Hayat Ashraf

Recently, World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched a new network for coronaviruses, CoViNet. About CoViNet: It is a network of global laboratories with expertise in human, animal and environmental coronavirus surveillance. It will identify and monitor potentially novel coronaviruses that could emerge shortly. The network will now have animal health and environmental surveillance and timely risk assessment to feed WHO policies and protective measures. In low- and middle-income countries, CoViNet will support the building of more laboratories to monitor MERS-CoV and novel coronaviruses of public health importance. Data generated through CoViNet's efforts will guide the work of WHO's Technical Advisory Groups on Viral Evolution (TAG-VE) and Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC). It currently comprises 36 laboratories from 21 countries in all six WHO regions. Three Indian laboratories namely; the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Resear...

According to the Food Waste Index Report 2024, households across the globe wasted over one billion meals a day in 2022. About Food Waste Index Report 2024: It a study jointly authored by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme), a U.K.-based non-profit. It tracks the global and national generation of food and inedible parts wasted at the retail and consumer (household and food service) levels. Highlights of the report: The report defines “food waste” as “food and the associated inedible parts removed from the human food supply chain”. ‘‘Food loss” is defined as “all the crop and livestock human-edible commodity quantities that, directly or indirectly, completely exit the post-harvest/slaughter production/supply chain up to, and excluding, the retail level”. It noted that in 2022, there were 1.05 billion tonnes of food waste generated (including inedible parts), amounting to 132 kilograms per capita and almost one-fifth of all food ...

Recently, Skyroot Aerospace, the leading space-tech company, has successfully test-fired the Kalam-250 at the propulsion testbed of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).  About Kalam-250: It is a stage-2 of Vikram-1 space launch vehicle. It is a high-strength carbon composite rocket motor, which uses solid fuel and a high-performance Ethylene-Propylene-Diene terpolymers (EPDM) thermal protection system (TPS). The stage includes a carbon ablative flex nozzle along with high-precision electro-mechanical actuators for thrust vector control of the vehicle, aiding in achieving the desired trajectory.  The second stage of Vikram-1 will play a crucial role in the ascent of the launch vehicle, propelling it from the atmosphere to the deep vacuum of outer space. Key facts about the Vikram-1 Rocket: It is named after the father of India’s space programme, Vikram Sarabhai and is a multi-stage launch vehicle with a capacity to place around 300 k...

As per the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), over 4,500 Rohingya refugees set off across the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea in 2023. About United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees: It protects refugees worldwide and facilitates their return home or resettlement. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland It was established by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1950 in the aftermath of the Second World War to help the millions of people who had lost their homes. It is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. It was awarded Nobel Peace Prizes in 1954 and 1981. It started Nansen Refugee Award in 1954 for recognition of outstanding service to the cause of refugees, displaced or stateless people. Who are the Rohingya refugees? The Rohingya are a Muslim minority ethnic group with their roots in the Arakan kingdom in Myanmar. Accordin...

In a historic move, the Kerala Kalamandalam, a deemed university for arts and culture, has lifted gender restrictions to learn Mohiniyattam. About Mohiniyattam: It is an Indian classical dance form that evolved in the state of Kerala. History and Evolution: Its roots date back to the age-old Sanskrit Hindu text on performing arts called ‘Natya Shastra’. It is used to be performed by Devadasis (temple dancers) in temples during the rule of the Chera kings from 9 to 12 C.E. Features:                               It is conventionally a solo dance performed by female artists. It adheres to the Lasya type that showcases a more graceful, gentle and feminine form of dancing.  Theme: The dance form Mohiniyattam has love and devotion to God as its major themes, with usually Lord Vishnu or his incarnation Lord Krishna as the lead character. It emotes a play through dancing and singing, where the song is customar...

The Supreme Court recently dismissed the review petitions filed against its judgment related to Section 120B of the IPC.  About Section 120B of the IPC: Section 120A of the IPC defines the offence of criminal conspiracy. Section 120B of the IPC, on the other hand, defines the punishment for criminal conspiracy. Criminal Conspiracy under IPC is an agreement between two or more persons to commit an illegal act or to commit a lawful act by illegal means. In other words, it is a criminal offence where two or more individuals agree to plan and execute a criminal act. Section 120A of the IPC states: “When two or more persons agree to do or cause to be done, an illegal act or an act which is not illegal by illegal means, such an agreement is designated a criminal conspiracy”. For a conspiracy to be established, there must be an agreement between the conspirators, a common intention to commit an illegal act, and an overt act in furtherance of that intention. The agreement does not hav...

The Supreme Court recently held that cognizance cannot be taken of an offence under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, based on a complaint filed by a police officer.  About Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940: It regulates the import, manufacture and sale or distribution of drugs and cosmetics through licences and permits.  Its main objective is to ensure that the drugs and cosmetics marketed in India are reliable, efficient and in compliance with national standards. The associated Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, which were formulated in association with the 1940 Act, provide provisions for classifying medications into schedules and instructions for the storage, sale, presentation, and prescription of each schedule.   What is a drug?  A drug includes medicines or medical devices for external or internal use for human beings or animals, and all substances intended to be used for or in the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation, or prevention of any disease or disorder in h...

A Supreme Court bench recently recorded observations on how courts should decide pre-trial injunctions against media organisations, and the growing use of SLAPP suits.  About SLAPP Suits:  The term ‘SLAPP’, stands for Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation. The concept of a SLAPP lawsuit evolved in the US, where it was observed that certain lawsuits were filed targeting individual or group litigants who voiced their concern over important or considerable social issues in the public arena. The subject matter of the suit would target an act of public participation, such as engaging in an issue of societal or political significance, in the form of journalism, advocacy, whistleblowing, peaceful protests or boycotts, activism, or simply speaking out against abuse of power. As such, winning the lawsuit is not the focus. The plaintiff’s goal is typically accomplished if the defendant succumbs to fear, intimidation, mounting legal costs or simple exhaustion and abandons t...

Scientists recently uncovered a dazzling new cicada species known colloquially as “Butterfly Cicadas” from Meghalaya.  About Butterfly Cicada:  It is a newly discovered species of cicada belonging to the genus Becquartina. It brings the total number of known species in the genus Becquartina to seven. It was discovered in Meghalaya. It marks the first-ever record of this genus in the country. The colorful wings of the cicada earned it the nickname “butterfly cicada”, with the species name “bicolour” reflecting its two distinct colour forms. Features:  The species is localised in the Garo Hills preferring thick forests and native vegetation. The basal one-third of the hind wing is rich saffron and the apical two-thirds are matte black with prominent rich saffron squarish spots. What are Cicadas? Cicada, (family Cicadidae) is any of a group of sound-producing insects. They have two pairs of membranous wings, prominent compound eyes, and three simple eyes (ocel...

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has made it clear that courts can order release of an accused under police custody without fulfilling twin conditions as mandated under the PMLA, 2002.  What is Money Laundering? PMLA defines money laundering as an act of directly or indirectly attempting to indulge or knowingly assisting or knowingly being a party or actually involved in concealing, possessing, acquiring, using, projecting as untainted property, or claiming as untainted property, in any manner whatsoever, the proceeds of crime. It is defined as the process through which an illegal fund, such as black money, is obtained from illegal activities and disguised as legal money, eventually portrayed as white money.  About Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002:  It is an act to prevent money laundering and to provide for the confiscation of property derived from or involved in money laundering. The Act was formulated for the following objectives:  P...