NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. JP Nadda – Chairperson of 77th WHO South-East Asia Session: This region of the WHO includes 11 countries, such as India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. It is one of the largest regions in the world, with more than 25% of the global population living here. Due to its size and diversity, it faces unique health challenges that need to be addressed. The RC77 session is focused on identifying key health priorities and improving healthcare access for all. The representatives will work together to come up with plans to solve emerging health problems and strengthen healthcare systems in their countries.
2. Banjara Virasat ‘Nagara’ Museum: The Banjara Virasat ‘Nagara’ Museum was recently opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Pohradevi, located in the Washim district of Maharashtra. This museum is dedicated to celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Banjara community, which is why Pohradevi is often called the “Kashi of the Banjara Community.” The museum is a four-story building with 13 different galleries. These galleries showcase the history and traditions of the Banjara people. Visitors can learn about important Banjara leaders and movements through portraits and exhibits. The displays also highlight the community’s unique arts, crafts, and way of life, giving an in-depth look into their vibrant culture.
3. What is National Agriculture Code?: What is National Agriculture Code?The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is developing a new set of guidelines called the National Agriculture Code (NAC). This is similar to the existing national codes used for buildings and electrical systems, but specifically for agriculture. The goal is to create a set of standards that can help improve the quality and efficiency of farming practices in India, which currently lack detailed regulations. The NAC is a plan to create rules and guidelines that will cover various agricultural practices across the country. These guidelines will aim to standardize farming methods to ensure that they are efficient, safe, and of high quality. This is important because, while there are already standards for things like farming machinery, fertilizers, and pesticides, many other areas of farming do not have clear rules.
4. Union Cabinet Approves Two Umbrella Schemes for Agriculture: The Union Cabinet, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved an important change in how agricultural schemes are managed in India. This change aims to simplify the existing Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) by combining them into two main umbrella programs: The schemes will be carried out in partnership with State Governments. While they will build on existing programs, new elements will be added to make things more efficient, especially through the use of technology.
5. PM Modi to Inaugurate Mumbai Metro Line 3 in Maharashtra: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming tour to Maharashtra is a major development event for the state’s infrastructure. He will inaugurate the Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Mumbai Metro Line 3, which is the city’s first fully underground metro line. Along with this, he will also launch several projects aimed at improving urban living and supporting farmers. The Mumbai Metro Line 3 is a new metro line in the city that stretches over 12.69 kilometers. The Prime Minister will open a part of this line between Aarey JVLR and Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). He will officially start the service with a flag-off ceremony at the BKC metro station. As part of the event, he will also take a ride on the metro to experience it firsthand.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Nobel Prize 2024 in Medicine-Ambros and Ruvkun for MicroRNA Discovery: The Nobel Prize in Medicine for 2024 was awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for discovering microRNA and its vital role in controlling how genes work after they are copied. This discovery changed how we understand gene regulation, showing how certain genes are turned on or off to support different cell functions, like in muscle or nerve cells. Inside every cell, genes act like instructions that tell the cell how to function. Even though all the cells in our body have the same genes, they can behave very differently. For example, muscle cells and nerve cells look and act differently, even though they share the same genetic code. This happens because only certain genes are turned on in each cell type, depending on what the cell needs to do. This process is called gene regulation.
2. Negro River Hits Record Low Amid Severe Drought Crisis: The Negro River, an important part of the Amazon River system, is facing its worst drought in more than 122 years. On October 4, 2024, the water levels in Manaus, a city near the river, dropped to just 12.66 meters, much lower than the usual 21 meters. Andre Martinelli, a water expert, has stated that the river’s levels are likely to keep dropping throughout October. This signals a worsening of the drought, which is already severe.The drought is causing major problems for people who live near the river. Many daily activities, such as transporting goods or getting clean water, have become much harder.
3. WHO Approves First Mpox Test for Emergency Use: The World Health Organization (WHO) recently approved a new test called the Alinity m MPXV assay to help increase global access to testing for Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox). This decision, made on October 3, 2024, is in response to the growing need for quick and accurate testing as cases of Mpox rise, especially in areas facing outbreaks. Mpox is a viral infection that can cause serious health problems. In August 2024, the WHO declared a rise in Mpox cases, particularly in Africa, as a public health emergency of international concern. Since then, India has also reported 30 cases. Because Mpox can spread quickly, having reliable testing is crucial for controlling the virus.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. DRDO Successfully Conducts Flight-Tests of Advanced VSHORADS System: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested the Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) three times in Pokhran, Rajasthan. These tests show a big step forward in India’s ability to develop its advanced defense systems. VSHORADS is a 4th generation, portable missile system designed to protect against threats in the air at short distances. The Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) is meant to defend against low-flying threats like drones and aircraft within a range of 5 to 20 kilometers. It uses surface-to-air missiles guided by infrared, radar, or optical systems to track and hit targets. VSHORADS is becoming more important in modern warfare due to the increasing use of drones. These systems are typically placed near military bases, borders, and other critical areas for protection.
2. India’s Maritime Decarbonization Conference: The Conference on Maritime Decarbonization in New Delhi, co-hosted by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and the Asian Development Bank, brought together more than 200 participants, including leaders from Indian ports, government officials, and international experts. The goal of the conference was to discuss how shipping and port operations can become more environmentally friendly. In his keynote speech, Secretary TK Ramachandran explained that the maritime sector is crucial for the economy but also plays a key role in fighting climate change. The Indian government is committed to making maritime operations more sustainable, which means they want to reduce pollution and adopt greener practices.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Scientists Discover Innovative Method to Refreeze Arctic Ice: Researchers are working on an innovative idea to address the impacts of climate change on the Arctic by developing a method to “refreeze” the Arctic Sea. Early trials show promise, suggesting that this method could help make the sea ice thicker by pumping seawater into already frozen areas. The Arctic is warming rapidly, and if this continues, it could become ice-free in the summers by the 2030s. This would be disastrous for global ecosystems and the planet’s climate stability. Over the past few decades, nearly 13% of the sea ice in the Arctic has disappeared every 10 years.
2. Pseumenes siangensis : New Wasp Discovered in Arunachal Pradesh: Entomologists from the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) have found a new species of potter wasp in Arunachal Pradesh, in the Eastern Himalayas. The wasp is named Pseumenes siangensis, after the Siang Valley where it was discovered. This discovery shows how rich the region’s biodiversity is and emphasizes the need for more research on insects in the area. The wasp is about 30.2 mm long and has special body features and color patterns that set it apart from other similar species. Scientists collected these wasps using sweep nets during their fieldwork and then studied their physical features closely to confirm they were a new species.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans Tracker (NBSAP): As the COP16 biodiversity conference approaches, set to take place from October 21 to November 1, 2024, there are growing concerns because only 10% of countries have met their promises to protect biodiversity. This conference is important because it’s the first major meeting since the world agreed on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) in 2022. The GBF was adopted by 196 countries and aims to stop and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. It acts as a guide for countries, showing them how to protect and preserve nature. The goal is to get nations to commit to stronger actions to save biodiversity.
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