Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – August 01-03, 2024
( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for August 01-03, 2024)
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August 01-03, 2024
World Wide Web Day
World Wide Web Day is celebrated annually on 1st August. It is a global celebration that commemorates the creation of the World Wide Web (WWW) and its profound impact on human connectivity.
This day serves as a tribute to the immense impact of the Web on modern society and a reminder of its role in fostering global connectivity and innovation.
This day honours the groundbreaking invention of Tim Berners-Lee, an English scientist who conceptualized and developed the WWW in 1989 while working at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN).
Significance Celebration of World Wide Web Day 2024
- This day highlights the web’s transformative effects on communication, education, healthcare, research, and entertainment.
- This day aises awareness about the importance of online security and protecting user data.
- Emphasizes the need for a more inclusive web that supports diverse communities and perspectives and encourages continued development and ethical use of web technologies to drive future advancements.
India Ranks 39th in Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024
India is ranked 39th among 119 countries, according to the Travel and Tourism Development Index 2024 report published by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
As per the TTDI report, out of the TTDI pillars mentioned, India’s scores have improved in three areas: Prioritization of Travel & Tourism, Safety & Security, and Health & Hygiene. As per UNWTO barometer for May 2024, there were 975 million International Tourist arrivals around the world in 2022, wherein India recorded 14.3 million International Tourist Arrivals that represented 1.47% of the international inbound tourism market share. The share of India’s International Tourist Arrivals in Asia & Pacific is 15.66% in 2022.
Travel and Tourism Development Index
- The Travel and Tourism Development Index is a biennial report released by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
- The 2024 Travel and Tourism Development Index was prepared in collaboration with the University of Surrey, England. This year, 119 countries have been ranked on the Index.
- The Travel and Tourism Development Index benchmarks and measures the set of factors and policies that enable the sustainable and resilient development of the Travel and tourism sector, which plays a role in a country’s development.
Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill, 2024
The Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill, is a proposed legislation introduced to replace the outdated Aircraft Act of 1934.
Need to Replace the Aircraft Act 1943:
- The Act has been amended multiple times to enhance safety, and oversight, and align with international conventions, creating ambiguities and confusion for stakeholders.
- To eliminate outdated provisions.
- Improve ease of doing business and streamline processes. Address design, manufacture, and maintenance of aircraft and related equipment.
Objective
- The primary objective of the Vayuyan Vidheyak 2024 is to reform and streamline the processes and protocols associated with air traffic management in India.
- It aims to integrate advanced technologies and international best practices to ensure the safe and efficient movement of air traffic within the Indian airspace.
Important Provisions:
- Empowerment for Rule-Making: The Central Government is empowered to make rules to implement international civil aviation conventions. Examples include the Chicago Convention (1944) and the International Telecommunication Convention (1932).
- Enhanced Powers for Aviation Authorities: Increased powers for the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Enhanced authority for the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). Greater powers for the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
- Emergency Powers: The Central Government is empowered to issue orders in emergencies for public safety, such as detaining aircraft.
- License and Certification Management: Central Government can suspend, cancel, or restrict licenses or certifications with a hearing opportunity for affected parties.
- Appeal Process: Introduction of a second appeal between the initial appeal and final appeal to the Secretary, MoCA.
Significance of the Bill:
- The Bill aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative by regulating aircraft design and manufacturing.
- It expands coverage to include drones, UAVs, flying taxis, and electronic gliders.
- This move addresses the needs of a rapidly growing aviation market, with ICRA forecasting an 8–13% growth in domestic air passenger traffic for FY2024.
Exercise Tarang Shakti
India will host its first multinational air exercise, ‘Tarang Shakti 2024’, in two phases, taking place in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan.
It aims to showcase India’s defence capabilities and enhance cooperation among the participating militaries.
Key Points
- This exercise will enhance relationships with international community members and will help to improve mutual understanding of air operations through complex missions.
- It aims to boost military cooperation and highlight India’s defence industry, supporting the country’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
- Phase one of the exercise will be conducted at Sulur in Tamil Nadu from August 6 to August 14 and four countries including France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom will participate with their assets.
- Phase two will be held at Jodhpur in Rajasthan from September 1 to 14 and it will see participation from Australia, Bangladesh, Greece, Singapore, UAE and the USA with their assets.
Swapnil Kusale earns third bronze medal for India in shooting
Swapnil Kusale has become the first Indian shooter to secure a medal in the 50m Rifle 3 Position (3P) event at the Paris Olympics. He finished his match with 451.4 to settle for a bronze medal.
The gold medal was won by the world record holder Liu Yukun of China with 463.6 points, while the silver was won by Ukraine’s Serhiy Kulish with 461.3 points.
