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1. The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and the Odisha Forest Department have initiated a tagging project for horseshoe crabs to monitor their population and threats. Horseshoe crabs, marine and brackish water arthropods, are among Earth's oldest living species, having existed for 250 million years. India is home to two species: *Tachypleus gigas* (found in Odisha and West Bengal) and *Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda* (Sundarbans mangroves). The American horseshoe crab (*Limulus polyphemus*) is listed as vulnerable, while the tri-spine horseshoe crab (*Tachypleus tridentatus*) is endangered. Horseshoe crab blood is used in the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) test for vaccine contamination. International Horseshoe Crab Day is celebrated on June 20 to highlight conservation efforts. Other living fossils include the coelacanth, Ginkgo biloba, Wollemi pine, and tuatara.
2. The recent rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s R.G. Kar Medical College, allegedly by a civic police volunteer (CPV), has ignited widespread protests and highlighted critical issues with the role and oversight of CPVs in West Bengal. CPVs, also known as village police volunteers in rural areas, are contractual workers assisting with minor police tasks like traffic management. They are not formally trained for law enforcement duties such as investigations or arrests. In West Bengal, CPVs must be local residents, at least 20 years old, have passed Class VIII, and have no criminal record. Legal and judicial concerns have been raised about CPVs. In the 2016 case *Chandra Kanta Ganguli vs The State of West Bengal*, the Calcutta High Court criticized the vetting process for CPVs and their involvement in law enforcement roles despite restrictions. Reports of CPVs overstepping their roles and engaging in criminal activities have further fueled criticism. Additionally, concerns about appointments based on political loyalty rather than merit point to potential issues with the politicization of the police force and conflicts of interest.
3. Japan's space agency, JAXA, has ended operations of its lunar lander, the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), also known as the "Moon Sniper," due to failed communication attempts. SLIM, a small-scale, uncrewed spacecraft designed for precise landings and testing low-gravity exploration technology, achieved a successful soft landing on the Moon in January 2024. This milestone made Japan the fifth nation to accomplish a soft lunar landing, joining India, Russia, the United States, and China. The mission aimed to investigate the Moon's origins and advance technology for future solar system exploration.
4. Recently, Australia enacted a landmark labour reform granting workers the legal right to "disconnect" from work outside of designated hours. This law allows employees to refuse work-related communications after hours unless such a refusal is deemed unreasonable, taking into account the nature of their role and additional compensation. This move aligns with global trends, mirroring similar laws in Europe and Latin America, such as France’s 2017 legislation aimed at curbing constant connectivity. Industry leaders in Australia have expressed concerns about the law’s implementation, fearing it might disrupt business operations. Meanwhile, India has also considered similar measures with the Right to Disconnect Bill of 2018, though it has not yet progressed significantly.
5. Recently, ISRO’s Thiruvananthapuram unit has finalized the design of a humanoid skull for the Gaganyaan mission. Weighing 800 grams and measuring 200 mm x 220 mm, the skull is made from high-strength aluminum alloy to withstand pressure and vibration. Before sending astronauts into space for the Gaganyaan mission in 2025, ISRO will first deploy the humanoid robot Vyommitra. Vyommitra, designed to mimic the upper human body, will be equipped with sensors and movable arms, face, and neck to test spacecraft safety and simulate human functions in space. The Gaganyaan mission will carry three Indian astronauts on a three-day mission about 400 km from Earth. Pilots Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan, Angad Pratap, and Shubhanshu Shukla have been selected, with Shukla also shortlisted for a joint ISRO-NASA space flight to the ISS in 2025.