Daily News Analysis : 17July 2024

Yellow legged Buttonquail

Breeding Migrant bird Yellow legged Buttonquail bird also known as Turnix Tanki was recently spotted in the urban areas of Bopal-Ghuma in Ahmedabad city. It is a small bird species native to the Indian Subcontinent, East Asia and Southeast Asia. Its IUCN status is Least Concern.

Key Points:

A) However, according to ornithologists and experts, this may be the first image seen in the city of Ahmedabad.
B) The bird is hardly bigger than a sparrow and this species in often found in the open grassy habitats.
C) The breeding season aligns with the wet season, from March to November.

China’s APSTAR-6E satellite in Service

First All electric Telecom Satellite APSTAR-6E of China has officially begun operating after successfully passing technical reviews both in Orbit and on the ground in Hong Kong. The satellite is powered entirely by electric Propulsion and is developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). The satellite operates in geostationary orbit and is based on the advanced DFH,3E platform. 

Key Points:

A) All tests specified in the cycle test procedure have been completed successfully.
B) The APStar-6E payload is operating normally, its performance is based on field results and meets the promises and requirements of the operation of the cycle.
C)  Two Hall/ion electric drive systems on the platform meet the needs of the station.

APAC Ministerial conference on Civil Aviation

The second Asia Pacific (APAC) Ministerial conference on civil Aviation is set to be hosted by India. The conference will jointly be organised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation and Government of India. ICAO is a specialised agency of the UN, established in 1947 by Convention on International Civil Aviation(1944) also known as the Chicago Convention.

Key Points:

A) 39 Member States of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, a U.N. aviation safety body, are located in the Asia Pacific region and are anticipated to take part.
B) The upcoming conference presents a chance to capitalize on the growth potential, building on the groundwork of regional cooperation established by the Beijing Declaration in 2018.
C) The inaugural conference took place in Beijing in February 2018.

2024 World Heritage Young Professionals Forum

The Ministry of Culture is hosting the 2024 World Heritage Young Professionals Forum for the first time in New Delhi. The event is being organised as an integral part of the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee and in the framework of the UNESCO World Heritage Education Programme. The theme of the programme is “World Heritage in the 21st Century: Building capacities and Exploring Opportunities for Youth”.

Key Points:

A) The Forum will enhance the expertise and capacities of young professionals in protecting, preserving, and promoting our natural and cultural World Heritage.
B) As key actors within their local communities, they will jointly explore opportunities to operationalise the World Heritage Convention in the twenty-first century.
C) At the end of the Forum, the young professionals will present their Declaration to the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee.

U-WIN portal

The Union Government of India is set to launch U-WIN portal, a replication of Covid-19 Vaccine management system Co-WIN. The portal ID aimed at maintaining an electronic registry of routine immunizations under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP). The platform is being run in pilot stages across all states and Union Territories except for West Bengal.

Key Points:

A) Currently, U-WIN is in pilot mode across all states and Union Territories, except for West Bengal.
B) The U-WIN platform captures every vaccination event for pregnant women and children under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP).
C) The portal will target 2.9 crore pregnant women and 2.6 crore infants (0-1 years) annually by providing 11 vaccines against 12 vaccine preventable diseases — diphtheria, measles, rubella, and tetanus through more than 1.2 crore vaccination sessions across the country,

Fish Biomass declined more than 10%

As per the report produced by Ecosystem Model Intercomparison Project(FishMIP) projects, fish Biomass declined more than 10% under the high-emissions scenario. The FishMIP initiative was officially launched in 2013 to provide knowledge to industry and governments to support effective planning for Adaptive and Resilient seafood sectors under climate change. 

Key Points:

A) By the end of the century, under the high-emissions scenario, which projects global warming of 3–4.0 °C, declines worsen to 30 percent or greater in 48 countries and territories.
B) Conversely, in the low-emissions scenario, where global warming is projected to be between 1.5–2 °C, adjustments range from no change to a reduction of 10 percent or less across 178 countries and territories by the conclusion of the century.

MANAS- Madak Padarth Nisedh Asuchna Kendra

India’s first ever toll free National helpline for Narcotics-related issues namely MANAS (Madak Padarth Nisedh Asuchna Kendra) was launched by Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah. The launch took place during the seventh meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD). The initiative aims to give people a safe and easy way to report drug related activities. 

Key Points:

A) Shah will chair the meeting which will be attended by officers from Central and State anti-narcotics agencies and departments, special bureaus, and the police.
B) Amit Shah is scheduled to virtually inaugurate the NCB zonal office in Srinagar.
C) Additionally, he is set to unveil NCB’s annual report for 2023 and a compendium focusing on “Nasha Mukt Bharat”.

Best ship of Eastern Fleet 2024-INS Delhi

INS Delhi was recently named as the Best Ship of the Eastern Fleet at the prestigious Fleet Awards function held in Visakhapatnam. The event was held to honour the Eastern Fleets Tactical successes over the past year. INS Kavaratti was praised as the Best ship in the category of Corvettes, OPVs and LSTs. 

Key Points:

A) INS Shivalik, INS Sumedha and INS Sumitra were adjudged the most spirited ships of the Sunrise Fleet while carrying out a wide variety of challenging missions over the last one year.
B) A cultural programme was organised as part of the awards function.
C) The year gone by witnessed a high tempo of operational activities as the Eastern Fleet was deployed within and beyond the Indian Ocean Region to safeguard our maritime interests.

R21/MATRIX-M Vaccine rolls out in Africa

New high efficacy Malaria vaccine “R21/MATRIX-M” was officially rolled out in Cote d’Ivoire in West Africa. The vaccine is co-developed by the Serum Institute of India (SII) and University of Oxford. The vaccine was granted approval by the World Health Organisation last year.

Key Points:

A) The vaccine, approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) last year, has gone through a thorough regulatory process and clinical evaluation, demonstrating high efficacy and affordability.
B)  As a low-dose vaccine, it can be manufactured at speed and scale which is seen as critical to stemming the spread of the mosquito-borne disease.

Spain wins UEFA Euro cup 2024

The European Nation Spain won the UEFA Euro Cup 2024 for the record 4th time. Spain defeated Colombia in the finals with a scoreline of 2-1. Lamine Yamal was named Young Player of the Tournament and Rodri was named as the player of the tournament.

Key Points:

A) Spain’s dominance in the tournament is further solidified by this victory, adding to their previous successes in 1964, 2008, and 2012.
B) The match, attended by notable figures including Prince William and Spain’s King Felipe, took place at Berlin’s Olympiastadion, a venue with historical significance, having been constructed for the 1936 Olympics.