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Everything You Need To Know About COP16

The Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, also called 16th UN Biodiversity Conference (“COP16”) took place from October 21 to November 1, 2024 in Cali, Colombia. Leaders from almost 200 countries came together to discuss how to take care of biodiversity loss and stop environmental degradation.

Also Read Historic Moment :  COP28 Deal Agrees To ‘Transition Away’ From Fossil Fuel

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What have countries agreed to do to tackle biodiversity loss?

A historic agreement called the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (“KM-GBF”) was created at the 15th UN Biodiversity Conference in Canada in 2022, to protect and conserve at least 30% of the world’s land and ocean by 2030. This agreement aims to “halt and reverse” biodiversity’s decline by 2030, and for humans to live “in harmony with nature” by 2050 to deliver “benefits essential for all people”. This agreement includes mechanisms to finance conservation projects.

However, the progress in this regard has been limited. A very huge amount of money is required to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. It is estimated that $700 billion is needed to fill the ‘biodiversity funding gap’.

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Important outcomes at COP16

Even though COP16 has come to an end, the rich countries failed to agree on how much money they should pay to protect nature. However, the countries reached an agreement on how to involve local communities and indigenous people in efforts to preserve ecosystems and conserve wildlife.

The countries also agreed to prepare a Global Action Plan on Biodiversity and Health to prevent future pandemics like COVID-19, reduce destruction of habitats, and promote sustainability.

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India commits to look after its biodiversity

India has launched its updated biodiversity action plan known as the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan at COP16. India aims to protect at least 30% of its land, inland water, and coastal and marine areas by 2030, in line with global biodiversity targets.

India is one of the 17 megadiverse countries. It became a party to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in 1994. It has 7-8% of the world’s recorded species within just 2.4% of the global land area.

Watch Full Video on #COP28 Historic Moment : COP28 Deal Agrees To ‘Transition Away’ From Fossil Fuel

India has set biodiversity goals like:

Addressing major threats to biodiversity: Land and sea use changes, pollution, species overuse, climate change, and invasive alien species.

Focussing on restoring ecosystems: Managing species and genetic diversity,
and ensuring the legal, sustainable use of wild species.

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What is Biodiversity?

The variety of all life on Earth, including fungus, bacteria, plants, and animals, is known as biodiversity. Together they provide us with everything necessary for survival – including fresh water, clean air, food and medicines. A rich variety of living things work together and are dependent on each other.

Get Know more about Mammal, Buy This Mammals Flashcards.

Everything You Need to Know About the 2024 US Presidential Election

Donald Trump Re-elected as the president of the United States of America

Republican candidate Donald Trump has been elected the 47th President of the United States of America, after he got 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidential election. He defeated Democratic candidate and current vice president Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Donald Trump first served as US President from 2017 to 2021.

 

“We overcame obstacles that nobody thought possible”, he said in his victory speech. He also declared in his victory speech in Florida that “this is a magnificent victory for the American people that will allow us to make America great again”.

 

Also read Who is Kamala Harris?

 

After the election results are officially confirmed, Donald Trump will become the President of the United States at a ceremony called the Inauguration, which traditionally takes place in front of the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Inauguration Day is scheduled on January 20, 2025. On this day, Donald Trump and his team will officially move into the White House. He will lead the US for the next four years!

 

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Who Is J.D. Vance?

J.D. Vance, who is 40-years-old, has been elected as the Vice President of the US. He will be one of the country’s youngest vice presidents. He will also take office on January 20, 2025.

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Did You Know?

  • Donald Trump lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden!
  • He becomes the first convicted felon to win an American presidential election.
  • At 78, Donald Trump will become the oldest person in US history to be elected president.
  • Donald Trump becomes the second President in the last 132 years to serve non-consecutive terms after Grover Cleveland.

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How Does The US Presidential Election Work?

The Democratic Party and the Republican Party are the two main political parties in the country.

The Democratic Party uses a donkey as its symbol and is associated with the blue colour. Kamala Harris was the presidential candidate for the Democratic Party.

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The Republican Party uses an elephant as its symbol and is associated with the red colour. Donald Trump was the presidential candidate for the Republican Party.

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Watch Full video on Who is Donald Trump?

Significance of Children’s Day Celebration

What is Children’s Day?

Children’s Day is a special occasion celebrated worldwide. It is an event that reminds us to promote the welfare of children and provide a secure environment for them to be joyful.

World Children’s Day is celebrated every year on November 20 to encourage unity, raise awareness about children’s rights, and improve their overall well-being. First introduced in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day, this holiday celebrates the joy, healthy development, and bright future of children. It’s also a time for every adult to reflect on their own childhood memories.

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When is Children’s Day Celebrated in India?

Children’s Day is celebrated in various countries around the world, each with its own date and customs. In India, Children’s Day is also called “Bal Diwas” and is celebrated on November 14 each year to celebrate the birth anniversary of India’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru. 

The children’s day celebration across the country is recognized to raise awareness about the rights, care & education of children. 

Also Read Everything You Need To Know About Chacha Nehru

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Why is Children’s Day celebrated on November 14?

A resolution was passed by the Indian Parliament after the death of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1964, to honour his birthday as Children’s Day. Thus, India started celebrating Children’s Day on November 14 ever since then. 

