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:

• • 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.