Asphaltum, also known as Shilajit, is a mineral-rich resin that has a long history of use in Ayurveda. This study processed raw samples of Asphaltumcollected from the Himalayan regions of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral in Pakistan. Following the extraction, the samples underwent a series of analyses. Absorption peaks were pronounced in the range of about 220 to 280 nm in the UV-Vis spectrum, attributable to fulvic acid, with typical polyphenolic compounds such as 3-hydroxy Benzoic acid, 4'-hydroxyacetophenone and 2-Ethylphenol. The FTIR analysis showed evidence of important functional groups, namely the broad band at 3350 cm⁻¹attributable to hydroxyl (-OH) stretching, and strong peak at 1680 cm⁻¹due to the stretching of carbonyl (C=O) of carboxylic acids and ketones. GC-MS profiles revealed various organic components to be abundant in the extract, particularly dibenzo-α-pyrones, phenolic acids, and fatty acid esters that are likely responsible for the bioactivity of the extract. ICP-OES analysis indicated some essential minerals, wherein calcium, magnesium, and iron were quantified at 6500 mg/kg, 2500 mg/kg, and 150 mg/kg, respectively. The antibacterial assays revealed that the extract produced inhibition zones of 15 mm against Escherichia coli and 18 mm against Staphylococcus aureus at 50 mg/mL. These findings provide a detailed chemical and elemental profile for Himalayan Shilajit, supporting pharmaceutical applicability and suggesting future pharmacological research routes

This article examines the legal status of children during the Algerian Revolution from a contemporary legal perspective. It explores the dual role of children as both active participants and victims of war, highlighting their involvement in military and civilian capacities. The study assesses the extent to which international humanitarian law and human rights law provided legal protection to Algerian children under colonial rule, addressing issues such as forced displacement, recruitment, and war crimes. Additionally, it evaluates the legal implications of violations committed against children and their recognition as protected persons under international law. The article further discusses how these violations constitute breaches of fundamental legal principles, reinforcing the necessity of historical legal accountability. Ultimately, this study contributes to the broader discourse on war crimes and the enduring impact of conflict on children’s rights.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted participatory evaluation processes, forcing evaluators to adapt methodologies traditionally reliant on in-person interaction. Theory of Change (ToC) workshops—valued for fostering collaboration, surfacing assumptions, and building shared programme logic—were particularly affected. Aim: This study examined how ToC workshops were adapted to virtual platforms under crisis conditions, asking what was gained and what was lost when participatory, dialogical processes moved online. Method: Six ToC workshops with South African education NGOs and partners were analysed: four conducted in person (2018–2019) and two facilitated virtually during the 2020–2021 lockdowns. A reflective comparative approach was employed, drawing on facilitator notes, participant feedback, and workshop artefacts to assess participation, inclusivity, facilitation strategies, and quality of outputs. Results: Virtual workshops sustained continuity, widened geographic reach, and enhanced documentation through recordings, shared diagrams, and chat transcripts. However, they constrained spontaneity, relational depth, and inclusivity. Connectivity barriers and uneven digital literacy advantaged urban and younger participants, while rural and less digitally fluent stakeholders were marginalised. Outputs were structurally coherent but often thinner in assumptions, risks, and intermediate outcomes compared to in-person workshops. Recommendations: Hybrid models are proposed as a resilient pathway: virtual workshops for preparatory and follow-up sessions, complemented by in-person or high-bandwidth engagements for deep relational dialogue. Practical supports should include data stipends, low-bandwidth tools, digital literacy training, asynchronous participation channels, and co-facilitation teams with technical support. Conclusion and Contribution: The study shows that modality is not neutral—it redistributes voice and reshapes the epistemic content of ToCs. By documenting both constraints and innovations, it contributes to debates on participatory evaluation under disruption and offers practical guidance for evaluators, NGOs, and funders designing equitable hybrid facilitation models.