Dear Friends We have initiated some changes in the 9 PM Brief and other postings related to current affairs. What we sought to do: Ensure that all relevant facts, data, and arguments from today’s newspaper are readily available to you. We have widened the sources to provide you with content that is more than enough and… Continue reading 9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – October 27th, 2021
World temp set for 2.7°C rise on current emission pledges
What is the news? Ahead of the scheduled ‘COP26‘ summit of ‘UNFCCC’,the annual emissions gap report has stated that Current commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions put the planet on track for an average 2.7 degrees Celsius temperature rise this century. What are the findings of the report? – Target is to limit warming to… Continue reading World temp set for 2.7°C rise on current emission pledges
Why India shouldn’t sign on to net zero
Synopsis: India should not declare a net zero target. Instead it should stake a claim to a fair share of global carbon budget. Contents1 Introduction2 Why the timeline to reach net zero emission reduction target is flawed?3 4 Why India must not declare a net zero target?5 Why India must claim its fair share of… Continue reading Why India shouldn’t sign on to net zero
Global inequality: New drugs go the way of vaccines
Synopsis: As the Covid-19 pandemic has revealed, there is an urgent need to work on health inequity to ensure that everyone has access to affordable medicine. Contents1 Introduction2 What is the level of health inequity during the pandemic?3 Why is the supply of Covid-related items constrained?4 What attempts have been made towards health inequity during… Continue reading Global inequality: New drugs go the way of vaccines
Pandemic Stimulus Backfired
Synopsis: The world reacted to downturn of economy by spending in different bands. The results are not the same even in same band of stimulus owing to various reasons listed. Introduction The data on aggressive monetary and fiscal stimulus of the top emerging and developed markets and the strength of the ensuing recovery showed no… Continue reading Pandemic Stimulus Backfired
A mammoth project to help endangered species and planet
Synopsis: A US based company has taken a project to introduce a hybrid of extinct Mammoth and Elephants. Contents1 Introduction2 How the experiment will be done?3 What is the expected outcome?4 What are the concerns and challenges? Introduction A US bio-startup “Colossal” launched a project to regenerate the extinct woolly mammoth, or rather to create… Continue reading A mammoth project to help endangered species and planet
The awkward grant of patents to artificial intelligence
Synopsis: This article elucidates why patents cannot be granted to artificial intelligence (AI) programs. Introduction In April 2020, the South African patent office granted a patent to an artificial intelligence (AI) program called DABUS (‘Device for the Autonomous Bootstrapping of Unified Sentience). DABUS used fractal geometry to come up with a better design for food… Continue reading The awkward grant of patents to artificial intelligence
How Punjab can shine again with nutritional security and climate-friendly agriculture
Synopsis: Adjusted for land holding, the Punjab farmer is doing poorly, and the culprit is paddy. By shifting from rice to maize and diversifying to fruits and vegetables, farmers in Punjab and Haryana can earn more, while practicing sustainable farming. Contents1 What are key findings of the latest Situation Assessment Survey (SAS) of agri households?2… Continue reading How Punjab can shine again with nutritional security and climate-friendly agriculture
The perils of natural experiments and randomized controlled trials
Synopsis: The RCTs that have swept economics and won Nobel recognition remain rather unreliable in comparison with clinical trials. We should be sceptical about the policy conclusions of randomized control trials used in economics and social sciences. Introduction Randomized Clinical Trials have revolutionized medicine and led to many life-saving treatments, drugs and vaccines. But, we… Continue reading The perils of natural experiments and randomized controlled trials
Cost of Doing Business
Synopsis: Governments must focus on lowering prices and reducing regulatory constraints rather than focusing on ease of doing business. Contents1 Introduction2 What are the efforts made by India in improving ease of doing business?3 Why India should focus on cost of doing business?4 What is the way forward? Introduction Recently, the IMF’s executive board expressed… Continue reading Cost of Doing Business
