[Newsbits] 25-31.10.2024: PM-YASASVI Scheme, ULPIN & more

Israel deployed a SPICE 2000 bomb on a Hezbollah facility in Beirut during a military operation. The precision-guided bomb, known for its lethality and low collateral damage, is designed for accuracy and can adjust its flight path mid-air. Produced by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, SPICE bombs are part of Israel’s strategy to minimize civilian casualties, exemplified by their “knock on the roof” warning tactic. However, concerns persist over civilian harm, especially given past conflicts. The ongoing U.S.-Israel defense collaboration supports the bomb’s production, keeping the region’s tensions high amidst calls for humanitarian review.

Justice Sanjiv Khanna has been appointed the 51st Chief Justice of India, succeeding Justice D Y Chandrachud, who retires on November 10, 2024. Justice Khanna, a seasoned Supreme Court judge, will take the oath of office on November 11, 2024, and serve until May 13, 2025, due to the retirement age limit of 65. His appointment follows constitutional procedures, with the President of India consulting the outgoing CJI. Justice Khanna’s brief tenure brings both continuity and challenges, with expectations high for his impact on critical legal and constitutional matters.

Urmila Chaudhary from Nepal has won the prestigious Global Anti-Racism Championship Award, presented by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Urmila, a former child servant, co-founded the Freed Kamlari Development Forum, advocating for the rights of former bonded laborers and marginalized communities in Nepal. Her efforts were pivotal in the abolition of the Kamlari system, which sold young girls into servitude. Through her activism, she has established 42 cooperatives, empowering survivors economically. Urmila’s ongoing legal studies strengthen her mission to fight systemic racism and create lasting change for Nepal’s marginalized populations.

In a groundbreaking conservation achievement, a baby great Indian bustard was born through artificial insemination at the Sudasari Great Indian Bustard Breeding Centre in Rajasthan. This marks the first successful artificial breeding of this critically endangered species. The male bustard, Suda, was trained for eight months to produce sperm, which was used to inseminate a female named Tony. The chick’s birth brings hope for the survival of this species, which is severely threatened by habitat loss and hunting. The successful use of AI offers new possibilities for breeding and conservation efforts for the great Indian bustard.

The giant salmon carp, a fish thought to be extinct since 2005, has been rediscovered in the Mekong River, with three sightings recorded since 2020. This large predatory fish, distinguished by a yellow patch around its eyes, was monitored by biologists in Cambodia in collaboration with local communities. The rediscovery signals hope for the species’ survival amidst significant environmental threats such as overfishing and dam construction. Conservationists are now working to expand efforts in Thailand and Laos to better understand the carp’s range, while addressing the environmental challenges that threaten its habitat in the Mekong region.