Today’s Current Affairs: 16th July 2024 for UPSC IAS exams, State PSC exams, SSC CGL, State SSC, RRB, Railways, Banking Exam & IBPS, etc
Table of Contents
Tirzepatide : Weight Loss Drug
India is set to approve the weight-loss drug tirzepatide marking a significant advancement in obesity treatment.
- This follows global trends where drugs like semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) have shown dramatic weight loss effects.
- Tirzepatide, originally approved for diabetes, also induces weight loss by boosting hormones GLP-1 and GIP, which promote satiety and manage glucose levels.
- Clinical trials have demonstrated substantial weight loss with tirzepatide, with participants losing up to 20.9% of their body weight.
- However, ongoing use is necessary to maintain these results, as stopping the medication leads to weight regain.
Side effects include nausea, vomiting, and risk of thyroid tumours.
International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Award For Exceptional Bravery At Sea:
Captain Avhilash Rawat and his crew from an oil tanker have received the 2024 International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea.
- They were honoured for their “determination and endurance” during a rescue mission in the Red Sea, where they faced a serious fire after their ship was hit by an anti-ship missile believed to be fired by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.
- The IMO annually invites nominations from member countries to honour seafarers for exceptional bravery at sea who were reviewed by an Assessment Panel of experts.
- The panel’s recommendations were then reviewed by a Panel of Judges chaired by the Chairperson of the IMO Council.
- The final recommendations led to prestigious recognitions being bestowed on Indian seafarers.
- The annual awards ceremony will be held at IMO Headquarters in London on 2nd December 2024 during the 109th session of the Maritime Security Committee.
- The IMO, a specialised agency of the UN, regulates shipping and prevents marine pollution from ships.
- It was established in 1948 after a UN conference in Geneva and officially came into existence in 1958.
- It has 175 Member States, three Associate Members, India became a member in 1959.
- The IMO’s main role is to create a fair and effective regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is universally adopted and implemented. Additionally, IMO celebrates World Maritime Day every last Thursday of September to emphasise the importance of shipping and maritime activities.
Restoration Of Interest Equalization Scheme:
The engineering exporters’ body Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC India) has requested to restore the Interest Equalization Scheme (IES) for all exporters and increase benefits for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
- The IES for pre and post shipment rupee credit availed by exporters was started in 2015 and it lapsed in June 2024 for all exporters, except MSMEs.
- IES is a commerce ministry program that helps exporters get bank loans at a subsidised interest rate. EEPC urges to restore interest subvention rate to 3% for 410 tariff lines and raise the rate to 5% for MSMEs exporting under any tariff line.
- EEPC India, established in 1955, has played a significant role in the growth of Indian engineering exports, which have increased from USD 10 million in 1955 to USD 109.32 billion in the fiscal year 2023-2024.
- It is recognised as the model EPC in India by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry and is sponsored by the Government of India. It actively contributes to government policies and serves as a bridge between the Indian engineering industry and the government.
- Remission of Duties and Taxes on Export Products (RoDTEP) introduced in 2021 replaces the existing MEIS (Merchandise Exports from India Scheme).
- It also ensures exporters receive refunds on previously non-recoverable embedded taxes and duties, while IES aims to provide interest rate equalisation on pre- and post-shipment export credit to boost exports.
Ratna Bhandar : Jagannath Temple
The Odisha government unlocked the revered Ratna Bhandar of the 12th-century Jagannath temple in Puri after 46 years.
- The Ratna Bhandar is a valuable collection of treasures, located on the northern side of the Jagamohana (assembly hall of temple).
- It contains the priceless jewelry of the sibling deities Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra which have been offered by former kings over many centuries and by devotees from around the globe.
- The Records of Rights created in accordance with the Puri Sri Jagannath Temple Act, 1952, includes an inventory of the precious jewelry and assorted adornments belonging to Lord Jagannath.
- It contains two chambers namely the outer (Bahara Bhandar) and inner chamber (Bhitar Bhandar), which has remained closed for the past 46 years.