Achievements:
Swapnil Kusale’s journey to this historic Olympic medal has been decorated with numerous achievements:
- World Championship, Cairo (2022): Finished 4th, winning an Olympic quota place for India.
- Asian Games 2022: Gold medal in the Team event.
- World Cup, Baku (2023): Gold in mixed team event and two silver medals in individual & team events.
- World Championship, Cairo (2022): Bronze medal in the team event.
- World Cup, New Delhi (2021): Gold medal in the team event.
Two Indian Astronauts Selected for Axiom-4 Mission
India has announced the selection of two astronauts, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, for the upcoming Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
Key Features
- Indian astronauts will receive training from NASA, international partners, and SpaceX, focusing on spacecraft systems and emergency preparedness, as part of India-US space cooperation goals.
- The crew will consist of professional astronauts and private individuals, including researchers and potentially tourists, who have undergone rigorous training for the mission.
- Axiom-4 is expected to be a short-duration mission, lasting approximately 14 days.
- During their time aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the crew will conduct scientific experiments, perform technology demonstrations, and engage in educational outreach.
About Axiom-4 Mission
- Axiom Mission 4 (or Ax-4) is a private spaceflight to the International Space Station.
- It is operated by Axiom Space and uses a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft.
- The flight is in collaboration with NASA and will be the fourth flight of Axiom Space after Axiom Mission 1, Axiom Mission 2 and Axiom Mission 3.
- Scheduled to launch in 2024, Axiom-4 will continue the company’s pioneering efforts to establish a sustainable human presence in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
mRNA vaccine development against human avian influenza (H5N1)
A new initiative to develop and distribute mRNA vaccines for human avian influenza (H5N1) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP).
The initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to improve the sharing of influenza viruses and vaccine access under the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework.
About mRNA Vaccine technology
- mRNA vaccines work by introducing a piece of mRNA that corresponds to a viral protein, usually a small piece of a protein found on the virus’s outer membrane.
- mRNA is a genetic molecule that contains instructions or recipe that directs cells to make a protein using its natural machinery. This mRNA prompts cells to create viral proteins, triggering the immune system to produce antibodies and boost the immune system.
- The mRNA Technology Transfer Programme has already developed a platform for COVID-19 vaccine candidates, which is now being adapted for other diseases, enhancing global vaccine equity.
India Elected as Vice-Chair of IPEF’s Supply Chain Council
India has been elected as the vice-chair of the Supply Chain Council (SCC) under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF).
India and 13 other Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) partners have established three supply chain bodies under the landmark Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Agreement relating to Supply Chain Resilience.
The IPEF has created three councils to deal with different supply chain issues:
Supply Chain Council: To pursue targeted, action-oriented work to strengthen the supply chains for those sectors and goods most critical to national security, public health, and economic well-being.
Crisis Response Network: To provide a forum for a collective emergency response to exigent or imminent disruptions. Labour
Rights Advisory Board: Brings together workers, employers, and governments at the same table to strengthen labour rights and workforce development across regional supply chains.
Recent Appointments:
During the meetings, each of the three supply chain bodies elected a Chair and Vice Chair, who will serve for a term of two years. The elected chairs and vice chairs are:
Supply Chain Council: USA (Chair) and India (Vice Chair)
Crisis Response Network: Republic of Korea (Chair) and Japan (Vice Chair)
Labour Rights Advisory Board: USA (Chair) and Fiji (Vice Chair)
Nano-MIND Technology
Researchers from the Center for Nanomedicine at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) and Yonsei University in South Korea have successfully demonstrated the ability to control specific brain regions in mice using magnetic fields.
About Nano-MIND Technology
- Nano-MIND technology utilizes magnetic fields and magnetized nanoparticles to wirelessly and remotely modulate specific deep brain neural circuits.
- This innovative approach enables precise activation or inhibition of targeted neurons, providing a powerful tool for researchers to study and influence brain activity without invasive procedures.
- By harnessing magnetism, Nano-MIND offers a new level of control over brain function that surpasses traditional methods, which often involve electrical stimulation or pharmacological interventions.
Highlights of the research
- The research team demonstrated the technology’s capabilities by activating specific neurons in different brain regions of mice.
- One notable achievement was the activation of inhibitory GABA receptors in the medial preoptic area (MPOA), which is responsible for maternal behaviours.
- When these neurons were stimulated in non-maternal female mice, the animals exhibited significantly increased nurturing behaviours, mimicking those of maternal mice.
- The researchers also successfully regulated feeding behaviours by targeting motivation circuits in the lateral hypothalamus.