GOA

In a major relief to Karnataka, the Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal allowed additional 5.5 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water from Goa share for its drinking water needs. It allowed diversion of water to the Malaprabha reservoir during the monsoon for drinking water and irrigation in its four districts.

The Goa government was opposing this diversion since it affected the water flow in the Mandovi river, the lifeline of the State. It also feared that the reservoir in Karnataka will result in submergence of over 700 hectares of forests and destruction of some 60,000 trees.

The Goa government had sought constitution of the tribunal way back in 2002 to stop Karnataka diverting the river water as it affected the downstream flow of the Mandovi river.

The tribunal was finally set up on August 21, 2013 to settle the river water share dispute of Goa with the states of Karnataka and Maharashtra, asking it to give its report within three years. Its term was last extended up to August 20.

INTERNATIONAL

· World Bank to issue world’s first blockchain bond

The World Bank has mandated the Commonwealth Bank of Australia(CBA) to issue the world’s first blockchain-based bond.
The Kangaroo bond, referring to foreign bonds issued in Australia in the local currency, has been named bond-i, an acronym standing for Blockchain Offered New Debt Instrument. (It’s also a reference to Bondi Beach, an iconic spot in Sydney.

BBC History Magazine conducted a poll of 100 women who changed the world. Marie Curie voted the woman who made the most significant impact on world history.
Women from several fields in areas like politics, science, sports, technology, and literature were shortlisted.
Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel prize in physics, a first female professor at the University of Paris and also the first person to win a second Nobel prize.

NATIONAL

Bengaluru does not figure even in the top 25 Indian cities in the Ease of Living Index, which rates Pune as the best city to live in.

Bengaluru was rated 58th among major cities surveyed to assess living conditions of urban areas in the country.

Navi Mumbai bagged the second place followed by Greater Mumbai. Temple town Tirupati was ranked fourth in the country.

The survey was commissioned by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in 111 major cities.

· WSO alleged against the fencing that poses threat to wildlife

Forest departmenthas installed barbed wire fencing for its plantation projects causing a threat to movement of wildlife, especially elephants. The Wildlife Society of Orissa (WSO), an environmental pressure group, has expressed its concern by suggesting the Forest department to use green fences comprising bamboo and Amari (Ipomoea Carnea) instead of the artificial barricades like barbed wire fence or stone rubble walls.
The barbed wire fence remains a threat to wild animals as there is a high chance of the animals to get stuck or seriously injured if they run into them while being chased by predators or hunters.
WSO activists protested against the proposed rubble wall of over several kilometres for around 100 hectares of plantation project site near Pangatira village, Mahabirod range, Dhenkanal as this area is an ideal elephant habitat. This long and high stone wall shall block elephant movement lead to increase conflict between man and elephant.

The MoU signed by Exim Bank Managing Director David Rasquinha.
The main objective is to strengthen the cooperation under the BRICS Interbank Cooperation
The signatories agreed to constitute a joint research working group which will formulate the research agenda and targeted outcome.

The Women and Child Development (WCD) Ministry is planning to introduce monetary incentives for child care institutions if they promote adoption of children under their care.

Child care institutions are currently getting Rs 2,000 per child per month for their maintenance which makes them reluctant to give the child up for adoption as their income would reduce.

Rafael Nadal defeated Greek teenager Stefanos Tsitsipas.
He clinched his fourth Canadian Masters 1000 title at the Rogers Cup in Toronto.

Earlier, Romania’s Simona Halep beat American Sloane Stephens in three sets to win the women’s event in Montreal.