- As per the inventory last made in 1978, the Ratna Bhandar has a total 128.38 kg of gold and 221.53 kg of silver.
- The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), is the custodian of the temple and had performed a structural inspection of the Ratna Bhandar in 2008 but could not enter the inner chamber.
Climate Resilient Agriculture:
The Union government is planning to unveil a framework to promote climate-resilient agriculture in 50,000 villages located in climatically-vulnerable districts.
- According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), climate resilient agriculture is defined as “the ability of an agricultural system to anticipate and prepare for, as well as adapt to, absorb and recover from the impacts of changes in climate and extreme weather”.
- National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA), a network project of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) studied the impact of climate change on agriculture and farmers.
- Studies indicate that in the absence of adaptation measures, climate change projections are likely to reduce irrigated rice yields by 3%, rainfed rice yields by 7 to 28%, wheat yield by 3.2-5.3%, maize yield by 9-10% and increased the soybean yield by 2.5-5.5% for the period 2020-2039.
- Extreme events like drought affect food and nutrient consumption, increase incidence of poverty, encourage outmigration, increase indebtedness and reduce farmers’ capacity to adapt to climate change.
e-FAST India Initiative:
NITI Aayog has announced the launch of the ‘NITI GearShift Challenge’ as part of the e-FAST India initiative.
- e-FAST was born from the recognition of the urgent need to decarbonize road-based freight transportation in India to realize its 2070 net zero commitments.
- It was launched in September 2022.
- It aims to galvanize the transition towards cleaner and greener freight transportation.
- The platform facilitates active collaborations at both the national and international levels, supports ideation and development of pilot programs on a scalable basis, and explores technology integration and associated research.
- It is a platform that facilitates deliberation, debates and collaboration between different stakeholders including the government, Original Equipment Manufacturers, Logistics Service Providers, Shippers, and industry experts to enable the development and adoption of electric technology in the freight sector at scale.
- It is supported by the collaborative efforts of 12 knowledge partners.
Indian Flapshell Turtle:
The scientists at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) on a mission to save an Indian flapshell turtle, whose shell cracked after an accident.
- Indian flapshell Turtle is a freshwater species of turtle found in South Asia.
- The “flap-shelled” name stems from the presence of femoral flaps located on the plastron. These flaps of skin cover the limbs when they retract into the shell.
- It is morphologically an evolutionary link between the softshell and hardshell aquatic turtles.
- They live in the shallow, quiet, often stagnant waters of rivers, streams, marshes, ponds, lakes and irrigation canals, and tanks.
- These turtles prefer waters with sand or mud bottoms because of their tendency to burrow.
- They are mainly found in Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh (Indus and Ganges drainages) and Myanmar (Irrawaddy and Salween Rivers).
- Conservation status
- IUCN Red list: Vulnerable
- CITES: Appendix I
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary : State’s First Ramsar Site
The Manjeera wildlife sanctuary in Telangana is undergoing a study to potentially become the state’s first Ramsar site.
- Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary and a reservoir located in the Medak district of Telangana.
- Originally a crocodile sanctuary, today more than 70 species of birds are spotted here, and is home to the vulnerable species of mugger crocodile.
- The sanctuary follows the course of river Manjeera, a tributary of Godavari, and abuts the Manjeera reservoir.
- It is a man-made reservoir that provides water for irrigation and also drinking water for the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
- The reservoir has nine small island These islands contain extensive marshy fringes, which act as nesting sites for waterbirds. Additionally, thick cover of trees also provides nesting spots for birds.
Two Story School Collapsed : Nigeria
A two-story school collapsed recently in north-central Nigeria, killing 22 students and sending rescuers on a frantic search for more than 100 people trapped in the rubble.
- Nigeria is a country located on the western coast of Africa. It is often called the “Giant of Africa.”
