Weather observations in the Arctic can help predict the track and intensity of tropical and mid-latitude cyclones more accurately

• Japanese scientists and their international partners have found that additional weather observations in the Arctic can help predict the track and intensity of tropical and mid-latitude cyclones more accurately, improving weather forecasting of extreme weather events.
• Upper-level observations such as radiosondes in the Arctic can help to forecast mid-latitude extreme events. Impacts of the Arctic observations can transfer via the tropospheric polar vortex, which is massive low-pressure air mass over the Arctic or Antarctic regions at about 10-km altitude.
• The tropospheric polar vortex sometimes extends toward mid-latitudes accompanied with meandering of mid-latitude westerly jets. This extension can occur even in summer: in August-September 2016, the meandering and extension were relatively active among the recent years.
• Thus, the impacts of the Arctic radiosonde observations could influence the mid-latitude extremes, the courses of three tropical cyclones approaching to Japan or Northern U.S. and Greenland, since the impacts transferred trough the extended tropospheric polar vortex.

Radiosonde

• A radiosonde is a battery-powered telemetry instrument carried into the atmosphere usually by a weather balloon that measures various atmospheric parameters and transmits them by radio to a ground receiver.
• Modern radiosondes measure or calculate the following variables: altitude, pressure, temperature, relative humidity, wind (both wind speed and wind direction), cosmic ray readings at high altitude and geographical position (latitude/longitude).
• Radiosondes measuring ozone concentration are known as ozonesondes.

Mushaira

• Mushaira is a poetic symposium. It is an event (called mehfil, MUSHAIRI) where poets gather to perform their works.
• A mushaira is a beloved part of the culture of Pakistan, North India and the Deccan, particularly among the Hyderabadi Muslims, and it is greatly admired by participants as a forum for free self-expression.
• Ministry of Minority Affairs, Govt. of India, is organising “Mushairas”, based on the themes of teachings and principles of Mahatma Gandhi, across the country as a part of the Modi Government’s decision to commemorate 150th Birth Anniversary of the Father of the Nation.
• These programmes intend spread message and principles of Mahatma Gandhi, and such programmes will also strengthen social harmony and brotherhood in the society.
• The Central Government has decided to celebrate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi and to spread Mahatma Gandhi's legacy among the people at the national and international level.

Theyyam

• Theyyam (Teyyam,Theyam, Theyyattam ) is a popular ritual form of worship of North Malabar in Kerala, India, predominant in the Kolathunadu area and also in South Canara and Kodagu of Karnataka as a living cult with several thousand-year-old traditions, rituals and customs.
• The performers of Theyyam belong to the lower caste community, and have an important position in Theyyam.
• People of these districts consider Theyyam itself as a God and they seek blessings from this Theyyam.
• A similar custom is followed in the Mangalore region of neighbouring Karnataka known as Bhuta Kola.
• The dance or invocation is generally performed in front of the village shrine.
• It is also performed in the houses as ancestor-worship with elaborate rites and rituals.
• There is no stage or curtain or other such arrangements for the performance.
• The devotees would be standing or some of them would be sitting on a sacred tree in front of the shrine.
• A performance of a particular deity according to its significance and hierarchy in the shrine continues for 12 to 24 hours with intervals
• The dancer along with the drummers recites the particular ritual song, which describes the myths and legends, of the deity of the shrine or the folk deity to be propitiated. This is accompanied by the playing of folk musical instruments.

WhatsApp appoints grievance officer-Details process to flag complaints

• Under pressure to clamp down on fake messages, WhatsApp has appointed a grievance officer for India and has detailed out the process for users to flag concerns and complaints, including those around fake news.
• Meeting one of the key demands that India had put forward to WhatsApp to curb fake messages that triggered mob killings, the Facebook-owned company has updated its website to reflect the appointment of a grievance officer for India.
• The update mentions that users can seek help through the mobile app, send an e-mail or write to Komal Lahiri, who is based in the U.S.