News in Short

• Researchers have demonstrated that ultrasmall plant-derived crystals can be developed into a super-glue, an advance that may lead to eco-friendly and cost-effective adhesives.
• A single drop of the "eco" glue has enough strength to hold up to 90 kilogramme (kg) weight, but can still be easily removed by the touch of a finger, as needed.
• The researchers said the new glue may increase the reusability of valuable structural and decorative elements, provide new solutions for packaging applications, and lead to the development of greener adhesive solutions.

• A team of researchers is working to come up with a power plant that would have the ability to arrest the carbon dioxide that it emits, rather than releasing the toxic gas in the open. 
• The researchers have discovered metal carbide nanoparticles which can turn the CO2 emissions into fuel. 
• This will lead to mass-production of the particle at a very effective cost and have the slightest impact on the atmosphere. This will also help in combatting the greenhouse emissions.

• Hosni Mubarak, Egypt's president for almost 30 years who stepped down after a popular revolution in 2011, has died. He was 91.
• Mubarak served as Egypt's fourth president starting in 1981 until his removal in what became known as the Arab Spring revolution. 
• Mubarak was a stalwart United States ally, a bulwark against armed groups, and guardian of Egypt's peace with Israel.

• A Japanese man who received his certificate as the world's oldest man earlier this month has died at 112.
• Guinness World Recordshad given the certificate to ChitetsuWatanabeon Feb. 12.
• Watanabe was born in 1907 and worked in Taiwan for 18 years. After returning to Niigata, northern Japan, he worked for the prefectural government until retirement.

• India was the fifth most polluted country in 2019 with Ghaziabad in the National Capital Region ranking as the most polluted city in the world, according to a global compilation of PM2.5 particulate pollution data.
• On the whole, air pollution in India decreased in 2019 from 2018 though about half of the 50 most polluted cities were in India.
• Whilst cities in India, on average, exceed the World Health Organisation target for annual PM2.5 exposure by 500%, national air pollution decreased by 20% from 2018 to 2019, with 98% of cities experiencing improvements.