Indian Institute of Foreign Trade
India Pavilion at Expo City in Dubai will host first overseas campus of IIFT.
- India’s premier business institution focusing on Foreign Trade
- Regarded as an academic centre of excellence in international business research, training and education.
- Established in 1963 as an autonomous body under Ministry of Commerce.
- Granted “Deemed to be University” status in 2002.
- National Assessment and Accreditation Council has recognized IIFT as Grade ‘A’ Institution in 2005 and in 2015.
Advanced Glycation End Products
ICMR and Madras Diabetes Research Foundation MDRF study highlighted that AGEs rich diet is leading cause of diabetes in India.
- Harmful compounds formed when sugars react with fats or proteins during high-temperature cooking (frying/roasting).
- Excessive consumption can lead to oxidative stress and inflammation (underlying cause of diabetes).
- Study recommends low-AGE diet (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat milk) to improvement in insulin-sensitivity
- Insulin sensitivity refers to how well cells respond to insulin for glucose uptake from blood
State of Global Water Resources Report
The report has been coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
- Key Findings –
- Hydrological extremes – Year 2023 was the hottest year on record.
- Levels of soil moisture were predominantly below or much below normal across large territories globally.
- 2023 was driest year for global rivers in 33 years.
- Lake Coari in the Amazon faced below-normal water levels, leading to extreme water temperature.
Fast Track Special Courts
India’s Fast-Track Courts, designed to expedite serious criminal cases, are facing scrutiny over their effectiveness.
- Judicial bodies to expedite the trial process for cases pertaining to sexual offenses, particularly those involving rape and violations under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act).
- Establishment – Central Government enacted the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act in 2018, introducing stringent penalties, including the death penalty for perpetrators of rape.
- Following this, FTSCs were instituted to facilitate the swift adjudication of such cases.
- The initiative was formalized in August 2019 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, in accordance with directives from the Supreme Court of India.
Caracal
Gujarat government allocates Rs 10 crore for Caracal conservation and breeding recently.
- A medium-sized wildcat, primarily nocturnal animal.
- Known for its remarkable agility, capable of leaping over 3 meters to catch birds in midair.
- Habitat – Woodlands, savannahs and in scrub forests
- Distribution – Most regions of Africa and from the Arabian Peninsula through northwest India and also found in Middle East.
- Conservation status – IUCN – ‘least concern’; Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 – Schedule-I.