Current Affairs

INTERNATIONAL BIOLOGY OLYMPIAD (IBO) 2024

Why in the News?

• The Indian team, which participated at the 35^th International Biology Olympiad (IBO) 2024 achieved remarkable success, with one student winning a gold medal and three students securing silver medals.

About

• Winners
  • Vedant Sakre (Gold) from Mumbai, Maharashtra
  • Ishan Pednekar (Silver) from Ratnagiri, Maharashtra
  • Shrijith Sivakumar (Silver) from Chennai, Tamil Nadu
  • Yashashwi Kumar (Silver) from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh
• It was held at Astana, Kazakhstan

International Biology Olympiad (IBO)

• About: It is the association that organizes the world's premier biology competition for secondary school students.
• Aim: To identify, inspire, empower and support the next generation of leaders in the life sciences and to develop their international network.

Note: Capital of Kazakhstan: Astana Currency of Kazakhstan: Kazakhstani Tenge

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MISSY ELLIOTT

Why in the News?

• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has sent Missy Elliott's 1997 song, The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly) on an interplanetary journey to Venus at the speed of light.

About

• It was transmitted by the Deep Space Network (DSN).
• Previously, NASA had sent the Beatles' song "Across the Universe" into deep space in 2008.

Deep Space Network (DSN)

• It is NASA’s international array of giant radio antennas that supports interplanetary spacecraft missions, plus a few that orbit Earth.
• It also provides radar and radio astronomy observations that improve our understanding of the solar system and the larger universe.
• It is operated by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Southern California.

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PRE-CLINICAL NETWORK FACILITY

Why in the News?

• Union Health Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh recently inaugurated Asia’s inaugural health research-related Pre-clinical Network Facility at Faridabad’s Translational Health Science & Technology Institute (THSTI).

About

• This facility, selected by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).
• The facility will be the 9^th such network laboratory worldwide and the first in Asia.

Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)

• About
  • It is a global partnership launched in 2017 to develop vaccines to stop future epidemics.
  • It was founded in Davos, Switzerland by the governments of Norway and India.
• Aim: To accelerate the development of vaccines and other biologic countermeasures against epidemic and pandemic threats so they can be accessible to all people in need.

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WORLD DAY FOR INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE 2024

• It is annually celebrated on 17^th July.
• It aims to promote global justice, accountability, and the rule of law around the world.
• The day commemorates the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on 17^th July 1998 with the ratification of the Rome Statute.

International Criminal Court (ICC)

About

• It is governed by an international treaty called The Rome Statute and is the world’s first permanent international criminal court.
• It operates independently from the United Nations.
• President: Judge Tomoko Akane
• Headquarter: Hague, Netherlands
• Field Offices: Kinshasa, Bunia, Kampala, Bangui, Nairobi, Abidjan.
• Official languages: English, French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish.
• Working languages: English and French.

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CHANDIPURA VIRUS INFECTION (CHPV)

Why in the news?

• Six children have died of suspected Chandipura virus (CHPV) infection in Gujarat.

About

• It was first identified in 1965 in Chandipura, Maharashtra.
• It is a virus of the Rhabdoviridae family.
• Several species of sandflies like Phlebotomine sandflies and Phlebotomus papatasi, and some mosquito species such as Aedes aegypti are considered vectors of the virus.
• It mainly affects children aged 9 months-14 years.

Symptoms: Similar to flu, and acute encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).

Measures

• The incubation period is 5 to 10 days following a sandfly bite.
• It can be prevented through vector control, use of insect repellents, protective clothing and insect nets.

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General Knowledge

SILK ROUTE

• About
  • It was an ancient trade route originated by Han Dynasty in China around 130 BCE.
  • It was a major conduit for trade between the Roman Empire and China and later between medieval European kingdoms and China.
  • It was named for the lucrative silk trade that was established in China at the far eastern end of the trade route.
  • Besides silk, the route was also used to transport other goods such as spices, gold, and precious stones.
  • It facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures, enriching cultural heritage and language contributing to a diverse, interconnected world.
  • The name Silk Road was coined by the German geographer Ferdinand von Richthofen.
  • Father of the Silk Road: Zhang Qian
• Route: The network stretched from China to the Indian subcontinent, Iranian Plateau, the Caucasus, Turkey, and as far as North Africa, Russia and Eastern Europe.

Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)

• It was launched by China in 2013.
• Aims
  • To link Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa and Europe with a network of land and sea routes.
  • To boost international connectivity by enhancing infrastructure, trade, and economic cooperation of over 60 countries.

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JAGANNATH TEMPLE

• About:
  • It was built in the 12^th century by the Ganga dynasty king Anantavarman Chodaganga in Puri, Odisha.
  • It is based on Kalingan architectural style.
  • It plays a crucial role in the Vaishnavism tradition.
    • This is the only temple in India where Krishna, Balabhadra (Balarama) and their sister Shubhadra are worshipped together.
  • This temple was called the White Pagoda and is a part of Char Dham pilgrimages (Badrinath, Dwaraka, Puri, Rameswaram).
  • There are four gates to the temple- Eastern ‘Singhdwara’, Southern ‘Ashwadwara’, Western 'Vyaghra Dwara and Northern ‘Hastidwara’.
  • In front of the entrance stands the Aruna stambha or sun pillar, which was originally at the Sun Temple in Konark.

Jagannath Temple