Overview:

At the 55th Human Rights Council of the United Nations, India exercised its 'Right to Reply' for a staunch response to Turkey and Pakistan for the mention of Jammu and Kashmir on the platform.

About United Nations Human Rights Council:

The members are elected by the majority of members of the General Assembly of the United Nations through direct and secret ballot.

The General Assembly takes into account the candidate States' contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights, as well as their voluntary pledges and commitments in this regard.

The Council's Membership is based on equitable geographical distribution. Function:

It investigates allegations of breaches of human rights in UN member states, and addresses important thematic human rights issues such as freedom of association and assembly, freedom of expression, freedom of belief and religion, women's rights, LGBTI rights, and the rights of racial and ethnic minorities.

Overview:

The Union Cabinet formally announced the establishment of International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) with one-time budgetary support of Rs 150 crore from the central government until 2028.

About International Big Cat Alliance:

Governance Structure:

A General Assembly consisting of all member countries.

A Council of at least seven but not more than 15 member countries elected by the General Assembly for a term of 5 years, and a Secretariat.

Upon the recommendation of the Council, the General Assembly will appoint the IBCA Secretary General for a specific term.

Funding: It has secured Government of India's initial support of Rs. 150 crore for five years (2023-24 to 2027-28).

Overview:

Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a cautionary message to mobile phone users about juice jacking.

About Juice jacking:

The term “juice jacking” was first coined in 2011 by investigative journalist Brian Krebs.

It is a form of cyberattack where a public USB charging port is tampered with and infected using hardware and software changes to steal data or install malware on devices connected to it.

The attack is used by hackers to steal users’ passwords, credit card information, addresses, and other sensitive data stored on the targeted device.

This type of attack has been a growing concern, with incidents reported in various public spaces such as airports, hotels, and shopping centers.

RBI emphasized the importance of protecting personal and financial data while using mobile devices.

How to prevent such attacks?

To protect themselves from juice jacking and other cyber threats, mobile phone users have to use their personal chargers and avoid connecting their devices to public USB ports.

Additionally, using a virtual private network (VPN) and ensuring that devices have the latest security updates installed can help mitigate the risk of cyberattacks.

About BioTRIG:

It is a new waste management technology based on the pyrolysis system.

It works by sealing the waste inside an oxygen-free chamber and heating it above 400 degrees Celsius. Useful chemicals are produced in the process.

In the study, the researchers outlined that three products of pyrolysis — bio-oil, syngas and biochar fertilizer — could help rural Indians live healthier and greener lives.

Significance

The syngas and bio-oil facilitate heat and power the pyrolysis system in future cycles and surplus electricity is utilized to power local homes and businesses.

The clean-burning bio-oil to replace dirty cooking fuels in homes and using biochar to store carbon, while improving soil fertility.

Computer simulations showed that the BioTRIG system could also be effective in real- world applications.

It could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from communities by nearly 350 kg of CO2-eq per capita per annum.

It could help rural Indians cut indoor air pollution, improve soil health, and generate clean power

What is Pyrolysis:

It is a kind of chemical recycling that turns leftover organic materials into their component molecules.

It works by sealing the waste inside an oxygen-free chamber and heating it to more than 400 degrees Celsius, producing useful chemicals in the process.

Overview:

The early onset bloom of jacaranda set off alarm bells among residents and scientists in Mexico City.

About Jacaranda Bloom:

It’s also known by its synonym Jacaranda acutifolia.

It is a deciduous tree, Jacaranda mimosifolia comes from the Bignoniaceae family. Blue jacaranda is native of Brazil and North West Argentina.

These are hardy trees that grow well in tropical climes, well-drained soil and plenty of sun to showcase their lavender touch.

They are widely grown in warm parts of the world and in greenhouses for their showy blue or violet flowers and attractive, oppositely paired, compound leaves.

Uses: In Brazil, its wood is used to make guitars. It has no edible use, its bark and root has medicinal advantages.

It is also recommended as an alternative wood carving tree species, especially in Kenya.

Ecological significance: They attract more hummingbirds and bees than many native trees, so a change in flowering could lead to a decrease in these populations.

Concern: Some jacarandas began blooming in early January, when they normally awaken in spring.