Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 9th December 2024

Crohn’s Disease : Study

Researchers assess the efficacy and safety of filgotinib, a Janus kinase (JAK) 1 preferential inhibitor, as induction and maintenance therapy in patients with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease.

• Crohn’s Disease is a type ofinflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• It is a chronic, or long-term condition that causes inflammation in the digestive tract.
• It is not clear what causes Crohn’s disease.
• Experts suggest that it may stem from an abnormal reaction of the immune system.
• Although it typically starts in childhood or early adulthood, Crohn’s disease can develop at any age.
• Inflammation caused by Crohn’s disease can involve different areas of the digestive tract in different people, most commonly the small intestine.
• The most common symptoms of Crohn’s disease are diarrhoea, cramping and painin your abdomen, anaemia, altered appetite, and weight loss.
• There’s no known cure for Crohn’s disease, but therapies can greatly reduce its signs and symptoms.

UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs:

India has been chosen to Chair the 68th Session of the United Nation Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND).

• UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs is the principal policy-making body of the United Nations on drug-related matters.
• It is mandated to monitor global drug trends, support Member States in formulating balanced policies, and oversee the implementation of the major international drug conventions.
• It is mandated to decide on the scope of control of substances under the three international drug control conventions (1961, 1971 and 1988 Conventions).
• It was established by the resolution of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) IN 1946.
• It is one of the functional commissions of the ECOSOC and a Governing Body of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
• The CND has 53 member states that are elected by ECOSOC. It is chaired by a Bureau including one member per Regional Group.
• It has five subsidiary bodies: the Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies in Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific and Africa, and the Sub-commission in the Near and Middle East.
• It meets annually and adopts a range of decisions and resolutions. Intersessional meetings are convened throughout the year.
• Towards the end of each year, the Commission meets at a reconvened session to consider budgetary and administrative matters as the governing body of the United Nations drug programme.
• Headquarter: It is headquartered in Vienna.

MuleHunter.AI:

The Reserve Bank of India asked banks to collaborate with its initiative MuleHunter.AI to weed out mule accounts which are used to commit financial fraud.

• MuleHunter.AI is the Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning-based model.
• It has been developed by the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH), which is a subsidiary of Reserve Bank of India.
• This model enables detection of mule bank accounts in an efficient manner. A pilot with two large public sector banks has yielded encouraging results.
• Mule bank account is a bank account, used by criminals for illegal activities, including the laundering of illicit funds.

Indian Star Tortoise:

Researchers have identified two genetically distinct groups of the Indian star tortoise species namely northwestern and southern.

• Indian Star Tortoise name comes from the star-like patterns that feature on its high-domed shell.
• It has very distinctive patterns and its highly rounded shell makes it popular in the world’s trade in exotic pets.
• They occupy a wide variety of habitats, including semi-arid lowland forests, thorn scrub forests, semi-desert and arid grasslands.
• This species has a high tolerance for habitats that are seasonally wet or dry, with many populations inhabiting areas with a monsoon or rainy season followed by a long hot and dry period.
• It is endemic to the subcontinent and resides in arid pockets of northwest India (bordering Pakistan), South India, and Sri Lanka. However, members of the species have also been found in people’s homes as far afield as Canada and the U.S.
• It is generally crepuscular, which means they are active in the early morning and the late afternoon during dry, hot weather.
• Indian star tortoises are mainly herbivores and mostly eat grasses, herbaceous leaves, flowers etc.
• Conservation status:
  • IUCN: VulnerableCITES: Appendix I
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972: Schedule I

India Internet Governance Forum:

The India Internet Governance Forum (IIGF) 2024 will be held on December 9-10, 2024, at the Bharat Mandapam Convention Center, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

• It is the Indian chapter of the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (UN IGF).
• It is a global multi-stakeholder platform that fosters dialogue on public policy issues related to the Internet.
• Established in 2021, aims to maximize the opportunities of the Internet while addressing associated challenges and risks.
• IIGF promotes collaborative discussions among representatives from government, civil society, industries, technical communities, think tanks, and industry associations.
• It is supported by a 14-member multi-stakeholder committee, IIGF Known for its inclusive and collaborative approach, IGF plays a vital role in shaping policies for an open, secure, and accessible Internet, addressing issues such as cybersecurity, digital inclusion, data privacy, and emerging technologies.

Highlights about the IIGF-2024:

• It is supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI).
• This initiative by India’s multi-stakeholder community aims to explore critical aspects of Internet governance, foster meaningful dialogue, and highlight India’s leadership in the global digital landscape.
• It will address critical themes to advance a secure, inclusive, and sustainable digital ecosystem.
• The forum will explore Legal and Regulatory Frameworksto create balanced, growth-oriented policies that strengthen Internet governance.
• Another key focus is Responsible AI, promoting the ethical and effective use of artificial intelligence for societal benefit.

John Mahama Returns as Ghana’s President:

Ghana’s former president, John Dramani Mahama, has made a historic return to power after defeating the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the presidential election. The victory marks Mahama’s third attempt to reclaim the presidency after defeats in 2016 and 2020. This election reflects voter frustration with the NPP’s handling of a severe economic crisis under President Nana Akufo-Addo.

Amit Shah Unveils Sardar Patel Statue in Jodhpur:

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah unveiled an 11-ft tall statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, in the presence of Union Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and other dignitaries. The statue, made of several metals and weighing 1,100 kilograms, stands on an 8-ft pedestal.

Burkina Faso Junta Names New Prime Minister:

Burkina Faso’s ruling military junta has announced a significant political shift by appointing Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo as the new prime minister. This move comes a day after the junta dissolved the national government without providing any justification. The country continues to grapple with severe security challenges and political instability under military rule.

HSL Triumphs at 3rd PSU Transformation Awards 2024:

Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), a leader in India’s shipbuilding and ship repair industry, garnered two prestigious awards at the 3rd PSU Transformation Awards 2024. The event, held at Shangri-La, New Delhi, on December 5, recognized HSL’s efforts in innovation and technological advancement within the maritime sector.

Bangladesh Triumphs in U-19 Asia Cup Final, Beats India by 59 Runs:

Bangladesh U-19 successfully defended their Asia Cup title with an impressive 59-run victory over India in the final. Despite a solid start by India’s bowlers, Bangladesh set a challenging target of 199 runs, and India faltered in their chase, getting bowled out for 139 in 35.2 overs. Key performances from Mohammad Shihab James, Rizan Hossan, and Azizul Hakim helped Bangladesh post a competitive total, while Hakim, Iqbal Hossain Emon, and Rizan Hossan bagged three wickets each to dismantle India’s batting line-up.