Emissions trading scheme to go live in Gujarat

More than 170 industrial units in Gujarat will begin live trading of particulate matters under the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) from September 16, a move aimed at reducing costs for the industry in curbing pollution without reducing the environmental goals, officials said. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani had on June 5 launched the ETS formally to mark the World Environment Day with the participating industries carrying out mock trading over the past three months to understand its modalities. The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) said the ETS is a market-based approach used in controlling pollution “by providing economic incentives for achieving reductions in the emissions of pollutants”. Under the scheme, a limit would be set for an industrial unit on the amount of pollutants emitted.

Railways to instal bottle crushers in stations

The Railways has set a target of installing plastic water bottle crushers in 407 of its stations in metros and big cities, a statement from the ministry said. The ministry will also hold Swachhta Hi Seva (SHS) Pakhwada (fortnight) from September 11 to October 2. “Plastic bottle crushers to be installed at all A1 and A category stations before October 2,” it said. “Indian Railways also undertook massive shramdaan with participation from all stakeholders on plastic waste collection on the first day of SHS today. Focus on plastic waste collection shall continue throughout the Swachhta Pakhwada,” the statement said. The railways will undertake a slew of measures on plastic waste management including wide publicity on “ban on single use plastic”. Visibility of separate waste bins to be increased on all A1 and A category stations.

UK court rules parliament suspension unlawful

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s suspension of parliament was unlawful, a court has ruled, prompting immediate calls for MPs to return to work. Scotland’s highest court of appeal ruled against Johnson’s decision to prorogue, or suspend, parliament from September 9 until October 14 - a blow for the government as it seeks to leave the EU on October 31 with or without a deal. With seven weeks to go, the government and parliament are locked in conflict over the future of Brexit, with possible outcomes ranging from leaving without a deal to another referendum that could cancel the divorce. “We are calling for parliament to be recalled immediately,” said Scottish National Party MP Joanna Cherry, who led the legal challenge, after the court ruled the prorogation should be annulled.

DRDO tests indigenous anti-tank missile

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight tested an indigenously-developed Man Portable Anti-tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) in the ranges of Kurnool on September 11. This is the third series of successful testing of MPATGM. The missile is incorporated with state-of-the-art infrared imaging seeker along with advanced avionics. The test paves the way for the Army to have developed third-generation MPATGM indigenously. The MPATGM is an Indian third-generation fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile. It is currently under development by DRDO in partnership with Indian defence contractor VEM Technologies. The missile is derived from the Nag missile.

Modi meets St Vincent and Grenadines PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Ralph Gonsalves, the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, in New Delhi. Both leaders exchanged views on a range of issues to further reinforce bilateral ties. The leaders agreed to enhance cooperation in skill development, training, education, finance, culture and disaster management. Gonsalves expressed appreciation for India’s development cooperation with the region as well as for India’s prompt assistance subsequent to natural calamities. St Vincent and the Grenadines is an Anglo-Caribbean country in the Lesser Antilles island arc, in the southern portion of the Windward Islands. Its territory consists of the main island of Saint Vincent and the northern two-thirds of the Grenadines, a chain of 32 smaller islands.

Largest flying animal in history identified

Scientists have unveiled a new species pterosaur, the plane-sized reptiles that lorded over primeval skies above T-rex, Triceratops and other dinosaurs of the late Cretaceous. With a wingspan of 10 m and weighing 250 kg, Cryodrakon boreas rivals another pterosaur as the largest flying animal of all time, researchers reported in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. C boreas was hiding in plain sight. Its remains were first discovered more than 30 years ago in Canada, yet elicited scant excitement because of the misclassification. But a closer look at the fossil remains of a juvenile and the intact giant neck bone of a full-grown specimen left no doubt that a new species had been discovered. Like other winged reptiles living at the same time, about 77 million years ago, C boreas was carnivorous and probably fed on lizards, small mammals and even baby dinosaurs.

Newsmaker

US President Donald Trump has sacked John Bolton, the hawkish national security adviser with whom he had strong disagreements on Iran, Afghanistan and many other global challenges. The shake-up marked the latest departure of a prominent voice of dissent from the president’s inner circle, as Trump has grown less accepting of advice contrary to his instincts.