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Current Affairs (17th July, 2024)
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Current Affairs
INTERNATIONAL BIOLOGY OLYMPIAD (IBO) 2024
Why in the News?
- The Indian team, which participated at the 35th 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 |
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.
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 9th 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.
WORLD DAY FOR INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE 2024
- It is annually celebrated on 17th 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 17th 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.
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.
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.
JAGANNATH TEMPLE
- About:
- It was built in the 12th 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