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Agricultural Losses: Plant viruses cause over $30 billion in annual global losses, with pests and diseases destroying nearly 40% of annual crops.
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Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV): CMV infects over 1,200 plant species, causing significant yield losses (e.g., 25-30% in Indian banana plantations, up to 70% in pumpkin/cucumber/melon crops). Spread by aphids.
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RNA Silencing: Plants naturally use RNA silencing (dsRNA triggers DCL enzymes to produce siRNAs, destroying viral RNA) as a defense against viruses.
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HIGS vs. SIGS: Host-Induced Gene Silencing (HIGS) involves genetically modifying plants for continuous dsRNA production but faces regulatory and cost hurdles. Spray-Induced Gene Silencing (SIGS) uses RNA sprays, but traditional dsRNA mixes are inefficient.
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New “Effective dsRNA” Approach: Researchers developed a new approach that enhanced the effectiveness of RNA silencing against CMV.
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Engineered dsRNA: Genetically engineered dsRNA enriched with highly functional siRNA.
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Key Advantages: The new approach: (i) precision, directing the plant’s immune system toward the viral particles’ most vulnerable genetic regions, boosting its ability to fight infection. (ii) a stronger defense because the more-effective dsRNA targets multiple regions of the viral genome simultaneously, making it harder for the virus to mutate and escape. (iii) effective dsRNA can be redesigned in about a month to target new viral strains.
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Promising Results: Demonstrated up to 80% viral load reduction in lab settings using Nicotiana benthamiana. Effective against multiple CMV strains.
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Future Steps: Developing spray-based solutions and field trials are underway to test effectiveness in natural conditions.
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Broader Applications: The technology could be adapted for other plant viruses, fungal and bacterial diseases, and insect pests.
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Challenges:
RNA stability in outdoor conditions (sunlight, rain), cost and scalability of production, and regulatory approvals.
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WTO: Reboot
- WTO’s Diminished Relevance: Rising protectionism, paralyzed dispute settlement, proliferation of FTAs challenge WTO’s role.
- Dispute Settlement Crisis: The Appellate Body is non-functional due to blocked appointments by the US since 2019, weakening enforcement.
- Negotiation Stalemate: Doha Round failed due to disagreements on agriculture, market access, subsidies.
- MFN Erosion: FTAs bypass MFN obligations, fragmenting trade rules, and undermining the multilateral vision.
- Rise of Protectionism: Trade wars, unilateral tariffs using “national security” exceptions weaken WTO principles.
- Inability to Address New Issues: WTO lacks rules for the digital economy, e-commerce, and climate-related trade.
- Power Imbalance: Developed countries push reforms, while developing countries resist, fearing loss of development space.
- Geopolitical Tensions: US-China rivalry, Russia-Ukraine war, and strategic blocs reduce cooperation within the WTO.
- Developing Country Status Disputes: Disagreement over benefits for large economies like China.
- India’s Concerns: MSP exceeding subsidy caps and reluctance to negotiate labor/environmental standards.
- WTO’s Significance: Despite challenges, it facilitated trade growth, reduced poverty, and provided a platform for the Global South.
- Revival Measures: Equitable globalization, enforceable digital trade rules, restoring dispute settlement, redefining SDT based on dynamic criteria, trade-climate linkages, and a permanent reform council.
- Loss of Compass: WTO is not performing negotiating, dispute settlement, or trade monitoring functions, according to some experts.
- US Distrust: The US believes it lowered tariffs too much compared to other countries and feels MFN has not worked.
- China Challenge: WTO rules were inadequate to address China’s dominance and trade practices.
Balikatan 2025
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Largest Bilateral Exercise: Balikatan is the largest military exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States military. Why: Highlights the scale and importance of the cooperation.
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Deterrence Focus: Exercise simulates a “full-scale battle scenario,” aimed at deterring potential aggression in the region, implied to be China. Why: Indicates the strategic purpose of the exercise and its geopolitical context.
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Mutual Defense Treaty Support: Balikatan is designed to enhance military interoperability and readiness
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40th Iteration: The 2025 exercise marks the 40th year of Balikatan. Why: Emphasizes the long-standing nature of the partnership.
Full Battle Test (FBT): Balikatan 2025 introduces a Full Battle Test, incorporating real-world forces and events into a virtual scenario. Why: Shows a significant upgrade in the complexity and realism of the exercise.
Multi-Domain Operations: The exercise spans all domains: air, land, sea, space, and cyber, testing interoperability in defending Philippine sovereignty. Why: Highlights the comprehensive nature of the training, covering modern warfare aspects.
Four Primary Components:
- Combined Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (CJLOTS)
- Humanitarian Civic Assistance (HCA)
- Command-and-Control Exercise (C2X)
- Multilateral Maritime Exercise (MME)
Why: Details the specific areas of training and cooperation, showcasing a diverse set of capabilities.