Jawaharlal Nehru dreamt of an India which focused on children as the future of the nation for its progress. He often called children “the most precious resource” of the country. Throughout his life, he worked for the betterment of children’s rights and wanted an all inclusive education system in the country to make knowledge accessible to all children.

His birthday is celebrated as Children’s Day to honour the commitment of the nation towards the betterment of the lives of its children.

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Aspect of Children’s Day

Children’s Day is celebrated in different ways to highlight the importance of children in our society. Some aspects are the key to denote this precious day i.e,-

  1. Honouring Jawaharlal Nehru’s Legacy

It is a way to remember his brave steps towards reformation of education, healthcare and to provide a secure environment for the protection of children’s innocence. 

  1. Promoting Children’s Rights and Welfare 

Children’s Day emphasizes the need to protect children’s rights, provide quality education, and ensure their safety and it encourages awareness against child labour and health.

  1. Encouraging Education and Development

On the occasion of Children’s Day, many programs focus on the value of education and personal growth for children which shows the importance of learning new things for their better future.  

  1. Fun Activities and Events

Children’s Day celebration in schools and communities organizes different kinds of fun activities, including games, cultural performances, and many more which indicates to make children feel special. Children’s Day is a joyful day. To make children feel special treats and gifts are included. 

As India celebrates Children’s Day, it is important to remember that while much has been achieved, there is still more that needs to be done for the children of the nation so that they can dream big. Children’s Day is a time for celebration but also serves as a reminder for every citizen of the country to think and contribute towards nation building that will value children. 

Watch Full Video On Who Was Jawaharlal Nehru

Understanding Short-Sightedness: One in Three Children at Risk

According to a recent study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, children’s eyesight is steadily getting worse. The researchers have found that one in three young people are short-sighted or unable to see things in the distance clearly. 

 

Also Read Homework Banned In Poland

 

The researchers analysed 276 studies involving 54 lakh participants aged 5-19 years from 50 countries. They also found a rise from 24% of young people with myopia in 1990 to 36% in 2023. The researchers have warned that too much screen time may explain children’s worsening eyesight. They have advised that children should do more physical activity outdoors.

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What is short-sightedness?

Short-sightedness or myopia describes a condition in which it is difficult to see objects that are far away.

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What are the signs of short-sightedness?

According to eye experts, the following are some of the signs that indicate myopia:

Difficulty reading words from a distance, such as reading the white-board at school; 

Sitting close to the TV or computer, or holding a mobile phone or tablet close to the face; and Getting headaches and rubbing the eyes a lot.

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Nobel Prize 2024 Winners: Names, Fields, Prize Amount & Achievements

The Nobel Prize is one of the most prestigious prizes that is given every year to people in different categories by the Nobel Foundation for their exceptional achievements in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, Economic Sciences, and Peace. The Nobel Prize is given from a fund that was bequeathed for that purpose by Alfred Nobel, a Swedish scientist.

 

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He invented an explosive called dynamite. Thanks to this invention, he became rich. He decided to use the money to honour people who helped humankind in some way. The first Nobel Prizes were given on December 10, 1901.

Originally, the prizes were awarded in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Medicine or Physiology, Literature, and Peace. In 1968, a sixth category was added in the field of Economic Sciences. 

 

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Nobel Prizes are awarded annually on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death. The Nobel Prizes for Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature and Economics are customarily awarded at a ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden. The Nobel Peace Prize is customarily awarded at its own ceremony in Oslo, Norway.

This year, the Nobel Prize Winners are:

The Nobel Prize in Physics 2024

1. John Hopfield

“for foundational discoveries and inventions that enable machine learning with artificial neural networks”

Prize Money: $1.1 million which will be shared equally by the two winners.

nobelprize.org

2. Geoffrey Hinton

“for foundational discoveries and inventions that enable machine learning with artificial neural networks”

Prize Money: $1.1 million which will be shared equally by the two winners.

nobelprize.org
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2024

1. David Baker

“for computational protein design”

Prize Money: The total prize money is $1.1 million, with one half to David Baker and the other half jointly to Demis Hassabis and John Jumper.

nobelprize.org

2. Demis Hassabis

“for protein structure prediction”

Prize Money: The total prize money is $1.1 million, with one half to David Baker and the other half jointly to Demis Hassabis and John Jumper.

nobelprize.org

3. John Jumper

“for protein structure prediction”

Prize Money: $1.1 million

nobelprize.org

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2024

1. Victor Ambros

“for the discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation”

Prize Money: $1.1 million

nobelprize.org

2. Gary Ruvkun

“for the discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation”

Prize Money: $1.1 million

nobelprize.org

The Nobel Prize in Literature 2024

1. Han Kang

“for her intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life”

Prize Money: $915,000 million

nobelprize.org

The Nobel Peace Prize 2024

1. Nihon Hidankyo

“for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons and for demonstrating through witness testimony that nuclear weapons must never be used again”

Prize Money: $1 million

nobelprize.org

The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 2024

1. Daron Acemoglu

“for studies of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity”

Prize Money: Around $1 million which will be shared equally by the three winners.

 

nobelprize.org

2. Simon Johnson

“for studies of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity”

Prize Money: Around $1 million which will be shared equally by the three winners.

nobelprize.org

3. James Robinson

“for studies of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity”

Prize Money: Around $1 million which will be shared equally by the three winners.

nobelprize.org