Daily Current Affairs
Prelims Exam
1.World Press Freedom Index 2024
- World Press Freedom Index 2024 by Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
- Ranks 180 countries on press freedom for journalists.
- Overall decline in press freedom globally by 7.6 points.
- Norway ranked 1st, Eritrea ranked last.
- India’s rank improved from 161 (2023) to 159 (2024).
- India’s score worsened in all but the security indicator.
- India ranks behind Turkey (158), Pakistan (152), Sri Lanka (150).
2.Combating Drug-Resistant Bacteria: Hope from Cow-Derived Peptides
New Therapy:
- Scientists develop promising treatment using cow-derived peptides.
- Targets drug-resistant bacteria causing severe infections.
- Offers alternative to conventional antibiotics.
Peptides:
- Chains of amino acids found naturally in the body.
- Amino acids linked by peptide bonds.
Peptides vs. Proteins:
- Both are essential cell components with vital functions.
- Key difference: length.
- Peptides: Typically 2-50 amino acids.
- Proteins: Long molecules formed from multiple peptide subunits.
- Peptides have less defined structures than proteins.
- Proteins can be broken down into peptides by enzymes.
Peptide Functions:
- Diverse functions, including:
- Pro-aging support
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Muscle building
- Acting as hormones
- Peptide supplements available due to potential health benefits.
Amino Acids:
- Building blocks of proteins (and life).
- 20 different types exist.
- Proteins are chains of amino acids (polypeptides).
- Some amino acids are made by the body, others are essential and must be obtained from food (9 essential amino acids).
3. 2nd India-Nigeria Joint Trade Committee Meeting:
Outcomes:
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- Focus areas identified to boost bilateral trade and investment.
- Resolving market access issues for both countries.
- Cooperation in key sectors:
- Oil & Gas
- Pharmaceuticals
- UPI & Local Currency Settlement System
- Power & Renewable Energy
- Agriculture & Food Processing
- Education, Transport, Railways, Aviation
- MSMEs
- Early conclusion of Local Currency Settlement System Agreement planned.
- India-Nigeria Relations:
- Important partners in South-South Cooperation.
- Close collaboration in multilateral organizations (UN, G77, NAM).
- Diplomatic ties since 1958 (India’s embassy established before Nigeria’s independence).
- India as a development partner:
- Concessional loans
- Capacity building programs
- Nigeria: 2nd largest trading partner for India in Africa.
- Bilateral trade: $7.89 billion in 2023-24 (down from $11.8 billion in 2022-23).
- Indian investments in Nigeria: $27 billion across various sectors.
4.Oxytocin
- Issue: Delhi High Court raises concern over continued use of Oxytocin in dairies, calling it animal cruelty.
- What is Oxytocin:
- Naturally occurring hormone in mammals.
- Misused in cattle to increase milk production, harming both animals and consumers.
- Ban: Indian government banned Oxytocin in 2018 due to its misuse.
5.Swell Waves
- Forecast: Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) predicts swell waves hitting Indian coasts.
- What are Swell Waves:
- High waves formed by distant storms (like hurricanes), not local winds.
- Huge energy transfer from air to water during storms creates these waves.
- Can travel thousands of kilometers before reaching shore.
- Example: March 2024 Kerala floods caused by swell waves (called Kallakkadal locally).
- Forecasting: INCOIS launched the Swell Surge Forecast System in 2020 for early warnings (7 days in advance).
6.Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower:
Active Period: April 15 – May 28, peaking on May 5 & 6, 2024.
- Speed: Meteors travel at a high speed of ~148,000 mph (66 km/s), leaving glowing trails.
- Origin: Caused by Earth passing through the debris trail of Halley’s Comet.
- Viewing: Best seen in the pre-dawn hours.
- Visibility:
- Southern Hemisphere: Ideal viewing location with up to 40 meteors per hour.
- Northern Hemisphere: Lower visibility with around 10 meteors per hour.
Where Do Meteors Come From?
- Meteors are leftover particles from comets and broken asteroids.
- When Earth passes through a comet’s dust trail, the debris interacts with the atmosphere, burning up and creating the meteor shower.
Did you know?
- Halley’s Comet orbits the Sun every 76 years.
- Last seen in 1986, it won’t return to the inner solar system until 2061.
- Discovered by Edmund Halley in 1705, it’s one of the most famous comets.
7.GI Tag to Kutch Ajrakh
- News: Ajrakh from Kutch receives GI tag from the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks (CGPDTM).
- About Ajrakh:
- “Ajrakh” derived from “Azrak” meaning indigo (primary dye used).
- Traditional textile craft from Gujarat (Sindh, Barmer, Kutch regions).
- Intricate hand-block printing on specially treated cotton fabric.
- Designs hold symbolism and historical significance.
- Introduced over 400 years ago by Sindhi Muslims.
- Popular attire among nomadic communities like Rabaris, Maldharis, Ahirs.