Russia using ‘Butterfly Mines’ in Ukraine says UK report

• The PFM-1 and PFM-1S are two kinds of anti-personnel landmines that are commonly referred to as ‘Butterfly mines’ or ‘Green Parrots’.
• These names are derived from the shape and colour of the mines. The main difference between the PFM-1 and PFM-1S mine is that the latter comes with a self destruction mechanism which gets activated within one to 40 hours.
• The ‘Butterfly mine’ has earned a reputation for being particularly attractive to children because it looks like a coloured toy.
• It is very sensitive to touch and just the act of picking it up can set it off. Because of the relatively lesser explosive packed in this small mine, it often injures and maims the handler rather than killing them.
• These mines are also difficult to detect because they are made of plastic and can evade metal detectors.

Microsoft becomes first big tech firm to join ONDC

• ONDC is an initiative aimed at promoting open networks for all aspects of exchange of goods and services over digital or electronic networks.
• ONDC is to be based on open-sourced methodology, using open specifications and open network protocols independent of any specific platform.
• It is being developed as a counter to the current duopoly in the Indian e-commerce market which is largely dictated by Amazon and Walmart-owned Flipkart.

New ''Langya'' virus identified in China

• The newly discovered virus is a “phylogenetically distinct Henipavirus”. Henipaviruses are classified as biosafety level 4 (BSL4) pathogens. They can cause severe illness in animals and humans, and as of now there are no licensed drugs or vaccines meant for humans.
• The types of Henipaviruses that had been identified prior to this included Hendra, Nipah, Cedar, Mojiang and the Ghanaian bat virus. Langya, meanwhile, is known to cause fever.
• Langya’s genome organization is “identical to that of other Henipaviruses”, and that it is closely related to the “Mojiang Henipavirus, which was discovered in southern China”.

Centre approves Corbevax as ''booster dose'' for adults vaccinated with Covaxin or Covishield

• Corbevax will be available as precaution dose after the completion of six months from the date of administration of the second dose of either Covaxin or Covishield vaccines for a population above 18 years.
• Corbevax is a protein subunit COVID-19 vaccine developed by Texas Children''s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas and Dynavax technologies based in Emeryville, California.
• It is licensed to Indian biopharmaceutical firm Biological E. Limited (BioE) for development and production.

Dharmendra Pradhan & Anurag Thakur address Yuva Samvad India@2047

• Around 400 youth including National Youth Awardees and Youth delegates, who have been sent by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to various countries to represent India as a part of International Youth delegations will participate in the event.
• This event will provide an opportunity to the participating youth to express their views on various issues of National and International importance.

One Year of Rice Fortification Programme; 6.83 LMT distributed by States/UTs in Phase II

• Nearly 6.83 LMT have been distributed by the States/UTs under the phase which started from April 1, 2022. And under ICDS and PM POSHAN, nearly 7.36 LMT have been lifted by the States/UTs so far. Around 52% of the districts have lifted the foodgrains in the Phase II.
• The Hon’ble PM in his address on the 75th Independence Day (15th August, 2021), announced the supply of Fortified Rice in every scheme of Government of India throughout the country by 2024 in a phased manner.
• Phase-I covering ICDS and PM POSHAN had been implemented during 2021-22 and nearly 17.51 LMT had been distributed in the States/UTs.
• Pertinently, Phase-II includes Phase I above plus all Aspirational Districts and High Burden districts (total 291 districts) under Targeted Public Distribution System and Other Welfare Schemes in all the States/UTs by March, 2023 with a total quantity of about 175 LMT of fortified rice has to be distributed.

National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission (NIPAM) achieves target of training 1 million students on Intellectual Property (IP) awareness

• NIPAM, a flagship program to impart IP awareness and basic training, was launched on 8 Dec 2021 as a part of “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav'''' celebrations.
• The program is being implemented by Intellectual Property Office, the Office of Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• During the period 08 December 2021 to 31st July 2022, the following milestones achieved:
  • of participants (students/faculty) trained on IP = 10, 05, 272
  • Educational institutes covered = 3662
  • Geographical coverage = 28 states and 7 Union Territories