- It is bordered to the north by Niger, to the east by Chadand Cameroon, to the south by the Gulf of Guinea of the Atlantic Ocean, and to the west by Benin.
- It achieved independence from Britain in 1960.
- It covers an area of around 9.24 lakh square kilometres.
- It is also Africa’s most populous country.
- Capital: Abuja
- Language: English is Nigeria’s official language, although many local languages such as Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, and Ijaw are also spoken.
- Money: Naira
- Nigeria has a diverse geography, ranging from arid to humid equatorial climates.
Syphilis : Improved Testing
Improved testing has led to the detection of over 6,000 cases of syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease primarily linked to unsafe sex, according to data from the Mumbai AIDS Control Society (MDACS) between 2018-19 and 2022-23.
- Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can cause serious health problems if you do not treat it.
- It is caused by the bacteria, Treponema pallidum.
- After the infection happens, syphilis bacteria can stay in the body for many years without causing symptoms. But the infection can become active again.
- People usually get syphilis from sexual contact with someone who has it.
- It can also pass from mother to baby during pregnancy, childbirth, and sometimes through breastfeeding.
- Syphilis develops in stages.
- The symptoms vary with each stage and is often painless.
- The disease starts as a sore that’s often painless and typically appears on the genitals, rectum, or mouth.
- Sometimes it causes swelling in nearby lymph nodes.
- Syphilis usually causes a non-itchy skin rash, often on your hands and feet.
- Many people do not notice symptoms for years. Symptoms can go away and come back.
- If left untreated, it can cause serious health issues. It can permanently damage your heart, brain, muscles, bones, and eyes.
- Syphilis is treatable and curable. It is easy to cure with antibiotics, especially during in the early stages.
- Penicillin is the most commonly used medication for syphilis.
Bagmati River : Flood
Flood situation have emerged in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur area as water level of Bagmati River has risen.
- Bagmati River is a river in south-central Nepaland northern Bihar state, India.
- It is considered holy by both Hindus and Buddhists.
- It originates from the Bagdwar area in the Shivapuri Hills, located in the northwestern part of Kathmandu Valley, central Nepal, at an elevation of around 2,690 metres (8825 feet) above sea level.
- It is fed by springs and monsoon rainfall and a number of tributaries as it flows down from the Kathmandu valley floor and passes through the valley at Chovar.
- It flows southward through the Shivalik Range, the southernmost range of the Himalayas.
- It continues across the plains of Tarai into Bihar and then flows southeastward to enter the Burhi (“Old”) Gandak Riverafter a course of 225 miles (360 km).
- The basin transacts three distinct latitudinal physiographic zones (Mountain, Siwalik, and Terai) of the Nepal Himalayas.
SIM Swapping Scam:
Google Fi wireless has introduced a security feature called ‘Number Lock’. This new feature empowers users to take control and prevent a growing cybersecurity threat – SIM swapping.
- It occurs when a malicious actor convinces your carrier to transfer your phone number to a new SIM card in their possession.
- This can grant them access to your calls, texts, two-factor authentication codes, and potentially even financial accounts linked to your number.
- In the SIM swap scam, fraudsters first take personal details such as phone numbers, bank account details, and addresses with the help of phishing or vishing.
- After receiving the personal information, fraudsters visit the mobile operator’s retail outlet, posing as the victim with forged ID proof, and report a fake theft of the victim’s SIM card and/or mobile phone.
- By doing this, they attain a duplicate SIM.
- Notably, scamsters can get a duplicate SIM even when the original is working, as they reported a theft of the original SIM card.
- Unlike other scams, where scamsters trick people into giving OTPs and private information on a phone call, the SIM swap scam doesn’t require direct communication with the victims.
- However, fraudsters do give missed calls to their victims so that the latter leave their phones and ignore the lost network connectivity.
- When the SIM is swapped, the accused gains control of the entire SIM. All calls and messages go through their SIM only.
- Once in control of the SIM card, they are able to obtain passwords and OTPs that allow them to access their targets’ bank accounts
