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Posted 13 Apr 2024

8 min read

Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC)

Recently, Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has issued a drug safety alert over the use of the anti-inflammatory drug Nimesulide.

About IPC
- Autonomous Institution of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
- Basic function is to update regularly the standards of drugs.
- It publishes Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP).
  - IP prescribes standards for identity, purity and strength of drugs essentially required from health care perspective of human beings and animals.
- It further promotes rational use of generic medicines by publishing National Formulary of India.

ADB in its Asian Development Outlook (ADO) report forecasted India’s growth at 7.0% this year and 7.2% next year.
- ADO is yearly report by ADB that analyzes economic and development issues in developing countries across Asia and Pacific.

About ADB
- Established: 1966
- Headquarters: Manila, Philippines
- Membership: 68 members including India
- Activities: Provides loans, technical assistance, grants, and equity investments for social and economic development projects.
- largest shareholders: Japan and United States.
- Other prominent reports published: Asia-Pacific Trade Facilitation Report 2024: Asia Bond Monitor etc.

About Doxxing
- The term "doxxing" is derived from phrase “dropping dox (documents)”.
- It refers to collection of a user’s private information, across multiple platforms (including social media) by an unauthorized individual and
  - then publishing the information in an attempt to shame or embarrass user.
- Conducted by researching public databases, hacking, or through social engineering.
- Prevention: Adjust social media settings, use strong passwords, report through National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, etc

Reports highlighted that artists of Kuchipudi dance struggling for survival.
About Kuchipudi
- Classical Indian dance form, originated in the Kuchipudi village of Andhra Pradesh.
- Key Features:
  - Known for its quick moves, lively eye expressions, etc.
  - Trangam (dance move performed on the edge of a brass plate with the help of feet).
  - Has 2 forms- traditional musical dance-drama and the solo dance.
- Siddhendra Yogi, a Vaishnava poet and visionary, conceived the Kuchipudi style of Yakshagaana (folk dance of Karnataka) in the 17th century.

NASA's PACE data on ocean, atmosphere, and climate is now available to the public.

About PACE:
- Placed in a Sun-synchronous orbit, which means that it will always be synced to the same position relative to the Sun.
- Sensors: OCI (Ocean Colour Instrument), HARP-2 (Hyper-Angular Rainbow Polarimeter-2) and SPEXone (Spectro-Polarimeter for Planetary Exploration).
- Key Objectives
  - Understanding how the ocean and atmosphere exchange carbon dioxide.
  - Revealing how aerosols might fuel phytoplankton growth in the surface ocean.

About Whooping Cough
- It is highly contagious respiratory tract infection.
- Caused by: Bordetella pertussis bacteria. The bacteria attaches to cilia (tiny, hair-like extensions), part of upper respiratory system.
- It is only found in humans.
- Spread easily from person to person through the air.
- Symptoms: Runny nose, Nasal congestion Red watery eyes, Fever etc.
- In India, Mission Indradhanush provides immunization protection against Whooping Cough.

First virtual Joint working group meeting of RETAP was held between representatives of India and USA.
About RETAP
- RETAP was announced by India and US jointly in 2023 under Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP).
- SCEP, launched in 2021, is collaborative effort between India-US to accelerate clean energy innovation and deployment.
- RETAP’s initial focus is to be on green/clean hydrogen, wind energy, ocean/tidal energy etc.
- Work is guided by five themes: Research & Development, Piloting & Testing of Innovative Technologies etc.

A year-long conflict in Sudan unleashed waves of ethnic violence and driven millions into extreme hunger and creating large displacement crisis.

Other conflict areas in Africa:
- Libya: Forces fight to capture rich oil fields.
- Ethiopia: Tigray war.
- Somalia: Conflict with Al- Shabaab.
- Democratic Republic of Congo: Rebel group called March 23 Movement (M23).