Hindu

#science26 Aluminium phosphide (Celphos) is a fumigant pesticide used for grain preservation. On exposure to moisture, it releases phosphine gas, a highly toxic mitochondrial poison causing cardiogenic shock and metabolic acidosis. Mortality is high due to lack of a specific antidote. Recent PGIMER research shows early targeted therapy can significantly improve survival, marking a major public-health breakthrough.

Source: The Hindu

#polity26 16th FC.

Source: PRS

#polity26 16th FC.

Source: PRS

#polity26 16th FC.

Source: PRS

#polity26 16th FC.

Source: PRS

#polity26 16th FC.

Source: PRS

#culture26 vibrant experiential cultural destinations: The new scheme, tentatively titled DESH (Development of Excavation Sites and Heritage Complexes) takes it further by positioning heritage at the heart of cultural tourism with a more integrated impact. Through several tangible measures, the new scheme projects to at least double the visitor footfall within three years of the completion of the project.

Source: The Indian Express

#culture26 Exposition of Holy Devnimori Relics of Lord Buddha in Sri Lanka

Source: PiB

#environment26 Birdwatchers in Kannur have sighted an Isabelline shrike, a rare migratory bird believed to have arrived from the Mongolian region during the winter season. This marks the first recorded sighting of the species in Malabar and only the second in Kerala.

Source: The Hindu

#environment26 Mountain gorillas are a subspecies of eastern gorilla found only in the high-altitude forests of the Virunga Mountains and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Central and East Africa. They are herbivorous, live in stable social groups led by a dominant silverback, and show complex social behaviour. Classified as Endangered by the IUCN, their population has increased due to intensive conservation. Major threats include habitat loss, poaching, disease transmission from humans, and regional conflict.

Source: The Hindu

#global26 The Delhi Declaration uniformly focuses on the need to uphold the “sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity” of Sudan, Somalia and Libya, and “rejects interference” in their internal affairs. All three nations have been central to the growing rift between two camps in the Middle East — one led by Saudi Arabia as the principal power supported by most of the Arab League, and one led by the UAE and Israel, and supported by the US.
Formally, these camps do not exist — especially as the UAE remains a crucial constituent of the League (co-chairing the January 31 meeting). Notably, the Delhi Declaration features support for the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002.

Source: The Indian Express

#global26 The Arab League, or League of Arab States, is a voluntary association of countries whose peoples are mainly Arabic-speaking or where Arabic is an official language. It is a regional organization of Arab states in the Middle East and parts of Africa.
Formation: It was formed in Cairo on 22 March 1945 with six members: Egypt, Iraq, Transjordan (later renamed Jordan), Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Syria, with Yemen joining on 5 May 1945 + Members: It currently has 22 member states.

Source: WiKi

#global26 In a statement, the multilateral agency said that its global jobs strategy rests on three pillars- investing in critical infrastructure—both physical and human, strengthening a business-friendly environment through predictable laws, rules and regulations and deploying risk-management tools to help private investment scale. This approach focuses on five sectors that generate locally relevant jobs at scale: infrastructure and energy, agribusiness, health care, tourism and value-added manufacturing.

Source: THBL

#global26 Rafah crossing is the southernmost post of exit from the Gaza Strip (Palestine) and borders with Egypt's Sinai peninsula.

Two other border crossings from and into the Gaza Strip which are closed:

Erez, a crossing for people with Israel in northern Gaza.

Kerem Shalom, a solely commercial goods junction with Israel in southern Gaza.

#global26 A ‌Japanese scientific drill ship departed on January 12 for the remote Minamitori Island to explore rare-earth-rich mud deposits, part of Tokyo’s effort to reduce its reliance on China for critical minerals as Beijing chokes off supplies. The mud is believed to contain dysprosium and neodymium, used in electric vehicle motor magnets, as well as gadolinium and terbium, which are used in a range of high-tech products.

Source: The Hindu

#science26 Green steel refers to steel produced with near-zero CO₂ emissions by replacing coal-based processes. The most advanced route is hydrogen-based Direct Reduced Iron (H₂-DRI), where iron ore is reduced using green hydrogen, producing water instead of CO₂, followed by Electric Arc Furnaces (EAFs) powered by renewable energy. Other approaches include EAF-based scrap recycling, biomass substitution, and carbon capture (CCUS) in blast furnaces. Green steel is critical for India’s NDCs, net-zero 2070, and CBAM-compliant exports.

Source: The Hindu

#social26 The new Rules broadens the scope of responsibilities, increases linkages for reuse of waste as fuel in boilers, cement kilns, to promote circular economy, and introduces clear penalties for non-compliance.

Source: The Indian Express